Massive Fear about Bed Bugs

[Rikariko12]

At one point back in November I almost told my husband to cancel the trip b/c of my huge phobia of bed bugs. I mean, I get panic attacks and all. I read somewhere that Disney uses Beagles to sniff them out. And each resort has their own heaters to kill them. Is this true? Looking for anything to put my mind at ease. Any tips or tricks to avoid them completely?

 

[scrapquitler]

Just check the room when you arrive. You can get them lots of other places besides Disney hotels (or any hotel, for that matter).

 

[perditax]

Have you considered getting counseling for the phobia?

 

[mmmagique]

Take a good flashlight with you. Check on the ceiling in the corners. Take the bedding and the mattress off of the bed and check in the corners of the bed. If you don't find them in either of those places, you should be fine.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Yup... lift the sheets on the corners... look for those dark spots...

They can be at any hotel but when you think of the number of hotels out there and how often it happens, it's minute.

Perhaps you should seek some help so you won't get that Anxiety over it!
Enjoy ur visit which will be BB free!

 

[baler31]

Disney is an industry leader in the prevention and treatment of bed bugs. Mainly because it effects their bottom line. Yes, they use dogs to detect and have treatment options available including heat treatment. You are much more likely to catch bed bugs somewhere else than Disney. Most hotels outside Disney have minimal prevention but do treat when reported. Housekeepers at Disney do receive training on how to recognize bed bugs and to report them.

You can also check for bed bugs: http://www.consumerreports.org/hotels-inns/check-for-bed-bugs-hotel/

 

[Rikariko12]

I've had anxiety since I was 9. Been to numerous counselors and been on meds. I've been free of the meds that were making me way worse for 2 years now and it's the best decision I've made. There isn't anything a counselor could tell me that I have already heard. The best thing that helped me was getting my degree in Psychology. I learned to help myself. I've learned the best way to calm my fears is to have a plan and research my fears. Which is what I'm doing now. This is a brand new fear that snuck up on me. I had my anxiety controlled for a while, but when my daughter came home with lice in October, and I learned what a nightmare that is and that bed bugs are way worse....I just struggled for a while.

Now, lets say one little critter gets in the suitcase. How do I prevent them from coming inside the home?

 

[WhispyPixie]

Check the corners and the bed mattress seams. Also place all luggage on the stands. Disney does a great job at prevention!!

 

[Deanie1]

And check the drawers where one would put clothing. I have also read that if there is not a luggage stand, to put your luggage in the empty, dry bathtub until you are done checking for the nasty little critters.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Plus if you are flying in, you might be the one bringing in the bugs. You probably have to worry more about a meteor hitting WDW.

 

[wilkeliza]

I've had anxiety since I was 9. Been to numerous counselors and been on meds. I've been free of the meds that were making me way worse for 2 years now and it's the best decision I've made. There isn't anything a counselor could tell me that I have already heard. The best thing that helped me was getting my degree in Psychology. I learned to help myself. I've learned the best way to calm my fears is to have a plan and research my fears. Which is what I'm doing now. This is a brand new fear that snuck up on me. I had my anxiety controlled for a while, but when my daughter came home with lice in October, and I learned what a nightmare that is and that bed bugs are way worse....I just struggled for a while.

Now, lets say one little critter gets in the suitcase. How do I prevent them from coming inside the home?

Leave the luggage in the garage or outside. All clothes go straight into hot hot hot dryer even before washing. Leave suitcases in garage/somewhere away from the living quarters that gets hot. Some say vacuum out the suitcase then you can bring it in.

Unfortunately you can do everything right and still get BB. I know you said you have extreme anxiety but it is the truth. I had these in my first apartment and still get paranoid about itching at night or friends bringing them to the house or getting them from the movie theater etc but decided at the end of the day living my life trumped the paranoia/anxiety so I don't dwell on it any more.

 

[goofy4tink]

Ok....dd had a huge bedbug issue at camp, years ago. So, when she got home (even though the camp did a great job of getting rid of the little suckers), we left her bags, inside huge plastic bags, inside the trunk of our car, parked outside in the sun, for several days!!!! That was the advice we were given. Then, dump the clothes directly into the wash..hot as possible.
If you're really concerned about bedbugs at WDW, I would pack all my stuff in plastic bags, then put inside your luggage. Don't put clothes in the drawers at Disney, unless you're sure there are no critters in the dresser. I usually live out of my suitcase when traveling....I hang as much as possible, then keep the rest in the bags.
I've been to WDW 40+ times, since '99. I have yet to have a bedbug issue. It's just not that common.

 

[disneyvoice]

I am always worried about bed bugs whenever we stay at any hotel (whether at WDW or elsewhere). I make my family keep all the luggage outside of the room when we first arrive and then I pull back the sheets/mattress covers on all the corner to check for little critters. Also, like the PPs said it's a good idea to check in dresser and nightstand drawers as well. I do use the dresser drawers for clothes but only after using the flashlight on my cell phone to check all the corners in each drawer carefully.

 

[disnut8]

I've had anxiety since I was 9. Been to numerous counselors and been on meds. I've been free of the meds that were making me way worse for 2 years now and it's the best decision I've made. There isn't anything a counselor could tell me that I have already heard. The best thing that helped me was getting my degree in Psychology. I learned to help myself. I've learned the best way to calm my fears is to have a plan and research my fears. Which is what I'm doing now. This is a brand new fear that snuck up on me. I had my anxiety controlled for a while, but when my daughter came home with lice in October, and I learned what a nightmare that is and that bed bugs are way worse....I just struggled for a while.

Now, lets say one little critter gets in the suitcase. How do I prevent them from coming inside the home?

As others have said, there are ways to look for bed bugs so you feel "safe" while you are there. However, I think this anxiety over bed bugs has you thinking that you will be subjected to them after you do the check. If I were you, I'd do the check each and every morning and then again when you get back at night. That's not going to ease your issue with bed bugs but it will improve your vacation at Disney World. Bed bugs exist all over the place.

 

[cvjw]

I have personally seen the bed bug sniffing beagles in the elevators at the Boardwalk Villas. They do exist Just do a good check for bed bugs and then try and put it out of your mind and have a great vacation!

 

[Rikariko12]

I appreciate all the replies. They've been very helpful.

 

[Cloudy]

Maybe this will be helpful

http://www.msn.com/en-us/video/tune...gs-in-a-hotel-room/vi-AAnxhXG?ocid=spartandhp

 

[Dakota731]

I must be naive. I've never even thought about bed bugs before this post! But I'm sure I will on our next trip. What am I looking for on the mattress corners or in the dressers? Will I actually see the bugs? How big are they?

 

[Rosanne]

I also have a big bedbug fear. I have done really well using XXl ziploc bags (I think that's the brand) along with some Jumbo ones. This won't work 100% if you fly and check luggage but what I do is... when I arrive at the hotel I put my suitcases in the XXL ziplocs so the suitcases are protected. Then I do a basic bedbug check. If things look good I clorox the drawers (I've read that some people put dirty clothes in the drawers) and then go ahead and unpack as back in the days before bedbug fears. When it's time to leave I put all clothes into the ziplocs that were covering the suitcases the whole time and then put the ziplocked clothes inside the unziplocked suitcases and roll on out. The only thing that doesn't work well for is shoes. We generally keep our shoes in the bathroom. If, during our stay I discovered bedbugs I imagine the shoes would be discarded. I only bring things I can wash and dry once I get home. At home things go straight from ziplock to washer. Since there isn't room in the washer to wash everything in one load I just rezip until everything eventually gets washed.

It might sound complicated but it is really very easy as long as you don't have things that can't be washed. I used to keep things in ziplocks at the resorts but found this current plan to let me live life normally when on vacation. When I'm flying I only have carry-ons. Once on the plane I slip the ziplock over my suitcase. I'm quick and have never slowed anyone down. I don't care if people think I'm weird. I had to deal with a flea infestation once and I've heard bedbugs are worse.

All that said, I do believe Disney is far better than most at being vigilant.

 

[SPAM]

I do a bed bug search now as well. What do people do if you use magical express and your bags are dropped of when you aren't there, just hope the search is negative?