Comments on: FAQ: What can go wrong with “isolating” the bed?

By: 3 easy steps to keep bed bugs off your bed | Pest Cemetery

3 easy steps to keep bed bugs off your bed | Pest Cemetery — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:33:29 +0000

[...] I have heard that bed bugs will climb a wall and fall from the ceiling to get to their prey but in most cases it is a severe infestation. If you decide to buy the covers [...]

By: Taylor

Taylor — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:47:43 +0000

FYI – - I had severe infestation and they were NOT found on any of the double sided tape. I do not believe that all bed bugs that cross the tape will get stuck to the tape. I cannot say this for sure as I have not performed an experiment under controlled measures but I did NOT find any on the double sided tape while I was still being bitten.

Thanks for your website and everyones help.

By: Taylor

Taylor — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:38:48 +0000

My comment has a typo, I meant to say, “duct tape is NOT a good idea.” Please submit comments for how to cover the zippers on the mattress and pillow covers.

By: Taylor

Taylor — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:36:48 +0000

Duct tape can become worn and old therby leaving a great place for the bugs to live and lay more eggs. After my 5 months of bedbug hell and living like a POW that duct tape is a good idea. I used the most hefty, good quality duct tape I could find but the tape will not stay 100% flat to the zipper. Bedbugs will live in the little areas where the tape pulls away.

Also, no one has said anything about AUTOMOBILES. They are in your AUTO!!!!! I just paid out the nose to have my car taken apart and the seats removed.

By: nyjammin

nyjammin — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 02:48:03 +0000

I read that instead of using duct tape to use glue??? Not Elmer’s but something strong like Krazy Glue?

By: dinner

dinner — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 23:58:38 +0000

yes. comfort. it will probably take a bit more than impermeable zippers, but I reserve hope to yet again experience comfort. This website has saved my sanity, seriously. Thanks for making this available for us all. I’m thinking of making some stickers of this website and randomly putting them on stoplights, bumpers of cabs, restaurant windows, insect products at delis, . . . . my butt.
dinner

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:18:04 +0000

Anon,

From what I understand, all duct tape is not created equal. Others may have recommendations for specific brands.

That said, it might also help to cut it thin to fit just right, rather than putting full-size duct tape over the cloth, which is probably more likely to pop off. And I think checking it from time to time is good too.

The cloth covers from NA are tested such that bed bugs can’t permeate the zipper or cloth. Most of us still like to tape, but that should give you some comfort.

By: dinner

dinner — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:13:35 +0000

Um, the duct tape fell off my zipper, creating a “bridge” onto the mattress – how can I avoid this in the future? What kind of tape sticks to the vinal box spr cover AND the cloth mattress cover? (both bug proof from national allergy.)
dinner

By: hopelessnomo

hopelessnomo — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 20:48:18 +0000

Hi Carrie, there are many more FAQs here that will help. I suggest you keep reading and try to remain calm. It is not a situation without a solution. The key is to get qualified professional treatments by a PCO who knows how to treat for bedbugs. Depending on where your daughter lives, the landlord is most likely responsible for the costs of eradication (although probably not for the costs of furniture replacement and incidental costs like laundry, plastic bags, mattress encasements, etc.)

The other thing to keep in mind is that someone has to live in the apartment (sleep in the affected room(s)) in order for the treatments to really work. Bedbugs are not like roaches, they only really come out of hiding in order to reach their human hosts, so part of eradicating them is luring them to cross pesticides as they move towards the sleeping person. An empty apartment, in other words, will be tricky. I hope the roommate is still there and is not tempted to move out during treatment.

Since your daughter is not yet returning to the apartment, I suggest that she read up on bedbugs and learn everything necessary and also that she only bring with her the absolutely most necessary things. When the infestation is eradicated, she can bring the rest of her stuff. The things that are already in the apartment can be cleaned, washed, or treated by the PCO as necessary. (The key is a good PCO, Carrie!)

Do not throw away stuff. In most cases it is not necessary and it is a good way to spread bedbugs to others.

As for legal issues, again we have FAQs, but you will need to consult a lawyer if you intend to fight your landlord. The immediate issue is to have the landlord hire competent professionals who can inspect and treat the apartment and any adjoining apartments.

There are forums here where you can ask more questions and get some advice and support. However, reading the FAQs here first will help you most.

Good luck.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 19:53:44 +0000

oh also, she had boxes of stuff she left there and clothes in her drawers…etc. Does she have to wash every single thing in the entire apt????? This is just overwhelming.