The Sous Bois hostel in Montreal is quite a lively place. In some ways, it is an unusually good establishment. The atmosphere is positive, there is free wireless internet, the location is good, and the facilities are fairly well maintained. One nice touch is providing a big bowl of earplugs (a necessity in almost any hostel).
The biggest problem with the Sous Bois, in my experience, is the bedding. The bunks consist of squeaky air mattresses and the sheets they provide are awfully scanty for Montreal in winter. It is a good thing I ended up sleeping in my shoes, trousers, and jacket, since I woke up with my hands and ankles covered in small, itchy insect bites. All told, I have about 100 of them, after two nights in the place. Lots of other ex-guests mention the bugs, which demonstrates the importance of researching low-cost accommodations, rather than choosing one that appears high on Google and has a nice webpage. The lack of secure storage facilities is also a problem.
This definitely wasn’t the worst hostel I have stayed in (the Hosteling International places across from St. Mark’s Square in Venice and on Amsterdam Avenue in New York City share that dishonour), but it isn’t one I would be quick to stay in again.
[Update: 29 October 2007] This afternoon I spoke with Fred Bouchard, a manager at the Sous Bois Hostel. He seemed suspiciously familiar with bedbugs: asking me whether the bites were clustered in lines (as bedbug bites are) and then telling me that the hostel policy was to refund the cost of your stay (within two weeks) and to pay for any bite-related medications prescribed by a doctor. He told me to see a doctor immediately and that I need to either immerse everything I had with me in boiling water or put it through the dryer on high for at least half an hour. Once it gets cold enough, I will freeze the suit-carrying luggage that is presently in garbage bag quarantine for at least three days.
It seems pretty clear that this hostel is well aware of their infestation. That probably explains the minimal sheets and the air mattresses, as well as the ease with which the staff recall their bedbug policies. Once I find the right phone number within the City of Montreal bureaucracy, I will file a report with the public health authorities. In some cases, bedbugs can carry hepatitis; also, infestations that people bring home could easily cost thousands of dollars to clear up. As such, it seems reasonable that the city authorities would be concerned that this place is still operating in such a dodgy manner.
[Update: 31 October 2007] The hostel refunded me for my stay. One person contacted me through one of the hosteling webpages to tell me that they gave her a refund too, after she found their non-paying guests snacking on her.
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This is comforting, at least:
“A common concern with bed bugs is whether they transmit diseases. Although bed bugs can harbor pathogens in their bodies, transmission to humans is highly unlikely. For this reason, they are not considered a serious disease threat. Their medical significance is mainly limited to the itching and inflammation from their bites. Antihistamines and corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce allergic reactions, and antiseptic or antibiotic ointments to prevent infection. Infestations also may cause anxiety, embarrassment, and loss of sleep.”
This, much, much less so:
“It often seems that bed bugs arise from nowhere. The bugs are efficient hitchhikers and are usually transported in on luggage, clothing, beds, furniture, etc. Outbreaks can often be traced to travel, especially in countries or cities where bed bugs are common. This is a particular problem for hotels, motels, and apartments, where turnover of occupants is constant. Bed bugs are small, cryptic and agile, escaping detection after crawling into suitcases, boxes, and belongings. The eggs are almost impossible to see when laid on most surfaces. Use of secondhand beds, couches, and furniture is another way that the bugs are transported into previously non-infested dwellings.”
Also:
* Bed bugs can live a year or longer without food (blood) and thus stay in their hiding places.
* Bed bugs can travel long distances and survive in suitcases, clothing, vehicles, aircraft, cruise ships and other modes of transportation.
* Bed bug females lay about 300 eggs.
* Bed bugs hatch from eggs in 10 days.
I am beginning an aggressive process of precautionary bedbug eradication. The hostel can await my angry phone call tomorrow.
Bedbugs? That sucks.
Wash all your clothes in hot water, have a very thorough shower, and wash or freeze (for several days) your luggage before vacuuming it thoroughly.
The lack of secure storage facilities is also a problem.
Were your bags near your bunk? If so, they are the most probable route by which those evil bloodsuckers might have followed you home.
If they have known about the infestation for a while, you should report them.
Montreal public health agency:
514 521-2100
Montreal Better Business Bureau:
http://www.bbb-bec.com/main.cfm?p=230&l=en
For hygiene or vermin problems linked to food — markets, restaurants, fruit stores, etc. — call the Environment Department of the Montreal Urban Community at (514) 280-4300.
For all non-food-related problems, please call the City of Montreal at the Accès Montréal number: (514) 872-1111.
If their policy is to offer you a refund, you’d have thought they wouldn’t stay in business too long if this was that widespread a problem…
Ben,
It took some complaining, to two different people, before they offered that. Also, it remains to be seen whether it actually materializes within two weeks, as promised.
Cimex lectularius are evil creatures.
Every site I have seen about them makes me shudder.
“Attracted by warmth and the presence of carbon dioxide, the bug pierces the skin of its host with two hollow tubes. With one tube it injects its saliva, which contains anticoagulants and anesthetics, while with the other it withdraws the blood of its host. After feeding for about five minutes, the bug returns to its hiding place. ”
So nasty!
I really hate to write this because in general I am a big fan of hostels, budget travel and renovated, historic properties. However, I had an absolutely horrible experience with this hostel: I work up the next morning with many bed bug bites.
Over the next day more developed and then the allergic reaction developed. I spent the night in the emergency room and spent a lot of money on medical care as I was at that time uninsured. I think I might have had about 50 bites.
I desperately need your help. My house has become infested with bedbugs! I’m trying to find an environmentally friendly way to get rid of them. I’ve tried a thorough cleaning and tried using diatomaceous earth (fossil shell flour) to no avail. The local exterminator is looking more and more appealing. Please stop me before I do something rash like resorting to him and the nasty chemicals he’ll be using.
Ofer
Pasadena, Calif.
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Dearest Ofer,
Yipes. Would it help to know that you are not alone, or is that cold comfort? Can I distract you by offering scintillating scientific information about this blood-sucking, night-feeding parasite, Cimex lectularius? For example, the female bedbug possesses a secondary copulatory aperture — a notch, or invagination, in her body wall — known as the Ribaga’s organ. During mating, the male actually pierces her exoskeleton with a dagger-like, spermatozoa-carrying organ in a process known as traumatic insemination.
Im so sick of this they’re driving me crazy I can’t sleep at night and now my 3 year old nephew has bites what’s going on?