Disney Bed Bug Problem

[TREB]

It's been a week since we had our house dusted for the bed bugs and it seems like at this point we aren't getting any new bites. We are still living out of trash bags until after our 2nd dusting just to make sure that we have gotten rid of everything. I finally heard back from Disney today and after the pest control did their inspection they came back positive for the bugs. They are going to reimburse us for the dusting and also compensate each member of the family. Our customer service rep. was amazing and I'm so thankful that they are taking care of this financial burden. Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys know what happened and give Disney some props for taking care of us.

 

[Rat-a-too-ee]

Well, here's something I never imagined I would write on DIS...

"Thanks for the Maxi Pad tip!!!"

 

[lilys.mom]

My mom was telling me about the tv special...I guess the nightline one? Anyway she said they also said they are coming in from clothes that are made overseas in other countries...and anytime you go shopping at buy new clothes you should put them in the dryer on high heat for like 20 minutes...dont automatically take them out the shopping bag and hang in your closet.


And add me to the itching all over now!!!!!

 

[spinningdisney]

What about if the luggage is hard sided Can they attach to that, or is it just the fabric from the luggage. I've SERIOUSLY considered buying a whole new luggage set that's hard sided just to try and prevent them from hitching a ride on our luggage in the airplane.
Forget ME now too. I'll be making sure that I pick up my luggage myself so that I can leave it in the hall while room inspection is being done

 

[tinkbyday]

What about if the luggage is hard sided Can they attach to that, or is it just the fabric from the luggage. I've SERIOUSLY considered buying a whole new luggage set that's hard sided just to try and prevent them from hitching a ride on our luggage in the airplane.
Forget ME now too. I'll be making sure that I pick up my luggage myself so that I can leave it in the hall while room inspection is being done

I've read that hard luggage is recommended in the prevention of hitch hikers.

 

[disney1990]

Bed bugs cannot survive the heat. Put your luggage in your car "in Florida" and if you have bugs, they will be dead in a matter of hours.

 

[alwaysellen]

i work at a hotel, and first of all--bed bugs are NOT due to cleanliness.

secondly, the most common reason (and spread of bed bugs) is when they get into luggage from one hotel, house, apt, etc and are unpacked in another.

once a hotel is notified/ alerted to the presence of bed bugs, they extinguish them

just sayin'

 

[princessmom29]

I'm no expert but I would think not since all of the "infected" items would be closed up inside of the suitcase, zipped shut with no way for the bugs to get out. But you never know...

Now I'm itchy, too!

They can and do escape form luggage and contaminate other's belongings. They are tiny and suitcases are not completely sealed, even with the zippers closed. They can still crawl through, although it is difficult and doesn't happen very often. If someone leaves a zipper open even a little or someone's bag is damaged in transit (happens a good bit!) then the bugs have an out and will go looking for a warm body.

 

[jlp2315]

I am headed in to Disney in May 2011 and am freaked out over this. I have read and re-read what to do the best thing to do is search the room and to put your luggage in a plastic garbage bag when not in use. You could go as far which is what I am going to do is put my clothes in the large ziplock bags. I want to have a good time on out first trip to Disney but I am freaked out!

 

[vicki_c]

I am headed in to Disney in May 2011 and am freaked out over this. I have read and re-read what to do the best thing to do is search the room and to put your luggage in a plastic garbage bag when not in use. You could go as far which is what I am going to do is put my clothes in the large ziplock bags. I want to have a good time on out first trip to Disney but I am freaked out!

Just relax would be my advice. If you feel the need, do what you read (personally I wouldn't bother with anything beyond *maybe* checking the mattress - but I haven't done it yet) and then forget about it.

 

[skater]

I am headed in to Disney in May 2011 and am freaked out over this. I have read and re-read what to do the best thing to do is search the room and to put your luggage in a plastic garbage bag when not in use. You could go as far which is what I am going to do is put my clothes in the large ziplock bags. I want to have a good time on out first trip to Disney but I am freaked out!

Unfortunately, the only way to be 100% sure you won't get bed bugs is to stop all travel, movie going, clothes shopping, maybe even working in certain offices, etc. All you can do is be educated and as careful as you can. I also say a few prayers.

 

[Dashzap]

I tend to pack in thin nylon luggage, like LeSportSac. The luggage goes into the laundry along with the clothes.

 

[goofy4prez]

I've never gotten bed bugs before, but we sure did get head lice from our last stay in WDW. My dd, her bff, and my dw all came down with head lice. We noticed it hours after we arrived home from our 7 night stay. I did call the resort and they appeared to be concerned and said they would take care of that room.

I was spared because of my follicle deficiency on top of my dome.

 

[dgw9]

I thought there was some outifit in Orlando who had a dog trained to sniff bedbugs. I'd pay 50.00 to have a dog go through the room (and our luggage) to assure we were going in clean. Now that's a service animal!

 

[Rosanne]

Well, my plan is extreme and I know it. I am planning to pack in Ziplocs only. I am packing the minimum with no stuffed animals for the girls. When we are at the resort I plan to be relaxed. I will look in the usual places for bed bugs. When it is almost time to go in the morning we will each shower, put our dirty clothes in a ziploc and take our clean clothes out of its ziploc and take off down the highway. I will not be using luggage. I am driving so I can do this. It will all fit in a big old fat jumbo ziploc with handles. When we get home I will plop as many ziploc contents as will comfortably fit in the washer and will wash and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Nothing will get unziplocked until it is ready to be popped in the wash. It probably won't even get in the house until then.

I know I won't have brought any of the little buggers into Disney. I want to make darned sure I don't bring any back with me. I really do think Disney does a great job and think there is less of a chance to get them at Disney then practically anywhere else but for me even a tiny risk is not worth it. In the past 12 months my house became infested with fleas because my ex let my cat out for some fresh air for five minutes, my mom died of an infectious disease and my daughter got head lice. She has super long hair. I'm a germaphobic, (not the official term but I forgot the official one. It starts with an M), I figure if there is a bedbug in the state of Florida it will find me.

I do plan to relax at the resort and not worry about it (except the typical check) until it's time to go and then into the ziplocs everything goes.

I refuse to stop travelling and I'm okay if people think I'm nuts about the bedbugs. I'd rather someone think I'm nuts for five minutes while I carry my giant ziploc than deal with bedbugs in my home.

I really think most people are right that I'm overreacting but I'm okay with that. This is what makes me comfortable.

 

[Rosanne]

I thought there was some outifit in Orlando who had a dog trained to sniff bedbugs. I'd pay 50.00 to have a dog go through the room (and our luggage) to assure we were going in clean. Now that's a service animal!

Cool idea.

 

[BarbWB]

Just relax would be my advice. If you feel the need, do what you read (personally I wouldn't bother with anything beyond *maybe* checking the mattress - but I haven't done it yet) and then forget about it.

Clearly, you have never gotten bedbug bites in a hotel!!!! After you get them, it is impossible to relax w/o thoroughly checking the room. My husband and I got them from a hotel this summer and we thought we were going to lose our minds with the itching. I must be highly allergic b/c mine lasted 3 weeks. I had 50+ bites on my right forearm alone (I had bites allllll over my arms and legs and a few on my face). DH had massive hives all over his ribs and arms. We stayed ONE NIGHT in this hotel. It was an absolute nightmare.

Now, I immediately pull the sheets off a bed in a hotel and check the crevices of the mattresses for any signs of bugs. There is NO relaxing after that. Fortunately, we did not bring them back w/us, or maybe the Texas heat killed them off in our car before we got home.

 

[helen81]

If you call and make a special request for an "extra clean" room they will do it. Disney has a special request that if you ask for a specially clean room because of allergies they will do it. The room will be cleaned every day inside and outside making the pollen, dust and other allergy items virtually gone. This type of cleaning also helps with the bed bug issue. Now it will take a little longer for your rooms to be cleaned every day, but you have to decide if it is worth it to you or not.

 

[vicki_c]

If you call and make a special request for an "extra clean" room they will do it. Disney has a special request that if you ask for a specially clean room because of allergies they will do it. The room will be cleaned every day inside and outside making the pollen, dust and other allergy items virtually gone. This type of cleaning also helps with the bed bug issue. Now it will take a little longer for your rooms to be cleaned every day, but you have to decide if it is worth it to you or not.

No do not suggest that if you do not need it for a medical reason. That is something that is reserved for those with a true need, not because you are worried about bed bugs. They also don't do that type of cleaning every day from everything I have ever heard, only before your arrival. It is actually referred to as a VIP cleaning and if more info is truly needed by anyone, you can check the DISabilities board.

As for the dog sniffing thing, Disney is using those dogs, it was posted here about a month ago - I think it might have had a link to a newspaper article about it.

 

[Lynne M]

If you call and make a special request for an "extra clean" room they will do it. Disney has a special request that if you ask for a specially clean room because of allergies they will do it. The room will be cleaned every day inside and outside making the pollen, dust and other allergy items virtually gone. This type of cleaning also helps with the bed bug issue. Now it will take a little longer for your rooms to be cleaned every day, but you have to decide if it is worth it to you or not.

The special cleaning services are reserved for guests with specific medical needs, like severe allergies to certain cleaning products. It's not just a 'better cleaning'. I believe you need to describe your medical needs in order to get the cleaning scheduled, so that they know what needs to be done and what products need to be used.

The presence or absence of bedbugs has nothing to do with the cleanliness of a room, and getting one of these special medical cleanings is not going to ensure that you won't have a bedbug problems.