Sheet of plastic for beds?

[Chito]

Just wondering if it's worthwhile to bring an inexpensive plastic mattress cover or sheet of plastic to put under the sleeping bag to guard against bed bugs? Any recommendations on type of pillow case to bring with to put in fleece other clothing to use as a pillow?
Thanks

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Plastic might be a bit noisy and uncomfortable, but it would protect against bed bugs on the mattress. They do climb bed posts or drop from above, so it won't be perfect. I use a lightweight soft Tyvek sheets that is treated with permethrin. It is quieter and soft to sleep on.

 

[patw]

I agree with Faclon whilst a plastic mattress cover will contain any bugs and eggs on the mattress the little buggers are extremely skilled at hiding behind pictures, lights sockets and in any nook or cranny. You can check the edge folds of mattress's to see if you can see any bugs, shells or the horrid black marks that they leave and if seen alert the owner.

 

[Chito]

Plastic might be a bit noisy and uncomfortable, but it would protect against bed bugs on the mattress. They do climb bed posts or drop from above, so it won't be perfect. I use a lightweight soft Tyvek sheets that is treated with permethrin. It is quieter and soft to sleep on.

Thanks for the good information.

 

[Chito]

I agree with Faclon whilst a plastic mattress cover will contain any bugs and eggs on the mattress the little buggers are extremely skilled at hiding behind pictures, lights sockets and in any nook or cranny. You can check the edge folds of mattress's to see if you can see any bugs, shells or the horrid black marks that they leave and if seen alert the owner.

Thank you for your comment.

 

[crhutch]

Last 2 Caminos we carried plastic. Not noisey at all but it only protects from below, as stated these buggers are crafty.

 

[alipilgrim]

Plastic will reflect body heat and moisture and you might find yourself waking up very sweaty!

 

[naplesdon]

There was a guy one night who had an aluminum foil cover, you could hear his every move all night long. I can only imagine the same thing with plastic depending on the thickness.

 

[Chito]

Thank you for all your responses. I think I'm pretty squared away. I'm going to take a sheer curtain treated with Premethrin.

 

[xymmot]

Any place that puts up a sign that they have no bed bugs, that is an alert that they did have them. That was where I encounter my first bites. Funny that the next place I stayed at, a fellow pilgrim saw the same notice and was bitten as well.
So watch out when you see those signs that said We are Bed Bug free. LOL

 

[JudyInTexas]

Plastic might be a bit noisy and uncomfortable, but it would protect against bed bugs on the mattress. They do climb bed posts or drop from above, so it won't be perfect. I use a lightweight soft Tyvek sheets that is treated with permethrin. It is quieter and soft to sleep on.

I just bought several yards of the soft 1443R Tyvek to use a a sheet. Did you leave yours flat or did you make it into a fitted sheet? I understand that if I sew it, I need to use long stitches so it doesn't weaken the material and cause it to tear along the stitching.

Thanks Falcon 269,

Judy

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Did you leave yours flat or did you make it into a fitted sheet?

I left it flat so I could use it as a privacy curtain as well.