http://bedbugger.com/forum/ Bed bug support forums en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:31:38 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/are-bbs-another-hygiene-hypothesis-curse#post-62124 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:11:53 +0000 Sammy 62124@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Bed bugs are a problem in the developing world. Its like the assumption that people in malarial countries are immune to that, and to the other diseases we routinely get vaccinated against: in most cases they aren't, they are susceptible too but don't have the money for vaccinations and so just suffer along. Bedbugs in slums are a huge, huge problem, but what is anyone living there going to do about it? You hear about infestations in New York, London, etc, because the people there have the means to do something about it: in the developing world they just suffer in silence (or if they're an ex-pat living in the developing world like me they get on an internet forum and start going a bit crazy about it!) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/pesticides-from-spider-venom#post-62048 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:32:49 +0000 spideyjg 62048@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Maybe someday.....</p> <p><a href="http://www.ecosmagazine.com/?act=view_file&#38;file_id=EC137p33.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.ecosmagazine.com/?act=view_file&#38;file_id=EC137p33.pdf</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2008/03/27/2200550.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2008/03/27/2200550.htm</a></p> <p>To me this is such a huge DUH! as a potential source of a new class of pesticides it isn't even funny.</p> <p>Any venom is an extraordinarily complex compound so it may take many years to figure it out. The source material is a pure bug killer though. </p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-in-cabins#post-61872 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:51:58 +0000 cilecto 61872@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I suggest you call the place and ask them what they've done about their reported problems. There and anywhere you travel, take pre cautions (like keeping your stuff bagged) to minimize the damage, should a place be infested. At the rate things are going, more and more places will have BB, we're just going to have to learn to deal. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-in-cabins#post-61863 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:59:04 +0000 BoJenkins 61863@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello,</p> <p>I was one who wrote a negative review about ACE regarding their bedbugs. It is true that bedbugs are less active in the cold, but they still survive the winter. You are more likely to kill bedbugs by throwing infested items into the dryer for an hour than by sticking them in the fridge. I would be careful about staying in a cabin at ACE. You never know if the bedbugs are active, even in the winter. As another poster mentioned, they are known to become active even after staying dormant for as long as six months, or more! It is possible for some to crawl into your luggage and make it back to your home -- something you do not want to have to deal with (believe me)!! Pest control gets expensive fast, and, naturally, the more treatments you have to do, the more costly it will be. Luckily, I was staying in a dorm and my school covered all costs. I do not know if ACE has successfully gotten rid of their infestation since I went and experienced such problems (at the end of August 2008). Bed bugs are NOT easy things to get rid of and the bites are VERY, VERY uncomfortable. Bottom line, I highly suggest looking into other accommodations. Hope that helps! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/women-seem-to-have-a-greater-reaction-to-bed-bug-bites-than-men#post-61482 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:02:12 +0000 bait 61482@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>What we need is a field study on bed bugs, something akin to this...</p> <p>Short-range attractiveness of pregnant women to Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes<br /> Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Volume 96, Issue 2, March-April 2002, Pages 113-116<br /> J. Ansell, K. A. Hamilton, M. Pinder, G. E. L. Walraven, S. W. Lindsay</p> <p>Abstract<br /> Malaria is a major cause of illness and an indirect cause of mortality in pregnant women. It can also cause stillbirths and low-birthweight babies. We have shown previously that pregnant women attracted twice as many Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, the principal African malaria vector, as their non-pregnant counterparts over distances of about 15 m. In the current study (in 1998/99) we compared the short-range attractiveness of both pregnant and non-pregnant women sleeping under untreated bednets in Gambian villages. First, we measured the rate of mosquito entry under bednets and, second, we calculated the proportion of mosquitoes biting mothers under each bednet compared to their children. The feeding preference of An. gambiae collected under nets was determined by DNA fingerprinting blood samples from human subjects sleeping under each bednet and comparing these to fingerprints obtained from mosquito bloodmeals. Pregnant women were more attractive to An. gambiae mosquitoes than non-pregnant women under an untreated bednet. The number of mosquitoes entering bednets each night was 1·7-4·5 times higher in the pregnant group (P = 0·02) and pregnant women also received a higher proportion of bites under the bednets than did non-pregnant women (70% vs 52%, P = 0·001). This study clearly demonstrates that pregnant women are more exposed to malaria parasites than other women, which contributes to the greater vulnerability of pregnant women to malaria. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/women-seem-to-have-a-greater-reaction-to-bed-bug-bites-than-men#post-61479 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:49:16 +0000 watkinsnewan 61479@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>double sided tape on what..... down there....LOLOLO I hope not... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/women-seem-to-have-a-greater-reaction-to-bed-bug-bites-than-men#post-61447 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:17:34 +0000 meremortal 61447@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Which initially freaked me out on a whole other level! Had desperate thoughts about using double-sided tape for "extra protection", lol! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-in-cabins#post-61434 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:31:44 +0000 buggyinsocal 61434@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Remember that bed bugs survive less time at higher temps than at lower ones. (I.e. heat is more often used as a reliable way to kill them than cold is. In addition, their eggs hatch sooner at high temps. We know that in storage, for example, higher temps lead to shorter life spans than the other way around.) As a result, banking on the winter temps indoors to kill them isn't something I would do.</p> <p>Bed bugs can lower their metabolisms to reduce their needs enough to survive for over a year without feeding. The higher the temp during that time, the shorter the time they can survive. Combine that ability to slow their metabolism with cold temps, and they can live longer, not shorter, at lower temps.</p> <p>The guidelines for killing bed bugs off by putting sealed items in storage is to leave them sealed up for at least 18 months. Unless the cabin was completely devoid of any blood source for 18 months, cold or not, I wouldn't consider it bed bug free based on temp or isolation alone. And I find it highly unlikely that rental properties would remain uninhabited for 18 months. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-in-cabins#post-61431 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:26:06 +0000 bugfreebed 61431@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>35 out side doesn't mean 35 inside where the BB are and they can with stand freezing temp for long periods of time . Cabins harboring BB can be left empty all winter with no heat and the adults will survive . All resorts and hotels are subject to this problem . I might try to choose where I stay on the policies of how the handle it , and take all the travel steps , checking the room , laundering everything when you return , and so on </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/women-seem-to-have-a-greater-reaction-to-bed-bug-bites-than-men#post-61425 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:28 +0000 watkinsnewan 61425@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>that is adorable....<br /> Do you think it could have to do with the whole bleeding once a month thing in woman(BLOOD BB suck your blood)... I am not a professional BUT I think that is it....<br /> although the other responses make more sense and would be more reliable... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/women-seem-to-have-a-greater-reaction-to-bed-bug-bites-than-men#post-61424 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:36:10 +0000 bait 61424@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I bumped this up cuz another posting on this same topic was hi-jacked (by me and others) by a cute sidebar on baby's first words: bed bugs! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-in-cabins#post-61408 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:55:52 +0000 Louise 61408@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>According to our PCO, our batbugs (a very close relative to the bedbug) survived a cold Canadian winter in our unheated cabin (we close it up for the winter months). We had excluded the bats in the fall, and we found our first bug in June (presumably when they came out looking for food).</p> <p>Louise </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-in-cabins#post-61355 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:20:10 +0000 BugsInTO 61355@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Nope. Freezing is unreliable. I was advised by the best that seasonal temperatures could not control for bedbugs in structures. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-in-cabins#post-61353 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:57:42 +0000 rkh22 61353@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Greetings all</p> <p>I recently have been planning a trip to go skiing in West Virginia. I'm looking into cabin rentals. At this one particular place, let's just say ACE adventure center, customer reviews warn about bed bug infestation. I am wondering if I should steer clear of the place. The visitors that wrote the reviews stayed throughout the months of August and September last year. The trip I am planning however will be in December, so I am thinking that at an average weather of 35 F bed bugs will not survive or thrive in the low temperatures. Does this seem like a good assumption? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/women-seem-to-have-a-greater-reaction-to-bed-bug-bites-than-men#post-61293 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:08:49 +0000 bait 61293@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Danno, thanks for your interest in this subject. Your observation is probably correct, but expect it to be debated and debased.</p> <p>I believe that men are less likely to be bitten, not just non-reactive. As was stated recently by one of our resident PCOs, laboratory bed bugs behave differently than those in the field.</p> <p>Only female mosquitoes bite humans and carry the malaria parasite. It prefers to feed on women, notably pregnant women. These are facts.</p> <p>Now, I know the common bed bug is not an Anopheles mosquito. But there are some obvious similarities (human blood being the most obvious). I can only speculate why this parallel continues to be so readily dismissed. </p> <p>I put my money on your observations any day. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/women-seem-to-have-a-greater-reaction-to-bed-bug-bites-than-men#post-61272 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:40:54 +0000 LVK9 61272@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Danno, during Pestworld this year I attended a class on bed bugs put on by Micheal Potter. He has done studies and showed the results on reactions to bed bug bites. What he found was that the reactions were the same from male to female and race made no difference. The only displayed difference in reactions was due to age, seniors were less reactive than the young or middle aged. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/women-seem-to-have-a-greater-reaction-to-bed-bug-bites-than-men#post-61270 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:14:46 +0000 Danno 61270@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We are a laundry service that launders bed bug infested laundry here in Toronto.</p> <p>Over the past two years we have noticed that when we speak with our clients about their particular situation an overwhelming number of women (when living with their male partner) report that they experience welting, redness and mild discomfort due to being bitten by bed bugs. Whereas their male counterparts overwhelmingly report little or none of the above mentioned symptoms.</p> <p>I have spoken to a medical professional about this and the only thing that he can think of is that perhaps, males may have a higher natural level of Histamine.</p> <p>Our operation services numerous clients every week and since we have focused in on this strange phenomenon we have compiled some very interesting numbers on this.</p> <p>In our experience, when couples (male and female) report a bed bug infestation in their home, 68% of the males do not report any noticeable indication of being bitten whereas their female partner does. Where both the male and female of the couple report being bitten, the number of females that report being bitten is just over 80%. with their male counterpart reporting about 20%. Out of this group, the 80% of females that reported bites, 60% of them also reported what they would describe as moderate to severe reactions (noticeably visible welts of reddish colour involving mild to moderate discomfort) whereas the male counterpart reported only mild discolouration with little or no discomfort/itchiness.</p> <p>There is something very interesting going on here and, not being scientists or doctors we're not sure what to make of it. Yet, it is a very real phenominon as we see it almost every day in our operation.</p> <p>As we know, one of the most troubling aspects of having a bed bug infestation is the result of being bitten - it contributes to the psychological effects of the infestation and causes actual physical discomfort to the 'victim'.</p> <p>If someone could study why the vast majority of men seem to have a lesser reaction to bed bug bites and identify what it is that reduces (in this group) the reaction to those bites, perhaps a product could be developed that would help everyone - especially those women that seem to suffer a magnified reaction to the bites.</p> <p>Comments from medical practitioners would be greatly appreciated. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/preventative-bed-bug-treatment#post-61199 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:26:38 +0000 spideyjg 61199@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Wow! That Alpine is some spendy dust! </p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/preventative-bed-bug-treatment#post-61197 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:04:32 +0000 BBCOUKonTour 61197@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi Todd, </p> <p>Thanks for the clarification of the situation I have seen a few similar situation myself in the past although our version of "row" is victorian terraced or socialised apartment complexes.</p> <p>The ultimate solution comes from engaging the public health department and requesting an inspection. If the property is occupied by someone then the official interest can help to move the problem on and although it is not a good solution it is sometimes the best you can do. If the property is void and used as a crack house then it can be better sealed to avoid undesirable ingress.</p> <p>Either way its a slow process admittedly but it does result in the solution which is to remove the source of the bed bugs.</p> <p>They may get some relief by mixing the insulation with DE as a physical killer although I suspect they would need the co-operation of the nighbour in that they should most likely be out of their property when it is applied if it is to be blown into the cavity.</p> <p>Its a tough situation but is one of those where houses like this thrive on a lack of official attention and once it starts they tend to move on quickly.</p> <p>it can be a deeply frustrating situation though.</p> <p>David </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/preventative-bed-bug-treatment#post-61195 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:25:19 +0000 ActionK9 61195@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>David,</p> <p>I should have positioned my question better as i completely agree with your above statement. The real issue I'm dealing with is a row home in Pa. My customer has been plagued by an infestation next door. The home next door is a known "crack" house and treating a bed bug infestation is the last thing they are focused on. You would think with the generous proceeds gained by selling drugs that they would throw down some cash to clean up the infestation. </p> <p>While in the attic, i could look down between the houses and literally see the backside of the drywall... no insulation whatsoever! My customer is organising to have insulation installed and i want to mix in some TriDye or Alpine.... I know its not 100%... but it would seem to have some effect in maybe curbing the bed bugs from creeping over.</p> <p>It may fall under, "better than nothing"?</p> <p>Todd- </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/preventative-bed-bug-treatment#post-61194 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:12:34 +0000 BBCOUKonTour 61194@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>There is no such thing as a preventative treatment for bed bugs.</p> <p>The only thing people can do is help prevent themselves for getting exposed away from the home. Inspect their home to identify the issue before it becomes a significant and is harder to deal with and finally to communicate with adjoining units so they also know what steps they can take.</p> <p>Whats in your wall cavities has little or no bearing on what you could get exposed to at a friends house or hotel room.</p> <p>This was one of the few clear messages from PestWorld.</p> <p>David Cain<br /> Bed Bugs Limited </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/preventative-bed-bug-treatment#post-61193 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:48:06 +0000 ActionK9 61193@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm curious if anyone has addressed "behind the walls" type of solutions for preventative treatments. Can Alpine dust be added to insulation and blown in between walls? I have heard of TAP insulation that is pre-treated with Boric Acid. As long as the dust is not exposed to airflow... would its residual life be extended? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/are-bbs-another-hygiene-hypothesis-curse#post-60315 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:40:03 +0000 cilecto 60315@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>In reports about BB, you occasionally see the note about the move from general spraying for household pests to "baiting" (i.e., "Combat" traps or "Maxforce" gels. We might have developed treatments that are so good vs. roaches, ants, etc. that they upset the insect ecosystem in favor of BB. Add to that all sorts of factors to promote spread and we have a problem.</p> <p>(Of course, usually, you hear the "DDT" element touted. It seems that some people have "adopted" the bedbug as proof that DDT should never have been banned and to delegitimize the "green" movement in general. So, the bedbug, which reappeared, twenty, again TWENTY years after the phase-out of DDT and that we had, and still have the means to combat, if we care to focus trumps extinction of bird species and the damage that comes with that?) </p> <p>That said, I wonder to what extent there are or will be marked differences in how the "wealthiest" vs. "less-wealthy" populations deal with BB. At least in the USA (where we have a sense of entitlement and drive polished military vehicles to pick up milk), the curremt point of view seems to be:<br /> - BB are an anomaly.<br /> - Most people don't have BB<br /> - Some people do. They alone are responsible for ridding their homes from the BB.<br /> - BB control is like a fire. A sudden catastrophe that needs to be mobilized against, fought, and hopefully not repeated. This means washing and bagging, tenting and gassing, ducting and heating and whatever comes next...</p> <p>I wonder (emphasis on "wonder", I don't know for a fact) if the "less wealthy populations" see (or will come to see) BB as "another nuisance that's to be lived with (in the same vein as sporadic electricity, limited hour hot water, etc.):<br /> - BBs are here, period.<br /> - Everyone has BB, some more, some less.<br /> - Everyone is expected to include BB control into their homes as part of regular maintenance. Use the techniques and chemicals that are available. If they don't work, use more of them).<br /> - Any place I go, anything I buy and anyone I encounter may have expose me to BB. I may bring them home, they'll be taken care of as part of "my" routine.<br /> (BTW, I'm a little biased toward the notion that the "latter" approach to BB will ultimately need to win out.)</p> <p>I'm wondering if the "more wealthy populations" are in a tizzy over BB because their lifestyles have left them unprepared to deal with an unexpected pest.</p> <p>I'm wondering if we mix these two populations (and we are, whether through travel, labor migration or the production of good by one for the consumption of the other) without the "wealthy" population being prepared, we get ourselves in the "pickle" that we're in. (Unlike some people, I'd prefer not to build walls between people. I'd prefer that all people be aware of how "flat" the world can be and that we may need to be prepared to deal with it in a more "holistic" way). </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/are-bbs-another-hygiene-hypothesis-curse#post-60280 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:53:01 +0000 Nobugsonme 60280@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Bed bugs are a problem all over the world right now. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/are-bbs-another-hygiene-hypothesis-curse#post-60212 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:25:34 +0000 bedwarrior 60212@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am a strong believer in the hygiene hypothesis as a necessary complement, though not complete replacement, for the germ theory of disease. That is, I believe that many human diseases today are a product of specific deficiencies in infections common in developing countries but now unheard of in the West, and that the lack of exposure to parasites that have evolved as symbiants with humans for millions of years, help predispose Western industrial countries (as well as the elites in developing countries) to auto-immune diseases and allergies in particular.</p> <p>It seems to me from anecdotal evidence that the recent epidemic of BB infestations seems to not be the case in the developing world as much as it is in the West, and BB infestations seem quite common in otherwise meticulously clean households and hotels. Does anyone know of research suggesting that common bacteria and microscopic parasites common in the developing world harms one or more of the life stages of BB's, with their absence in the West perhaps helping explain the current explosion of activity? It would be great if we could wipe out BB's with some sort of parasite harmless to humans. (Bring on the micro-spiders? lol) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/have-you-or-any-one-in-your-family-developed-a-high-fever-after-bed-bugs#post-58726 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:21:53 +0000 bbfiend 58726@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>i'm glad to hear that there's no lyme disease linked to bb bites! big load off my mind. </p> <p>still, the joint aches were so bad, i've never had them before, and especially not that intense pain/ache. </p> <p>any idea when i speak to the docs, what i should ask them to test? my docs are not very proactive, unless i ask/bring it up, no action is taken (blame it on the not-so-great-insurance!). </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/have-you-or-any-one-in-your-family-developed-a-high-fever-after-bed-bugs#post-58725 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:12:32 +0000 bedbugresearcher 58725@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I was asking, because there have been unconfirmed reports of disease transmission through bed bugs. Many of these reports have come before the advent of modern molecular techniques (there is a slew of papers from pre-1950 on the transmission of disease through bed bugs). I was curious, all those symptoms are common for most insect vector born illnesses, which does include lyme disease. But, I know of no conclusive research linking lyme disease to bed bugs (please note the most commonly referred to paper in this field is a review written in 1963, with papers in it as old as 1907, so there may be taxonomic differences, and misdiagnosis in modern reviews based off this paper). I'm sorry for any panic, but there is no link between lyme disease and bed bugs. If you're interested in Hepatitis as related to bed bugs look into "Stercorarial Shedding and Transtadial Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus by Common Bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)" by Blow et. al. published in the Journal of Medical Entomology 2001, it is a very concise piece of literature on that subject. My area of expertise is not viral transmission, my research is on insect born illness. My research on bed bugs is expanding our vectors from human body lice and ticks. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/flea-droppings-table-top-science#post-58142 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:20:48 +0000 Nobugsonme 58142@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Good idea. Entos? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/flea-droppings-table-top-science#post-58140 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:37:23 +0000 spideyjg 58140@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Go right ahead. It would be nice if one of our resident entomologist or other real expert can review the stuff and review the commentary for accuracy.</p> <p>Didn't test the feces with peroxide but the cats are still around so someday.</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/flea-droppings-table-top-science#post-58137 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:21:41 +0000 Nobugsonme 58137@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Jim,</p> <p>Can we make these into a FAQ? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/flea-droppings-table-top-science#post-58093 Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:36:32 +0000 MyWorstFear 58093@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Jim, I think we should put those pictures in the FAQ's so they don't get lost in all the posts.<br /> Thank you for the in depth study. Only negative thing is that now I'm pretty sure I do not<br /> want the dog I've been wanting for the past few months anymore! &lt;gg&gt; </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/flea-droppings-table-top-science#post-58058 Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:54:30 +0000 ghostbitten 58058@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Oh, I would so much rather have fleas than bb's. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/masked-hunters#post-57920 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:49:32 +0000 spideyjg 57920@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Interesting that they assaulted a predator. Bed Bug thugs?</p> <p>Catch you a jumping, wolf or other prowling spider and drop in there.</p> <p>Jumpers are a pain to catch cause the always see you.</p> <p>Nice Gravatar WoB</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/masked-hunters#post-57918 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:19:21 +0000 bed-bugscouk 57918@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Yes the Japanese fighting bug ones, I must confess it plays to my sense of humour. I had intended on doing one of my own but they literally kicked by main contender out of the ring and he is long past a 10 count.</p> <p>David . </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/masked-hunters#post-57917 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:09:45 +0000 Winston O. Buggy 57917@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I don't know if you've caught any of the online videos but there are a bunch out there with different bugs v bugs pretty graphic I welcome your epic! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/masked-hunters#post-57914 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:59:17 +0000 bed-bugscouk 57914@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi Winston, </p> <p>Yes I have heard that their bite is akin to a bee sting and thus much less desirable than a bed bug bite.</p> <p>David </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/masked-hunters#post-57913 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:57:20 +0000 Winston O. Buggy 57913@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Perhaps because the masked hunter uses stealth and camouflage as opposed to the blood thirsty mob of bed bugs. Certainly interesting but what about in the wild? Perhaps the field might be leveled a bit. But of course as you know masked bed bug hunters can give a nasty bite as well. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/masked-hunters#post-57910 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:46:29 +0000 bed-bugscouk 57910@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Excuse this post from the start those who know me will rack it up to one of my odd observational stories but I felt it was worth sharing.</p> <p>The other day I was working on an apartment on the 14th floor of a building and they managed to catch a masked hunter. It was in fact the first one I had ever seen in the UK.</p> <p>I dutifully put it in a sample jar and remembering that they are natural predators of bed bugs I decided to have an experiment. I added to the jar 8 bed bugs to see how much of an appetite they had.</p> <p>After 10 minutes I looked again only to find 1 masked hunter curled up in the corner being mugged by all the bed bugs. I will post a few pictures when I get time but the bed bugs were defiantly winning this fight. </p> <p>I guess this proves that biological control is not as easy as first thought.</p> <p>David Cain<br /> Bed Bugs Limited </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/have-you-or-any-one-in-your-family-developed-a-high-fever-after-bed-bugs#post-57583 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:42:23 +0000 shasalady 57583@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have had mild fevers and my arms develope a hot to the touch where I have been bitten. I thought at first the fever was from something else, virus etc. But after this has happen to me several times and it always coralates to being bitten specially on my arms. I have been fighting these bugs since Feburary. Thought I was rid of them once and now they are back! So treatment starts all over again. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/survival-in-shoes-or-scrampbled-eggs#post-57499 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:25:50 +0000 cilecto 57499@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Diatomaceous earth. Search the forums for both the full name and the acronym. Best of luck, but read up on this stuff carefully before going down that path. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/survival-in-shoes-or-scrampbled-eggs#post-57495 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:03:01 +0000 sighguysays 57495@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>bugbait - 9 months ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/survival-in-shoes-or-scrampbled-eggs#post-38573">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite>now keep all shoes in plastic bins with DE.</p></blockquote> <p>What is DE? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/survival-in-shoes-or-scrampbled-eggs#post-57494 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:46:11 +0000 ghostbitten 57494@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>buggyinsocal - 9 months ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/survival-in-shoes-or-scrampbled-eggs#post-38590">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite></p> <blockquote><p><cite>Marixpress - 1 hour ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/survival-in-shoes-or-scrampbled-eggs#post-38575">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> You can pop an egg with enough pressure.</p></blockquote> <p>Is this like bubblewrap for bed buggers? ;-}</p></blockquote> <p>...this is the first thing to make me laugh in a week--thank you XD </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/have-you-or-any-one-in-your-family-developed-a-high-fever-after-bed-bugs#post-57452 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:40:06 +0000 never_again 57452@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have never heard of a fever from BB bites but there is a disease - rickettsial pox - that can be contracted from mouse mites. Lyme disease from BB? scary scary.... any links to info on this? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/have-you-or-any-one-in-your-family-developed-a-high-fever-after-bed-bugs#post-57439 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:29:07 +0000 lil_bit_obsessed 57439@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>i had swollen ankles around the time that i was being bit. i've never had it before or since. it was really quite weird, as i've always been very slender so the swollen ankles were pretty noticeable. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/have-you-or-any-one-in-your-family-developed-a-high-fever-after-bed-bugs#post-57414 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:23:34 +0000 bbfiend 57414@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>the first week i got bitten badly (a welt of 12 inch), my elbow was aching so bad, actually managed to make me cry. Then I got bitten on my knuckle (I actually have a photo that shows my the back of my hand is totally puffed up), my wrist ached.</p> <p>Haven't had that joint ache since then. But am thinking of doing blood test for Lyme Disease anyway. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/have-you-or-any-one-in-your-family-developed-a-high-fever-after-bed-bugs#post-57412 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:14:12 +0000 ghostbitten 57412@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I've gotten nausea//GI upset for the last seven days since I've been experience bites, but my bites are turning out like this:</p> <p><a href="http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv325/hwyghost/bbweltsbites/leftarm.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv325/hwyghost/bbweltsbites/leftarm.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv325/hwyghost/bbweltsbites/rightarm.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv325/hwyghost/bbweltsbites/rightarm.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv325/hwyghost/bbweltsbites/leftelbow.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv325/hwyghost/bbweltsbites/leftelbow.jpg</a></p> <p>:| I'm going to book with my doctor after labor day to see him and get something for this. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/have-you-or-any-one-in-your-family-developed-a-high-fever-after-bed-bugs#post-57406 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:24:08 +0000 sickofbugs 57406@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>bedbugresearcher,</p> <p>Those symptoms sound very much like Lyme Disease. And yes, bed bugs can spread Lyme Disease. I have info from the best Lyme doctor in the world, Dr. Burrascano from the US. There is research being carried out in the US as to what bugs carry Lyme Disease. I have Lyme Disease along with bed bugs.</p> <p>sickofbugs </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/exhaustion-after-being-bitten-food-for-thought#post-57111 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:19:29 +0000 jamigre 57111@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I just moved into a new place - and a week later I've got 600+ bites, they showed up about a 4 days after I first slept in the new place, and while it seems that the worst of it is over as I'm not sleeping in that room any longer, I am completely exhausted as well. 2-3 Naps a day and I don't feel like doing anything, can't really motivate myself, and I'm usually a very active person. </p> <p>I reckon that the effects of exhaustion come primarily from the body trying to fight off the bedbug's saliva, and to move whatever they inject into the bile system / liver / what have you for elimination from the body. </p> <p>Just my 2c though. But Still.... this stinks, luckily the exterminators are coming tomorrow. Let's hope they get everything. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/a-new-carbon-dioxide-trap-idea#post-56738 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:40:16 +0000 DougSummersMS 56738@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I like the idea ... It won't be cold like pressurized CO2 that is released from a cylinder or dry ice, but I don't know if you can produce enough volume to be effective as a lure.</p> <p>Check out these links<br /> <a href="http://newyorkvsbedbugs.org/2009/08/10/baited-pitfall-traps-for-bed-bugs/" rel="nofollow">http://newyorkvsbedbugs.org/2009/08/10/baited-pitfall-traps-for-bed-bugs/</a><br /> <a href="http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/jee/2009/00000102/00000004/art00025" rel="nofollow">http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/jee/2009/00000102/00000004/art00025</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/a-new-carbon-dioxide-trap-idea#post-56733 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:06:02 +0000 They 56733@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I've been taking the usual methods to self treat a small bed bug infestation, but as most of you know, the waiting periods are unbearable. I find myself trying to concoct new schemes to outsmart the bastards. I've heard of the heat pad/ vinegar&#38; baking soda method, but I'm not sure that A) the heat travels far enough for BBs to detect it and B) the CO2 from the vinegar &#38; baking soda lasts long enough.</p> <p>SO, I found another method to produce larger levels of CO2, for longer periods of time:<br /> <a href="http://www.hallman.org/plant/CO2.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.hallman.org/plant/CO2.html</a></p> <p>I figured creating such a "reactor" and sitting it on my mattress, with a whole or two in the cap, might attract bedbugs. I can then draw them through DE without being live bait. Any thoughts? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/the-do-it-yourself-approach#post-56167 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:02:37 +0000 Nobugsonme 56167@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>See this duplicate thread for responses or to answer Stephen's question:<br /> <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/the-do-it-yourself-approach-1" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/the-do-it-yourself-approach-1</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56135 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:06:45 +0000 spideyjg 56135@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>Jason1 - 17 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56133">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> I'v'e never heard of venomess spiders here in Vancouver, BC.<br /> Maybe in Washington State, or Oregon, but not here. I could be wrong but i've never heard of anyone having them here.<br /> Interesting article you posted. So it does seem as though spiders will kill bb's if they encounter them. </p></blockquote> <p>Spiders are indiscriminate predators. Anything is fair game, including cannibilism, for a hungry one that prowls or falls into the web of a web builder.</p> <p>The fact the will eat a BB isn't in doubt but efficacy as a control is not possible. </p> <p>Prey always outnumbers predators in nature thous so the only good spiders or centipedes may do is pick off an occasional one. The aforementioned running crab spiders, not the specific one but the same family, are often found in boxes of crickets used to feed reptiles. </p> <p>However I have said no one gets "infested" with spiders. If a place has a lot of them you need to see what they are eating that is keeping so many around.</p> <p>My little friend wandered in through the kitchen window and keeps appearing on the counter and I relocate it to the floor about once a week.</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56133 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:38:02 +0000 Jason1 56133@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'v'e never heard of venomess spiders here in Vancouver, BC.</p> <p>Maybe in Washington State, or Oregon, but not here. I could be wrong but i've never heard of anyone having them here.</p> <p>Interesting article you posted. So it does seem as though spiders will kill bb's if they encounter them. </p> <blockquote><p><cite>spideyjg - 9 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56132">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite></p> <blockquote><p><cite>BBcoukHome - 9 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56131">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> I think we can set aside the concept of spider release until we see something posted that can be cross referenced and at least sanity checked.<br /> David Cain<br /> Bed Bugs Limited </p></blockquote> <p>Actually David there is data...<br /> From Usingers Monograph pages 31 and 32..<br /> <blockquote>Various spiders have been reported feeding on bed bugs. Povoln)<br /> ound that a colony of C. lectularius on bats in a castle at Austerlitz was<br /> destroyed by Steaboda bipunctata (L.). Another interesting case is the<br /> claim of Lorando (1929) that a spider, Thanatos flavidus Simon, destroyed all the bed bugs in refugee camps near Athens between 1923<br /> and 1925. Hase (1934) confirmed the effectiveness of this spider in laboratory<br /> tests but warned that predators were not a practical solution to<br /> bed bug control under ordinary conditions.</blockquote><br /> Lorando's claim was mentioned in the BB report by the Ministry of Health in 1934. I haven't been able to find Lorando's paper though.<br /> That spider is a type of running crab spider Philodromidae and my Gravatar is a USA running crab.<br /> <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/1964/bgimage" rel="nofollow">http://bugguide.net/node/view/1964/bgimage</a><br /> As Jeff White explains on BB Central spiders a general predators and will not hesitate to eat a BB if the encounter it while hunting. Releasing a bunch of spiders isn't going to work as a control measure but allowing those already in the house to live and pick off an occasional household pest will not hurt.<br /> Of course there are some I would kill, Black widows, Brown recluse, yellow sac, and Hobo spiders can have clinically significant bites.<br /> BTW Jason, in the Pacific Northwest you guys do have the hobo spider whose venom is similar in effect to the infamous brown recluse.<br /> Jim </p></blockquote> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56132 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:22:02 +0000 spideyjg 56132@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>BBcoukHome - 9 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56131">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite></p> <p>I think we can set aside the concept of spider release until we see something posted that can be cross referenced and at least sanity checked.<br /> David Cain<br /> Bed Bugs Limited</p></blockquote> <p>Actually David there is data...</p> <p>From Usingers Monograph pages 31 and 32..</p> <p><blockquote>Various spiders have been reported feeding on bed bugs. Povoln)<br /> ound that a colony of C. lectularius on bats in a castle at Austerlitz was<br /> destroyed by Steaboda bipunctata (L.). Another interesting case is the<br /> claim of Lorando (1929) that a spider, Thanatos flavidus Simon, destroyed all the bed bugs in refugee camps near Athens between 1923<br /> and 1925. Hase (1934) confirmed the effectiveness of this spider in laboratory<br /> tests but warned that predators were not a practical solution to<br /> bed bug control under ordinary conditions.</blockquote></p> <p>Lorando's claim was mentioned in the BB report by the Ministry of Health in 1934. I haven't been able to find Lorando's paper though.</p> <p>That spider is a type of running crab spider Philodromidae and my Gravatar is a USA running crab.</p> <p><a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/1964/bgimage" rel="nofollow">http://bugguide.net/node/view/1964/bgimage</a></p> <p>As Jeff White explains on BB Central spiders a general predators and will not hesitate to eat a BB if the encounter it while hunting. Releasing a bunch of spiders isn't going to work as a control measure but allowing those already in the house to live and pick off an occasional household pest will not hurt.</p> <p>Of course there are some I would kill, Black widows, Brown recluse, yellow sac, and Hobo spiders can have clinically significant bites.</p> <p>BTW Jason, in the Pacific Northwest you guys do have the hobo spider whose venom is similar in effect to the infamous brown recluse.</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56131 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:01:00 +0000 BBcoukHome 56131@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have never heard of spiders as biological control for bed bugs either. But then again some folks do the strangest of things on the basis of its only table top science what could possibly go wrong.</p> <p>My favourite used to be the horror story that went around school about the factory worker who lost an arm trying to unblock a drain using a plunger and cocktail of 3 or 4 house hold cleaning products. It always had a morbid fascination until I met the man one day.</p> <p>I think we can set aside the concept of spider release until we see something posted that can be cross referenced and at least sanity checked.</p> <p>David Cain<br /> Bed Bugs Limited </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56130 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:45:01 +0000 Jason1 56130@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I can't remember if it was on here, or elsewhere....but I do remember it catching my attention when I read it.</p> <p>Obviously not a good idea unless they are a "harmless" (to humans) breed of spiders....which I would assume they are. Around these parts where I live all the spiders are harmless.</p> <blockquote><p><cite>Nobugsonme - 16 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56081">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite></p> <blockquote><p><cite>Jason1 - 2 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56072">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> I've heard of people who catch, or even buy spiders, to bring them into their homes to kill bb's.</p> </blockquote> <p>I'm curious where you heard about this. I would like to read about it.<br /> (It does not sound like a great idea to me, but I would like to hear more.) </p></blockquote> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56086 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:03:18 +0000 spideyjg 56086@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>Nobugsonme - 2 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56081">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite></p> <blockquote><p><cite>Jason1 - 2 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56072">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> I've heard of people who catch, or even buy spiders, to bring them into their homes to kill bb's. </p></blockquote> <p>I'm curious where you heard about this. I would like to read about it.<br /> (It does not sound like a great idea to me, but I would like to hear more.)</p></blockquote> <p>Never heard of that and couldn't recommend it. Which species have people bought Jason?</p> <p>They aren't a method of control because the real control methods will kill them also. Do not add to the spider population but don't subtract either. You need to ID them though.<br /> I checked and this particular spider is a typical SoCal Hololena. It is a funnel web spider harmless to humans. It found it's way in and I am leaving it be just keeping it off the kitchen counter.</p> <p>It can stay in the kitchen to eat what it can find.</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56083 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:15:07 +0000 seriously phobic 56083@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I love the idea of hunting nymphs with spiders. It's like you have a miniature attack dog keeping away tiny intruders. Did you name him/her? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56081 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:17:55 +0000 Nobugsonme 56081@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>Jason1 - 2 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56072">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> I've heard of people who catch, or even buy spiders, to bring them into their homes to kill bb's. </p></blockquote> <p>I'm curious where you heard about this. I would like to read about it.</p> <p>(It does not sound like a great idea to me, but I would like to hear more.) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56072 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:06:16 +0000 Jason1 56072@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I've heard of people who catch, or even buy spiders, to bring them into their homes to kill bb's. </p> <p>I have always liked spiders for some reason....and have never felt threatened when seeing one. The fact they combat bb's is the best reason of all to LOVE them!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nice-to-have-friends#post-56070 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:55:49 +0000 spideyjg 56070@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Caught and released this little guy in the kitchen about 3 times.</p> <p>Nice size to deal with roach nymphs..</p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/spider001.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/spider001.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/spider008.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/spider008.jpg</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/the-do-it-yourself-approach#post-56041 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:42:54 +0000 StephenBrown 56041@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello,</p> <p>I am a reporter for the Brooklyn Eagle looking to hear from people who have taken matters into their own hands in the fight against bed bugs. What methods did you use? How did it turn out? Were the results satisfactory, or a complete disaster? Why not use an exterminator? </p> <p>If any of you have a moment to share, I would appreciate it.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Stephen Brown<br /> The Brooklyn Eagle </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/interesting-science-paper#post-55476 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:22:13 +0000 bed-bugscouk 55476@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi, </p> <p>Spotted this one today and its an interesting side of the molecular behavior of bed bugs:</p> <p><a href="http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=498" rel="nofollow">http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=498</a></p> <p>Enjoy.</p> <p>David Cain<br /> Bed Bugs Limited </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/packtite-recipes#post-55280 Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:32:45 +0000 momto2boys 55280@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My husband and I just watched the vid last night. Very satisfying seeing those suckers die (maybe I'm a sick person!) Glad you had success too! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/packtite-recipes#post-55253 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:51:33 +0000 sweetblood 55253@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>saw the youtube video, had to try it myself.</p> <p>threw the bedbugs in a glass and placed in the packtite with other things. packtite cooked them to a crisp after two hours. now, i know that these arent bedbugs hiding in the folds of clothing but, hey</p> <p>they died and they died like champions. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bite-trials#post-55129 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:15:59 +0000 BD 55129@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We have a POW in a corked bottle. It seems like a great opportunity to see who among us in the house reacts to bites for future reference. I'm just really nervous about potential escape. How do the pros feed their colonies? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/antibacterial-wipes#post-55068 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:35:56 +0000 buggyinsocal 55068@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm not a PCO or an entomologist, but I can't imagine what good using an antibacterial wipe on any furniture would be when it comes to bed bugs. It's possible that it would work as a contact killer--but in that case 91% rubbing alcohol or Murphy's Oil Soap would do the same thing.</p> <p>Of course, you shouldn't use any of those things if you're being treated by a pest control pro until you've asked your PCO first if it's okay to do so. PCOs know what chemicals have been applied where, including what if anything has been done to your furniture, and even simple actions like mopping the floor or using a steamer to clean if taken after treatment can make the application of substances less effective. That's why it's so important to talk to your PCO and find out exactly what you can and should as opposed to what you can't and shouldn't do after treatment.</p> <p>So in short, not only do I think it would be ineffective, I wouldn't even put it in the category of things that won't work but won't hurt and so why not. It's certainly not going to keep bed bugs out of the furniture. And it might make any professional treatments less effective. So it doesn't sound like a good plan to me. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/flea-droppings-table-top-science#post-55061 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:33:19 +0000 paulaw0919 55061@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Wow Jim. This is Fantastic info for people searching and finding "Lord knows what" during their infestations. I wish I had this info two years ago. It is great that you have taken the time to do this. Fantastic work Jim. :-) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/flea-droppings-table-top-science#post-55045 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:21:47 +0000 spideyjg 55045@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>Adele - 1 hour ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/flea-droppings-table-top-science#post-55042">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Jim - lovely delightful pictures - but you are such a good sport<br /> we are lucky to have you here<br /> and I must say - you are probably quite the conversationalist at a party!</p></blockquote> <p>I'm a wannabe mad scientist. Muahahahahahaah!</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/flea-droppings-table-top-science#post-55042 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:44:43 +0000 Adele 55042@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Jim - lovely delightful pictures - but you are such a good sport </p> <p>we are lucky to have you here </p> <p>and I must say - you are probably quite the conversationalist at a party! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/flea-droppings-table-top-science#post-55039 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:03:04 +0000 spideyjg 55039@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Took a flea comb and got some fleas and flea dirt off the neighborhood feral cats. Boiled the bag to kill everything. </p> <p>Note the size of the objects embedded in the cat fur.</p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas003.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas003.jpg</a></p> <p>Close up the left blob is definite flea dirt.....</p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas009.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas009.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas011.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas011.jpg</a></p> <p>Tossed the fur clump on a paper towel and wet it.</p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas013.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas013.jpg</a></p> <p>It didn't take but a few minutes for the dirt to run semi reddish.....</p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas015.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas015.jpg</a></p> <p>This is mostly flea dirt and appears like "black pepper"</p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas017.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas017.jpg</a></p> <p>Running more.....</p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas020.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas020.jpg</a></p> <p>Best close up shot of a big blood ball....</p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas022.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas022.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas023.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas023.jpg</a></p> <p>Big blood ball melting on a Q-tip.</p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas025.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas025.jpg</a></p> <p>More of the paper towel dissolved blood.</p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas028.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/Fleas028.jpg</a></p> <p>As you can see the "pepper flakes" could very well be flea droppings and easily can be tested to confirm if they are flea processed blood.</p> <p>The cat flea is the most common flea but there are many more ranging in size up to 3 mm and would leave a significantly larger dropping than these from some 1.5 mm cat fleas.</p> <p>Read up on the human flea.... Interesting observation....<blockquote>Fleas most often bite people about the legs and ankles, and there are usually 2 or 3 bites in a row.</blockquote> Sound familiar?</p> <p><a href="http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th5a.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th5a.htm</a></p> <p>It would be nice if someone with real good gear and a stray cat could recreate this in better detail.</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/flea-droppings-table-top-science#post-55037 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:39:37 +0000 spideyjg 55037@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>The next post will be full of pic links and may get caught in the spam filter.</p> <p>Testing definite flea droppings to demo ID.</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/antibacterial-wipes#post-55032 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:40:13 +0000 ritanna3 55032@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Has anyone else heard of wiping down wooden furniture with antibacterial wipes to prevent bedbugs from going in there? This maintenance lady at my apt. was telling me that this would keep them from going back in my furniture after treatment, but I really don't know if she has any idea what she is talking about. She grew up in the Ukraine and said that they had bedbugs when she was young and her dad would spray their mattresses with keronsene to get rid of them! Not sure I would resort to that ha! But I am restless and was considering this antibacterial idea and wanted to see if anyone else has tried it.... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/have-you-or-any-one-in-your-family-developed-a-high-fever-after-bed-bugs#post-54832 Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:41:45 +0000 Infofreak 54832@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>A rash on torso that spreads, Yes that happened to me in the 6th month</p> <p>The bites more than doubled in size also weird </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/have-you-or-any-one-in-your-family-developed-a-high-fever-after-bed-bugs#post-54830 Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:04:54 +0000 Just itching to get rid of them 54830@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Wow, this is a scarey exchange. bedbugresearcher, surely there must be reasons why you asked if anyone bitten has these particular symptoms. Have you or anyone else observed a correlation between such symptoms and bb bites? Are any hypotheses related to such symptoms being developed and tested? </p>