Comments on: Yorkshire Girl: PCO bed bug learning curve; bed bugs at work

By: hopelessnomo'

hopelessnomo' — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:37:05 +0000

Also, I meant to add that you are right to be cautious about speaking to the neighbors. When I first suggested it, I should have added a caveat. I told one of my neighbors and, while she later told me that she looked for bedbugs after I spoke to her and found them (great), she never smiled at me like she did before and she looked me up and down in the elevator with suspicion and fear. Others, however, were helpful and forthcoming with their own stories. I never would have found out the extent of the building-wide infestation if I had not knocked on their doors. We all want to do what is right and ethical but it’s not always easy. Anyway, just wanted to clear up that I know. That’s the thing with us here, we just know what it’s like.

By: hopelessnomo'

hopelessnomo' — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:26:11 +0000

Hi Yorkshire Girl! That is sad, a PCO trying to learn about bedbugs without a computer! Definitely write a letter to the council. Perhaps you should also consider using your own resources (of time and research I mean) to help her since she is the one who is licensed to use pesticides in your home and you want her using the right protocols. I know you have a lot on your plate–just the laundry is probably keeping you plenty busy, but I’m thinking printing out documents and posing questions at PCO forums, etc.

Let us know if we can help.

I know how all this sucks in the most unbelievable ways.

By: Yorkshire Girl

Yorkshire Girl — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 19:51:37 +0000

Thanks for the advice .
I spoke to the PCO when she came out last week and apparently she was due to go on an advanced training course for the treatment of BB’s but the local council then cancelled her place due to lack of money. She also told me they don’t have a computer at her work base. I don’t know how it works in the US but in England we pay an annual council tax bill which gives funds to the local council. I have decided to write to them to complain - its worth a try and who knows, they may reinstate the PCO on the training course.
I think the BB’s must have come from travelling abroad (I only recently moved into the large open plan office - after I had found BB’s at home). I never knew to check beds etc in hotels before, and last year we visited several European cities.
I have bought a sealent gun and this weekend intend to start sealing all the gaps and holes I can.
I am still thinking about telling the neighbours. I know I should but I am worried about how people will react.

By: hopelessnomo'

hopelessnomo' — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:29:41 +0000

Hey Yorkshire Girl, I hope you might consider telling your neighbors. I know the thought is frightening but you might do it anonymously? If you didn’t know anything about bedbugs, chances are high that neither do your neighbors. I really believe that bedbugs will travel between attached structures. Get your neighbors on board and you might have a chance to rid yourselves for good. Good luck.