An additional tip re: the use of caulk: in infestation #2, we got a new mattress. When we got the new mattress, and covered it with multiple zippered covers, I caulked along the entire zipper. The zipper is completely sealed and covered in caulk. I thought it was a bright idea, thought I’d pass it along.

PS: things seem to be going well in situation #2. I hope to post on your ‘Success Stories’ section soon (in a very skeptical, wary, cautious, superstitious, and jaded sort of way). I have a lot of advice and many stories to share eventually; this is my first post, even though I have been reading and living with bedbugs in NYC for a year. Unfortunately, I never quite know where to begin…..

The plastic one from the Container Store is slightly better. I get that bedbugs have no reason to breach it for food, but bedbugs are always looking for harborage and they do set up in unlikely and out of the way places sometimes. Also, I seem to remember someone (a PCO?) did mention bedbugs harboring in wire hangers. And people do find bedbugs in closets all the time.

So, the risks may not be great but they’re not non-existent. I’m not sure the anxiety that this would produce would be worth it. With clothes that you intend to wear, you really want to be as close to 100% certain as you can be.

But this could of course just be me. After all, I still keep my clothes in bags. So I couldn’t see myself using something like this during an active infestation. Yes, paragon of ‘moving on’ I’m not.

Trimming nails regularly will help. So will attempting to ban kitty from the bed. I know training cats is hard, but closing rooms when you’re not in them, and pushing him/her off when you’re in the bed are options. If it was not so cruel to declaw an adult cat, this is probably one reason I would consider it. (I don’t have the heart.)

If the cat is clawing on the top of the bed (which is all mine will do), then making sure he is never directly on the mattress/sheets/pillow might help.

I think this is also a good reason to replace mattresses. Most people do not need to, but if you know your cat is going to use your mattress for a pincushion, and you are sure the bugs outside the mattress are gone, it might be good. People in single family homes who have been bed bug free for 2 months post-treatment with no signs might be most comfortable in this regard. If you’re in a multi-family and the neighbors might have bed bugs, you might not want to do this.

Sorry I don’t have any good answers, but maybe someone else will. If there is more, I will cut and paste to a new thread.

At the time the box spring was a fine alternative — we don’t care about its appearance and it kept them off the sofa. But that was pre-BB. Any tips for preserving mattress/box spring encasements from cat claws?

I don’t want to hijack this thread, so let me know if I should create a new post or perhaps PM you.

And thanks Jenny– that’s why we’re here

Does your cat have claws too? Watch him or her with the mattress encasements. They can be fun to poke your claws into, and this means little tiny holes a nymph could get out of.

If I come across any hanging storage options, I will post the info.

BTW, I can’t thank you enough for this site. The information is priceless. We realized we had an infestation a week ago. Initially, we were completely overwhlemed. After finding this site, we’re still overwhelmed (!!) but at least we have a plan of attack.

We’re now in the “preparing for treatment” stage. It should take us all week since we both work full-time and have only evenings and the up-coming weekend to prepare. I’m going to Target again for more L and XL Ziploc bags and storage bins. We’re hoping to have the PCO’s first treatment next week.

Thank you again for this site!!

The bags in bins and the hanging space bags are all things we have recommended in the past, and still do. Like your PCO, we tell people to seal in ziploc bags. Ziplocs in storage bins are my gold standard of bed bug storage. (Yes, we have the same cat.)

I don’t think the space bags are a bad idea, but I am no longer personally into them, after one broke on its first day of use (!) But for long-term storage, or even day-to-day–without vacuuming, just zipping–they can be useful.

If a zippered bag were secure, it would be easier for me, since it is fairly tricky to zip a hanging space bag, in my opinion, even unvacuumed.

https://www.spacebag.com/hangingbag/910461/

I’m currently experiencing an infestation of bed bugs in my Queens apt. My husband and I are following the preparation instruction sheet provided by our PCO (Metro Pest) and currently inspecting, laundering and bagging our belongings. However, one of our cats loves to chew plastic so we’re taking the extra step of sealing our belongings in clear plastic bags and then placing the bags in clear plastic bins.

Like I said, any seams or gaps would mean this is not a good idea. So it is essential that you inspect the item in person.

I would personally avoid any options with holes or needing tape. Tape bunches up and comes off too easily. Frankly, “Airtight” is ideal, and none of these other options are, but of all of them, the container store one seems closest to airtight.