Comments on: an honest PCO, a clever move

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 04:05:54 +0000

HI James,
This is probably the post you were thinking of? I am pretty skeptical about freezing or heating using mother nature. In the case mentioned above, the person reported success. Of course, we did not get a three-month follow-up…

By: James Buggles

James Buggles — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:40:03 +0000

Like I said, I can’t speak to this issue. Just pointing out that it was damn cold last winter. You did once write about someone who tried this manuever in New York. You were more optimistic back then. I agree it doesn’t seem wise. Vikane is the way to go if cost effective. Otherwise, discard and start over. Or perhaps pay for your own PCO and then move. That might be the cheapest solution.

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:42:07 +0000

All I know is here. And you might find some of the tenant organizing information useful.

By: freaked

freaked — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:17:27 +0000

well, maybe you can get readers a discount?

seriously- have you ever heard of a class action suit against a multi-residence building where the owners have been completely negligent? or has anyone tried small claims for reimbursement of expenses/ lost wages etc.?

apparently one apartment in my building has had 2-3 professional treatments but the landlord wouldn’t pay for the last one. when others have complained about bed bugs in their apartment, management has denied that they exist. in mine, however, the landlord called my roommate after he put an old mattress on the street and they said there were “thousands” of bedbugs swarming on it- but they didn’t treat the apartment. my roommate didn’t think it was bedbugs because he’d never been bitten. it infuriates me that they could’ve been addressing the problem for a few months and seem to just want to ignore it.

i realize you’re not lawyers here but i’m curious if you know of any precedents- other than the case in new york where the infestation was extremely severe and the tenant withheld rent.

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:29:53 +0000

Great bed idea, Freaked. I will start recommending that. It’s a bargain at only $3300.

By: freaked

freaked — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:38:33 +0000

yes, well, i decided it would be best to move to water front property in the arctic to try to insure freezing temperatures but it might not happen there either.
or i found this.

i actually wrapped my feet in tape last night but it didn’t catch anything. one has to try to maintain a sense of humor, not always easy though.

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:30:31 +0000

That’s my point, James–you need solid freezing temperatures for weeks on end in order for people to have any confidence with “leaving stuff out”. Temperatures that fluctuate are no good, and I would not rely on them. So when the OP is hoping to wait until it gets cold enough to kill her bed bugs outside, I say, I would not hold my breath.

By: James Buggles

James Buggles — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 07:42:35 +0000

Correct, but as this chart shows it never got above 40 in February and temperatures often fell into the teens. That’s what I remember.

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:10:56 +0000

Not sub-zero for weeks on end, without any warming up, though, am I right?
It was also in the 60s for the first half of the season, more or less through the first week of January…

By: James Buggles

James Buggles — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:07:40 +0000

I can’t speak to this issue, but last year was quite cold in New York with many sub-freezing days. NoBugs, you must work at home.