Maciej Ceglowski, a computer consultant who lives "everywhere I can," created the website after staying in a buggy San Francisco hotel. He gets legal threats weekly from hotels and other outed establishments, but so far, removing disputed reports has been enough to keep him out of court.
"I try to strike a balance between people's right to know about these problems vs. the rights of managers and hotel owners who don't have bedbugs or are doing a good job fighting them."
Ceglowski has his own theory about why something so common is such a social disgrace.
"There's so little you can do to fight them," he said. "When we feel powerless, we kind of create stories in our heads to make us feel better."
What they look like: Adult bedbugs are reddish brown, about a quarter-inch long, and resemble ticks. Nymphs are smaller and lighter in color. Eggs, each the size of a dust speck, are whitish and hard to see.
What they do to you: The itchy bites can take days to trigger a reaction. They may look like mosquito bites, welts, a rash, or bumps with red dots. Some people have no reaction.
Where they hide: Tiny dark stains or molted shells in bedding are signs of an infestation. Note, however, that a visual inspection may not reveal anything at all.
How to prevent an infestation: Beware of secondhand furniture or clothing. Inspect hotel mattresses. After traveling, inspect luggage and backpacks and immediately put dirty clothes in a tightly sealed bag until they can be laundered. Put clean clothes in the dryer on high heat.
How to treat an infestation: Don't simply throw away infested beds or furniture. Talk to a pest-control expert about whether the items can be treated, and about proper disposal.
For more information
Among the many websites offering bedbug tips, news, history, photos, forums, research, and more:
http://home2.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/vector/
bed-bug-guide.pdf
- Marie McCullough
Contact staff writer Marie McCullough at 215-854-2720 or mmccullough@phillynews.com.
