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	<title>Comments on: Washington YWCA infested with bed bugs: more elderly, low-income residents being left to itch</title>
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	<link>http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/</link>
	<description>bed bug news, information, activism, and support</description>
	<pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:03:24 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>By: More from Cincinnati: senior housing complex &#124; bedbugger</title>
		<link>http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6276</link>
		<dc:creator>More from Cincinnati: senior housing complex &#124; bedbugger</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:00:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6276</guid>
		<description>[...] sounds a bit like the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA in Washington DC, Halcyon House in Denver, and Warren Towers in East Moline, Illinois. Elderly [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] sounds a bit like the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA in Washington DC, Halcyon House in Denver, and Warren Towers in East Moline, Illinois. Elderly [...]</p>
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		<title>By: nobugsonme</title>
		<link>http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6221</link>
		<dc:creator>nobugsonme</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:25:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6221</guid>
		<description>Bugged Worker,

Approach all pesticide use with caution.  This is the product information on the item Sharon suggested:
http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Product.jsp?REG_NR=00968800201&#038;DIST_NR=000478

I can't comment on that except to say that you might not want to be constantly spraying it in your car as Sharon suggested (an enclosed space).  You can do research on the safe use of this substance but I can't advice except to say the best advice I've been given is to use pesticides according to labeling instructions only.

I would suggest something else:  get some fresh water diatomaceous earth (DE), which is the safe and effective kind (NOT pool grade DE).  You can read about it in the FAQs (see below).  You don't want to be inhaling clouds of it, but it can be put into cracks in your home and maybe the car (the seats might mean you inhale too much, though).  It is a mechanical killer and bed bugs that cross it die within 10 days.  Putting it around your home would mean that if you accidentally bring one or two home, you don't start a full infestation.

I also recommend reading our FAQs on how to avoid getting or spreading bed bugs--since the principles they discuss can be applied to a person exposed regularly at work.

This has been more about you and not about your clients. Unfortunately, they need an aggressive course of PCO treatment.  Thorough cleaning of bed frames with a contact killer (by the PCO preferably) and encasement of mattresses with sturdy covers (AFTER PCO treatment of mattresses with pesticides) will also be necessary.  Their clothing should be washed and dried on hot and kept in sealed, airtight bags.  We recommend XL ziplocs for stuff continually being opened.

Some of the useful stuff is found in the "Useful Stuff" page above.
The DE FAQ is under "Treatments", and the clothing FAQs are under "eliminating bed bugs from clothing..." and the FAQs on not catching or spreading bed bugs are under "Travel"  in the FAQs:
http://bedbugger.com/faqs

Since this is veering away from the topic of this post, if you have further questions, please go to the forums:
http://bedbugger.com/forum</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Bugged Worker,</p>
<p>Approach all pesticide use with caution.  This is the product information on the item Sharon suggested:<br />
<a href="http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Product.jsp?REG_NR=00968800201&#038;DIST_NR=000478" rel="nofollow">http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Product.jsp?REG_NR=00968800201&#038;DIST_NR=000478</a></p>
<p>I can&#8217;t comment on that except to say that you might not want to be constantly spraying it in your car as Sharon suggested (an enclosed space).  You can do research on the safe use of this substance but I can&#8217;t advice except to say the best advice I&#8217;ve been given is to use pesticides according to labeling instructions only.</p>
<p>I would suggest something else:  get some fresh water diatomaceous earth (DE), which is the safe and effective kind (NOT pool grade DE).  You can read about it in the FAQs (see below).  You don&#8217;t want to be inhaling clouds of it, but it can be put into cracks in your home and maybe the car (the seats might mean you inhale too much, though).  It is a mechanical killer and bed bugs that cross it die within 10 days.  Putting it around your home would mean that if you accidentally bring one or two home, you don&#8217;t start a full infestation.</p>
<p>I also recommend reading our FAQs on how to avoid getting or spreading bed bugs&#8211;since the principles they discuss can be applied to a person exposed regularly at work.</p>
<p>This has been more about you and not about your clients. Unfortunately, they need an aggressive course of PCO treatment.  Thorough cleaning of bed frames with a contact killer (by the PCO preferably) and encasement of mattresses with sturdy covers (AFTER PCO treatment of mattresses with pesticides) will also be necessary.  Their clothing should be washed and dried on hot and kept in sealed, airtight bags.  We recommend XL ziplocs for stuff continually being opened.</p>
<p>Some of the useful stuff is found in the &#8220;Useful Stuff&#8221; page above.<br />
The DE FAQ is under &#8220;Treatments&#8221;, and the clothing FAQs are under &#8220;eliminating bed bugs from clothing&#8230;&#8221; and the FAQs on not catching or spreading bed bugs are under &#8220;Travel&#8221;  in the FAQs:<br />
<a href="http://bedbugger.com/faqs" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugger.com/faqs</a></p>
<p>Since this is veering away from the topic of this post, if you have further questions, please go to the forums:<br />
<a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugger.com/forum</a></p>
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		<title>By: Sharon</title>
		<link>http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6214</link>
		<dc:creator>Sharon</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:39:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6214</guid>
		<description>Your very welcome, and it does work!  Hopefully the Mayor is organizing someone to get this building bagged and debugged.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Your very welcome, and it does work!  Hopefully the Mayor is organizing someone to get this building bagged and debugged.</p>
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	<item>
		<title>By: bugged worker</title>
		<link>http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6213</link>
		<dc:creator>bugged worker</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:33:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6213</guid>
		<description>Thanks, Sharon, 
I'll give that stuff a try.  
Sounds like you're really going through a lot to deal with these little buggers.  I wish you the best in your fight with the bugs and the people who should be helping get rid of the bugs.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thanks, Sharon,<br />
I&#8217;ll give that stuff a try.<br />
Sounds like you&#8217;re really going through a lot to deal with these little buggers.  I wish you the best in your fight with the bugs and the people who should be helping get rid of the bugs.</p>
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	<item>
		<title>By: Sharon</title>
		<link>http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6210</link>
		<dc:creator>Sharon</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:05:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6210</guid>
		<description>Dear Social Worker, 

Regarding the individual rooms at the apartment complex:  

I forgot, you can make weather stripping for the front door with duck tape.  Put it around the entire door including the base by the floor.  You fold over a small wedge at the bottom so it won't stick when opening and closing the door.  It will stick a little at first but after a couple of times works ok.  Make sure the bottom duck tape on the door is long so you can set something on the edge to keep the bugs from crawling in at night.  The bugs are sticking on the duck tape.  It works!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Social Worker, </p>
<p>Regarding the individual rooms at the apartment complex:  </p>
<p>I forgot, you can make weather stripping for the front door with duck tape.  Put it around the entire door including the base by the floor.  You fold over a small wedge at the bottom so it won&#8217;t stick when opening and closing the door.  It will stick a little at first but after a couple of times works ok.  Make sure the bottom duck tape on the door is long so you can set something on the edge to keep the bugs from crawling in at night.  The bugs are sticking on the duck tape.  It works!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>By: Sharon</title>
		<link>http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6209</link>
		<dc:creator>Sharon</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:00:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6209</guid>
		<description>Dear Worker, Go to Home Depot and buy Real Kill Home Insect Control Indoor and Outdoor Insect Killer.  The bugs we have in our building (5 different bug types) will be eradicated by this spray.  After the person leaves your car spray and press down on the seat and spray in the cracks.  When you go home at night make sure you through your clothes in the washer immediately on hot and dry them extra long in the dryer.  If you cannot wash your clothes by hand take to the cleaners.  Put your clothes in a sealed plastic bag if you can't clean them right away.  Throw the plastic bag away after you wash the clothes.  Do not use the plastic bag again because the bugs eggs stick to the plastic.

Because I was so concerned about passing the bugs around, I did not go anywhere except to my families house to get rest.  I would immediately take my clothes off and put them in the washer and head for a hot shower.

As far as the individual rooms do the following:

I have put duck tape on every crack or molding in my room and covered my air conditioner with plastic which is also my heating unit for the winter so that the bugs cannot get through the central system into my room (the unit is central air\heating and therefore bugs from any part of the building could get in my room).  I also close my window at night so bugs cannot get by crawling on the outside wall from someone elses room into my room) and if you have holes in your screen tape them with scotch tape.  I also wash my shoes in hot scalding water in the shower at night and spray them with bug spray before entering my room which I keep by the front door.  I was tracking bugs in from the common areas on the bottom of my shoes.  Do not sit in the common areas and make sure if you have to use a public bathroom to wipe it off completely before using.  I now have slept 3 nights without getting bitten.  These precautions work!  Hope this is helpful.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Worker, Go to Home Depot and buy Real Kill Home Insect Control Indoor and Outdoor Insect Killer.  The bugs we have in our building (5 different bug types) will be eradicated by this spray.  After the person leaves your car spray and press down on the seat and spray in the cracks.  When you go home at night make sure you through your clothes in the washer immediately on hot and dry them extra long in the dryer.  If you cannot wash your clothes by hand take to the cleaners.  Put your clothes in a sealed plastic bag if you can&#8217;t clean them right away.  Throw the plastic bag away after you wash the clothes.  Do not use the plastic bag again because the bugs eggs stick to the plastic.</p>
<p>Because I was so concerned about passing the bugs around, I did not go anywhere except to my families house to get rest.  I would immediately take my clothes off and put them in the washer and head for a hot shower.</p>
<p>As far as the individual rooms do the following:</p>
<p>I have put duck tape on every crack or molding in my room and covered my air conditioner with plastic which is also my heating unit for the winter so that the bugs cannot get through the central system into my room (the unit is central air\heating and therefore bugs from any part of the building could get in my room).  I also close my window at night so bugs cannot get by crawling on the outside wall from someone elses room into my room) and if you have holes in your screen tape them with scotch tape.  I also wash my shoes in hot scalding water in the shower at night and spray them with bug spray before entering my room which I keep by the front door.  I was tracking bugs in from the common areas on the bottom of my shoes.  Do not sit in the common areas and make sure if you have to use a public bathroom to wipe it off completely before using.  I now have slept 3 nights without getting bitten.  These precautions work!  Hope this is helpful.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>By: bugged worker</title>
		<link>http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6208</link>
		<dc:creator>bugged worker</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:23:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6208</guid>
		<description>Hey there, 
I am a case worker who works with folks who live in buildings with similar situations to what's going on in PWYWCA.  While I work on getting building managers to approach the building-wide problem, are there any suggestions for dealing with individual rooms where vulnerable people with limited ability to care for themselves live? And how do I do this while minimizing my potential to pick up bugs and take them home? I don't mean to sound horrible, here.  I want to do everything I can to help my clients, but they don't pay me enough to take this stuff home with me.  
Thanks 
bugged worker</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hey there,<br />
I am a case worker who works with folks who live in buildings with similar situations to what&#8217;s going on in PWYWCA.  While I work on getting building managers to approach the building-wide problem, are there any suggestions for dealing with individual rooms where vulnerable people with limited ability to care for themselves live? And how do I do this while minimizing my potential to pick up bugs and take them home? I don&#8217;t mean to sound horrible, here.  I want to do everything I can to help my clients, but they don&#8217;t pay me enough to take this stuff home with me.<br />
Thanks<br />
bugged worker</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>By: Sharon</title>
		<link>http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6193</link>
		<dc:creator>Sharon</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 30 Sep 2007 19:40:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6193</guid>
		<description>Thank you Evelyn for advocating for us here at the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA.  I have put duck tape on every crack in my room and covered by air conditioner with plastic which is also my heating unit for the winter so that the bugs cannot get through the central system into my room.  I have no idea how they are going to clean up the bugs in this building.  They have done partial spraying for the last six months which sent women to the emergency room because of a reaction to the chemicals being sprayed on the mattress and in the common areas.  I personally got burning eyes and a rash on my body from the chemicals that were used.  The Tenants Associations asked the owners, the Board of Directors and Vision Management to bag the entrie building with plastic and exterminate that way rather than to continue exposing the disabled and seniors to constant partial sparying every two weeks in only some areas which is making some of us very sick.  I pray someone listens to us before winter sets in because I will not be able to use my heat if the building is infested with bugs.  The heating unit will blow the bugs into my room.  I also like Mayor Fenty and even though I've only lived here and in Washington, DC for the last 6 months, I am hoping Mayor Fenty will get this taken care of for the disabled and seionrs in this building.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thank you Evelyn for advocating for us here at the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA.  I have put duck tape on every crack in my room and covered by air conditioner with plastic which is also my heating unit for the winter so that the bugs cannot get through the central system into my room.  I have no idea how they are going to clean up the bugs in this building.  They have done partial spraying for the last six months which sent women to the emergency room because of a reaction to the chemicals being sprayed on the mattress and in the common areas.  I personally got burning eyes and a rash on my body from the chemicals that were used.  The Tenants Associations asked the owners, the Board of Directors and Vision Management to bag the entrie building with plastic and exterminate that way rather than to continue exposing the disabled and seniors to constant partial sparying every two weeks in only some areas which is making some of us very sick.  I pray someone listens to us before winter sets in because I will not be able to use my heat if the building is infested with bugs.  The heating unit will blow the bugs into my room.  I also like Mayor Fenty and even though I&#8217;ve only lived here and in Washington, DC for the last 6 months, I am hoping Mayor Fenty will get this taken care of for the disabled and seionrs in this building.</p>
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		<title>By: Evelyn Morse</title>
		<link>http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6182</link>
		<dc:creator>Evelyn Morse</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 30 Sep 2007 01:43:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6182</guid>
		<description>Being the nation's capital, when are we going to step up to the plate and take full reaponsibility and set the example for the rest of the world. It is truly a shame to have to live in a bug infested building in this day and age. We seem to be going backward. Mayor Fenty I voted for you and feel that you are a good person, I am asking that you not allow these slum landlord to get away with cruelty to thes senior
at the Phyllis Wheatly YWCA, They are putting people on trail for mistreating animals, are not people worth more then animals? if so why arean't these slum landlords being tried for their mistreatment of thes seniors. I am requesting that this condition for the seniors at Phyllis Wheatly YWCA be taken care odf ASAP, so that these seniors can get back into their beds and get a good nigjht's rest</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Being the nation&#8217;s capital, when are we going to step up to the plate and take full reaponsibility and set the example for the rest of the world. It is truly a shame to have to live in a bug infested building in this day and age. We seem to be going backward. Mayor Fenty I voted for you and feel that you are a good person, I am asking that you not allow these slum landlord to get away with cruelty to thes senior<br />
at the Phyllis Wheatly YWCA, They are putting people on trail for mistreating animals, are not people worth more then animals? if so why arean&#8217;t these slum landlords being tried for their mistreatment of thes seniors. I am requesting that this condition for the seniors at Phyllis Wheatly YWCA be taken care odf ASAP, so that these seniors can get back into their beds and get a good nigjht&#8217;s rest</p>
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		<title>By: Sharon</title>
		<link>http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6028</link>
		<dc:creator>Sharon</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:49:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bedbugger.com/2007/06/28/washington-ywca-infested-more-elderly-low-income-residents-being-left-to-itch/#comment-6028</guid>
		<description>Tomorrow, Tuesday 9/18/07 HUD will do a yearly REAC inspection.  The building is still infested with bugs that bite and as of right now, many women are still sleeping on the floor without beds do to the infestation in their beds when they moved in the building.  So Seniors, Disabled and vulnerable women are still being abused by a slum landlord and a borad of directors who are aware of the conditions here.  God helps us.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Tomorrow, Tuesday 9/18/07 HUD will do a yearly REAC inspection.  The building is still infested with bugs that bite and as of right now, many women are still sleeping on the floor without beds do to the infestation in their beds when they moved in the building.  So Seniors, Disabled and vulnerable women are still being abused by a slum landlord and a borad of directors who are aware of the conditions here.  God helps us.</p>
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