Comments on: dealing with post-bedbug paranoia: how to travel after bed bugs http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/ bed bug news, information, activism, and support Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:41:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-702 nobugsonme Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:18:02 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-702 Hi Tiago! Welcome and I am sure we will be able to give you some advice. I moved your messages to the current Q and A thread: <a href="http://bedbugger.com/2007/02/12/your-bed-bug-questions-tales-of-bed-bug-woe-etc" rel="nofollow">click here and click on the top post in that series</a>. Otherwise, few people will see it. Please click above to go there. Thank you! Bugalina, When you see people posting to old discussions or FAQs (if the questions are more general like this), please help me out by directing people to copy and paste their messages to the Q and A/Tales of Woe thread. The link is in the top menu "Need Advice?" If you instead respond and others come in, we have several threads going at once, instead of one, and people get lost/lose where they left their question, etc. Lots of people don't read old threads, so it is better to keep one current discussion going on this general questions and updates thread. Thank you for your help! Hi Tiago! Welcome and I am sure we will be able to give you some advice. I moved your messages to the current Q and A thread: click here and click on the top post in that series. Otherwise, few people will see it. Please click above to go there. Thank you!

Bugalina,
When you see people posting to old discussions or FAQs (if the questions are more general like this), please help me out by directing people to copy and paste their messages to the Q and A/Tales of Woe thread. The link is in the top menu “Need Advice?” If you instead respond and others come in, we have several threads going at once, instead of one, and people get lost/lose where they left their question, etc. Lots of people don’t read old threads, so it is better to keep one current discussion going on this general questions and updates thread.

Thank you for your help!

]]> By: Tiago http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-705 Tiago Thu, 15 Feb 2007 18:13:45 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-705 Bugalina As I mentioned, I have an air matress now, no more bed. So it has to be on the floor, there is no other way. The sheets do touch the floor, unfortunately but, as I said, there is no way around it. I don't have a pillow, the matress itself is higher in the head part. I put double-sided tape on the ground around the bed, the only other option is to put it on the matress itself, all around. I'll try that tonight. I'm really at a loss here, I put my PJ's (long sleeved, long pants) through the drier EVERY NIGHT, along with the cover and the socks. They sprayed with Demand and Starycide under the bed. Where are they coming from???? The bites can be from a nymph, that's a possibility I don't ignore (at all). The strange thing that happens is that I wake up, notice them on my chest, for example (???) - this around 8 o'clock - and around 10-11 they're gone. I'm going nuts over this, I really am. Tomorrow I'm going to a doctor. Even though the last time she didn't want to believe I had this, I managed to convince her to give me a lotion to put on the skin which, believing on her, will kill the little b... if they get in contact with my skin. It only works for 24 hours, though. I thought that I can do the same again. Should I still get marks, it may be an indication that it's no longer the bugs - or that the product doesn't really work... What's your opinion about wooden floors? I can see some space between the boards, probably enough to put a sheet of paper. The Pest Control guy told me "not to worry, because they prefer to hide along the walls and that is too small for them". I suppose he means the adult ones (with which I agree) but what about the younger? Another question (sorry for writing so much but this is really breaking me at the seams): I'm seriously considering asking my landlord to move me to another apartment. Would that be a smart move? Thanks for your suggestions. Tiago Bugalina
As I mentioned, I have an air matress now, no more bed. So it has to be on the floor, there is no other way. The sheets do touch the floor, unfortunately but, as I said, there is no way around it. I don’t have a pillow, the matress itself is higher in the head part.
I put double-sided tape on the ground around the bed, the only other option is to put it on the matress itself, all around. I’ll try that tonight.
I’m really at a loss here, I put my PJ’s (long sleeved, long pants) through the drier EVERY NIGHT, along with the cover and the socks. They sprayed with Demand and Starycide under the bed. Where are they coming from????
The bites can be from a nymph, that’s a possibility I don’t ignore (at all). The strange thing that happens is that I wake up, notice them on my chest, for example (???) - this around 8 o’clock - and around 10-11 they’re gone. I’m going nuts over this, I really am.
Tomorrow I’m going to a doctor. Even though the last time she didn’t want to believe I had this, I managed to convince her to give me a lotion to put on the skin which, believing on her, will kill the little b… if they get in contact with my skin. It only works for 24 hours, though. I thought that I can do the same again. Should I still get marks, it may be an indication that it’s no longer the bugs - or that the product doesn’t really work…
What’s your opinion about wooden floors? I can see some space between the boards, probably enough to put a sheet of paper. The Pest Control guy told me “not to worry, because they prefer to hide along the walls and that is too small for them”. I suppose he means the adult ones (with which I agree) but what about the younger?
Another question (sorry for writing so much but this is really breaking me at the seams): I’m seriously considering asking my landlord to move me to another apartment. Would that be a smart move?

Thanks for your suggestions.
Tiago

]]> By: Bugalina http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-704 Bugalina Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:20:48 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-704 Tiago, if they itch , then imho, they are bites, Is the bed elevated ? You cannot let the sheets touch the floor..this gives them passageway into the bed..please read all the FAQ's on this Blog..you need to have more bed isolation..and what about your pillows ? From my experience, the younger the nymph the smaller the bite and the sooner the bite fades, but its still a bed bug on its way to becoming an adult....please read all of our suggestions on the FAQ.. Tiago, if they itch , then imho, they are bites, Is the bed elevated ? You cannot let the sheets touch the floor..this gives them passageway into the bed..please read all the FAQ’s on this Blog..you need to have more bed isolation..and what about your pillows ? From my experience, the younger the nymph the smaller the bite and the sooner the bite fades, but its still a bed bug on its way to becoming an adult….please read all of our suggestions on the FAQ..

]]> By: Tiago http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-703 Tiago Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:43:44 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-703 Hi I am a PhD student in Stockholm University. I moved into an apartment (24 sq meters) in the beggining of last December (2006) but went on vacation soon after (only returned on 7th January). The apartment was rented empty and I bought (how I dead that very thought) a second-hand bed. 2 days after I came back from vacation, it started. At first, I didn't know about them and I went to a doctor who tried to convince me I was wrong. That same night, I turned my bed upside down - and found them. I immediately threw away my bed (yes, I know...) and vaccumed the whole place. I called the Pest Control guys (Anticimex) and they sprayed with Empire 20 (organophosphorous). I washed and dried my clothes and got them back into the closet. Bought an air matress, sorrounded it with double-sided tape and have been sleeping on it ever since. The PC guys came again after 3 weeks and sprayed around (close to walls and in closet) and I once again put all my stuff through the drier (at least for one hour at 60 ºC). The same night, I noticed I had red marks scattered through my body. I am sleeping with long sleeved pj's and socks and I get these marks in my belly, legs, feet, etc. Last sunday I bagged most of my clothes and put them and my luggage in a room at -20 ºC. Only kept some clothes, which were ran through the drier and once more, washed my bed linen and pj's (at 90 ºC) and dried it at 60 ºC. Every morning I wake up with red marks in me. But the annoying thing is that I don't know wheter it's the bedbugs still. The marks appear and dissapear, most in the same day. Before, they stayed for a couple of days and I can still (even after a month) see small red dots where the ... bit me. The pest control guys returned 2 days ago (on my insistance) and sprayed again, this time with Demand CS (synthetic pyrethroid) and Starycide (an Insect growth regulator). They even sprayed the underside of the air matress, although the sheets reach the floor (even if I have the tape around). And I had marks again, this morning, which have now faded away. I even photographed them, so that I would have proof of what I am seeing and feeling (yes, they itch). I know this has been a long post, I'm sorry for that. Just wanted to describe the situation as good as possible. Since I am a PhD student, I have to go to conferences and I want to go back home for vacation. I can't go on living like this and I am afraid to go anywhere, because I don't want to spread it. Just want to add one more thing: HELP ME. I have passed beyond the desperation point now. I thank you for reading and for any constructive replyes. Tiago Hi

I am a PhD student in Stockholm University. I moved into an apartment (24 sq meters) in the beggining of last December (2006) but went on vacation soon after (only returned on 7th January). The apartment was rented empty and I bought (how I dead that very thought) a second-hand bed.
2 days after I came back from vacation, it started. At first, I didn’t know about them and I went to a doctor who tried to convince me I was wrong. That same night, I turned my bed upside down - and found them. I immediately threw away my bed (yes, I know…) and vaccumed the whole place. I called the Pest Control guys (Anticimex) and they sprayed with Empire 20 (organophosphorous). I washed and dried my clothes and got them back into the closet. Bought an air matress, sorrounded it with double-sided tape and have been sleeping on it ever since.
The PC guys came again after 3 weeks and sprayed around (close to walls and in closet) and I once again put all my stuff through the drier (at least for one hour at 60 ºC). The same night, I noticed I had red marks scattered through my body. I am sleeping with long sleeved pj’s and socks and I get these marks in my belly, legs, feet, etc. Last sunday I bagged most of my clothes and put them and my luggage in a room at -20 ºC. Only kept some clothes, which were ran through the drier and once more, washed my bed linen and pj’s (at 90 ºC) and dried it at 60 ºC.
Every morning I wake up with red marks in me. But the annoying thing is that I don’t know wheter it’s the bedbugs still. The marks appear and dissapear, most in the same day. Before, they stayed for a couple of days and I can still (even after a month) see small red dots where the … bit me.
The pest control guys returned 2 days ago (on my insistance) and sprayed again, this time with Demand CS (synthetic pyrethroid) and Starycide (an Insect growth regulator). They even sprayed the underside of the air matress, although the sheets reach the floor (even if I have the tape around). And I had marks again, this morning, which have now faded away. I even photographed them, so that I would have proof of what I am seeing and feeling (yes, they itch).
I know this has been a long post, I’m sorry for that. Just wanted to describe the situation as good as possible. Since I am a PhD student, I have to go to conferences and I want to go back home for vacation. I can’t go on living like this and I am afraid to go anywhere, because I don’t want to spread it.
Just want to add one more thing: HELP ME. I have passed beyond the desperation point now.

I thank you for reading and for any constructive replyes.

Tiago

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-708 nobugsonme Tue, 09 Jan 2007 14:45:46 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-708 Ha-- sorted. You know MOST hotels would avoid having their name mentioned on our site... Ha– sorted.

You know MOST hotels would avoid having their name mentioned on our site…

]]> By: Mike Harris http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-706 Mike Harris Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:02:18 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-706 Ah, linkspam. Thank you, sir. Always nice to know spammers can reach anywhere. Ah, linkspam. Thank you, sir. Always nice to know spammers can reach anywhere.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-707 nobugsonme Sat, 06 Jan 2007 17:11:37 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-707 Thanks Doug. We're glad you're participating here! We've heard on the Yahoo group before about the precautions PCOs and bedbug cleaning service workers reported taking (reported secondhand to the list), including removing clothing outside their home's front door (I'm sure there was some kind of privacy set-up), washing them immediately, and not bringing bags from trucks. But you could easily imagine how a worker's clothing and vehicle could easily become infested, especially when visiting sites with heavy infestations. I wonder if some folks don't use some special outer HAZMAT type suit. But even then, it's removing it that matters. Also one of the bed bug researchers mentioned on MSNBC's bedbug series on their website mentions how he raises bed bugs to study in his basement and they DO occasionally get into his bed. His wife gets angry. She must not be allergic to bed bugs, or she'd be out of there. That's cruel and unusual IMHO! Thanks Doug. We’re glad you’re participating here!

We’ve heard on the Yahoo group before about the precautions PCOs and bedbug cleaning service workers reported taking (reported secondhand to the list), including removing clothing outside their home’s front door (I’m sure there was some kind of privacy set-up), washing them immediately, and not bringing bags from trucks. But you could easily imagine how a worker’s clothing and vehicle could easily become infested, especially when visiting sites with heavy infestations.

I wonder if some folks don’t use some special outer HAZMAT type suit. But even then, it’s removing it that matters.

Also one of the bed bug researchers mentioned on MSNBC’s bedbug series on their website mentions how he raises bed bugs to study in his basement and they DO occasionally get into his bed. His wife gets angry. She must not be allergic to bed bugs, or she’d be out of there. That’s cruel and unusual IMHO!

]]> By: Bugalina http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-709 Bugalina Sat, 06 Jan 2007 15:55:27 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-709 Doug...I am so appreciative of your honestly.....I wish I owned a bed bug dog. I might suggest that you purchase, as I have, the hard cased luggage. I think we have a link to it on this blog, but Samsonite and Delsey make them. The Industry is well aware of the forthcoming bed bug epidemic. Home furnishings are changing..luggage is changing...hotel design is changing.....all because of this monster bug. I keep thinking..isn't there something humans could ingest..or put a patch on their skin, they would make their blood "untasty" to bed bugs??? How come it is so hard to get something that kills them !! Doug…I am so appreciative of your honestly…..I wish I owned a bed bug dog. I might suggest that you purchase, as I have, the hard cased luggage. I think we have a link to it on this blog, but Samsonite and Delsey make them. The Industry is well aware of the forthcoming bed bug epidemic. Home furnishings are changing..luggage is changing…hotel design is changing…..all because of this monster bug. I keep thinking..isn’t there something humans could ingest..or put a patch on their skin, they would make their blood “untasty” to bed bugs??? How come it is so hard to get something that kills them !!

]]> By: Doug Summers MS http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-712 Doug Summers MS Sat, 06 Jan 2007 09:33:24 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-712 Mike You are absolutely right; my answer had nothing to do with your question. I inadvertently pasted a reply that was for another question on the support forum. I didn't intend to post that answer here. In response to bugalina's question, I would say that a negative K9 search has a much higher level of accuracy than a negative result with an experienced human inspector. That said one cannot prove a negative assertion. I cannot prove that we have never walked past an infestation without an alert. Logically, it is like trying to prove that the Loch Ness Monster does not exist. We could prove the positive assertion that they do exist by capturing one, but we cannot prove that the creature does not exist just because we are unable to locate a specimen Personally, I rely on the dog when I am traveling. I sometimes use a single bed bug for training & my dog finds the single bug target under training conditions very reliably. Research with termite detection K9's found that the accuracy of detection goes up with the number of termites that are used for a target. I also follow many of the practices that are recommended here on this site. If I don't have my dog with me I rely on a visual inspection. I leave my luggage outside until I have searched the room. I do not set my luggage on the floor. I have my dog screen my luggage when I return home. I would isolate my luggage and utilize a thermal treatment if I suspected that my bags had been exposed to or infested by bed bugs. I fully understand the fear of being bitten. I often worry about bringing an infestation home from work. I utilize live specimens to train my dog and I have nightmares about the bugs escaping their containment. I have slept with a flashlight after finding unexplained bites (apparently fleas) on my body. I think the fear of bringing bed bugs home is a very rational fear. I an afraid of bed bugs despite the fact that I own the best screening tool available. Doug Summers MS MoldDog Environmental Mike
You are absolutely right; my answer had nothing to do with your question. I inadvertently pasted a reply that was for another question on the support forum. I didn’t intend to post that answer here.

In response to bugalina’s question, I would say that a negative K9 search has a much higher level of accuracy than a negative result with an experienced human inspector. That said one cannot prove a negative assertion. I cannot prove that we have never walked past an infestation without an alert.

Logically, it is like trying to prove that the Loch Ness Monster does not exist. We could prove the positive assertion that they do exist by capturing one, but we cannot prove that the creature does not exist just because we are unable to locate a specimen

Personally, I rely on the dog when I am traveling. I sometimes use a single bed bug for training & my dog finds the single bug target under training conditions very reliably. Research with termite detection K9’s found that the accuracy of detection goes up with the number of termites that are used for a target.

I also follow many of the practices that are recommended here on this site. If I don’t have my dog with me I rely on a visual inspection. I leave my luggage outside until I have searched the room. I do not set my luggage on the floor. I have my dog screen my luggage when I return home. I would isolate my luggage and utilize a thermal treatment if I suspected that my bags had been exposed to or infested by bed bugs.

I fully understand the fear of being bitten. I often worry about bringing an infestation home from work. I utilize live specimens to train my dog and I have nightmares about the bugs escaping their containment. I have slept with a flashlight after finding unexplained bites (apparently fleas) on my body. I think the fear of bringing bed bugs home is a very rational fear. I an afraid of bed bugs despite the fact that I own the best screening tool available.

Doug Summers MS
MoldDog Environmental

]]> By: hopelessnomo' http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-713 hopelessnomo' Sat, 06 Jan 2007 07:31:32 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/05/dealing-with-post-bedbug-paranoia-how-to-travel-after-bed-bugs/#comment-713 I find those 150-bites hotel stories puzzling. Did the previous guest in that room not get bitten? Not allergic? Is the hotel negligent rather than unlucky? We've read Frank's calculations about how fast an infestation spreads but it's not that fast. Even allowing a bite discount for the no doubt zealous lawyer, half that number of bites is crazy for it to be an overnight problem. Makes you wonder if the problem in hotels is not even worse than thought, simply because the housekeeping staffs must have no clue, no training if they cannot come across any evidence of the number of bugs necessary to produce 150 bites. Nobugs, go to the bed. I find those 150-bites hotel stories puzzling. Did the previous guest in that room not get bitten? Not allergic? Is the hotel negligent rather than unlucky? We’ve read Frank’s calculations about how fast an infestation spreads but it’s not that fast. Even allowing a bite discount for the no doubt zealous lawyer, half that number of bites is crazy for it to be an overnight problem. Makes you wonder if the problem in hotels is not even worse than thought, simply because the housekeeping staffs must have no clue, no training if they cannot come across any evidence of the number of bugs necessary to produce 150 bites.

Nobugs, go to the bed.

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