Bedbugs in Athens: How to Avoid Infestations When Booking Short-Term Rentals
Bedbugs in Athens: How to Avoid Infestations When Booking Short-Term Rentals - Inspect Upon Arrival
One of the most important steps you can take to avoid bedbugs when booking short-term rentals in Athens is to thoroughly inspect the property upon arrival. I cannot stress this enough - take the time to look over the entire rental unit closely before bringing your luggage inside. Bedbugs are experts at hiding, so you need to be vigilant in checking for any signs of an infestation.
Start by pulling back the sheets on the bed and checking the seams and folds carefully. Look along the edges and underside of the mattress as well. Bedbugs can often be found in the tufts and buttons of mattresses and box springs, so don't forget to inspect those areas. You may need to use a flashlight to illuminate any cracks or crevices. Check behind the headboard as well. Bedbugs like to hide in screw holes and tiny gaps.
Next, inspect along baseboards, window frames, furniture, and even behind picture frames. Look inside drawers, nightstands, and cabinets. Check curtains, curtain rods, and any upholstered furniture. Pull back rugs and check the edges as well as underneath. Keep an eye out for any rust-colored stains, molted skins, or the bugs themselves.
Be sure to look in the folds and seams of any furniture as well. Bedbugs can squeeze into very tight spaces, so don't rule anything out. It may feel tedious poring over every inch of a place, but finding just one bug is a sign of a bigger problem. Spotting an infestation early allows you to take action before the bugs spread further.
Some travelers recommend bringing a large flashlight and crevice tool to aid in your inspection. The crevice tool can help you peer into any cracks and holes where bedbugs may lurk. A good magnifying glass may also come in handy for spotting extremely small bedbugs or eggs.
Bedbugs in Athens: How to Avoid Infestations When Booking Short-Term Rentals - Know the Signs
Bedbugs in Athens: How to Avoid Infestations When Booking Short-Term Rentals - Use a Flashlight for Cracks and Crevices
Bedbugs in Athens: How to Avoid Infestations When Booking Short-Term Rentals - Keep Luggage Off the Floor
Bedbugs in Athens: How to Avoid Infestations When Booking Short-Term Rentals - Wash Bedding at High Heat
Bedbugs in Athens: How to Avoid Infestations When Booking Short-Term Rentals - Dry Clean Clothes Before Returning
Bedbugs in Athens: How to Avoid Infestations When Booking Short-Term Rentals - Seal Belongings in Plastic Bags
One of the best ways to prevent bringing bedbugs home with you is to seal your belongings in plastic bags as soon as your trip ends. This deprives any hitchhiking bedbugs of the oxygen they need to survive. While thorough inspection and cleaning of your Athens rental can help, there's always a chance one or two bugs escaped your notice. Don't take the risk of carrying them back in your luggage.
As soon as you finish packing up, put your suitcases, backpacks, purses, and any other items into plastic garbage bags, press out the air, and tie them tightly shut. This suffocates any lingering bedbugs that may be inside. Leave your sealed items in the bags until you are ready to thoroughly inspect and launder everything back home.
Some seasoned travelers recommend keeping a roll of painter's plastic with you. This allows you to create a barrier around your luggage as an added precaution before heading to the airport or your next destination. Simply roll out the plastic on the floor, place your sealed bags in the center, then wrap up the edges and seal with tape. This contains any possible bedbugs and prevents them from escaping in transit.
While it may seem extreme, many who have dealt with bedbugs before swear by this technique. As one anxious traveler reported after a bedbug encounter in Chicago, "I wrapped taped-up garbage bags around my luggage like a crazy person, but didn't get any bedbugs back home. Now I always take big plastic bags when I travel just in case."
Others prefer large reusable zippered bags designed for storing comforters or clothing. These bags can be cleaned and reused repeatedly. A set of jumbo bags folds up small for packing. Just make sure any bags you use are airtight when sealed. A tiny gap is all a bedbug needs to survive.
In some cases, travelers discovered bedbugs after returning home from a short-term rental. Since the bugs can hide deeply in luggage, they can easily hitch a ride if you don't take precautions. "We brought bedbugs back in a suitcase after a trip to London," one frustrated traveler reported. "I'll never travel again without sealing everything in plastic first." She went on to say it cost over $1000 to rid their home of the pests.
Bedbugs in Athens: How to Avoid Infestations When Booking Short-Term Rentals - Report Any Infestations Immediately
If you discover signs of a bedbug infestation in your Athens rental, it is imperative to report the issue to the owner or management company right away. While it may be an awkward conversation, alerting them is the only ethical thing to do. Staying silent and allowing the next unsuspecting guest to walk into an infested unit would be irresponsible. Plus, reporting promptly increases the chances of you getting fully or partially refunded.
As soon as you spot a live bug, cast skin, or rust-colored stains, take clear photos as evidence. Email them directly to the rental owner/manager along with a brief explanation of where and when you discovered the bedbugs. Be matter-of-fact and avoid emotional language or accusations. If you are hoping for a refund, politely request that as well.
In most cases, reputable rental companies and conscientious owners will be mortified to learn one of their units has an infestation. They will apologize and immediately work to make things right by refunding your stay and arranging for pest control treatment. For example, one shocked owner replied, "I'm incredibly sorry about this and appreciate you bringing it to my attention right away. You'll of course receive a full refund, and I'll get an exterminator scheduled immediately."
However, some disreputable hosts may try to downplay the issue or refuse responsibility. They may claim bugs were already present on your belongings when you arrived. Polite yet firm persistence is key. Calmly reiterate that the infestation is clearly connected to the unit itself based on where you discovered the signs. If needed, consult Airbnb or other booking platform's policies regarding refunds for pest issues.
Getting ghosted by an unresponsive host is also an unfortunate possibility. Follow up multiple times through various channels like email, text, and Airbnb messaging. If all communication attempts are ignored past 24 hours, contact the booking platform directly for assistance getting your refund.
While dealing with the host, also report the infestation to the booking platform through their official process. On Airbnb for example, you would select "Report a Problem" under the trip details and provide information on the pest issue discovered. The platform can then investigate, remove the listing if needed, and assist with the refund process.
Other guests who have reported bedbug encounters faced mixed reactions from Athens hosts. One owner apologized profusely and immediately issued a refund, plus paid for all belongings to be heat treated. However, another was in complete denial, claiming the photo evidence was fabricated. She refused any financial remedies. Only involvement from Airbnb finally secured a refund.