http://bedbugger.com/forum/ Bed bug support forums en Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:59:38 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/cimex-lectularius-a-poem#post-69533 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:01:38 +0000 freakedoutandbroke 69533@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Creeping filth clings to me<br /> Tendrils in my mind<br /> Taking quiet sips of my solace.</p> <p>Itches, twitches, scratches<br /> Travel my body<br /> Like birds taking flight, landing, leaving again.</p> <p>Hope and hopelessness,<br /> Like sunrise and sunset,<br /> Each bound to make way to the other.</p> <p>My dreams rise up like welts,<br /> Leaving mysterious marks on white sheets.</p> <p>I surrender to sleep,<br /> To darkness,<br /> To the kiss of my enemy.</p> <p>~FOAB </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-it-unethical-to-live-with-bedbugs#post-69503 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:07:58 +0000 freakedoutandbroke 69503@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>So, since I got bedbugs last December, I've been trying to put my finger on why they bother me so much. (BTW, despite 3 PCO treatments, and personally going crazy battling them--to the tune of over $500 in personal expenses--, I still have them, apparently... pimply-looking row of welts on my left hand this morning, and a rusty spot on my white pillowcase)</p> <p>My landlord has "suggested" that if treatments need to continue they may need us to help out (financially) because it's so expensive. Needless to say, this has not really helped motivate me to let them know I'm getting bit again. I truly am broke (though less freaked, and more frustrated), as my screen name indicates.</p> <p>I think the most disturbing thing to me about the situation is the social stigma, and the weight of my "responsibility" to eliminate them. I feel I cannot even responsibly invite others to my home, at least not without warning them first. And truly, very few people accept that invitation. </p> <p>Fighting the bugs is so much work... the laundering, spraying, inspecting, living in a state of vigilance... home is not home. The bites themselves are few and far between... since Feb. 1, I have only discovered bites 7 times. The bugs seem to prefer me over my husband. If he has been bitten, he didn't notice or may not react. I have only been bitten in my own bed, so the prospects of "giving" the bugs to visitors is slim: I do not let the visitors on my bed, problem solved. If I know the bugs are something that isn't going away, I have no problem heat-treating my clothes each day before I leave the house. This is something I truly CAN live with, if we're just talking about me. Which leads me to my question...</p> <p>Is it my responsibility to keep fighting the good fight? Why/why not? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/difficult-situation-bed-bugs-ill-tenant-uncooperative-neighborsmgmt#post-69524 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:35:31 +0000 serenitynow 69524@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Here is the story.</p> <p>1) My gf lives in a large multi unit apartment building. Her apartment is a 2 bedroom. In November her roommate was getting bites.<br /> 2) Nobody saw any bed bugs but building management was called. They said they would treat her apartment and the adjoining units.<br /> 3) My gf has been suffering from major depression. She had to do all the prep work (with help), which is no fun in the best of situations, but was even more excruciating and stressful due to her depression.<br /> 4) The PCO came twice. Two different PCOs from the same company never found any evidence of infestation in her apartment. They still treated. They were unable to gain access to any of the adjoining units. None of the tenants were home or would let them in.<br /> 5) The roommate moved out during the treatment.<br /> 6) AFter the treatments there were no bites and no bugs sighted still.<br /> 7) New roommate moved in in January.<br /> 8) My gf made a serious suicide attempt in late January. It is a miracle she is alive.<br /> 9) I have been staying at her place constantly after the suicide attempt. About two weeks ago (late February) I found an engorged bed bug wandering across the pillow on her bed. Neither of us had experienced bites (or reactions to bites). The new roommate had no bites/reactions. I caught and killed the bug and had various professionals make a positive ID.<br /> 10) Roommate found a dead bed bug in her window after looking around due to my discovery.<br /> 11) I think I spotted one on the ceiling of gf's bedroom. The ceiling is high and I tried to spray alcohol on it, which was dumb. It fell and I couldn't find it. We have looked for harborages but have not been able to locate any.<br /> 12) Building management was called and said they would send a PCO. Building management has not been responsive when we demanded adjoining units be inspected and treated. Among the adjoining units: an elderly shut in and a group of drunk guys who are apparently very dirty (the roach exterminator was horrified when he was finally allowed into their apartment). Obviously ANYONE can get bed bugs, not just dirty people, but dirty people who spend their days drunk (or elderly shut ins) are more likely to not take care of an infestation.<br /> 13) We have had to hire professional prep people to do the prep work because my gf is severely depressed and still recovering from her suicide attempt. And still suicidal. To say this additional stress of freaking bed bugs is like a bomb thrown on a fire is an understatement.<br /> 14) I don't think this problem is going to go away without adjoining units getting inspected and treated. Building management is doing the bare minimum, saying that her apartment is the only one reporting bed bugs and so they are treating her apartment as the infested one.<br /> 15) My gf does not have the strength or capacity to call the city or take anyone to court. She also does not have the strength or capacity or financial resources to move. Her roommate is moving out and how is she going to find a new person to move in given this awful situation?<br /> 16) Her friends are helping by hiring the professional prep people. All this money is being spent on the professional prep people (they ain't cheap) but it feels futile given the lack of cooperation with adjoining units. This is just going to recur and recur without the right comprehensive treatment.</p> <p>This is frustrating and scary because of the mental health and lack of finance issues involved. Any ideas???? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/clothes-steamers-as-heat-treatment#post-69534 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:41:47 +0000 bedbugsyuck 69534@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW GOOD CLOTHING STEAMERS ARE AS FAR AS HEAT TREATING A BED????<br /> because seriously, we REALLY don't have enough money for an exterminator, or to heat-treat the house.<br /> 3 kids in college = NO MONEY!<br /> AND I can't wait until the new bed bug trap thingie comes out, because it's supposed to be cheap. does anyone know which bed bug trap thingie i'm talking about? and if so, how effective do you guys think it is? how effective are the traps in general??? (the ones that spray out CO2 and are supposed to mimic a sleeping person, so bedbugs walk to them and get trapped.)<br /> also, WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO GET RID OF BED BUGS?!<br /> please leave comments and suggestions. THANK YOU! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/des-moines-tenants-file-class-action-lawsuit-over-bed-bugs#post-69520 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:01:56 +0000 Nobugsonme 69520@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>20 residents from two buildings have filed a class action suit representing anyone who lived with ebd bugs, cockroaches or rodents in two Des Moines buildings from 2007-present (this is perhaps 250 tenants total). The buildings house elderly and disabled residents. </p> <p><a href="http://bedbugger.com/2010/03/17/des-moines-bed-bugs-class-action-lawsuit/">More here.</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/do-blood-stains-mean-bed-bugs#post-69514 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:44:55 +0000 justdiscoveredbb 69514@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I got my second treatment a week ago and was told that we were 'bb free' by the PCO.</p> <p>This morning I found two small blood stains on my husband's pillow (no dead bug). </p> <p>My question is: what do blood stains mean? Should there be dead bugs present too? </p> <p>Should I call the PCO back?</p> <p>Anna </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-miss-the-k9-topics#post-69389 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:57:37 +0000 KillerQueen 69389@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>The "official" sticky is dead! While I’m no fan of dogs I think the sticky is lost in translation. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/down-to-bites-only-on-sofa-recommendations#post-43837 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:33:23 +0000 aballen 43837@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Most of you know I am in my 13th month of treatment. We have done it all including Thermal. Did not Vikane as they would not do my home. So, We have had no bites anywhere since our last thermal in late December. EXCEPT, my sister has fallen asleep on the sofa twice in the past four weeks. Both times she got a bite. Only one. She has had no bites in the chair right next to the sofa. So, two bites in four weeks on the sofa while sleeping. It is newer and I have salvaged it for this long, I would like to continue to salvage it. Does anyone have a suggestion for treatment of what I feel is a lingering rogue BB. I am waiting for answers here before I drag it to the fire pit to burn. I reallllllly don't want to do that though. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bug-powder-unsuccessful#post-69456 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:15:22 +0000 bedbugsyuck 69456@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>hello again. we've treated our home with the bed bug powder about 4 weeks ago. my parents' room. me/my sister's room. our den downstairs. my mom removed the carpet from her room, but all the other rooms have carpet. she put the powder down, and saw one the next day (i know the powder takes up to 2 weeks to kick in) i don't believe that my mother had a problem for the past 3 weeks or so. the infestation in my room was very minor, there was little to no bugs in our room. however, my sister said that she had gotten bit about 2 weeks ago. our den downstairs seems like it has not reacted to the powder at all. i saw a bug there a couple of days ago, and i keep putting the powder down, but i seem to get bit when i sleep down there. (by the way, i've always thought i was a non-reactor, but my body just reacts differently than my family members, my bites are a lot smaller, and don't itch as much) i guess we're putting down the powder in the wrong places??? the den downstairs has carpet and 2 couches, one with a pull out bed, one without. is it possible that the bugs can be lingering in the carpet???<br /> PLEASE PLEASE PLEEEEEEASE REPLY! I NEED ANSWERS OR SUGGESTIONS! PLEEEEEASE! I'M REALLY DESPERATE! SAY ANYTHING YOU CAN! EVEN IF IT'S ONE WORD! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-do-you-know#post-68862 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:53:22 +0000 suspicious 68862@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have never found any evidence of having bedbugs but still keep finding black marker like dots on our pjs and bed sheets. I have looked everywhere and there are the occasional bites but nothing serious. </p> <p>After over a year of being suspicious wouldn't I find them by now even if I use a sweeper almost every other day? Wouldn't they be crawling all over the walls? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/jb-pest-control-in-nyc#post-69405 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:41:06 +0000 jknyc 69405@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I posted earlier today about my situation <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/potential-bed-bugs-in-nyc-studio-apt-with-pets">http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/potential-bed-bugs-in-nyc-studio-apt-with-pets</a> and finally decided to just call my building management and set up an appointment for an exterminator. They of course gave me the direct number for the company they use, JB Pest Control, I just checked and it's located in Staten Island...has anyone heard of this company or had experience with them?</p> <p>Also, not directly related to the company, but how long should I expect the first visit to last while they check over my apartment? I just recently started a new job and hate having to take time off for this. My appointment is scheduled for him to get there between 8-10am, so I'm just wondering how late it will last until? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/just-found-another-one#post-69427 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:51:26 +0000 justdiscoveredbb 69427@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello All,</p> <p>I found out I had bb three weeks ago and have had 2 treatments since. The PCO was certain that it was isolated to the bedroom.</p> <p>Well, I just found a dead bb in an magazine in my study, it was dead.</p> <p>Does this mean my study (next to bedroom) is (was) infested too?</p> <p>The PCO sprayed in the study too but now I am concerned about my electronics (computer etc.).</p> <p>Anyone have experience with this?</p> <p>Anna </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-to-clean-hp-touch-smart#post-69379 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:50:00 +0000 omshiva 69379@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have an Hp Touch Smart computer that was located approximately 15 to 20 feet from my bed but we were told that we won't have serious problem. there were some Hits between the two beds. Not actually bed bugs were found in the apt. The PCOs was clear that we cut it early. However to be safe I would like to have the computer cleaned on those that I suspect, based on what I heard, that this is not a place where they would go. Please can anyone comment on how to properly clean this HP touch smart computer and what type of cleaning would I need to have that done?<br /> Thanks </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/depleting-oxygen-work-on-killing-bb#post-69348 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:02:10 +0000 tiredofbedbugs 69348@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>hello all! i was thinking and wondering: bed bugs need O2 right? Would keeping oxygen from them kill them eventually? If so, why not make an encasement for mattress and box spring that prevents oxygen thus asphyxiating them!??</p> <p>just a wonder. I find myself thinking of possible ways to kill these jerks off from time to time.<br /> :) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/potential-bed-bugs-in-nyc-studio-apt-with-pets#post-69399 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:37:51 +0000 jknyc 69399@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm sure a couple of my questions have probably been answered already on this forum, so I apologize ahead of time, I just wanted to put everything in one spot.</p> <p>Last week, I was woken up in the middle of the night to find a very itchy bite on my ankle and after inspection, found 2, what I'm pretty sure were full-grown bed bugs; 1 in my sheets and 1 on the bottom of comfortor. I immediately killed them, which my first reaction, and didn't think to save them for someone to look at. Then took everything off my bed and put the blankets and pillows in garbage bags until I could wash them the next day, and slept on the couch for the night. </p> <p>Within the past I'd say 6-8 months, I had been randomly finding bite/hive-like swellings on myself...1-2 every couple of weeks. My initial thought was bed bugs, but after doing research and completely searching my mattress, bed frame, and the area around my bed, I found no evidence of bed bugs...and also the bites I would get would normally appear at other times, not usually after waking up in the morning. I have pretty sensitive skin when it comes to bug bites, so I next figured it could be dust mites. I've since put my mattress in a protective covering (but not the box spring), as well as my pillows.</p> <p>Overall, since doing this about 2 months ago, I had not noticed a thing until this past week's incident. From what I've read online, everything seems to basically guarantee that if I've seen 1 bed bug, there ARE definitely others. Knowing this, I was able to find a product called diatomaceous earth, that I dusted the entire top of my box spring with, as well as behind my dresser that is located at the foot of my bed. I chose this because I also have 2 cats, and most of the products I found online were not pet-safe. </p> <p>Since last week when this happened, I have not slept in my bed since, and truthfully do not know when I'll feel safe enough to do so. </p> <p>I guess my main question is, and I know this is a long shot, but does anyone think the 2 bugs I found could be completely random (the weekend before this happened, I also had moved a lot furniture and everything else to clean, which hadn't been moved around for a while, I thought this may have "stirred up" activity)? Or is this something I need to get checked out? At this point, I think having an exterminator come is the only way I will be able to have peace of mind to sleep in my own bed again.</p> <p>Living in NYC, I know my apartment building would be responsible for any problem, however, this is also where my other few questions come in. I don't have roommates and so it's only me and the 2 cats living there. Should my building send an exterminator to check out my apartment and they in fact find a bed bug problem, what are the odds that the treatment would be pet-safe? While I do have friends I could stay with, I would not have a place to take the 2 cats. And from what I've read, bed bug treatments aren't a one time thing, and seem to take multiple treatments. </p> <p>Sorry for the long post, but just to sum up, I guess my main concern is whether or not to call my landlord? I know I SHOULD tell them immediately, but I'm also hoping that maybe it really isn't a problem and I won't see anything else again. The thought of having the worst case scenerio of having an exterminator come and have to move my cats from the apartment is a major factor in this, as I would not board them somewhere alone, and also do not have the money to stay at a pet-friendly hotel somewhere in the city...and I'm sure this not something my building would be required to reimburse me for.</p> <p>Help with any of these questions would be greatly appreciated...thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/to-dry-clean-or-not-to-dry-clean-that-is-the-question#post-69377 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:46:48 +0000 omshiva 69377@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Two days ago I posted the following question:</p> <p>When we put our things together to move this saturday, I want to pack a bag that has only toiletries, and an alarm clock. I need my laptop computer, my Blackberry, chargers, etc. and clothing for both of us. I can make sure that all the clothes are all dried carefully or dry cleaned. Please tell me what else I can do to make sure that I bring only us and not the bugs!!!</p> <p>-------<br /> This was one of the replies that I received:</p> <p>Hi,</p> <p>Just to add to the good advice above dry cleaning is not a reliable option and should not be used if you have confirmed bed bugs.</p> <p>------</p> <p>This is not reflect the information that I have received on the topic of dry cleaning or hot dryer for this type of problem. To be clear most people believe that dry cleaning or hot dryer effectively eliminate the problem for clothing. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/help-packtite-doesnt-go-over-105#post-52645 Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:45:09 +0000 bugsnyc 52645@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi all,<br /> I just got my new packtite in the mail on Saturday and had it set up to start cooking:). However after 3.5 hoours the temp. still only reached aboyut 104--it never got high than that. Am I doing something wrong? Please help.<br /> Thank you so much. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-are-back-after-2-yrs#post-69099 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:03:15 +0000 BobbyF 69099@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hey.. I live in Queens NYC in a 2 bedroom apt (2 story house). I've had an infestation 2+ years ago and got rid of my couch which i sleep on. Slept on the floor for the remaining or 4 days and killed about 5 more rogue bb's that were biting me at night. I sealed all the cracks and outlets with tape and had no problems with bed bugs for 2 yrs.</p> <p>Now they're back.. Yesterday i saw a bed bug on my new couch in my room.. and killed it. It was starved. I took all the bed sheets to the laundromat and vaccumed the outer edges of the couch. Today i wake up with 3 bites on my chin. What should i do? I have and sleep on a $300 couch.. Should i just toss that out and sleep in a sleeping bag and try to kill off the remaining bb's as i did last time over 2 yrs ago?</p> <p>The people upstairs.. one of them works in a hotel and we haven't talked to them yet to see if they have the bedbug problem. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-on-baby-how-do-i-prevent-cross-contamination#post-69334 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:35:14 +0000 curlybrooklyn 69334@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I feel like I"m hogging some major forum bandwidth, but since this is a bit of a separate issue I thought I'd post it separately for search reasons later.</p> <p>We are pretty sure the baby crib has bedbugs. Do any other parents of little babies have advice for how to manage caring for the baby without cross contaminating the rest of the house/his room. </p> <p>I worry about eggs getting onto the changing table when we get up in the middle of the night. Or getting into the glider when I'm nursing him. But I don't know how I'd prevent it - it's not like I can change his clothes every time he's crying and I need to pick him up - at least not without doing it in the crib (which is contaminated) or on the changing table (which then could get contaminated)...</p> <p>It will be a few days before the PCO comes back to treat his room. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/storage-spaces#post-69303 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:49:04 +0000 movingsoon1 69303@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi! I'm thinking about moving again...</p> <p>I'm still being bitten in my apartment, despite negative inspections. No one can seem to find the bugs or where they're coming from - I suspect a neighboring apartment.</p> <p>I want to move into school housing, which is furnished and doesn't require me to bring much with me. I'm thinking about putting all of my furniture in a storage space, like Public Storage, et al, for about 4 or 5 months.</p> <p>I'm wondering what y'all think about storage spaces like that - is keeping my stuff there just asking for disaster? Are they spaces where bed bugs typically live? </p> <p>Also was wondering if things can be fumigated or heat treated within a storage space?</p> <p>I have a few of those Hot Shot strips - would those work in a public storage space for 4 months?</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/are-these-eggs-that-i-found-in-the-crib#post-69333 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:26:38 +0000 curlybrooklyn 69333@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=johanna.bjorken&#38;target=ALBUM&#38;id=5448090890156624753&#38;authkey=Gv1sRgCNrCvMeq88WXoQE&#38;feat=email ">pictures here</a> That's the closest up/best resolution I can do. </p> <p>This morning I found very small little beads on the sheets right under where the baby's head is. They are greyish/offwhite, and maybe about a millimeter. There are a few of them, mostly round although one is more oblong, and seems to have a red dot in the center. They were kind of "stuck" to the sheet.</p> <p>They were not there yesterday or last night. </p> <p>In the picture you can see the blood specks from the day before yesterday, and in the far bottom left new blood specks, tinier, from last night. What I think are eggs are at around the "3 inch" mark on the tape measure.</p> <p>I don't know what else they'd be. Boogers? But I've never seen an egg before, so I'm not sure.</p> <p>(For background, we've completed our second treatment for confirmed bedbugs, but before this week didn't see any at all in the baby room. I freaked out earlier this week (see post: do I have to get rid of the crib"), and the PCO comes back on Monday. We found fecal traces and blood spots in previous days, and although the baby has other skin issues which makes it hard to identify what might be a bite, we're pretty sure he's being bitten. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/moving-to-new-apartment-dont-want-to-bring-them#post-69342 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:20:52 +0000 jk8586 69342@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>This website has been a life saver for me! ALong with BedBugBattlePlan.com too... Anyway, I am a 22 y/o student who just moved to Italy... I am living in an old building in Milan and recently discovered that my room, along with all the other rooms in the apartment are infested with bedbugs. Like everyone on this site, I was horrified and upset. I got over it and did what my mother taught me best... clean the shit out of everything. It has been a week, and in Italy things take time.... There are only 4 pest controllers in the entire city!!!! Only 1, yes 1, could treat bed bugs... That said, after a week of cleaning, caulking, washing, drying, acid treating the floors, baseboards, throwing out mattresses, rubbing everything down with 90% alcohol.... Anyway, the critters are still popping up... so I have decided to move to another apartment. I got rid of all my luggage, becuase it was beneath my bed, and washed every article of clothing that I brought with me from the states. My clothing is still in the sealed bags and I am preparing to move. Should I take any other precautions before I go to my new place? I already know that I will inspect my new apartment up and down before I move in. I think I can safely say that I act and move like a bedbug now!!! I really don't want them to come with me, so what else can I do? I am only bring my clothing, some books, my computer, wires for USB and such, medications, toiletries, shoes (which I don't know how to clean, perhaps with steam?) and that's about it. I will buy new bedding (mattress, sheets, zip cover, pillows and pillow encasement's, etc...) Please let me know if anyone has done a move like this. I am NOT moving any furniture, beds, luggage, towels, sheets, pillows, rugs, blinds/curtains, posters/paintings etc, light fixtures, or chairs. I appreciate any feedback!! Love this site... it is so helpful, especially because I am living 3000 miles away from home!!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/warning-bed-bug-professionals-please-read-this#post-11484 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 02:30:41 +0000 Nobugsonme 11484@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>If you are a Pest Control Professional/Pest Control Operator, work for a PCO, or have any kind of relationship with a company providing services or products to bed bug sufferers, we're glad you're here. </p> <p>However, please consider the following the rules for your participation here:</p> <p>1/ Do NOT post messages or send private messages (PMs) fraudulently representing yourself as a customer of your company. (And don't represent yourself as an unhappy customer of a competitor.)</p> <p>2/ Do NOT post messages or send private messages (PMs)advertising your company directly or offering your services. If you want to advertise on Bedbugger.com, you can do so via Google (there are links above ads) or contact <a href="mailto:nobugs@bedbugger.com">nobugs@bedbugger.com</a><br /> <strong><br /> (#3 added 3/12/2010:) </strong><br /> 3/ Please do not ask your customers to write reviews. Such efforts are generally quite transparent.</p> <p>It is fine -- encouraged even -- to mention your affiliation and location. Using your real name, as some professionals do here, inspires a lot of confidence.</p> <p>You may add your company's website to your profile so that your username is blue and links to your homepage. People will see this and contact you.</p> <p>Please do <strong>not</strong> type your website URL or phone number into your posts.</p> <p>There's a clear line between mentioning you are a PCO, and coming onto the forums primarily as a means to drum up business.</p> <p>We have recently had a number of complaints about both of these behaviors on the forums, and we also recently had an incident where a PCO was pretending to be a happy customer and raving about his company on the blog comments. We caught him, within minutes. It is not the first time we have caught someone. It is really not as hard as you would think.</p> <p>Misrepresenting your interests in this way is unethical behavior. And frankly, it assumes a level of stupidity on the part of our readers and the management of the site which is not accurate.</p> <p>Many upstanding, decent, respectable PCOs, bed bug dog businesspeople, and people who sell bed bug-related products, have posted here, openly, as themselves (either using their actual names or a pseudonym). They have declared their affiliations or line of work, but have not used the forums to sell or promote their services. </p> <p>Many of you bed bug pros have provided us with vital information and we appreciate your presence very much.</p> <p>The truth is, and these folks know it -- if you are open, and smart, and nice, people will want to call your company and do business with you. They will contact you-- you won't need to approach them. Your firm will get a good reputation here based on how you carry yourself.</p> <p>If you misrepresent yourself, or your relationship with your company, or you approach people to offer your services, or post messages which are veiled ads for your company with email links, web links, or phone numbers, you are abusing these forums. You will eventually be found out, and your firm may get a bad reputation based on this. It will be preserved here for other potential customers who come along later, and it makes your company look bad.</p> <p>Update (11/12): I would also ask that professionals remember that the purpose of this website is to share information about bed bugs. Please do not use it as a venue for fighting with other service providers. You may ask questions of other providers, and you may provide information (linked to the source of that information whether it is another part of this website, or an external website). But please do not try to sway public opinion about your business or your competitors except in regards to supported facts. </p> <p>If you violate these rules, your posts may be deleted at my discretion. Gross disregard for these rules may lead to your being banned. If you have concerns, contact me: nobugs at bedbugger.com.</p> <p>Thank you for your cooperation in making Bedbugger.com a supportive environment for people going through the hassle of bed bugs. I apologize to all of the upstanding and ethical professionals here that I even have to mention the concerns above.</p> <p>If you have questions or comments about this policy, or anything else, please leave a comment on this thread, or send me an email at <a href="mailto:nobugs@bedbugger.com">nobugs@bedbugger.com</a>, or a private message. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-do-you-know-when-youre-safe#post-69313 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:29:09 +0000 Stevie 69313@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Moved in on 13th of Feb.<br /> Saw bugs on 21st of Feb (since established from former tenant, they were there, we didn't bring them)<br /> Had place treated Feb 24th (sprayed, steamed, and powdered)<br /> Last recorded bite occurred March 6<br /> Had place retreated March 8<br /> We also put DE down after each treatment</p> <p>How do we know when we’re safe?? Can there still be more generations?</p> <p>We are moving for April 1st, and only taking clothes, dishes, some (washed) plastic knick knacks, and (DE-moated) electronics to the new place.</p> <p>Does this seem doable? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/curious-identification-not-bb#post-69116 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:20:42 +0000 upagain 69116@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I know this is not a BB but I am curious as to what it is. Spider Beetle?</p> <p><a href="http://img695.imageshack.us/g/img1494x.jpg/">http://img695.imageshack.us/g/img1494x.jpg/</a></p> <p>BB awareness has made me into an amateur entomologist! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/moving-5#post-69294 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:12:42 +0000 Beth 69294@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>so I'm pretty sure I'm moving. Found a place can move in as early as next week. It is with international (Chinese) students and is not that clean. But it is furnished and I saw the mattress had no signs. The one guy has been there 2 years and is a phD student. I worry more about the girl who just moved in in Jan. Anyway, it is a short term stay (till the end of May) just to ensure they are really gone. Bed bugs aren't as big a problem in Buffalo apartments as in some other cities. I am going to purchase the packtite to treat everything, including clothing, I bring in. I am rehoming my dog as she can't come and is elderly and needs more care and stability. Then there is my truck. I know the bed has 'em as this is where I have been storing my stuff. I have not gotten bitten in the interior there since spraying Hot Shots bed bug and flea spray. My friend may spray the whole thing for me again. My computer is off to Dell to be debugged or replaced. I may have to risk my cell phone--wonder how to treat it, maybe I shall Hot Shot strip it and my printer together. I don't plan to unpack from the plastic tubs anything except clothing in bags and a few books and personal care items until I am certain that place is not infested. Luckily, the bedroom is furnished. If anything I'd suspect roaches, but I asked and they said no. It's in good condition, they just are not clean being college students. It's an upper and the landlord takes good care of his lower where he lives so it's plausible there are no roaches. Anything I am missing in preparation? I hate to leave my wonderful apartment and subsidy--basically this means for the next 5 years until Section 8 kicks in I have to have roomates and likely no dog. Yeah, that sucks. But not as much as bed bugs believe it or not. I simply can't keep poisoning myself and my dog in an apt. with a chance of reinfestation.</p> <p>best-<br /> Amy </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/different-species-1#post-69269 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:23:24 +0000 guthrek 69269@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>So I recently had a massive bedbug infestation in the last place I was living (circa end of october). I moved to a new place and sealed everything in plastic bags which I meticulously checked and taped holes shut, etc etc. I have recently been cautiously going through some of my bags to look for something (power cord) and have found massive amounts of dead adult and baby bedbugs all over the bottoms of my clear plastic bags, and in ones that I had seen live ones since they were sealed there are now Tons of corpses.</p> <p>My question is: What I had read was that some bedbug species can survive either in egg form or by laying dormant for over a year. What is the lifespan for Other bedbug species? What are the odds that this many dead ones (babies included) mean that they are likely all dead? How obsessively careful do I need to keep being? I have found a couple of holes in some bags during this last check, and obviously am nervous that they might be around again, but I never had allergic reactions before so I have no real way of knowing whether or not they're back without finding more blood spots or the actual insects hiding somewhere. </p> <p>I'm hoping the answer is that I got lucky. Thanks in advance. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/baby-got-bit-do-we-have-to-get-rid-of-the-crib#post-69220 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:56:36 +0000 curlybrooklyn 69220@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Short version: we have no idea what kind of infestation we have. We live in a two family house and our tenants on the top floor saw bugs, freaked out and sprayed on their own, then told us (nice, right? Ok, well can't change it, can only fix it). We saw live bugs, at or around the time they sprayed, in our living room (right under the tenants bedroom) but hadn't gotten bites - that was the first indication of a problem. The bugs acted "weird" (they were crawling around in the early evening, in plain view), so I hoped that those were the dying poisoned bugs from upstairs coming out to die. But we did find a live bedbug in our bedroom between the mattress and box spring (one floor down and on the other side of the house from the living room). Didn't see anything or any evidence of bites in the baby room (directly under the living room). And yes, I saved all the bugs and they were confirmed as bedbugs.</p> <p>We called the PCO, and got the whole house treated (tenants, our place). All mattresses, including the baby's mattress, went into encasements. During treatment the PCO found no evidence of bedbugs in the baby's room. Nobody got bitten, and there was no evidence of bugs between treatments. Our second treatment (crack &#38; crevice was Monday - 8th). We slept at the inlaws that night. </p> <p>Tuesday night, our first night back, I got bit. Wednesday morning there was a fecal stain on the baby's sheets but I didn't see any clear evidence of a bite (but he has other skin issues so it could be hard to detect). Last night the baby woke at 4am and so my husband got out the flashlight. He found and squished a live bug that had fed in the couch upstairs. So we're getting rid of the couches, and I hope that was the origin of the bites on me Tuesday night (I didn't sleep there, but I had spent the evening on the couch).</p> <p>More worrying, there was a blood smear on the (clean) baby sheets, and he has what seemed to be a bite on his cheek. But I can't see any evidence of bugs in or around his crib. The mattress, as I said, is encased, and I saw no evidence of bugs on the encasement when I checked yesterday. </p> <p>Is it premature to throw out the crib, or is that our only option? It was expensive, and now that we are also replacing the couches, this is adding up, especially since now I really want to get a packtite. Is there any way to save the crib, keeping in mind that because it's for a baby I'm wary of too many chemicals around him (he's 6 months old). </p> <p>The PCO told us definitely to get rid of the couches, but was less equivocal about the crib. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/helpim-itchy-broke-and-going-insane#post-68698 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:03:27 +0000 insomniac nyc 68698@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>So I have a fair amount of evidence of the bugs...the bites, the bloodstains, and *oh yeah!* visual sightings. During the day. It's been a few weeks that I've been getting the itchy welts, but in the past week I have seen7 or 8 bugs. I can't be SURE they are bedbugs, but they looked a lot like the photos (and I do have a pic I took but can't figure out how to add it here). A few in the bed, and a few more crawling on the wall. My finances are such that I squirm at spending a few dollars. I can't even open another credit line (only have one, and it's minimal) because in 2006 someone stole my identity and opened dozens of accounts in my name, so my credit is ruined despite reporting this many times. I don't have a steady job, and doing freelance work I end up making less than my rent many times. I rent a room in an apartment within a 6 level building, but the guy I pay (the primary tenant, who lives in one room and rents out the others) is paranoid. He said there is a routine visit to the building from the exterminator, but he hasn't allowed them in our apt at all in a couple years bc he said when he used to, everyone in the apartment would feel sick. He thinks bleaching the floor and staying clean will keep them away. He is EXTREMELY set in his ways, and if he has an opinion on something he doesn't waver. </p> <p>Please help, I'm at the end of my rope. I have enough problems. Trying to balance recovery from a severe eating disorder, finances, job searching, and a social life (not as easy for someone with anxiety issues) is more than enough, and I am just sooooooooooooooo, ugh. Not to mention I already have a form of insomnia, and the fact that I will get bitten up when I lay down isn't making that issue easy to solve either. </p> <p>Sorry for the vent but I thought some of you might identify and understand my frustrations. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/save-cornell-ipm#post-66987 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:10:08 +0000 Winston O. Buggy 66987@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am writing to you, those who have benefited significantly from the work of the Cornell Community IPM Program whether you are aware of that fact or not and the trained professionals, entomologists like myself, and bed bug victims past, present and unfortunately future. In our endeavors we have all learned to appreciate the value of well balanced, accurate, scientific information in regard to pests in general but specifically Cimex lectularius a.k.a. bed bugs. The biological and behavioral information we continue to gain about bed bugs only illustrates how much more there is to know in achieving the goal of quality cost effective reduced risk bed bug control.</p> <p>In 1999 I joined with a member of the Cornell Community IPM team to conduct a survey of pest control practitioners across the state to gain a perspective of bed bugs at that early date when most were only familiar with the phrase “sleep tight don’t let the bed bugs bite” as opposed to the actual bite which has become the reality of way too many.</p> <p>In 2003 again at the forefront Cornell IPM produced “Bed Bugs are Back an IPM Answer” perhaps the first factual modern informational piece on bed bugs in New York State. In 2008 Cornell produced “Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Bed Bugs in shelters and Group Living Facilities”. How many of you have called the folks at Cornell for information or sent them samples.Have you used their bed bug cards developed for travelers? How many have benefited by the outreach of Cornell and various associations to train those who provide treatment for bed bug infestations. In fact one the five members of the NYC Bed Bug Advisory Board Dr. Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann is a Cornell Community IPM Program employee who among all the other excellent IPM staff at Cornell are scheduled to be gone and unemployed as of June 2010.</p> <p>But this penny wise pound foolish move by our Governor and new legislature is destined to effect not only bed bugs but all the good work the IPM program does which quite simply put is “to develop sustainable ways to manage pests and help people to use methods that minimize environmental, health, and economic risks”. What dollar value can you place on so noble a mission. The program involves itself in all aspects of best practices pest management through the use of various strategies which include biological, cultural, chemical and non chemical approaches. They are the balance between too much and not enough. In my experience the entire Cornell Program has improved the quality of pest management and the quality of life for all New Yorkers and especially schools, If you would care to learn more about the program you may want to check out their web site <a href="http://nysipm.cornell.edu/" rel="nofollow">http://nysipm.cornell.edu/</a> and follow the link to buildings. And more importantly follow the letter writing link and take action to help maintain this singular vital resource for all New Yorkers and those engaged in IPM and bed bug warfare. </p> <p>Please act on this before it is too late and this valuable resource is no more, don't let the Cimex cheer! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/what-are-the-standard-preventive-measures-against-bed-bugs#post-69243 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:53:15 +0000 4blossoms 69243@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm wondering if there are standard guidelines for preventing a future infestation of bed bugs after a PCO has visited your home?</p> <p>I'm still waiting for my landlord to send a PCO to spray my apartment but was wondering if there are any specific guidelines for prevention of a future infestation? It would be such a waste of time and effort if after the PCO has eliminated the infestation the bugs come back again. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/using-canned-air-for-electronics#post-69179 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:40:51 +0000 theJ 69179@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm in the process of Packtiting everything in my apartment as i move, and i'm a little hesitant to packtite my brand new $1000 computer that i put together myself. My surround sound receiver i'm going to go ahead and cook because it's at about 120F all the time when it's on.</p> <p><strong>The question is, how well would canned air work to clean out the little crevices in the computer?</strong> Keep in mind i'm familiar with every inch of the inside, so i won't miss a spot. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/urgent-i-want-to-move-with-me-and-my-daughter-without-bugs-please-help#post-69193 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:18:51 +0000 omshiva 69193@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>When we put our things together to move this saturday, I want to pack a bag that has only toiletries, and an alarm clock. I need my laptop computer, my Blackberry, chargers, etc. and clothing for both of us. I can make sure that all the clothes are all dried carefully or dry cleaned. Please tell me what else I can do to make sure that I bring only us and not the bugs!!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/legal-and-vikane-help-campbell-co-ky#post-69189 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:19:28 +0000 nomegustaslasbedbugs 69189@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I live in Campbell County KY. I'm looking for a PCO that offers Vikane treatment of a U-Haul that uses the recomended 3X concentrate and legal advice that will make my LL pay! We would like to move (the lady upstairs likes to garbage pick/visit her friends that she's admitted to having BB) so I doubt no matter how many times our landlord sprays... or even if she Vikaned the entire structure, that we'd ever get rid of them. She is cooperating thus far with the treatment (even though she lied to me about the cost... she's going through a not-so-big-name company, so it's only costing her $350 plus $100 for each additional spray... She told me that it was putting her out $1,200 and she was quite upset that the lady upstairs admitted to me that this was a recurring incident. Of course the lady upstairs never took blame, she blames it on past tenants. She also told me if the problem comes back, that we have to pay for treatment). So I have reason to believe that once I start making "requests" ("demands" sounds like such a horrible word) about her paying for the Vikane treatment of my belongings and that I'm probably ending our lease early (I can't live like this! I'm the only one having a reaction to their bites and it's awful! I'm just grateful that my son hasn't been bit or had a reaction to them) that she will probably deny them.<br /> We moved in here November 2009. I started noticing bites (I blamed them on spiders) mid-december. I caught my first BB February 5th. They haven't infested our bedrooms yet (I've only found them in the kitchen, the bathroom, and the living room). The PCO hasn't found so much as evidence in our bedrooms.<br /> Sorry there's so many parethesis and it's probably hard to follow. I'm just trying to get everything out so that I can get the advice I need:) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/can-i-packtite-my-laptop-and-blackberry-without-damaging-it#post-69194 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:23:38 +0000 omshiva 69194@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Can I Packtite my laptop and Blackberry without damaging it? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/no-chemicals-treatment#post-69049 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:31:05 +0000 Beth 69049@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>is it possible? with caulking and steaming and vacuuming? I have fleas and bed bugs. I will not do more chemicals. should I just move then? I can't seem to make up my mind b/c moving means relinquishing everything for 18 months, possibly selling my truck. But my dogand I are getting sick now after 4 treatments and me spraying alcohol. The vet mentioned toxicity. Thermal is like $3000. that's insane.</p> <p>thank you.<br /> amy </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/what-do-bed-bug-feces-look-like-on-non-fabric-surfaces#post-69191 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:09:49 +0000 florida st 69191@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My roommate found several small black specks on top of her wooden dresser and we are wondering if they may be bed bug feces. They are round-ish, not flat, and black. They are about the size of poppy seeds. and look kind of like grains of soil. </p> <p>I've seen many pictures of the fabric stains, but what do they look like when they're not on fabric? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nightwatch-monitor-in-toronto#post-68993 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:41:15 +0000 helpme15 68993@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Does anyone know of any PCO in Toronto that use the nightwatch monitor or lease it out? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/sofa-bed-anti-bb-bags#post-69126 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:09:54 +0000 BobbyF 69126@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Is there such a thing? i'm trying to look for them on the internet but can't find anything.. I'm trying to get a bag (NOT a wrapping) that will fit my softa in it to protect from bed bugs. I know they have mattress encasings but can't find anything for couches... Anyone know if these bags exist? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/save-your-dead-bugs-for-evidence#post-69040 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:41:18 +0000 florida st 69040@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I found 1 bed bug after 6 months of intermittent bites and finally had confirmation that the bites were indeed from bedbugs. Unfortunately, my roommate threw the bug away!</p> <p>After several horrible arguments with my landlord he finally had a PCO (the cheapest he could find) come in.</p> <p>The PCO did a cursory search, didn't find any bugs, and declared the entire apartment bug-free. He told me I probably just had a flea bite (even after I showed him the numerous scabs from all the bites, and described the bug I had seen).</p> <p>He told us that since he hadn't seen a bed bug, he couldn't legally spray the apartment. </p> <p>Save the bugs you find in a ziploc bag! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/single-mom-seeks-phone-support-to-break-isolation#post-69057 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:06:38 +0000 omshiva 69057@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Because of my current situation I don't have continuing access to my computer, but I have always the phone. So I'd like to talk with other families and/or other mom particularly at night when I am having difficulty sleeping. I'd like to find somebody who's already been through this and have seen the light at the end of the tunnel. As a single mom I am extremely isolated and handling everything alone. Is there any network of support which happens by telephone as opposed to online? </p> <p>Thanks </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/furniture-stores-in-nyc-area-or-long-island-or-nj#post-69037 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:31:49 +0000 soscared 69037@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Does anyone know which furniture stores do NOT take away old furniture upon request? I am getting brave enough to consider buying a new couch, and so far I have found out only about The Place in Farmingdale on LI not taking old furniture. The person I spoke to on the phone about it thinks I am completely insane. :) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/moving-what-are-my-responsibilities#post-68987 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:27:33 +0000 theJ 68987@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm going to be moving out my apartment soon, slowly while i treat all my stuff for bed bugs. I plan to packtite everything, and anything that can't be treated will be shoved in storage.</p> <p>I'm moving because my landlord has stopped cooperating to treat our apartment. I don't feel they're doing everything they can do to get rid of the problem, and this could go on indefinitely.</p> <p>I'm also fairly confident that when we leave, the new tenants will inherit our problems. I'm suspicious that there are bugs hiding underneath the carpet and in the walls, and we obviously can't treat those by ourselves. <strong>So if we move, and the next tenants inherit bed bugs, will the apartment complex come after us, blaming us for the situation?</strong> They're convinced we brought them in, even though we never travel.</p> <p><strong>If you don't know the answer to the question, pointing me to where i might find it would be helpful.</strong> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-this-weird-or-helpful-buying-a-shed#post-68802 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:06:40 +0000 Stevie 68802@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We bought giant bags through uhaul, they are the 2mil durable kind, only $2 or so a pc. We're going to seal some of our furniture and stuff in there, some with DDVP, some with DE (after 2 PCO treatments). We will seal it up well.</p> <p>We looked into a storage locker: $150 per month for 5x10, man! 18 months = $2700. We can pretty much replace everything for that price - not that we have that kind of money, though. So, we're planning on buying a <strong>$600 shed from Home Depot</strong>, and putting it in my parents yard, with all the sealed up stuff. Kinda nutty, but the best compromise we could find between trashing everything / risking re-infestation. </p> <p>Maybe you know someone who can make the same sympathetic, yet informed offer... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/the-invention-of-magnesium-ethoxide#post-69011 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:52:45 +0000 bb_gave_me_ocd 69011@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>....</p> <p>I enjoy a good non sequitur as much as anyone. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-do-they-stow-away-where-do-they-hide#post-69024 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:41:02 +0000 sarabel16 69024@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Ok, I moved out of the apartment to create more of a normal life for my daughter. (If we stayed, she'd not be able to have play dates or see friends.<br /> For the move I dried and dry cleaned everything. Alcoholed the rest and packtit-ed it. But some how we were follow! I am seeing black fleck on sheets and we are itching still. We need to move again this week and I don't want to bring them with us. Should I worry about my Blackberry or laptop? I feel trapped! It's like a "B" movie where the villain keeps appearing!</p> <p>Help! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/eggs-into-hair#post-68991 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:46:17 +0000 sarabel16 68991@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Is it possible or likely for "eggs" or nymphs to get into your hair? If u shampoo and condition, is that satisfactory to get everything out? We went away and I thought we were thorough but somehow they "stowed away", because there they were! In this case it was NOT the hotel, it was imported by us! Can anyone comment on whether showering is enough? Also, when I have washed and dried clothing, I still feel nervous... Is there anything foolproof? Is "Packtite-ing" reliable? Please help! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/smell-they-dont-love#post-68990 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:45:26 +0000 sarabel16 68990@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I would like to ask if there is any scent (smell) or perfume or lotion of any type that bed bugs don't like?? For example, if you are wearing olive oil.... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-this-the-right-choice#post-68989 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:41:54 +0000 sarabel16 68989@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi Bedbuggers<br /> My name is sarabel, and I am a Mom living in the UWS in NYC. I live in a brownstone studio. Unfortunately I had the same problem as most of you. 2 months ago my daughter has been bitten several times by those bed bugs. I called a dog inspection and then an exterminator! I had a CRYO chemical as well as one steam. I have been told few times to stay there and continue living my life from there but in order to protect my daughter and other families that she is in contact with i I have decided to find an alternative temporary living space so I have been seeking for a sublet. I'm planning to rent the Night Watch Monitor for a couple of weeks, and subsequently the polyurethane and to move my furniture and many of my belonging a storage units for 18 months! I would like to ask you whether if this sounds like a good plan! Is there anyone who have suggestions or instruction for moving without bed bugs?<br /> Thanks for your help<br /> sarabel </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/should-you-wash-protectabed-covers-before-placing-them-on-your-mattress#post-68973 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:28:37 +0000 elizal 68973@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Yes? No? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/isolate-mattress-on-floor#post-68968 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:24:31 +0000 Beth 68968@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>ok, so I have fleas AND bed bugs. how awful. Well, I saw a large fecal stain on my mattress today and got bitten the past two nights at dawn, once on my face, and know a flea couldn't leave something so big. Yo u would think I live in squalor. I don't! omg. So a question. I think they are in my bedframe and I am not up for using chemicals on it constantly. Is there a way to isolate an encased mattress on the floor? Like lay it on plastic and put carpet tape around it or something? I am afraid, I know they are lieing in wait on the floor, but it is too risky my bed frame. I cannot isolate it properly with my dog and laundry being so far away, etc., no money for box spring and pillow encasement. Someone gave me a mattress encasement. Besides it's an awful metal bed frame that has a million places for the encasements to tear. Please advise.</p> <p>thank you-<br /> Amy </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-to-inspect-empty-apt#post-68425 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:38:39 +0000 soscared 68425@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Someone who I warned about bedbugs bc of my ordeal is moving, and asked me how to make sure that the apt she's moving to is bb free. Short of hiring a PCO and/or a dog, which I don't think she is willing to do, esp since she is choosing between several apartments and the costs for all would be prohibitive, what should she look for? There is no furniture and no carpeting in most of them. She likes wooden floors. Assuming there is a light infestation (I've seen the horrible pictures of heavy infestations, that would be visible even in an empty apt), what parts of the apt should she examine? Should she blow a hair dryer on the baseboards?<br /> Thanks a lot! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/do-ddvp-strips-smell-bad-even-after-theyre-gone#post-68739 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:01:02 +0000 Stevie 68739@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi,</p> <p>Anything that continues to reek isn't an option, because we're using this for my boyfriend's art, which actually does sell! So we need these to be 100% bb free, and odor free... no one's going to buy a painting that smells like a mothball... </p> <p>Someone recommended the DDVP strips to me, or mothballs...</p> <p>We were going to seal my boyfriend's paintings up in giant contractor bags, with the DDVP strips in there, for 3-4 weeks. Are there any other options?</p> <p>A PCO told me on the phone that steaming them would warp them and they wouldn't do it. Even steaming them would just kill what was sitting on them at the time. Couldn't bb's move in to them the next day?</p> <p>Should we use DE and bag them?</p> <p>Thanks so much,<br /> Stevie </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/can-an-expert-id-this-insect#post-68939 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:59:55 +0000 miked366 68939@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Long story short, we had a bedbug infestation in our home last year that was thermal remediated. However, I continued to exhibit bite type reactions post inspection until I left our home for an apartment in November. My reactions stabilized and through uvb treatment, I was able to heal to a large degree.</p> <p>Until I slept in our home again in late January. A week later, I began to receive new markings. I do have a long story that I wish to tell at some point, but in the meantime have theorized that the continual reactions are to the residual chemicals or something else - such as another insect (carpet beetle perhaps?).</p> <p>Any help with an ID would be greatly appreciated.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/48124974@N02/?saved=1" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/48124974@N02/?saved=1</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-with-wheels-climbup-interceptors#post-68911 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:42:46 +0000 serenitynow 68911@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello - I have done several searches on the site and forums about this but could not find any posts or info. If this question has been answered already my apologies. I wanted to know if putting the wheels on the legs of my bed in the ClimbUp interceptor interferes with the effectiveness of the interceptors in any way? Thanks. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/weird-but-truefunny-in-retrospect#post-68906 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:09:05 +0000 MyWorstFear 68906@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>The other night my back/neck went into spasm and the pain was excruciating. I couldn't move to even get out of bed and woke my husband. After his attempts to help me met with my screams and my shrieking to not touch me, guess what finally worked? I heard him say "Maybe I should call an ambulance and they'll take you to a hospital" .<br /> I swear my first thoughts were: I don't want 2 strange people in my bedroom with a stretcher - who knows where that stretcher has been; and I don't want to go to a hospital and be in a bed that I haven't inspected (and couldn't inspect in my current condition.) I decided I would rather have horrific pain for a few minutes while he got me up than have to go worry about bed bugs from a hospital. &lt;g&gt; </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bug-myths-that-make-me-say-grrrr#post-66453 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:37:36 +0000 parakeets 66453@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I heard another infuriating one today:</p> <p>1) "We can't have bedbugs--our hospital washes and dries all the sheets everyday on high heat and employs a mite treatment in the wash cycle. " (that was from someone who works at a hospital).</p> <p>More "we're invicible from bedbugs" myths I've heard from people....</p> <p>2) We can't have bedbugs--we use mattress covers on all our beds.<br /> 3) We can't have bedbugs--we own our own home in a very nice town.<br /> 4) We can't have bedbugs--we don't stay in hotels.<br /> 5) We can't have bedbugs--we are excellent housekeepers and our place is spotless.<br /> 6) We can't have bedbugs--we never see them.<br /> 7) We can't have bedbugs--we have no clutter.<br /> 8) We can't have bedbugs--we have lived here for years.<br /> 9) We can't have bedbugs--it's the poor people who live in substandard housing who get them.<br /> 10) We can't have bedbugs--no one we know has them. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/de-vs-cats#post-64921 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:01:59 +0000 BB_TYS 64921@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Happy New Year to ya'll! Let's wish all our BB nightmare will come to an end in 2010!!!!!!</p> <p>Quick question (or rather a poll) as how (if it's been implemented in your home) has DE affect your feline family member? I am anxious to see the result for people who used DE to treat their homes while having cat(s) (dogs too, but considering cats spend alot of time grooming themselves which create much higher risks...but dog owners please also weight in!!) </p> <p>THANK YOU!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/to-isolate-or-not-isolate-bed#post-68653 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:43:24 +0000 justdiscoveredbb 68653@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>So, I know I am posting a lot but I am hoping that separating out topics will illicit better discussions as I am starting to see that posting my life story is a lot to read. </p> <p>I got my first treatment last week and based on what I read on the internet, I isolated the bed which I later found out is not good because the bb jump and hence avoid the poison. So I moved the bed back to the wall and of course got bit that very night. </p> <p>So my question is, is the residual enough on the wall next to the bed to kill them before they make their way back to nesting on my box springs again? </p> <p>Is the bb that bit me the night before dead now? or nested again? Saying that, what to do with the bed?</p> <p>I tried to talk to my PCO but he was quite short with me and gave me lots of vague answers...basically no guarantees because I live in an apartment building.</p> <p>The tech who came was informative and friendly but I have no way of contacting him directly.</p> <p>This brings up how happy and glad I am that I found this forum. Lots of great support and answers from lots of perspectives.</p> <p>Anna </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/great-bed-bud-debate-fumigation-gas-vs-thermal-heat-treatment#post-68742 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:40:22 +0000 twistcaff 68742@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>This stems from a thread I started inquiring about the use of fumigation to treat bed bugs. I was very surprised at how overwhelming everyone came out in favor of fumigation over heat, especially when heat seemed to be the be-all-end-all.</p> <p>Thus begins our debate. Please state your opinions on which treatment method you feel overall works best. </p> <p>I say "<em>overall</em>" including treatment on a large scale (entire house, single room, apartment, etc...) but also working on a smaller scale (small moving truck, storage facility, moving van, etc...).</p> <p>Let us begin... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/help-in-nyc#post-68870 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:41:13 +0000 ccnyc 68870@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm hoping someone out there can help. I have a familiar story and we just got our first treatment. Needless to say, I dream of the days when a roach problem would have wrecked havoc on my nerves. </p> <p>My request is this: does anyone know of a reliable canine service in New York City?[b] While I am getting treated, I am petrified that I could have inadvertantly transported the bedbugs to my sister's apartment. I'm hoping to ensure that she doesn't have them and a K9 inspection seems like the best way to go. </p> <p>Thanks in advance for your help. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-love-this-idea#post-68745 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:27:44 +0000 upagain 68745@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>--&gt;Take all of your clothes out of the suitcase and hang them up in the closet or put them in drawers.</p> <p>Whats is worse, no info on BBs or wrong info on BBs?</p> <p>From this link:</p> <p><a href="http://www.tnooz.com/2010/03/02/news/transparency-a-bugaboo-at-pest-control-conference-for-hotels/">http://www.tnooz.com/2010/03/02/news/transparency-a-bugaboo-at-pest-control-conference-for-hotels/</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbug-pesticides-help#post-67596 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:03:34 +0000 annlee 67596@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My landlord just agreed to pay for treatment, but only if I use his exterminator. I spoke to the exterminator on the phone today, and he seemed very knowledgeable about bed bugs. He told me does not steam because there's no way to effectively get the mattress hot enough with steam without damaging it. Is this true? He said that he uses a combination of pyrethrum strips, Bedlam, Suspend SC and Gentrol. Does this sound reasonable and/or effective? I've heard that bedbugs are resistant to pyrethrum and that Gentrol can do more harm than good. The guy told me has a lot of experience with bedbugs and that he's been very successful (I cannot find any reviews of him online). His name is John and he comes from Atomic Exterminating Corporation in NYC--I checked and he is licensed to exterminate bedbugs. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/larvae#post-68733 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:38:00 +0000 Beth 68733@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>so I found on the floor today something that looks exactly like this:</p> <p><a href="http://www.icb.usp.br/~marcelcp/Imagens/sifo9.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://www.icb.usp.br/~marcelcp/Imagens/sifo9.jpg</a></p> <p>which is flea larvae. do bed bugs have similar larvae? it's white with a little black on the head.</p> <p>I haven't seen a bed bug since the last spray but my ankles and waist are getting eaten alive from the floors it seems and yes a fecal stain. my dog itches but she is on frontline. could fleas have been in the floors here when we moved in I wonder.</p> <p>thanks-<br /> amy </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/need-a-little-reassurance-please#post-68773 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:33:32 +0000 persephone86 68773@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Sooooooooooooo...last night I was at a rehearsal and there is a woman who I know through the grapevine has bed bugs and from what I can gather isn't as cautious I am. We're not close enough yet for me to discuss this with her and I cannot do it in the situations we find ourselves in as they are always social gatherings, but last night she ended up sitting next to me on the bus ride home. GAH!!!!! It was a 10 minute ride and when I was walking home, I realized that my Packtite was not near my door (bad persephone!) and I was out of garbage bags at the door. I'm always more on top of these things! Anyway, I set my purse down outside my door for a few seconds and took my shoes and socks off in the hall and my jeans. (Luckily no neighbors popped out for a half naked surprise!) I left my coat and shirt on, grabbed the stuff from the hall, walked straight to the kitchen and dumped everything into the already set up and waiting packtite without setting it down anywhere outside of the packtite and stripped off my coat and shirt right into the packtite. I am of course FREAKING out thinking one hitched along for the ride and came out of my things in the less than a minute it took me to get stripped and get things into the packtite. The sane part of me says that I did what I could given the circumstances, but I am a paranoid little lady understandably and quite anxious. Do you think I am over reacting or that I have real reason to worry? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/question-regarding-sealing#post-68665 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:41:11 +0000 justdiscoveredbb 68665@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I see a lot of reccomendations to seal up or caulk cracks, holes, and crevices in an apartment. my baseboards are well attached to the walls but there are gaps between the carpet and the baseboards, as if the baseboards were too high for the carpets. How do I seal these gaps?</p> <p>I live in an older apartment where the heating (pipes) run all along the wall of my suite. How should these be treated?</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Anna </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/fumigation-vs-bed-bugs-live-and-eggs#post-68606 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:29:42 +0000 twistcaff 68606@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm moving because my old apartment has bed bugs. I want to take <strong>EVERY</strong> precaution possible to ensure we don't transport them so I am investing in a Packtite so we can bake everything were taking.</p> <p>However, some items are to large for the unit. I was told I could have those items fumigated as another highly effective method.</p> <p>I was told that unless a chemicals comes in direct contact with a bed bug or has "<em>residual</em>" value, it will not kill the live bugs and especially their eggs.</p> <p><u>Here is my questions:</u></p> <p>How is the fumigation process a guarantee that anything treated that may contain live bed bugs or unhatched egg will be free and clear once treated in this manner? It seems to be just another form of bug spray that is not always effective. Also, I'm worried about it's ability to penetrate inside some items (a guitar for instance).</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bite-reactions#post-68781 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:16:15 +0000 elizal 68781@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Does anyone know if taking something like Zyrtec will make you not react to bites or react less? </p> <p>Here's my original post: <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/need-some-advicehelp-please" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/need-some-advicehelp-please</a></p> <p>I haven't noticed any new bites since Tuesday of last week. Shouldn't I have new bites in over a week? The only thing I've done different besides my obsessive cleaning is take a half of my bf's Zrytec. Any thoughts? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/wonder-what-protect-a-bed-thinks-about-this-column#post-68726 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:13:05 +0000 sickofbugs 68726@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Artcile by Timothy McSweeney - a Lyme Disease specialist, who is also detested by the lyme community, a real trouble maker.</p> <p><a href="http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/bedbugs/bedbugs6.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/bedbugs/bedbugs6.html</a></p> <p> sickofbugs </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-in-the-latest-issue-of-toronto-life-magazine#post-66250 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:34:18 +0000 marigold 66250@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Toronto residents may want to check out the February issue of Toronto Life which has an article highlighting the city's bedbug problem. The article is not online yet, and I haven't read it yet as my boyfriend just let me know about it now. The magazine is relatively popular locally, it seems a lot of my friends read it, so this should be good for raising awareness. </p> <p><a href="http://www.torontolife.com/magazine/2010/2/" rel="nofollow">http://www.torontolife.com/magazine/2010/2/</a></p> <p>The Itch<br /> Toronto is in the grip of a bedbug infestation, and no one—rich or poor, homeowner or renter—is safe. The good news is they won’t kill you. The bad news is they’ll make you wish you were dead. One woman’s horror story By Jane Wells </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/vacuum-questions#post-68732 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:06:17 +0000 elizal 68732@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have a bagless vacuum cleaner. Is this bad? If I use the vacuum cleaner in my bedroom and then in other areas of the hosue, do I risk spreading bedbugs (if I have them)? Should I get rid of my bagless vacuum cleaner for one that has bags? Could bugs live in the vacuum cleaner? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bug-newbie-here#post-62256 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:55:40 +0000 CrazyIsMe 62256@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello I'm new here and yes I have bed bugs I cought a few about a week ago and identified them to pics that I've seen on the internet. The bed bugs that I have are in my son's room, he recently moved out so we've cleaned his room, threw out the mattress, box spring and bed frame. The ones that I cought I found on the walls of his room and I found one in my bathroom. My problem is my husband and I are low income earners we make just enough to live on. My exterminator wants to charge us $1500.00 to do a bed bug treatment and wow with Christmas around the corner that's not going to be possible to pay unless my family and I are willing to eat Spam and Crappy Dinner for Christmas not to mention the no present thing. The bed bugs seem for now to be only located in that one room, we're not finding any in any other rooms in my house. I have gone and boughten some Ortho Home Defense Max and have been spraying a parimiter around my son's room for 4 days straight now and knock on wood I haven't seen not one single one any where including in my son's room. My husband and I including my other son have not had any bed bug bites ever I do hope that's a good sign. My question is do ya think that I should let my guard down a little? I'm thinking that my husband and I may have this under control. I'm so scard of seeing another one cause I had a nervous break down over all of this and got put in the hospital for a few hours. I have been looking for nests but can't find any, no eggs, no babies, no adults nothing. I don't know what to do. Help let me know what ya think. Thanks tons. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/shouldnt-there-be-dead-bugs-after-treatment#post-68651 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:33:13 +0000 justdiscoveredbb 68651@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello All,</p> <p>So, I was treated six days ago. The PCO said he found all stages of bb including eggs on the corners of my box spring. There were also eggs on a clean pillowcase in a nearby hamper. He said it looked like we have had BB since November. I only started getting a few bites every second night for the last three weeks so I don't know if it was 'bad'. The PCO told me that a severe infestation is where they are climbing the walls in broad daylight and I did not have one of those.</p> <p>When we returned the next day to vaccuum, we didn't find really anything. I think we vacuumed up an egg and a molt off the mattress. I also caught a bb struggling to climb up my hallway wall until it fell and couldn't get up. </p> <p>Is it normal not to find any corpses after a spraying? Do they run off to die? </p> <p>How long does the residual take to kill a bb? on contact? slowly?</p> <p>My PCO used Tempo and Prelude.</p> <p>Thanks for all the useful advice and information so far.</p> <p>Anna </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/mattress-cover-plus-insecticide#post-68660 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:53:34 +0000 hoo2677 68660@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi all! Long time no post. Been very busy in Portland with new Advisory Task Force and other endeavors. I came across this today and I'm not sure what to think. It's a mattress cover with insecticides in it. I'd like to hear what the experts on the forum think about this. It sounds kinda creepy to me.</p> <p><a href="http://www.allergytechnologies.com/PMP-Home/65/" rel="nofollow">http://www.allergytechnologies.com/PMP-Home/65/</a></p> <p>"ActiveGuard is NOT an encasement. It is a fitted sheet, scientifically impregnated with permethrin that allows an even, consistent, low dose application directly onto the mattress and boxspring over time. Originally created for children and adults suffering from asthma and atopic skin diseases, ActiveGuard has been shown to be effective against both lab and field strains of bed bugs in addition to house dust mites. ActiveGuard liners can be easily installed onto any size mattress." </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/does-a-hair-dryer-work#post-68650 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:23:27 +0000 justdiscoveredbb 68650@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have read various sources on the internet regarding the use of hair dryers to heat objects up and kill eggs. Does this actually work? </p>