Bed bugs at BWV

[mmmears]

We were moved to a new, inspected room. They brought in a bug sniffing dog to confirm no bugs were in our new room. Apparently Disney employs three of these dogs, which should tell you the magnitude of the issue right there.

All of our fabric items were inventoried and taken to be heat treated and dry cleaned. This included clothing (including the clothes we had on), our bags, stuffed animals, our stroller, etc.

They did explain how they would be treating the room where the bed bugs were found, but to be honest, I was overwhelmed and more concerned with my stuff and getting into a new room than the room we were leaving.

Wow -- that's the first time I heard they had a few dogs checking for bugs -- that's really interesting. I'm glad to hear that they took care of your things -- still so sorry that it happened, though.

 

[WDWorld2003]

1

 

[vacation_junkie]

Just a heads up to anyone planning on staying at BWV, we had a room with a confirmed (by Disney pest control) bed bug infestation. It was in an accessible room on the first floor, I wish I could remember the room number but we were moved and it was the third resort we stayed at this trip.

We were pleased with the way it was handled IN DISNEY, and have taken every precaution we can think of now that we are home to prevent an infestation here, but should we require treatment, Disney's claims department will surely be hearing from us.

Bed bugs are a huge problem to which Disney isn't immune. They are required to inspect each room every 30 days apparently. I don't blame Disney, but I do know we didn't have any bugs before we left home. Just be diligent in inspecting your room prior to bringing your luggage in. Don't be naive to think because it's Disney, you're in the clear.

My DH does the bed bug check before the rest of us are allowed to step into the room! 5 star...3 star or a 2 star place the beds are always pulled away , beds fully checked! In drawers! Everywhere!

 

[nkereina]

For anyone interested, I used to work in the hotel industry and there are good preventative sprays out there. Douse your suitcases in these sprays prior to travel. Of course, there's no guarantee, but it acts as a repellent. Another easy preventative measure is to never put your suitcase on the beds. Not only could you contract bed bugs more easily, but this is how bed bugs are spread commonly. Always keep your suitcases fully zippered also. Lastly, I have seen people bring garbage bags or ask for some to wrap their suitcases in just in case. I'm not sure how well this keeps bugs out, but no harm in it.

 

[fairytalelover]

We were in a handicapped accessible studio with a boardwalk view. To be perfectly honest, my husband remarked when we checked in that he didn't think the room was up to Disney's typical standards. The caulking was messed up in the bathroom and there was a gap between the sink and the wall. He said he didn't feel like it was as nice as rooms we have been in in the past, even at the BW (we've stayed there at least five times before with no issues). We had extended our vacation at the last minute and this was the only room we could get, so we weren't about to complain...until we saw the bed bug.

As far as checking your room for them, there's a ton of resources online which have tips and photos of the bugs in the different life stages (YUCK!). The important things are inspecting the seams and tags on the mattress and around the box spring using a flashlight. Look behind the headboard and nightstand, any fixtures near the bed. You're looking for bugs, their carcasses and small blood stains (from people getting bit and also the bugs' fecal stains). Don't ever put your bags on the bed, use the folding luggage rack or keep your bags in the bathroom.

You are not supposed to use the folding luggage rack?? Why??

 

[fairytalelover]

I found some bedbugs at a hotel on a business trip once, and since then I've been paranoid like no one's business (seriously, on that trip I wouldn't even sleep under the covers on the bed, even though my new room checked out just fine).

In addition to checking the bed when you get there, don't forget to check drawers and curtains! Sometimes they hide there as well. Something else I do now: Before every trip, I buy those 2+ gallon Ziploc or Glad plastic bags. Any clothing not hung in the closet gets stored in those. When I need something, I take it out of the bag, and I keep additional bags on-hand for dirty clothes. I also put other items in the bags. It may not help if my suitcase gets one, but at least it helps lessen the chances of picking them up on clothing. Oh, and ALWAYS keep your suitcase on a luggage rack or in the bathroom during your trip. If you're feeling super creeped out, you can also buy those GIANT plastic bags that technically for storage, but a suitcase will fit in them... (yes, I've done this)

When we get home, if it's hot enough I usually let our suitcase sit in the hot car for a day because that will help kill them. If it's super cold when you get home, you can also sit the suitcase in the cold car for 24-48 hours. Then everything goes straight from the suitcase to the washing machine, and on hot. If you're worried about dyes running, buy those Shout Color Catcher things. They work great.

It's really, really gross, but the best way to prevent bedbugs is to just do your homework. There are a lot of resources online to help identify them, know what signs to look for, etc. At the first hotel (and thankfully only hotel) I found the bedbug signs, I called the front desk. Understandably, she was wary and asked if I was SURE that I was looking at a bed bug shell (which was right next to a blood trail). I told her, "If it's not a bed bug shell, then it's a really nasty booger." She moved me with no questions after that.

I don't know what to look for. Can somebody post photos of bedbug shells, brown spots etc... Whatever I'm supposed to look for please?

 

[fairytalelover]

I read on these boards a while back that as soon as you get your room key, you should enter the DARK room with a maxi pad and take the sticky side and press it under the mattress, pillows, etc. See if anything sticks. Apparently, once you turn the lights on, the bugs will hide and you most likely won't find anything...so pack a pad in your carry-on!!!

What if you check in during the day?

 

[fairytalelover]

The best thing you can do is leave your luggage in a very hot location for several hours works great if you are coning home to a hot climate to leave them in the car. The best way to eradicate bed-bugs in a home it to super heat the home for several hours. Also you can put all your things into the dryer as soon as you get home. Be careful about electronics they are a very, if not the most common way bed-bugs are carried place to place.

Electronics??? I thought they only went on fabric stuff.

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't know what to look for. Can somebody post photos of bedbug shells, brown spots etc... Whatever I'm supposed to look for please?

Ok, take a deep, cleansing breath. You really don't run a huge chance of running into bedbugs at WDW. Are they there? Sure, they're at every hotel in the world...even dressing rooms, camps, etc.
BUT....the chances of getting a room with bedbugs is slim. I have stayed at WDW 30+ times...never saw one. Yet, my dd had an issue with them twice at camp...different years.

When you check into your room...pull up the sheets, at the top of the bed. Check along the mattress seams. If you see little brown spots, that could be dried blood. Check behind the headboard if you can, or along the baseboard that runs close to the bed. If you see anything moving, ask for a new room.
But in all likelihood? You will find nothing. Go, enjoy and stop worrying!!

 

[jelliott04]

Don't ever put your bags on the bed, use the folding luggage rack or keep your bags in the bathroom.

You are not supposed to use the flooding luggage rack?? Why??

Put a period after bed and capitalize U...then re-read.

J

 

[fairytalelover]

Put a period after bed and capitalize U...then re-read.

J

LOL!!! Ah...now I understand. The period made all the difference

 

[jelliott04]

LOL!!! Ah...now I understand. The period made all the difference

 

[vacation_junkie]

You are not supposed to use the folding luggage rack?? Why??

Re-read..they recommended TO use the folding luggage rack

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I have had them and believe me its a nightmare. Its sad that its a psychological headbanger for sure.

Its been two years but I'm still paranoid. Here in NYC they are advertised daily and one company has a dog named Roscoe. So the slogan is Where's Roscoe. You have to check clothing you purchase from stores because they have shown up there. In Gyms, the schools were a big issue the last two years. So had to check bookbags.

You have to also check around electrical outlets. Picture frames. They don't travel far. I was told they like to crawl up so check near ceilings. Go figure. When they came to my apartment, he looked for hours but couldn't find any living ones but found shells so they were there. I had a feeling they were in my curtain on my bed. Had to bag all my clothes. Washed and dryed them all. They sprayed down everything. I still check. Its crazy. Even though they treated my apartment whose to say they dont go through walls from other apartments. I later learned a neighbor had a real bad case.

I was told try a spray bottle with water and alcohol. Don't know if thats true. They did have a product called, BED BUG BE GONE at Home Depot. Can't say if that worked. I really don't think there is anything out there that works. You have to have it treated professionally.

I now use travel bags and keep an empty one for dirty clothes. I will unpack but leave clothes in bags in the drawers.

 

[goofy4tink]

There really isn't anything you can buy that will take care of these bugs. And that's the issue. Because this country banned the use of the pesticides that effectively deal with bedbugs, they are now all over the place. Anything you can buy isn't going to work. Only exterminators are going to be able to come close to killing them/preventing them.

 

[jenjersnap]

There really isn't anything you can buy that will take care of these bugs. And that's the issue. Because this country banned the use of the pesticides that effectively deal with bedbugs, they are now all over the place. Anything you can buy isn't going to work. Only exterminators are going to be able to come close to killing them/preventing them.

Yes, and I would be concerned that those sprays could cause more harm than good to someone with allergies or asthma, not just you but the next guests of a room you have sprayed or a person on a plane with a carry on you have sprayed...

We survived a bedbug infestation (not from Disney). Nightmare. And, sadly, our luggage likely gave them to other people in the plane's cargo hold. We always leave our luggage in a hot car or unheated garage now before unpacking, along with the room precautions.

 

[sleepydog25]

LOL!!! Ah...now I understand. The period made all the difference

"Let's eat, Mom." OR "Let's eat Mom."

 

[jelliott04]

"Let's eat, Mom." OR "Let's eat Mom."

I always tell my kids: "They're going there with their friends."

Jen

 

[xipotec]

Well its just a little bug....

Mosquitoes are bugs too...and far more dangerous. Get a new room and try not to dwell on it. We do not live in sterile conditions no matter how much we want to think we do.

I am much more concerned if the food handlers washed their hands after using the bathroom.....

 

[sleepydog25]

I always tell my kids: "They're going there with their friends."

Jen