Can I Get Bed Bugs from an Uber? (Yes, You Can)
Worried about catching bed bugs from a rideshare? It's rare but possible. Learn the safety tips: Leather vs Fabric seats and where to put your bag.
It's the new travel anxiety. You jump in a rideshare to the airport. The seat is fabric. You feel an itch.
Could it happen? Absolutely.
Think about it. That car picks up 20 people a day. If one passenger just came from an infested apartment and has a bed bug on their backpack, that bug can crawl off and hide in the seat crease, waiting for the next passenger (you).
Fabric vs. Leather
Bed bugs hate leather and vinyl. They slip off. They can't climb it well.
If your driver has fabric seats, the risk is higher. Fabric provides grip and hiding spots.
How to Protect Yourself
I'm not saying you need to wear a Hazmat suit, but be smart:
- Don't slide: When you get out, lift your butt. Don't slide across the seat. Sliding can snag a bug onto your pants.
- Bag Check: Do NOT put your backpack or purse on the floor carpet. Hold it on your lap. The floor is the dirtiest place in the car.
- The Flashlight Check: If you are really paranoid (like me), shine your phone light into the seat seam before you sit. If you see black spots or apple seeds... cancel the ride.