Worried about bedbugs

[disneygal55]

We're leaving for WDW in about a month and I am worried about running into bedbugs. Not only have they been found in upscale hotels but movie theaters and Department stores. We're staying at BCV and have never had any concerns but now I'm worried. Rooms turn over so quickly and I wonder how "well" housekeeping checks for these critters. Also am concerned about the seats in the shows in the parks. The media is talking about it everyday and I'm getting nervous about our trip. My DH seems to be in denial about the problem and thinks I'm over-reacting...who me? Never.

 

[quirty30]

Be vigilant when you get to your room and pull down the sheets, and check for brown spots on the linens (dried blood) and also check behind the headboard for live bugs. Don't put your luggage directly on the floor. IMO, anything beyond that is probably obsessive and you're just going to make yourself crazy worrying about it.

 

[DebbieB]

You're overreacting.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

. My DH seems to be in denial about the problem and thinks I'm over-reacting...who me? Never.

He's not in denial, you need to relax! There's very little talk on these boards about bedbugs, and that's indicative that it's not been a problem. I've had 35+ stays, I've tried all of the resorts, except BLT(haven't had a chance to get there yet) and bedbugs have never been an issue!

If you truly are that concerned about bedbugs in the rooms, the beds, the parks, the seats, I'm surprised you travel at all much less leave the house.

 

[keishashadow]

we've seen throng of palmetto bugs in one DVC resort, although i blame that on a guest leaving slider to balcony open (you know who you are).

my ex owns exterminator franchise & suggests the following process if u are truly afraid of possibility of bringing home any unwanted 'guests'.

Note - you do need to be willing to risk the exposure to pesticidesalthough you'll be facing chemical exposure if you do get an infestation anyway:

* don't bring luggage directly into your house, off load in driveway.

* get a supply of large lawn & leaf-type garabage bags & 'good' bug spray (terro)

* in your driveway, open bag & shake as you dump contents and spray them thoroughly, then place in bag & seal tightly for a day or so.

* repeat same bagging process w/suitcases, opening all zippers if possible

* we place the bags/clothes in out-shed, sometimes in garage if it's snowy

* wash clothes in the hot water (or as warm as the fabrics will allow) i do a 2nd wash

* fyi, i also spray the cargo area of my SUV if i warm enough to ventilate it outdoors after a few hours.

we travel a lot, so far, so good. Have noticed the rare bug in the garbage bag when we do open them, but larger than bed bugs & def not a roach

 

[Deb & Bill]

You're overreacting.

Ditto. You can probably pick up some from the baggage compartment on the plane if you fly. Maybe even on the Magical Express Luggage transport.

 

[kdfogliano]

I dont think you are overreacting!

I had the same fear when we were just there 3 weeks ago (AKV kidani, and for the record i checked all the mattresses and drawers and luggage racks before anyone stepped foot in the room and all were clear)

What I keep telling myself is that bedbugs have been around forever, but b/c there it is on the news all the time (at least here in NYC) we cant stop thinking about it.

So I focused on all the years I have travelled and never gotten bit,

But I understand your worry! It is hard to ignore all the news

 

[dianeschlicht]

Be vigilant when you get to your room and pull down the sheets, and check for brown spots on the linens (dried blood) and also check behind the headboard for live bugs. Don't put your luggage directly on the floor. IMO, anything beyond that is probably obsessive and you're just going to make yourself crazy worrying about it.

Totally agree. I'd never let it stop me from taking my trip.

 

[Anal Annie]

It IS getting to border on overkill...I heard locally just today that bed bugs were found in a public library!! Apparently someone who had them was reading in bed & they got in a book that was returned!!!!!

 

[disneygal55]

He's not in denial, you need to relax! There's very little talk on these boards about bedbugs, and that's indicative that it's not been a problem. I've had 35+ stays, I've tried all of the resorts, except BLT(haven't had a chance to get there yet) and bedbugs have never been an issue!

If you truly are that concerned about bedbugs in the rooms, the beds, the parks, the seats, I'm surprised you travel at all much less leave the house.

I didn't ask the question to get insulted! My family has traveled to WDW from one to three times a year (a lot considering we're from Massachusetts) since 1986 and we've never stayed off property. Believe me we LOVE the disney resorts! This is the first time I have worried about "critters". Locally we hear about bedbugs on TV almost daily. There are stories in the newspapers and it's been on the MSN.com home page almost everyday. I just don't want to bring any unwelcome "guests" home. I just read a resort thread about a poster who found bedbugs in her CBR room. You can't bury your head in the sand.

 

[buzz5985]

It IS getting to border on overkill...I heard locally just today that bed bugs were found in a public library!! Apparently someone who had them was reading in bed & they got in a book that was returned!!!!!

Can I use this as an excuse to buy another Kindle - I'm sick of sharing with DH. LOL

 

[quirty30]

I didn't ask the question to get insulted! My family has traveled to WDW from one to three times a year (a lot considering we're from Massachusetts) since 1986 and we've never stayed off property. Believe me we LOVE the disney resorts! This is the first time I have worried about "critters". Locally we hear about bedbugs on TV almost daily. There are stories in the newspapers and it's been on the MSN.com home page almost everyday. I just don't want to bring any unwelcome "guests" home. I just read a resort thread about a poster who found bedbugs in her CBR room. You can't bury your head in the sand.

Yes, bedbugs are a hot topic in the media right now, but keep in mind that the media has been known to be a little sensationalistic. Think of how many thousands of rooms there are at Disney compared to the number of reports of bedbugs in those rooms. You are far more likely to NOT find them in your room. I travel frequently and I do check the beds and the headboards. And then I settle in. You can only do so much. There's a big difference between being sensible and being obsessive.

 

[momrek06]

I actually saw tonight on the Nightly News right now in Chicago is the North American Bed Bug Summit!!!!!! Everything you want to know about these little suckers!!!!!!!!

 

[homewardbound]

My job requires 3 to 4 nights a week of travel. I check every bed before I use it and have only had one problem in nearly 20 years. My one big thing is that I always use the luggage rack, and never the other bed to lay out my suitcase.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I didn't ask the question to get insulted! My family has traveled to WDW from one to three times a year (a lot considering we're from Massachusetts) since 1986 and we've never stayed off property. Believe me we LOVE the disney resorts! This is the first time I have worried about "critters". Locally we hear about bedbugs on TV almost daily. There are stories in the newspapers and it's been on the MSN.com home page almost everyday. I just don't want to bring any unwelcome "guests" home. I just read a resort thread about a poster who found bedbugs in her CBR room. You can't bury your head in the sand.

I didn't think you were being insulted. I think most people on the thread gave you similar advice. This bedbug thing comes up pretty regularily when connected with Disney hotels etc. (like about every other year). We do check mattresses when we arrive and never put our luggage on a bed, but beyond that, I wouldn't let it stop me from traveling.

 

[disneygal55]

Dianeschlicht, I wasn't referring to posters other than the one who made the comment of being "surprised" that I ever left my house due to my concerns over bedbugs. That was totally unnecessary IMO. I appreciate all the other replies and feel people were just being helpful. And I WILL enjoy our stay at BCV next month.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Dianeschlicht, I wasn't referring to posters other than the one who made the comment of being "surprised" that I ever left my house due to my concerns over bedbugs. That was totally unnecessary IMO.

It was never my intention to be insulting, please accept my apology.

 

[Lynne M]

I think what everyone's trying to get across is that you're no more likely to come across bedbugs at Disney World than you are anywhere else, therefore there's not much point in worrying about your upcoming vacation.

Also, it's important to remember that just because something is mentioned in the media frequently doesn't mean it happens frequently. Bedbugs are icky and scary and attention-getting, and that's why they're all over the media. To get to you tune into that night's newscast, or buy the newspaper or magazine, or go to the web site. There's an old saying in the news biz...."if it bleeds, it leads." In other words, if it's sensational, put it right up front, and people will tune in.

Yes, I'm aware that bedbugs are more prevalent than they used to be. I do a quick check of the bedding and mattress before I settle into a hotel room. And then I don't give it a second thought for the rest of my vacation.

I don't want bedbugs in my home, that's for sure. But the only way to be 100% sure I won't get them is to stop going to stores, movie theaters,theme parks, and stop taking flights and staying in hotels. But that's not an alternative I'm going to choose. So, I accept the risk,and if it happens, i'll deal with the bedbugs.

Long, roundabout way of saying that I'm not going to spend any time worrying about bedbugs.

 

[momrek06]

I think what everyone's trying to get across is that you're no more likely to come across bedbugs at Disney World than you are anywhere else, therefore there's not much point in worrying about your upcoming vacation.

Also, it's important to remember that just because something is mentioned in the media frequently doesn't mean it happens frequently. Bedbugs are icky and scary and attention-getting, and that's why they're all over the media. To get to you tune into that night's newscast, or buy the newspaper or magazine, or go to the web site. There's an old saying in the news biz...."if it bleeds, it leads." In other words, if it's sensational, put it right up front, and people will tune in.

Yes, I'm aware that bedbugs are more prevalent than they used to be. I do a quick check of the bedding and mattress before I settle into a hotel room. And then I don't give it a second thought for the rest of my vacation.

I don't want bedbugs in my home, that's for sure. But the only way to be 100% sure I won't get them is to stop going to stores, movie theaters,theme parks, and stop taking flights and staying in hotels. But that's not an alternative I'm going to choose. So, I accept the risk,and if it happens, i'll deal with the bedbugs.

Long, roundabout way of saying that I'm not going to spend any time worrying about bedbugs.

Great post, Lynne!

 

[Greysword]

I have to say that the threads here on the DIS (for the past several years) instilled the habit of doing a quick look at the matress, linens, and soft furnitre (couch, etc) before I settle into a hotel room.

Then again, I also load and run the dishwasher in our villa upon arrival and before leaving, do a quick look around for something that needs repaired, and other compulsive stuff I learned from my fellow DIS residents

As for bedbugs, I'd think they would be scared to live in Florida, since there are a lot of other bugs to eat them.