The only thing that will kill lice, crabs and other such parasites is AMMONIA and very hot water. Or some prescription medicines. Don't even bother with the lysol, febreeze, whatever. And those little buggers can crawl along the plastic right onto your nice smelling clothes. So don't think that's protecting you.

&quot;I think the likelihood of catching something from the previous guest's clothes is not related to the number of stars..&quot;<BR>Yea, right. Your head is in the clouds, z, things like lice are far more rampant among poorer people than rich people. Where do you think poorer people (who definitely have poorer health and cleanliness habits) tend to stay? Five star hotels? And do you really think the wealthy businessman who stays in a five star hotel is anywhere nearly as likely to have head lice? You may call it some kind of prejudice, but it is foolish to think that you aren't far more likely to get lice in a one star hotel than in a five star. The same as you can't really expect the same level of cleanliness there generally.

Oh my god!<BR>Anyone who can guess the nationality of the person asking this highly intelligent and interesting question has the chance of winning a huge hamburger!<BR><BR>

Most kindly~~ I don't know which *is* more amazing... the original question or some of the responses.<BR><BR>If my biggest worry traveling was that the maid stole my used dry cleaner bag... And truly being concerned that bugs were going to hop into my clothing??... You just gotta be kidding me. I think some folks are better off staying at home where their clothing has no wrinkles and no pests invade their lives.

<BR>Hope y'all remember to unpack yer anti-paranoia medication.

for all of you who are sitting and worrying away about the lice living for years in there, just waiting to attack your poor unsuspecting clothes.. remember<BR><BR>lice are PARASITES.<BR>they feed on your head.. or whatever area of the body they prefer to populate. if they are not latched onto as they prefer to be, they will DIE.<BR><BR>the likelihood of you getting some kind of bug problem from a dresser drawer is extremely low.<BR>so just don't worry about it.. and if you do have a problem, realize that your luck sucks.<BR><BR>i think the best solution is to just do what the original poster does: leave your stuff in your suitcase.

This is a scary thread. To make it scarier, and this is the truth, I had a friend who got scabies from a hotel bed....That was in southern Oregon, so you travelers to Europe are &quot;safe.&quot; Ha ha ha. <BR><BR>I laugh in the direction of the person who thinks lice are for the poor. Anywhere children may put their heads is potential lice habitat, rich or poor. Maybe fewer children are in 5 Star Hotels. Lice are endemic in elementary schools in the US - including elite private schools. Don't kid yourselves. They have evolved beyond most of the remedies, and are thriving.

ah, but you apparently didn't even read what I said, moreto. I said only that they are MORE LIKELY to be gotten in a one star hotel than a five star. And while I'll agree that lice CAN be caught anywhere including an expensive private school, you are far dumber than I if you truly believe they are not MORE prevalent in a poor intercity school! Sorry, that's not some silly prejudice or superstition on my part. It's a hard, cold fact of life!!!

You can smirk all you want, S. Louise, but you can catch lice from dresser drawers and still have time to do sightseeing. <BR>I can imagine the last time those ancient wooden dressers were aired out were when they were still trees.

Yes but it is really easy because I NEVER travel with anything bigger than a cabin size bag. Just completed a 2 month trip Oz-Europe-US and ports in between with 3 teen girls and husband each carring an on-board luggage --WAS great and we had sufficient gear for walking around and dining in style

good one, Lolly. This thread gives me the chuckles.

This turned into a fascinating discussion. Thanks for the input. By the way, I was trying to think back to some recent accomodations. Although dressers are common, if not mandatory, in US hotel rooms, I don't remember seeing them as consistently in my European travels (though I typically don't stay in chain hotels while in Europe).

In some of the hotels in France and Italy (the only Euro countries I have visited) we had antique dressers and they did smell a little musty but I always travel with Lysol so I used that. But I didn't think about possible parasites hiding in the seams, I think it is unlikely.

Don't know about Europe, but if you come to New Orleans be prepared to fend off the biggest cockroaches you ever did see. Some are almost big enough for a small child to ride. And don't think they are only found in the poorer sections of town, or in 1 star hotels. I live uptown and the area is infested with them. I have seen them in the nicest homes on St. Charles Ave, in the Garden District and last time I walked through the Ritz-Carlton lobby caught site of one of the little buggers high tailing it across the floor. Headed for Bourbon Street no doubt.

Hey xxx,<BR><BR>You crack me up! A one-star hotel in most European capitals costs around $50 USD per night. I doubt the many intercity dwellers you believe have lice can afford a nice European getaway. Face it, most people vacationing to Europe and within Europe staying in hotels are middle class. <BR><BR>Moreto is right, if you want to avoid it, the best rememdy is to stay away from children... do they have child-free hotels in Europe?

except for the local intercity scuzzies who use a 50 USD per night hotel for their one-hour needs.<BR><BR>in which case, yeah, don't want to use their crummy hotels.

yeah, and i am sure they are going to put their clothes in the dresser during their so-called &quot;one-hour&quot; getaway.<BR><BR>you guys are just looking for any excuse not to stay in these one-star hotel.<BR>as a previous poster said..<BR>by all means stay away, and leave the rooms for the the rest of us..<BR>who are not whittling away our time worrying about what clothes might have been in what drawers..<BR><BR>i guess we all have our pet peeves..<BR>remind me not to go to new orleans..<BR>too bad too, i had been seriously considering it.

if they have lice, they don't need to put their clothes in the drawers. it will be on the pillows already.

Topping for Judy1, food for thought.

Most definately if I am going to be in a place two days or more. I like to feel &quot;at home&quot;. I especially like to get my good, going out clothes hung up so they don't look like they've just been dragged out of a suitcase. There is something very appealing about going to a wardrobe or drawer for one's blouse or underwear rather than rummaging through a suitcase.