Bed bugs at timeshare

[brendah369]

My husband and I bought a timeshare at the resort on cocoa beach last year. We purchased it through their sister property Ron Jon cape caribe. We have been to the resort only 3 times and used "bonus days" to stay a weekend. This last time we went I discovered our room had bed bugs. The resort moved us to a new room and gave us 40 gift certificates for their restaurant. They comped our room as well. we had to leave everything but our clothes, which they treated, which was a major inconvenience. we left my purse my husbands briefcase, belts, shoes, suitcase and many toiletries.my daughter and I both had a few bites. A week later my daughter has bites all over her! I took her to the doctor thinking that she had chicken pox. I found out that bed bug bites may take up to 14 days to manifest. I am extremely disappointed by the way the timeshare has handled this. I don't think I can ever stay there again. What would you think would be adequate compensation? Please help. we paid to much to sell it. I would swap for the same at Ron Jon but I don't think they would go for that. We did not even get a call from the GM to apologize.

 

[DeniseM]

Because of international travel, and the restricted use of pesticides, they have found bed bugs in even the most elite hotels and resorts.

It sounds like you have already been compensated, and that the resort is trying to deal with the problem. What exactly are you disappointed about?

This is the thing to remember - compensation does not come from the developer or management company - it comes from the owners. So as an owner, do you really want to provide generous compensation to everyone at the resort, using funds from the resort budget? This could raise the maintenance fees.

If I were you what I would REALLY be concerned about now is infestation in your OWN home...

 

[artringwald]

You could help others by reporting it on the Bed Bug Registry.

http://www.bedbugregistry.com/

 

[loafingcactus]

I'm with Denise. The only reason I would want something else or would report them on the registry (really, shooting yourself in your own foot if you are an owner) is if they were covering up the bed bugs or spraying enough chemicals that their human guest die, both of which have happened more than once. But EVERYWHERE gets bed bugs, seriously. Stores get them. Theaters get them. Planes get them. I recently heard of someone getting a car that had them. There is only so much you can do.

 

[stoler527]

How to find bugs

Is there some way to tell if there are bed bugs in a room before you put your stuff in the room? What are the things to look for? Don't the maids see the bugs when they change the linen? I am always nervous about checking in but am ignorant about the problem.

 

[DeniseM]

Pull back the sheets and mattress cover, and look at the seams of the mattress. There will be tiny black/brown spots at the seams where the bugs crawl into the mattress.

 

[loafingcactus]

Also look for discoloration or recent repainting where the ceiling meets the wall over the bed. They crawl up their after feeding and poop the blood onto the corner. Bad places that don't take care of bed bugs sometimes just whitewash the marks.

Other ways to protect from bed bugs: don't put your clothes on the floor or in cabinets, instead keep it on smooth surfaces. Bed bugs are attracted to you and your warmth, so when you take of your clothes put them away from your other clothes so those warm clothes don't entice bed bugs into your suitcase. Bed bugs can't take much heat, so frankly luggage left in a hot car will kill any.

I lived five years on the road and and was obsessed with them, but I never saw one in a hotel. One time I was in a meeting and I looked down and one was sitting right on top of my briefcase. I don't know if he came from the rental car, the hotel, the office or what, but that was the only bed bug I saw in that entire time. I do smell the chemicals more these days, and it does worry me as there have been deaths in other countries from over-application of chemicals in hotels.

 

[stoler527]

Gross!!

These tips are great. The next time I check in I will check the mattress and the ceiling crack above the bed.

I have been worried about bringing the bugs home. If they really will be killed by a hot trunk, that relieves my mind somewhat. Our next trip is to Disney in mid August. That should be hot enough.

 

[deannak]

Other ways to protect from bed bugs: don't put your clothes on the floor or in cabinets, instead keep it on smooth surfaces. Bed bugs are attracted to you and your warmth, so when you take of your clothes put them away from your other clothes so those warm clothes don't entice bed bugs into your suitcase. Bed bugs can't take much heat, so frankly luggage left in a hot car will kill any.

Thanks for the tip about luggage in a hot car! I've never encountered bed bugs, but friends of mine have, even at well-known hotels, and had a devil of a time getting rid of them at home. Now that I know leaving my luggage in the car in southern AZ will kill them (a good portion of the year at least), I'll do that if I've been anywhere with a problem. Thanks!

 

[DeniseM]

Another method is to seal items in a black garbage bag and put it out in the sun - this works for head lice too!

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Another method is to seal items in a black garbage bag and put it out in the sun - this works for head lice too!

I like that idea. Your kid comes home from school with lice. On a warm sunny day wrap a black plastic around his head and sit him or her outside in the sun.

Parenting made simple!!!

 

[BJRSanDiego]

I like that idea. Your kid comes home from school with lice. On a warm sunny day wrap a black plastic around his head and sit him or her outside in the sun.

Parenting made simple!!!

To be safe, it might be a good idea to use some duct tape to seal around an air hole.
To be effective, it might help to wrap duct tape around the next so the lice don't climb out. :hysterical:

But... kidding aside, I was wondering about a Finnish sauna. 180 degrees for 10 or 15 minutes isn't terribly unusual. Or a high heat hair dryer. I wonder if they have any effectiveness?

 

[DeniseM]

Heat is a very good method used to kill both head lice and bed bugs, but I don't think a few minutes will do it. I know in apartments they crank the heat up for an extend period of time - like 24 hours. There is a Tugger who did this and melted his electronics - maybe he will see this thread and weigh in.

The difference is that head lice die after a few days with no people to eat. So if your house is infested with head lice you can literally close it up for a week, go on vacation, come back, and they will all be dead. Assuming you don't re-infest it when you return.

But with bed bugs, they can go dormant and live without food for months, so they are much more difficult to eradicate.

BTW - I know this stuff because I'm a teacher. I've had both head lice and bed bugs in my students, and in fact, got head lice from a student!

 

[timeos2]

My husband and I bought a timeshare at the resort on cocoa beach last year. We purchased it through their sister property Ron Jon cape caribe. We have been to the resort only 3 times and used "bonus days" to stay a weekend. This last time we went I discovered our room had bed bugs. The resort moved us to a new room and gave us 40 gift certificates for their restaurant. They comped our room as well. we had to leave everything but our clothes, which they treated, which was a major inconvenience. we left my purse my husbands briefcase, belts, shoes, suitcase and many toiletries.my daughter and I both had a few bites. A week later my daughter has bites all over her! I took her to the doctor thinking that she had chicken pox. I found out that bed bug bites may take up to 14 days to manifest. I am extremely disappointed by the way the timeshare has handled this. I don't think I can ever stay there again. What would you think would be adequate compensation? Please help. we paid to much to sell it. I would swap for the same at Ron Jon but I don't think they would go for that. We did not even get a call from the GM to apologize.

The resort has compensated you and, if you let them know, should cover any direct expenses you have incurred (such as un-reimbursed medical treatments, any treatment required in your home). They didn't purposely create this and in fact have likely taken every possible step they can to avoid it yet it still occurred.

As others pointed out as an owner you'd be punishing yourself asking for compensation beyond what they already have done. And reporting them as a chronic trouble location would hurt you as well as them - makes no sense.

Best to make sure your things and home are now clear of any possible transfer of these critters and then move on. If you "can't return" there then you had better not ever go anywhere again as it can occur in any location or resort regardless of brand or age.

There is nothing to be additionally compensated for or due to you.

 

[brendah369]

The resort has compensated you and, if you let them know, should cover any direct expenses you have incurred (such as un-reimbursed medical treatments, any treatment required in your home). They didn't purposely create this and in fact have likely taken every possible step they can to avoid it yet it still occurred.

As others pointed out as an owner you'd be punishing yourself asking for compensation beyond what they already have done. And reporting them as a chronic trouble location would hurt you as well as them - makes no sense.

Best to make sure your things and home are now clear of any possible transfer of these critters and then move on. If you "can't return" there then you had better not ever go anywhere again as it can occur in any location or resort regardless of brand or age.

There is nothing to be additionally compensated for or due to you.

I absolutely know that it can happen anywhere. We travel extensively, at least once per month. Because we are owners I did not ask for reimbursement for items that we needed while our things were in the room for 3 days waiting to be treated. The unit did not have just a few bugs it was infested! My 5 year old daughter has over 60 bites and they are still popping out. It can take up to 14 days for the bites to manifest and it has been 8 now. She has been to the Pediatrician twice. Today we spent over $400 on mattress encasements because we are afraid that they may have traveled with us. Although we did all of the things listed above. I understand that it can happen at the best of places but I really feel that the resort was negligent in not noticing them earlier. They were all over the bed skirt! I'm not expecting them to sign over the resort. I did think the GEneral Manager should have called and maybe an offer to come back another weekend.

 

[brendah369]

Has anyone else stayed at a resort that had bedbugs? What did the resort do?

 

[timeos2]

Has anyone else stayed at a resort that had bedbugs? What did the resort do?

As I mentioned the standard is that they close the room(s), move you, take care of all cleanup of your luggage, pay for any un-reimbursed expenses and, if it occurs, pay to clean any area in your home that became infested because of the trip. (That usually means it wasn't discovered until you have already returned home).

How many bugs (or few) you may actually see means little as they can explode in a matter of hours. What is important is that the resort / hotel properly treats the room & your items to ensure that it stops there.

The resort itself usually has to follow up with treatment (often heat these days), sometimes replacement of the bed(s) and now days often have trained dogs inspect the rooms adjacent (or even the whole building) for other infestments. They do not take it lightly.

 

[vacationhopeful]

One resort I know replaced all resort mattresses with the foam type - less likely to become infested with bedbugs.

Other resort had to treat 2 units when an exchanger noticed bedbugs after a couple of days - in the unit they were given at checkin. That unit was treated with heat.

At checkout, they mentioned that they KNEW what bedbugs were because they were having their apartment in NYC treated while they were on vacation.

Housekeeping noticed a bedbug infestation in their "replacement" unit after they checked out. Another unit which had to be treated with heat.

These were studio units and each HEAT treatment was $1000+ dollars. And could not be given to other guests for 2 weeks.

Timeshare resorts are very aware of the bedbug problem.

 

[Beaglemom3]

I'd like to thank all posters for this information. I found this thread very helpful as I thought I was very informed about bedbugs before. I learned a lot.

In order to rent out the Cape Cod cottage, I was required ( by the rental agency) to buy new box springs and mattresses. Next, I purchased the special zippered coverings for all of pieces ( one queen and two twins ).

Similar to this: http://diatomaceousearth.net/produc...gclid=CJ74wfChr7gCFYai4AodC2AAmw#.UeK-8L7D85s




-

 

[rleigh]

I'm a little disturbed by people so willing to let the resort off the hook. If the attitude is, "Oh well, it happens," then hotels and resorts have no incentive to stay vigilant against it.

I'm not saying the resort was negligant in this case. But if an infestation could happen in a matter of hours, that is all the more reason to do everything they can to stay vigilant. The owner base should encourage that.

If owners end up having to foot the bill, the owner base will put pressure on the resort/mgmnt company. That may ensure against the "Oh well, it happens" attitude if they are held accountable in that way.

On another note, I was surprised to learn heat kills them, considering hot climates are where most of the problem is. I had no idea it was such an simple fix.

 

[vacationhopeful]

The heat treatment method requires 113 F degrees for 90 minutes. Recommended is actually 118F degrees for 60 minutes.

Not exactly beach weather.

 

[GregGH]

You could help others by reporting it on the Bed Bug Registry.

http://www.bedbugregistry.com/

Been a while since going to bedbug registry.com -- so I checked it out for a sample city ... and had to smile -- TWO of the 3 ad's on this site are hotels ... somehow I would think if I was a hotel - I might want to skip a site like this ...

BTW -- it speaks poorly for Hotels & TS's ... the maids need to be trained to watch for bed bugs ... and weekly cleaning doesn't help matters at most TS's ...

When we travel now - we like Drury Inn's for a number of reasons and having driven cross country from Detroit to San Diego now 3 times there and back .. .. our hotels we have chosen have had NO bed bugs ( and yes - the wife is excellent for checking ... ) after all -the possibility that you bring them back to your own home ... ouch ...

Greg

 

[artringwald]

Bed Bug Tips

Here's some tips for dealing with bed bugs:

http://voices.yahoo.com/top-5-home-remedies-rid-bed-bugs-6907526.html

When we travel, DW always brings lavender oil. We leave the suitcases in the bathroom while she pulls the sheets to check the mattress. If there's no evidence of bed bugs, she puts a couple drops of the oil on the mattress and a couple drops on a small pad in each suitcase.

 

[DeniseM]

The people who want higher reimbursement seem to be missing the point - the money comes out of the owner's pockets - that means YOUR pockets. Do you really want to increase YOUR maintenance fees like that?

So maybe you feel that management is not doing their best to handle the problem - but making the owners compensate you, doesn't impact management... If you really think the management is not doing all that they can do - write letters to everyone on the board of directors - but don't punish yourself, and other owners by expecting big bucks in reimbursement..

 

[mspeggysue911]

Thank you to the poster who showed the picture of the mattress with bed bug stains on it. I will now be checking every bed in every room we stay in from now on.

I didn't know you could actually SEE bed bugs. I thought they were like mites that were hard to see.