Comments on: FAQ: Leaving stuff out to freeze, walk-in freezers, etc: how cold and how long? http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/ bed bug news, information, activism, and support Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:15:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-10198 nobugsonme Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:50:19 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-10198 Kevin, It is possible for bed bugs to get into VHS tapes (they've been found in coffee pots, for goodness' sake). But whether they did or not would probably depend on the size of your infestation, where the bed bugs were, and other factors. I'm sorry I do not know what else to recommend re: the health dept. except that if you find additional evidence, rather than scooping it up or cleaning it away, leave it out for the inspectors and call them in at once. I know that's awful advice, since no one wants to let bed bugs roam, but I don't see how you can beat this if the landlord is not pressured to take real action. I would strongly encourage you to leave further posts in the forums rather than the comments, unless they are related to the subject of the post or FAQ. You will find you get more responses in the forums: http://bedbugger.com/forum/ (Or click blue button at top right.) Kevin,

It is possible for bed bugs to get into VHS tapes (they’ve been found in coffee pots, for goodness’ sake). But whether they did or not would probably depend on the size of your infestation, where the bed bugs were, and other factors.

I’m sorry I do not know what else to recommend re: the health dept. except that if you find additional evidence, rather than scooping it up or cleaning it away, leave it out for the inspectors and call them in at once. I know that’s awful advice, since no one wants to let bed bugs roam, but I don’t see how you can beat this if the landlord is not pressured to take real action.

I would strongly encourage you to leave further posts in the forums rather than the comments, unless they are related to the subject of the post or FAQ. You will find you get more responses in the forums:

http://bedbugger.com/forum/

(Or click blue button at top right.)

]]> By: Kevin M. Kirby http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-10197 Kevin M. Kirby Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:57:13 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-10197 Should VHS tapes be considered potential bedbug hiding places after the infestation is discovered? If so, I will haul my collection of almost a thousand tapes to the dump. I cannot risk even a single nymph surviving to bite a friend with allergies. A great deal of time, effort and moolah [<em>editor's note:</em> potentially offensive comment deleted] spent in this quest -- are now to be considered for naught, according to the Department of Public Health. Will they also try to claim that the bedbugs are all (still, nightly) in my imagination, or somehow my own doing? Should VHS tapes be considered potential bedbug hiding places after the infestation is discovered?

If so, I will haul my collection of almost a thousand tapes to the dump. I cannot risk even a single nymph surviving to bite a friend with allergies.

A great deal of time, effort and moolah [editor’s note: potentially offensive comment deleted] spent in this quest — are now to be considered for naught, according to the Department of Public Health.

Will they also try to claim that the bedbugs are all (still, nightly) in my imagination, or somehow my own doing?

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-8498 nobugsonme Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:37:40 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-8498 Arrgghhh! Argggghhhh! Arrrgghhhhhh! The horror. Arrgghhh! Argggghhhh! Arrrgghhhhhh!
The horror.

]]> By: mangycur http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-8497 mangycur Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:31:13 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-8497 Update on freezing: I spoke to Joel at Assured Environments today. (They are an NYC PCO.) He said he and his colleagues caughts some bed bugs, put them in a container of water, froze the containers to solid ice, thawed the ice back to water, fished out the bed bugs--and they got up and started walking around. I don't see how this is possible but he swears it's true. Update on freezing:

I spoke to Joel at Assured Environments today. (They are an NYC PCO.) He said he and his colleagues caughts some bed bugs, put them in a container of water, froze the containers to solid ice, thawed the ice back to water, fished out the bed bugs–and they got up and started walking around. I don’t see how this is possible but he swears it’s true.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-6734 nobugsonme Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:22:57 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-6734 Unfortunately, pooey, you need professional help. It is possible in most cases to treat furniture, but very difficult. What's more, you should not assume you got all of the bed bugs out of your bedroom by cleaning (even intensely). If I were you, I would get a professional in to treat ASAP. If you are a tenant, the landlord may be responsible for paying (we have a FAQ on that). If you have more questions, come to the forums (blue button at top right). Unfortunately, pooey, you need professional help. It is possible in most cases to treat furniture, but very difficult. What’s more, you should not assume you got all of the bed bugs out of your bedroom by cleaning (even intensely). If I were you, I would get a professional in to treat ASAP. If you are a tenant, the landlord may be responsible for paying (we have a FAQ on that). If you have more questions, come to the forums (blue button at top right).

]]> By: Pooey_1980 http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-6727 Pooey_1980 Tue, 06 Nov 2007 10:52:05 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-6727 Hello I am a newbie, Been reading through the site and have got helpgul information. So I successfully got the bed bugs out of my bed room by doing some seep intense cleaning and doing the bed covering thing. But I have one more problem. How in the world do I get them out of my new recliner? and my sofa? My recliner is brand new. My sofa if I cannot get them out I am willing to throw away had for 4 years nows, but teh recliner I don't want to part with. Would you igf you paid $600.00 I cannot leave the furniture out in the sun to kill them or freeze the furniture. Has anyone had any success stories regarding cloth fruniture? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I NEED HELP! I read through the blogs to try to find answers but couldn't find the answer I exactly needed. Thanks fo everyones help, Pooey Hello I am a newbie,

Been reading through the site and have got helpgul information. So I successfully got the bed bugs out of my bed room by doing some seep intense cleaning and doing the bed covering thing. But I have one more problem.

How in the world do I get them out of my new recliner? and my sofa? My recliner is brand new. My sofa if I cannot get them out I am willing to throw away had for 4 years nows, but teh recliner I don’t want to part with. Would you igf you paid $600.00 I cannot leave the furniture out in the sun to kill them or freeze the furniture. Has anyone had any success stories regarding cloth fruniture? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I NEED HELP!

I read through the blogs to try to find answers but couldn’t find the answer I exactly needed.

Thanks fo everyones help,

Pooey

]]> By: The Huffington Post: Nicholas Brown’s bed bugs, volumes 3 and 4 | bedbugger http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-6666 The Huffington Post: Nicholas Brown’s bed bugs, volumes 3 and 4 | bedbugger Fri, 02 Nov 2007 07:00:11 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-6666 [...] bed bugs. My only critique would be that he nixes the idea of freezing books (when, in fact, freezing is a legit method for killing bed bugs), and freezes his VCR instead (note: I would not do this with [...] […] bed bugs. My only critique would be that he nixes the idea of freezing books (when, in fact, freezing is a legit method for killing bed bugs), and freezes his VCR instead (note: I would not do this with […]

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-6655 nobugsonme Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:33:01 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-6655 I would bag it to protect items (though some might still be damaged--I would not freeze electronics), and also because I am imagining the bed bug's first urge when placed in the freezer would be to try and get out. (I don't think it would get out, but I doubt you want bed bugs lodged in various cracks in the freezer's structure). I think the items the bed bug is possibly IN, like leather jackets, shoes, handbags, or books, will act as an insulator. This is why you need to leave it undisturbed for a long time. My limited understanding of freezers is that they work better (and I think produce less frost) when full. But I think if the manufactuer tells you the freezer hits a certain temperature if used in a certain way, and you use it in that way, then it should be that temperature. I would bag it to protect items (though some might still be damaged–I would not freeze electronics), and also because I am imagining the bed bug’s first urge when placed in the freezer would be to try and get out. (I don’t think it would get out, but I doubt you want bed bugs lodged in various cracks in the freezer’s structure).

I think the items the bed bug is possibly IN, like leather jackets, shoes, handbags, or books, will act as an insulator. This is why you need to leave it undisturbed for a long time.

My limited understanding of freezers is that they work better (and I think produce less frost) when full. But I think if the manufactuer tells you the freezer hits a certain temperature if used in a certain way, and you use it in that way, then it should be that temperature.

]]> By: nyjammin http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-6652 nyjammin Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:38:13 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-6652 Thanks, Nobugs! But, you said freezing bagged items. Why would the items hafta be bagged? To prevent frostbite and thereby damaging items? I would think that the bag would act as an insulator. If the freezer is at a temperature of 0, the stuff in the bag may be warmer. Also, if the freezer is frost-free or not depends on the temperature. If a freezer has a lotta ice in it, does the temperature go down or up based on the ice? These are all variables in considering temperature factors, I think. Thanks, Nobugs! But, you said freezing bagged items. Why would the items hafta be bagged? To prevent frostbite and thereby damaging items? I would think that the bag would act as an insulator. If the freezer is at a temperature of 0, the stuff in the bag may be warmer. Also, if the freezer is frost-free or not depends on the temperature. If a freezer has a lotta ice in it, does the temperature go down or up based on the ice? These are all variables in considering temperature factors, I think.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-6651 nobugsonme Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:37:09 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/#comment-6651 Jammin, that would vary based on the freezer, but I suspect the manufacturer would have information for you on the temperature and you could verify it with your own thermometer. I doubt a cheap freezer would go to -29F. Dr. Potter suggests 0F for two weeks would probably work. Temperatures should not fluctuate--meaning, you can't open the freezer door. You can click the link in the post above to see the rest of his information. I personally would try this, but it would be a long project of freezing bagged items in batches for two weeks each at 0F or below. If the freezer did not get that low, I'd consider returning it. But even at 0 for 2 weeks, this is not definitive data. I would not shell out $200 unless I was pretty sure I would like to have the freezer anyway, since it might not work. It would be good to have further research done in this area, using less sophisticated freezers than the one Lou has in his office. I will ask if he can help with that. Jammin, that would vary based on the freezer, but I suspect the manufacturer would have information for you on the temperature and you could verify it with your own thermometer.

I doubt a cheap freezer would go to -29F. Dr. Potter suggests 0F for two weeks would probably work. Temperatures should not fluctuate–meaning, you can’t open the freezer door. You can click the link in the post above to see the rest of his information.

I personally would try this, but it would be a long project of freezing bagged items in batches for two weeks each at 0F or below. If the freezer did not get that low, I’d consider returning it. But even at 0 for 2 weeks, this is not definitive data.

I would not shell out $200 unless I was pretty sure I would like to have the freezer anyway, since it might not work.

It would be good to have further research done in this area, using less sophisticated freezers than the one Lou has in his office. I will ask if he can help with that.

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