Ewww.

On the other hand, I've borrowed thousands of books from libraries over the years and this never happened to me.

Gross. On the other other hand, we have more of a problem with mildew in books-patrons return books that have been dropped in the bathtub, pool or ocean; had liquids spilled in them; had food squished between the pages-and don't tell us. Sometimes the damage is obvious, but not always, and with the number of books we handle a day, we don't do inspections-and mildrew can race down a shelf of books.

I'm reading a book from the library right now that has evidence of several days' menus in it...drops of this and drips of that!

Since I've been working with the Friends of the Library sorting and shelving the donations, I have a whole new definition of "dirty books". So far, though, I've not seen any bugs and sincerely hope that never happens.

Bedbugs were pretty much eliminated in much of the US by DDT. Of course it's a good thing that we got rid of DDT with its numerous harmful effects. However, we are now seeing a resurgence of things like bedbugs which arrive with international travellers and spread easily. Tho I thought they were only in bedding, upholstery and carpets, not my beloved books.

Bedbugs are evidently extraordinarily difficult to get rid of. They have become a serious problem in NYC, even in expensive hotels. But books....!

I think silverfish are a bigger problem, especially in the South, along with mould and mildew. I've worked in Archives with very old books for many years and got used to finding dried up bugs of all sorts buried within the pages of ancient tomes. So I am unfazed when I find a bug skeleton in a book, particularly if it is older.

I'm not sure I have ever seen a bedbug. Are they as large and scary as cockroaches?

Pah. Come and join the 21st Century.

You don't get bedbugs with ebooks.

Martin, maybe not bedbugs but sometimes the odd gremlin.

Mary, feast your eyes on the information below. They are becoming a problem in hotels etc in the UK.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bed bugs

Oh, thanks for that, Vee. I was just going to have lunch!

Seriously, I am glad to know what they look like. All I've ever known about bed bugs is the old Sleep Tight ditty.

I became somewhat interested in bedbugs last year when we traveled some and even the nicest hotels across America have them. Hospitals have them and they are very difficult to get rid of and easy to bring home.
We have a vacation coming up this December and I will be very cautious about where I lay my stuff.
And I will carefully check out the rooms first, too.

We have some rentals and one of them (with international students) had a bedbug problem.

I spoke with a pest control man recently when he brought in a bug to be identified. In the course of the conversation he told us that yes, bedbugs were making a resurgence and hotels are a place where they are frequently found, even quite expensive hotels. The problem is that while the sheets are changed daily (unless you don't want them to be), the bedspreads are only washed when they are visibly soiled. He didn't mention blankets but as I write this I am wondering about them, too. His policy is to take the spread off the bed as soon as he enters a hotel room. He also suggested putting suitcases on those folding stands, not on the floor or the bed. I thought he was exaggerating, but now I'm beginning to wonder.

He also told us that they are difficult and expensive to exterminate.

I don't think he is. We will be staying a week at a suite in Myrtle Beach and I will use the metal rolling luggage stand to store all our stuff. Last time we were there I had clothes everywhere but not this time. Since we're driving, I am going to lug everything in plastic rubbermaid totes and keep stuff stored in there.

There is a bed bug registry too, to see if a hotel you want to visit has ever had a problem.