Rome named Europe's worst place for bed bug complaints and dirty mattresses - where does your favourite holiday destination rank?

Rome has been named Europe's worst destination for bed bug complaints and dirty mattresses, according to a MattressNextDay analysis of 12.9 million TripAdvisor reviews across 59 destinations. Kavos, Greece, and Athens ranked second and third, while Amsterdam and Paris rounded out the top five. The findings highlight the risk of bringing bed bugs home from travel, as female bed bugs can lay up to 500 eggs over two months.

Rome named Europe's worst place for bed bug complaints and dirty mattresses - where does your favourite holiday destination rank? READ MORE: Loveholidays is accused of 'catfishing' customers as the online travel agent receives a string of complaints over mouldy accommodation, lost bookings and a hotel that turned out to be a care home /travel/article-15885089/Loveholidays-ruining-Brits-holidays-profit.html See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source https://google.com/preferences/source?q=dailymail.com Could you come home from your summer holiday with more than just souvenirs - and something far less tasteful than a couple of holiday polaroids? Bed bugs are known for ruining even the most delightful of trips, and now a ranking has revealed the worst places in Europe when it comes to complaints of bed bugs, dirty beds and dirty mattresses. MattressNextDay analysed 12.9 million TripAdvisor /news/tripadvisor/index.html hotel reviews across 59 popular European holiday destinations to uncover where travellers are most likely to encounter complaints about these unsavoury encounters. 'Many travellers assume that bringing home a single bed bug isn't a major concern, but it can quickly lead to a much larger infestation in your very own home,' said Martin Seeley, CEO and mattress expert at MattressNextDay. 'Because bed bugs are small and often remain hidden inside clothing, luggage and soft furnishings, many people don't realise they've brought them home until weeks later. Bed bugs are more than just a nuisance - in many cases, they can ruin a trip and even come back home with you Rome was the worst ranked destination in Europe for bed bug complaints 'By that point, what started as a single insect may no longer be a single insect. Female bed bugs can lay between 200 and 500 eggs over a two-month period, allowing infestations to spread much faster than many people expect. 'What makes bed bugs particularly difficult to contain is that their eggs are sticky and can attach themselves to clothing, luggage, furniture and other belongings. This means it's possible to carry them from a hotel room into your home without ever realising it. 'Bed bugs can also survive for up to a year without feeding, making them difficult to detect and allowing infestations to persist for long periods before they're discovered.' Rome recorded 31.37 complaints about bed bugs and dirty beds per 1,000 reviews, making it the worst-performing destination in the study by a considerable margin. But Rome wasn't Italy's only appearance in the top 10. Venice ranked seventh with 12.66 complaints per 1,000 reviews, while Florence placed ninth with 10.43, meaning Italy accounted for nearly a third of all destinations featured in the ranking. For a country that attracts millions of visitors every year thanks to its historic cities, famous landmarks and world-renowned cuisine, the findings may come as an unwelcome surprise for holidaymakers. Italy may have the most places named but Greece was the only country to secure two places in the top three. Greece secured two of the top three spots, with Kavos recording high complaint rates Kavos, the popular Corfu resort known for its nightlife and summer party scene, ranked second with 19.05 complaints per 1,000 reviews, while Athens followed closely behind in third place with 18.96. The fact that both a party resort and one of Europe's most visited capital cities performed so poorly suggests bed bug and dirty bed complaints are not limited to one type of holiday destination. Some of Europe's best-loved city-break destinations also appeared near the top of the ranking. Amsterdam ranked fourth with 17.40 complaints per 1,000 reviews, while Paris followed closely behind in fifth place with 16.02. Paris' appearance comes three years after the French capital made international headlines following reports of bed bug sightings across the city. Martin added: 'Many travellers assume that checking the bedding is enough, but bed bugs are experts at hiding in small cracks and crevices close to where people sleep. 'The first place I'd check is the mattress itself, particularly around the seams, piping, labels and stitched edges. These areas provide plenty of hiding spots and are often where the earliest signs of bed bugs can be found. 'Next, inspect the bed frame and headboard. Bed bugs commonly hide in joints, screw holes, cracks and gaps where they can remain hidden during the day before becoming active at night. 'It's also worth checking nearby furniture such as bedside tables, upholstered chairs and luggage racks. 'When inspecting a room, don't just look for the insects themselves. Dark spots, rust-coloured stains, shed skins and clusters of tiny eggs are often the first signs that bed bugs may be present.'