Comments on: Reader Question: how easy is it to spread bed bugs? http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/ bed bug news, information, activism, and support Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:14:38 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Brooklynbedbug2 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/comment-page-1/#comment-17613 Brooklynbedbug2 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:40:17 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/#comment-17613 Thanks for helping me. I talked to a friend who was infested and moved and got rid of them. 3 years so they are definitely gone. She was allergic so she she knows when she has them. She said she got rid of everything bu kept things that were not in her bedroom. most of my stuff is in my bedroom so potentially infested. Thanks for the reply again and I have hope. It would be very zen to get rid of everything and live with less Thanks for helping me. I talked to a friend who was infested and moved and got rid of them. 3 years so they are definitely gone. She was allergic so she she knows when she has them. She said she got rid of everything bu kept things that were not in her bedroom. most of my stuff is in my bedroom so potentially infested. Thanks for the reply again and I have hope. It would be very zen to get rid of everything and live with less

]]> By: Brooklynbedbug2 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/comment-page-1/#comment-17612 Brooklynbedbug2 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:34:23 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/#comment-17612 Found the answer about the freezer. Forget that. The laptop is my biggest concern. Hmmmmmmm. I just bought it. And the guitar. I may take the risk with those 2 items as the guitar is on a stand and the computer is now in a plastic bag. Oh boy, I can't bring these bugs into this newly renovate apartment Found the answer about the freezer. Forget that. The laptop is my biggest concern. Hmmmmmmm. I just bought it. And the guitar. I may take the risk with those 2 items as the guitar is on a stand and the computer is now in a plastic bag. Oh boy, I can’t bring these bugs into this newly renovate apartment

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/comment-page-1/#comment-17611 nobugsonme Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:31:30 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/#comment-17611 Brooklyn, Freezing is not a simple or quick option. It takes longer than one night -- Lou Sorkin (an entomologist) said, “I had them in a freezer at -29dF for 4 hours and some 1st instars lived. But [in] 5 days they also died.” Lou and others have reported that bed bugs may appear "dead" and then thaw out later, alive. If you experiment with freezing, keep in mind, they may seem dead when they are just very frozen. Also, if they are in something, it may insulate them; they may take much longer than four days at the temps Lou described, if this is the case. FYI: Your freezer is likely *much* warmer than -29dF. That will lengthen the amount of time needed to kill them -- if you can kill them. More on that in this FAQ: http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/ Heat and gas are not quite so tricky, but yes, expensive. Brooklyn,

Freezing is not a simple or quick option. It takes longer than one night — Lou Sorkin (an entomologist) said,

“I had them in a freezer at -29dF for 4 hours and some 1st instars lived. But [in] 5 days they also died.”

Lou and others have reported that bed bugs may appear “dead” and then thaw out later, alive. If you experiment with freezing, keep in mind, they may seem dead when they are just very frozen. Also, if they are in something, it may insulate them; they may take much longer than four days at the temps Lou described, if this is the case.

FYI: Your freezer is likely *much* warmer than -29dF. That will lengthen the amount of time needed to kill them — if you can kill them.

More on that in this FAQ: http://bedbugger.com/2007/08/04/faq-leaving-stuff-out-to-freeze-walk-in-freezers-etc-how-cold-and-how-long/

Heat and gas are not quite so tricky, but yes, expensive.

]]> By: Brooklynbedbug2 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/comment-page-1/#comment-17610 Brooklynbedbug2 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:25:06 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/#comment-17610 Thanks for your note . I feel a little better. What about freezing small items. I heard this kills them over night. Thanks for the link maybe I will be able to find an answer. I don't see how I could move them if I throw everything away and wash all my clothes. Maybe I will bag anything I want to keep in plastic for 2 years. Is that cray or what? How about if I put my lap top in the freezer over night. I need that thing for sure. Goin to google weather it's safe to freeze a computer and weather freezing things will kill those nasty little things Thanks for your note . I feel a little better. What about freezing small items. I heard this kills them over night. Thanks for the link maybe I will be able to find an answer. I don’t see how I could move them if I throw everything away and wash all my clothes. Maybe I will bag anything I want to keep in plastic for 2 years. Is that cray or what? How about if I put my lap top in the freezer over night. I need that thing for sure. Goin to google weather it’s safe to freeze a computer and weather freezing things will kill those nasty little things

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/comment-page-1/#comment-17609 nobugsonme Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:53:11 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/#comment-17609 Brooklynbedbug2, I am sorry you are going through this. People have had great difficulties escaping bed bugs. We have heard from people who seem to have moved them even though they tossed nearly everything they own. You may be able to treat your items using a professionally heated moving truck, or a truck treated with vikane gas. If this would avoid you tossing anything out, you may find it economically feasible. For suggestions of companies, and stories from others, please come to our Bedbugger Forums: http://bedbugger.com/forum/ If you want to save small items more economically than truck treatments, a Packtite may be useful (there's a FAQ on that at the link below). The Packtite won't fit a guitar, though -- and yes, potentially anything could be infested. Sorry to tell you that. These FAQS may help you discover ways of killing bed bugs in your stuff: http://bedbugger.com/faqs/stuff/ Good luck in your next move! I hope you get rid of them for good. Brooklynbedbug2,

I am sorry you are going through this.

People have had great difficulties escaping bed bugs. We have heard from people who seem to have moved them even though they tossed nearly everything they own.

You may be able to treat your items using a professionally heated moving truck, or a truck treated with vikane gas. If this would avoid you tossing anything out, you may find it economically feasible. For suggestions of companies, and stories from others, please come to our Bedbugger Forums: http://bedbugger.com/forum/

If you want to save small items more economically than truck treatments, a Packtite may be useful (there’s a FAQ on that at the link below). The Packtite won’t fit a guitar, though — and yes, potentially anything could be infested.

Sorry to tell you that.

These FAQS may help you discover ways of killing bed bugs in your stuff:
http://bedbugger.com/faqs/stuff/

Good luck in your next move! I hope you get rid of them for good.

]]> By: Brooklynbedbug2 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/comment-page-1/#comment-17597 Brooklynbedbug2 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:39:11 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/#comment-17597 Another option is to swan dive off the empire state building. , that woul also solve the problem Another option is to swan dive off the empire state building. , that woul also solve the problem

]]> By: Brooklynbedbug2 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/comment-page-1/#comment-17596 Brooklynbedbug2 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:37:14 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/#comment-17596 I meant to say I am throwing away everthing. Any books and things I want to keep I will put in plastic bags and store in those plastic storage containers. I mean am I crazy or is this a great idea or what? How can they come with me if I get rid of all my stuff and burn wash all my clothes? Can they get in my computer? I meant to say I am throwing away everthing. Any books and things I want to keep I will put in plastic bags and store in those plastic storage containers. I mean am I crazy or is this a great idea or what? How can they come with me if I get rid of all my stuff and burn wash all my clothes? Can they get in my computer?

]]> By: Brooklynbedbug2 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/comment-page-1/#comment-17595 Brooklynbedbug2 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:30:15 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/#comment-17595 Wow, this is a real drag! I moved into an apartment last year, that I belive was infested prior to me moving in, and wham! The 3 story house is infested. The pco and landlord tried to blame me. Well my ex threw me out and we ne'er had bed bugs nor signs. I contacted her and alhough she didn't want anyhing to do with me, she did respond by saying she never ha them and doesn't have them now that I'm gone. So we tried to take care of the problem at the apartment. Followed all the suggestions o the pco who sprayed 2 times. Washe everything, bagged ect. We threw away so much stuff it was crazy. All properly disposed of by a garbage truck service. Anyway, the land lord decided to evict use. Good cause that was a piece of crap apartment. Ok so I move into a very old apartment in the ghetto. Been here almost 10 months. And yes we have bed bugs. Along with mice and German cockroaches. I noticed a dead bed bug maybe 4 or 5 months after I moved in. Of course I have been paranoid since I moved in that I brought them. I heard another tenant on a different floor say something about a bed bug infested coach. So that's it the building is infested! A pco has come over and done a very poor job, only spraying around he bed. Did I bring them? Who knows. If I did, I'm sure they were already here. This place is nasty and the slum lords could care less. So why am I writing this. Well I want to be done with these bugs. I'm moving. I found a very clean newly renovated apartment. My plan is to go to ikea and buy a new bed, desk, ect and throw away all my books. Everyone. I am going to wash all my clothes on hot hot hot, and take my computer and bass guitar. Could they live in my computer and bass guitar? Am I crazy? How can inbe sure I don't take them with me? Well i look at it this way, at least if they do travel along on he bottom of my shoe ornaomething, at least I will have gotten rid of most of my stuff and it will be easier to deal with the next infestation. But I feel like I will be successful at getting rid of them if I just get rid of all this crap I have. I feel like they live in those books! Please someone help! So I then move into a ghetto apartment in Brooklyn Wow, this is a real drag! I moved into an apartment last year, that I belive was infested prior to me moving in, and wham! The 3 story house is infested. The pco and landlord tried to blame me. Well my ex threw me out and we ne’er had bed bugs nor signs. I contacted her and alhough she didn’t want anyhing to do with me, she did respond by saying she never ha them and doesn’t have them now that I’m gone. So we tried to take care of the problem at the apartment. Followed all the suggestions o the pco who sprayed 2 times. Washe everything, bagged ect. We threw away so much stuff it was crazy. All properly disposed of by a garbage truck service. Anyway, the land lord decided to evict use. Good cause that was a piece of crap apartment.

Ok so I move into a very old apartment in the ghetto. Been here almost 10 months. And yes we have bed bugs. Along with mice and German cockroaches. I noticed a dead bed bug maybe 4 or 5 months after I moved in. Of course I have been paranoid since I moved in that I brought them. I heard another tenant on a different floor say something about a bed bug infested coach. So that’s it the building is infested! A pco has come over and done a very poor job, only spraying around he bed. Did I bring them? Who knows. If I did, I’m sure they were already here. This place is nasty and the slum lords could care less.

So why am I writing this. Well I want to be done with these bugs. I’m moving. I found a very clean newly renovated apartment. My plan is to go to ikea and buy a new bed, desk, ect and throw away all my books. Everyone. I am going to wash all my clothes on hot hot hot, and take my computer and bass guitar. Could they live in my computer and bass guitar? Am I crazy? How can inbe sure I don’t take them with me? Well i look at it this way, at least if they do travel along on he bottom of my shoe ornaomething, at least I will have gotten rid of most of my stuff and it will be easier to deal with the next infestation. But I feel like I will be successful at getting rid of them if I just get rid of all this crap I have. I feel like they live in those books!

Please someone help!

So I then move into a ghetto apartment in Brooklyn

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/comment-page-1/#comment-9526 nobugsonme Wed, 07 May 2008 16:57:24 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/#comment-9526 HI Suzanne, That 10% number seems pretty random and meaningless. Chances of spreading bed bugs would seem to depend on your/ (your dad's) behavior, how many bed bugs you have, where they are, and luck. You can probably only control the first item in that list, but it can make a big difference. We have some FAQs on travel which give tips on how to avoid spreading bed bugs. HI Suzanne,

That 10% number seems pretty random and meaningless.

Chances of spreading bed bugs would seem to depend on your/ (your dad’s) behavior, how many bed bugs you have, where they are, and luck. You can probably only control the first item in that list, but it can make a big difference.

We have some FAQs on travel which give tips on how to avoid spreading bed bugs.

]]> By: Susanne http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/comment-page-1/#comment-9524 Susanne Wed, 07 May 2008 12:15:16 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/2007/10/12/reader-question-how-easy-is-it-to-spread-bed-bugs/#comment-9524 I live in my dad's downtown apartment that he uses during the week for work, before going home to my parents' house on weekends. We caught our infestation early, but the first spray wasn't enough, and we are getting our second today. I was pretty confident that the infestation was confined to my couch and my room, but I have still been forcing my dad to be very careful about what he brings home to my mom! I wash and bag his clothes for him, and have bought him a metal fold-up chair to elevate his small suitcase off the ground/bed. Just today, I found a dead nymph in his bed as I was striping it for spray number 2. Out of all the bedbug sightings I've experienced in the last couple weeks, this was the scariest because it means his room isn't as "safe" as I'd (naively) thought it was and my biggest fear is him infesting my parents house! My mom and dad do not understand the problem fully, and I do not know if they will handle it well. My PCO told me there was only a 10% chance of him infesting the house, does this seem accurate? I live in my dad’s downtown apartment that he uses during the week for work, before going home to my parents’ house on weekends. We caught our infestation early, but the first spray wasn’t enough, and we are getting our second today. I was pretty confident that the infestation was confined to my couch and my room, but I have still been forcing my dad to be very careful about what he brings home to my mom! I wash and bag his clothes for him, and have bought him a metal fold-up chair to elevate his small suitcase off the ground/bed.

Just today, I found a dead nymph in his bed as I was striping it for spray number 2. Out of all the bedbug sightings I’ve experienced in the last couple weeks, this was the scariest because it means his room isn’t as “safe” as I’d (naively) thought it was and my biggest fear is him infesting my parents house! My mom and dad do not understand the problem fully, and I do not know if they will handle it well.

My PCO told me there was only a 10% chance of him infesting the house, does this seem accurate?

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