http://bedbugger.com/forum/ Bed bug support forums en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:22:50 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/for-pco-does-anyone-know-about-this-supper-heating-the-house#post-62761 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:07:42 +0000 flabergasted 62761@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I just discovered these things in house. My brother and I both started getting weird bites around the same time. I thought it was scabies because of the way I was reacting and did the treatment for them. I didn't get anymore for awhile so I guess the BB's don't like the skin treatment. I noticed a couple of new bites and the pharmist said sometimes it takes a second treatment. Well before I wasted the $50 cream for a 2nd treatment my brother phones and says it not scabies we have bed bugs because he caught one in his couch. Well my couch and recliner are full of them.</p> <p>So in my search for a pest control company I ran across this Thermal exterminating. I watched the videos where they were using it in hotels on the US and thought it was better than spraying pesticideds in my house. Low and behold we have one of the only two companies in Canada that do it here in our city. So I called and spoke with him - the low down of the conversation is it costs about $1,700 the process is they seal up the house bring the heat up to 140 degress and sustain for 4 hours and basically cook them - you do the cleanup. He says you don't have to get rid of your furniture and it also kind of acts like a cleanser as well for any mold, dust mites or other creepy crawlers.</p> <p>I was told by someone I am probably better off spraying because I have a condo but we have solid concrete block walls between us and they could be coming in at the foundation joint. Were not sure who's house got it first but my neighbors moved in two months before the 1st bites appeared and big brothers downstairs tenat is a prison guard.</p> <p>So the delema here is spend 1,700 maybe it works or go the spray route and take the $1,500 I am saving toast the couch because the PCO I found will do the fisrst spray and followups for 750.00 .</p> <p>For some peoples interest while reading the forums I used my H20 Mop and mini steamer last night on the couch after I riped the bottom off and they cooked just fine. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/couch-encasements#post-62678 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:51:34 +0000 Full Couch Encasement 62678@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My name is Ken Hippner I am the founder and developer of Sofa Safe. Its a FULL couch encasment for a bed bug infested couch/sofa. </p> <p>I am here to answer any questions anyone may have about how it works, and its multi purpose use for bed bug removal and containment. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ziplocs-and-packtites#post-62777 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:16:38 +0000 bugbuster 62777@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>First, can you put a ziploc bag in a packtite and second, if you can, would that ziploc be safe to be re-used after a trip through it? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/the-sofa-safe#post-62731 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:01:15 +0000 watkinsnewan 62731@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello Ken Hippner (Full Couch Encasement)I got your message and would like you to introduce your self and your company to all the bed buggers.. Remember we are all waiting.and have lots of questions.<br /> This thread is for all to ask Ken about his company The sofa safe. I have been waiting a long time to hear from him in this public forum. So I decided to start the topic. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bugs-in-bookshelves-and-desk#post-62654 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:04:43 +0000 BoomBoom93 62654@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have an infestation in my couch and my bed (I made the mistake of moving to sleep in the couch a couple weeks ago and I guess the bugs moved with me. It's only been a couple of months since these ferocious beasties came to join me,(I only have little bites on my arms, but annoying) and I'm wondering how BAD it can get in relation to the approximately two thousand books I have on shelves halfway across the room from the couch, and in the stacks of papers in my VERY heavy and substantial desk flat up against the back of the couch(the back of the desk is solid wood, no chinks anywhere that they could move from the couch INTO the desk)..I'm willing to get treat or get rid of the desk essentiials on TOP of my desk, and get rid of SOME papers but I'm a published author and I cnt just TRASH all my years and years of manuscrits,) nor do I want to get rid of so many books! The Orkin guy that's coming to treat on Wednesdy said to take the books off the floor and I guess I have to EMPTY the desk (OMG THIS IS ALL SUCH A FREAKING CHORE IM TRYING TO WRITE A BOOK ON DEADLINE HERE ARRRGH!), but is there ANYThing I can use to treat the paper???? And no way can I just go oh well I'll get rid of the desk--it was my great-grandfather's from his law office and is a VERY valuable antique (as is my bedroom furniture)...Together the furniture is worth around ten grand.<br /> The couch and the bed, so I'll buy new, no big deal) butI need SOMETHING to treat paper and the books from the floor...My boyfriend wont even come over (he has OCD, can't blme him) until after I treat the place. Someone help? I know I sound freaked, but I AM!</p> <p>Boom </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-just-drying-effective#post-59826 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:32:56 +0000 petong 59826@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have some clothes that I'm hesitant to wash in hot water for fear of shrinkage and whatnot. So my question is: Is it effective to put dry, already clean clothes in the dryer on the highest setting without having washed them? My thinking is that this has to kill the BBs, because it's basically the same treatment that is recommended for pillows, stuffed animals, etc. </p> <p>Also, suggestions for leather items and shoes? I really like my clothes and don't want to ruin them :) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/rest-easy#post-62492 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:09:31 +0000 cilecto 62492@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>A number of recent posts have mentioned a natural product called "Rest Easy". </p> <p>Here is a link to their "efficacy report".<br /> <a href="http://www.thermbgroup.com/resteasyefficacyreport.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.thermbgroup.com/resteasyefficacyreport.html</a></p> <p>Items to note.<br /> Testing is by the manufacturer.<br /> 100% contact kill.<br /> 0% residual on smooth surface.<br /> 1 out of 10 bugs die on wood surface after 4 hours.<br /> Repels 90%.<br /> No indication on how many times test was repeated and what was done to rule out anomalies. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/habits-of-bed-bug-in-combination-with-de#post-52792 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:55:44 +0000 de-selftreat 52792@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have some questions about bed bugs: </p> <p>How fast do they move when not full up? Could they run away if you're trying to catch them, or do they tend to stay put when you disturb them? </p> <p>Is it true, as asserted elsewhere on this forum, that unfed bed bugs happily walk through DE, without being harmed by it because they're so light their legs keep their bellies off the surface of the widely recommended light dusting? </p> <p>Where would they hide if they had no cracks and crevices to go to? Does it mean they would try harder to find a neighbour's apartment, or would they lurk in a corner or something and come to the same place for the known flavour of human blood?</p> <p>Shed skins don't have legs, do they? (I.e., the dried carcasses I am finding have been successfully hit by the DE...)</p> <p>Thanks </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/my-plan-of-action-any-ideas-welcome#post-61901 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:20:56 +0000 shaye 61901@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Ok so I have bb, lanlord won't do anything about them, I called the only pco that will do them here but is $2100, which I cannot afford! I have been self treating, I know I know. I use masks, gloves, even overalls, and I wear goggles even! Have applied de lightly as directed, and spray with otc spray labelled for bed bugs from lowes. Bagged, decluttered, etc</p> <p>Here's the thing for me. My family and I rent a single family home and were already planning to move when we discovered these creatures. So moving halted! We are still going to move but not until january or february. Now I have some ideas for my moving and would love help, advice, anything useful to me and my family. First let me add that the bb are in our bedroom, and just recently I found them in 1 of our vehicles. All else clear.</p> <p>Here's my plan of attack: our beds are all going to be replaced. My husband does not want to part with the actual sleigh bed just the mattress and box spring, the furniture in my daughters room is all being replaced due to how old and out of shape it is. My sons dresser goes with us, our dresser, chest and nightstand go too. Couch goes with us (only 3 months old) kitchen table and chairs replaced and rolltop desk goes with us. So here goes...we move in our new items, I buy shark hand steamer and steam the crap out of things before they leave this house, anything going gets steamed! I wash all of our clothes fresh before moving them in (bagged of course) toys, etc get washed or steamed before leaving this house. If it can't be cleaned or steamed it doesn't go! I steam my truck as well (will be doing this one soon) wash all dishes in dishwasher, pack immediately in new plastic storage box and take on. </p> <p>After we are in the new house I will keep clutter up and beds away from walls, encase all new mattresses, apply de around bed legs and pray! I might add to that my bites were every day, then after I started self treating they disappeared for two weeks, then came back but random bites here and there...hince finding them in my truck.</p> <p>If they come back in the new house after all that is done, pco comes in regardless if its my new landlord paying or myself! Even if I have to save up for it over a couple of months by eating bologna every night lol </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/advice-4#post-61937 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:27:41 +0000 emilyjaybee 61937@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My boyfriend and I moved into a somewhat dilapidated cabin outside of Boulder, CO. It took about a month before I started noticing large clumps of extremely itchy swollen red bites. To summarize a month of confused anxiety, "BED BUGS."<br /> Upon realizing this, and doing what I could in my meager budget to eradicate the bugs, the situation turned out to be worse than I ever could have imagined;<br /> The Bugs had nestled all along the wooden slats that comprised the walls, as well as the in small crevices in the floorboards, (I can only imagine how those filthy little bloodsuckers have since made themselves cozy in my clothes and books and other take-ables.)<br /> Anyway, I brought the situation to the attention of my landlord, who was not surprised to hear that Bed Bugs were here - apparently tenants in the past had complained of them.<br /> Asking the landlord to pay for the $4,000-$5,000 treatment is not a possibility, he does not have the money. Plus, we're moving from here in a month and a half.<br /> Basically, I'm seeking advice on many parts;</p> <p>I'm looking for advice on inexpensive short-term relief, as well as the necessary measures to make sure that I do not take these F*&#38;^#$'s with me when I move out of here at the end of December.<br /> Also, to complicate matters a little more - I have a dog - is she an issue to think about, whether the bugs will burrow into her hair?<br /> And also, I think that my car might possibly have trace amounts of bugs.<br /> I don't really know where to start, I just need to hear some good solid advice on how to make sure when I leave this shithole, I leave the Bed Bugs as well.<br /> THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! to anyone offering anything.</p> <p>Oh, incase it matters:<br /> "A List Of Measures I Have Taken That Have Proven to be Ineffective in the Fight Against Bed Bugs"<br /> -steam cleaning the mattress + box spring + bed frame<br /> -tearing apart the box spring<br /> -steam cleaning the walls and floors<br /> -bathing the dog in anti-tick shampoo<br /> -leaving heat off in our bedroom at night, in attempts to curb bed bug activity<br /> -twice weekly washing and drying of the bed sheets<br /> -freezing of comforter + all pillows<br /> -lining of floor boards with Diatomaceous Earth<br /> -coating bed legs in Vaseline</p> <p>One more big question: Has anyone actually tried the Bed Bug Bully - Does it work?? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/greased-lightning-orange-blast-kills-bed-bugs-on-contact#post-62025 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:40:01 +0000 BB_Slayer 62025@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>The ingredient (d-limonene) which is mentioned as the 'bug killing' ingredient in Murphy's Oil Soap in another thread on this forum is actually the main component of citrus oil. I suspect that any household cleaning product with orange oil or lemon oil will kill bed bugs on contact.</p> <p>I have tried Greased Lightning Orange Blast and it works. I've killed three bugs with it so far; one bug even seemed to dissolve somewhat. Ewww. </p> <p>Greased Lightning is not flammable; I held a flame to a few drops of it in my kitchen sink. It doesn't seem to damage or stain fabric either. One squirt will kill nymphs, adults may require 2 squirts. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/an-assault-on-all-fronts#post-62086 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:50:20 +0000 bugbuster 62086@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My daughter's school has bedbugs, but not her classroom. My building has bedbugs, but not my apartment.</p> <p>I have mattress encasements, check for stains, watch where I sit, and have trained my kids and husband to be on the lookout for bugs on their coats and to report any suspicious bites to me asap. </p> <p>What else can I do to protect myself from what feels like an inevitable infestation? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/my-plan-of-attack-comments-appreciated#post-62027 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:54:55 +0000 pillowparade 62027@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I wanted to bounce these ideas off you to see if this is actually a good idea, or if I've lost it.</p> <p>Background: I just moved to an apt and was sleeping on an old mattress on the floor while I shopped for a bed. Everything was fine until I took a chair off the street and got heavily bitten the next day. I threw out the mattress and the chair the next day, but am still getting bitten. The manager sprayed poison twice around the apartment, and the exterminator is allegedly coming Thursday night. Hopefully he will know what he's doing.<br /> In the meantime the futon I ordered comes tomorrow. I really can't postpone delivery for the exterminator because Veteren's Day is a work holiday and the best time to wait for delivery men.<br /> So I have a strategy to keep my belongings bed bug free.<br /> 1. As I wait for the delivery man tomorrow, I'm going to put the sleeping bad and pillows I've been using in a giant Ziploc bag where they will stay for 18 months.<br /> 2. When the futon comes, I will assemble it in the middle of the room and put fly tape on the legs. This way, no bugs can climb into the bed. I don't think a mattress encasement will work because the mattress is attached to the metal frame. It looks like this:<br /> <a href="http://bigapplefuton.com/bermudasofabed-p-344.html" rel="nofollow">http://bigapplefuton.com/bermudasofabed-p-344.html</a><br /> 3. I will take all my clean clothes to the dryers one last time. Once they are dry, they go in Ziploc bags. Whenever I take clothes out to wear, they don't go back inside the Ziploc until they are washed/dried. I will do this until a few weeks pass with no bites.<br /> 4. My shoes and purses go in Ziploc as soon as I step foot in the apartment every day. </p> <p>Does this seem effective to anyone? Your responses will be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/simple-green-cleaner#post-61824 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:16:59 +0000 cilecto 61824@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>A lot has been written about Kleen-Free (which heavily promotes itself for BB application) and Murphy Soap. I've also read that many (if not all) household cleansers will kill BB on contact. That said, I like "Simple Green" as a cleaner and degreaser (available concentrated in hardware stores). Has anyone looked into it as a contact BB killer? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/pillows-1#post-61410 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:03:32 +0000 Louise 61410@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>One of the suggestions here is to buy new pillows if you have bedbugs.</p> <p>May I ask why? What is the difference between encasing a new pillow with, say, a MattressSafe or Protect-A-Bed pillow encasement/cover, and doing the same with a pillow that may (or may not) already be infested?</p> <p>Louise </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/new-personal-bed-bug-monitors#post-60242 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:56:35 +0000 Douglas Stern 60242@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I just wanted to post a brand new product on the forum that you may be interested in know more about - it is called the Bug Dome and I consider it an excellent inexpensive personal bed bug monitor for home and travel use.</p> <p>Cost is $99.99 and includes free shipping. We are the first firm in the United States to carry this product from Silvandersson which is the maker of Cryonite.</p> <p>Here is a link to the information and close-up photos so you can check it out.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sternenvironmental.com/products/bed-bug-dome.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.sternenvironmental.com/products/bed-bug-dome.php</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/medication-already-on-the-market#post-60640 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:02:58 +0000 meremortal 60640@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Just a thought...does anyone know if research is being done to evaluate any effects existing medications/herbal supplements (approved for use in humans, of course) may have on bedbugs? For example, if I knew that taking glucosamine would help my knee heal AND cause the bedbugs that were biting me to grow shells so thick they could no longer move (yay!), then I would certainly consider that as another tool in the battle. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but if you don't ask you won't find out! I'm sure drug companies would be interested in any research on this topic, as their sales would skyrocket if it was found that one of their products helped. Even if a brand new pesticide was developed (and worked!), think about how long it would take to get approved. Maybe we should be concurrently looking at what's already out there. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/what-can-i-replace-wooden-slat-bed-base-with#post-61548 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:34:46 +0000 Maddash 61548@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Okay, so now that I've read more on the forums I'm all tweaked out about the fact that both our and my daughter's bed have wooden slat bed bases. Ours is finished, hers is raw pine. What could I use as a replacement that would hold a mattress but not allow the bb's to set up shop? Maybe some kind of compound material? I know plywood and particle are no good. Ideas? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/foam-memory-foam-vs-bbs#post-58744 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:42:51 +0000 bbfiend 58744@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>So, I read around here that the BBs don't like foam/memory foam? Can anyone expound on that for me please? Thanks!!!!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/packtiting-my-laptop#post-60290 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:32:04 +0000 soscared 60290@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I just packtited my Dell Latitude laptop, at just under 140 degrees as a max (and having taken out the battery) and it works perfectly. I know the company doesn't recommend packtiting electronics, but I just thought i'd post my experience. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/murphys-oil-vs-being-the-bait#post-61507 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:07:40 +0000 Maddash 61507@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hey all,<br /> I'm between 1st and second treatments right now. My wife and I have a queen sized wooden bed with a finished wood slat base, and my daughter has a wooden Ikea bed with one of those raw pine slat bases. I know. I have inspected both bases regularly with a flashlight and found nothing at all, but I'm worried about how available these wood bases are to the bugs. I was planning on spraying it all down with Murphy's Oil-- but then I had a hesitation because I know we are supposed to remain as "bait" for the bb's so they cross the poison-- I don't want to repel them to other areas-- is this a danger? Or should I spray the hell out of these things?<br /> Also, any thoughts about replacing the slat bases? Would a single sheet of plywood be better?<br /> TIA<br /> Dash </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/eucalyptus-fiber-sheets#post-61423 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:32:15 +0000 BugFreeForever 61423@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>A friend sent me the link to this short article in Fast Company magazine.</p> <p><a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ariel-schwartz/sustainability/valley-forges-eucalyptus-linens-keep-bedbugs-bay" rel="nofollow">http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ariel-schwartz/sustainability/valley-forges-eucalyptus-linens-keep-bedbugs-bay</a></p> <p>My initial response is that if you put a live, warm, breathing human in those eucalyptus fiber sheets, a hungry bed bug is going to bite.</p> <p>What do you all think? Am I right? I will say, I admire the innovative thinking.</p> <p>However, you know the term "greenwashing"? Could this be a form of "bugwashing????" </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/flame-on-buggers#post-61319 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:19:27 +0000 BB_Slayer 61319@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I've been using a cigarette lighter to torch the bastards instead of squishing them. It's more effective and cleaner. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-it-ok-to-rub-de-directly-on-cats#post-59552 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:33:07 +0000 tinyvampire 59552@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>while we wait for the pest control guy to come on thursday morning....i've been foolishly casting a blend of DE and clove oil (that i found at Ace Hardware -- sold as an ant killer) very liberally around my loft. </p> <p>i just learned on this forum today that it isn't safe to have anything but a *slight* layer of DE around, and that a dust mask isn't sufficient to protect your lungs from damage.</p> <p>in this case, then, how can it be safe to rub DE into cat fur directly?</p> <p>i do believe the cats are helping to transport the bugs and eggs around...on our table, kitchen counters...and i want to stop it.</p> <p>i've seen a couple of short posts where putting DE directly on animals is mentioned, but i'd like more reassurance before i do this to my cats (they're already looking at us with a combination of alarm and concern as we tear our place apart in prep for the first spraying...and as i try to get a couple hours' sleep in the bathtub...).</p> <p>any help is appreciated... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/self-styled-heat-treatment#post-58678 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:30:07 +0000 paranoidinlv 58678@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm thinking of "experimenting" with a heat treatment in my girls' room. I'm thinking (theoretically) that I can get my family's space heaters, block the vent, open the blinds, stuff towels under the door and heat the room up to +120 degrees. I live in Las Vegas, NV, and it's still getting in the 90's here so I'm thinking this <em>may</em> work. Any thoughts/suggestions from more experienced members? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/dryer-racks-for-the-dryer#post-60601 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:07:11 +0000 watkinsnewan 60601@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have been thinking about getting a dryer rack!! I have a lot of things I would love to keep treating even after the PCO comes to Spray which had to be put off till next week!! problems with the central heat and the PCO needs it to be a certain temp inside home for pesticide to work properly! Can anyone give me advice about things I can an cant put in there Like maybe books and papers!! nick nacks !! What is a no no and what is an okay!!My dryer reaches above 145 degrees I put tho probe thermostat not plastic piece in the dyer to see if it gits high enough &gt;&gt;I do know Nothing with batteries in it!! An no thin plastic!! Or would this even be a good idea! With this unexpected expense I can not afford a Pack tite right now!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/question-about-ziplocs#post-60530 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:36:25 +0000 soscared 60530@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have enormous ziplocs (XXL) and throw the dryered laundry directly into them by the dryer. Then, when I am getting dressed, I open them, and take out the clothes I need for that day. Am I doing that correctly? Should I be individually packing clothes for the day? Can they get in while i am getting clothes out?</p> <p>I am sorry if this sounds insane, and I don't want to infuse them with a supernatural power, but I also don't want to be doing something that is ill-advised.</p> <p>Also - can I use clear contractor bags for clothes, if they are tightly tied? Those ziplocs are hella expensive.</p> <p>Finally - should I be changing clothes between rooms? I just took a nap with my baby after feeding her in the kitchen. She napped in her "outside" clothes. I swear I got bitten in bed as soon as we got in, which makes me feel like she brought something in from one of the other infested rooms.</p> <p>Thank you. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/mattress-covers-2#post-60393 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:31:05 +0000 ruthven78 60393@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I know this has probably been discussed a lot but has anyone ever tried getting just cheap vinyl covers and sealing the zippers with either something like duct tape or epoxy? I know with epoxy you would have to cut the cover off if you needed to take it off.</p> <p>I just cant afford the $100 mattress covers and a local big box has some inexpensive ones </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/papers-books-clutter-038-new-bb-discovery-advice-wanted#post-60342 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:02:45 +0000 thinkpositive 60342@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I just found out I have a very small infestation (though who knows how far they may have wandered).<br /> I have quite a few papers around - and would like to go through them and file them. I hear bbs like papers. Have you been advised to quarantine papers in file cabinets too? How careful should I be?</p> <p>Also, what recommendations do you have for bagging and storing books. Do you seal them in bags, then put those in plastic bins (so bags don't rip and they can be stacked)? Any other suggestions?<br /> Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/questions-about-laundry#post-60120 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:17:25 +0000 petong 60120@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My dryer only has three temp settings: "Air Fluff," "Delicate," and "Regular." How can I tell if the "Regular" setting is high enough to kill the bugs?</p> <p>Also, I've been sealing my clothes, fresh out of the dryer, in generic ziplock bags and placing them in Sterilite plastic bins like these: <a href="http://www.citylivingstores.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=501856B" rel="nofollow">http://www.citylivingstores.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=501856B</a><br /> But the bags don't seem to be air-tight. They re-inflate even though I'm certain the ziplock is sealed. And some of my clothes are not in ziplock bags, just in the bins. Do you guys think those sort of bins are effective?</p> <p>Am I being paranoid? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/do-climb-up-protectors-work#post-60105 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:40:14 +0000 renemeum 60105@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I got climb up protectors, and I have never seen a BB in one. I've been scanning posts. Seems like lots of people get them, but then never see any bugs. Please chime in if you have Climb up protectors and let me know if you caught any BB's or not.</p> <p>Thanks!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/new-coating-gives-insects-the-slip#post-60050 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:49:42 +0000 DougSummersMS 60050@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Scientists from Cambridge University have developed a non-toxic eco-friendly coating that can prevent an insect from scaling a household surface. The video shows a demonstration with a cockroach, but it looks like it could prove useful as a barrier for bed bugs.</p> <p>Here is the link<br /> <a href="http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2009-10/slippery-cockroaches" rel="nofollow">http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2009-10/slippery-cockroaches</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/advice-for-teacher-working-out-of-home#post-59939 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:03:09 +0000 Mad_in_Maine 59939@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello!</p> <p>We have what appears to be, and we hope actually is, a relatively minor BB problem, but the information here on this forum has impressed upon us the need for great care and vigilance in dealing with both the home treatment and prevention of spreading to others. Which leads me to my question:</p> <p>My wife is self-employed and teaches students in our home. Can we continue to see her students here? Are there any particular steps we could take that would give some assurance that students could come and go again without picking up any bugs and bringing them home? We of course will tell her students about it, but it would be nice if we could at the same time tell them about what kind of precautions and arrangements we had made for their safety, and they could decide for themselves if they wanted to come.</p> <p>It would be very difficult for her to go to her students, and renting a nearby space to use would probably cost more than the students bring in. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-long-after-2nd-pco-treatment-should-i-wait-to-clean-everything#post-59936 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:18:03 +0000 tinyvampire 59936@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>hi folks:</p> <p>man, this blog is truly an oasis in the dark, DE dusty hovel that my home has become...</p> <p>we had one spraying treatment thursday, and are getting the second one this coming thursday.</p> <p>in the meanwhile, my hubs and i are still itching (he's itching more now than he was before), and i found a live bug on the wall this morning (around 4am...).</p> <p>we're spraying alcohol on the bedframe and wiping down the chairs we sit in frequently with Murphy's Oil Soap...i really hope we'll get some sleep tonight.</p> <p>should we *not* be using Murphy's yet, because we want the bugs to walk through the residual? when is it appropriate to use such *contact killers* as rubbing alcohol and Murphy's<br /> ---particularly after PCO treatment? how long should you wait to treat cracks, etc., and wash everything down?</p> <p>thanks,<br /> -tinyv </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/rube-goldberg-esque-bedbug-trap-plans#post-16274 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:23:17 +0000 stamps 16274@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>So last night when I was freaking out I dreamed up a trap to catch bedbugs. Not sure if this will work so I wanted to run it past the many educated minds on this board to see if you guys could point out any flaws in the system.</p> <p>Here's the basic plan. Start with one of those sticky glue traps. Set trap atop bed. Apply a light dusting of Drione (or DE) around the perimeter of the trap. On top of the trap, set one of those "Hot Hands" packets (ubiquitous here in Colorado during the winter -- those little packets that you can stick in your gloves while skiing and give off heat for about 6 hours) and a small, inflated balloon.</p> <p>The idea is to set up something that gives off both heat and carbon dioxide. Not sure how well the balloon will work for carbon dioxide but it's the best I could see. </p> <p>Even briefly fantasized about sleeping on the air mattress in the living room surrounded by bags of ice while my trap is on the bed in my bedroom but realized it would be impractical. </p> <p>Any ideas/obvious flaws I overlooked? I know it wouldn't give off optimal levels of CO2 but I liked the heat packets idea. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/for-moving-small-items-and-travelling-packtite-i-really-recommend#post-59647 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:24:15 +0000 Lauren_in_NYC 59647@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>First, I hope I'm not starting a redundant topic. Sorry if I am!</p> <p>I'm a huge advocate of using PACKTITE for smaller items. I recently moved from an apartment in which I was getting a lot of bites. I didn't know for sure if I had the dreaded BB but I definitely had something. I went to a local pest control place; none of the dead bugs I'd found were BBs, and my bites were too generic to say for sure the cause. Still, based on my lifestyle (flight attendant), the pest company recommended <u><strong>PackTite</strong></u>; if I didn't have them yet it was probably just a matter of time. I have 2 flight attendant friends who have brought them home and 2 others that were bitten at hotels. Plus even if I didn't have BBs, the PackTite would still kill any bugs that were hiding amongst my stuff- and given my bites there was definitely something in there. </p> <p>It took me about a week to 'cook' my stuff and move it to my new apartment. Literally everything I owned fit in this thing (though I had no furniture, I had about one bedroom's worth of stuff). I'd say one huge suitcase (like, big enough that you check it if you went on a plane, one of the biggest there are) will fit at a time, with a few things on top. You don't want to overpack it because you want the core items to hit the 120F requirement to kill the bugs. But as the week went on I got brave and put more in at a time. It comes with an internal thermometer reading thing so you can put that in the middle of a book, folded sweater or into a crevice of whatever item is center of the stack, and can read the temperature from outside the bag.</p> <p>I 'cooked' clothes, shoes, books... anything that didn't have a smooth surface (items that were only metal or plastic I wiped down with bleach spray). The only damage I had was makeup that melted (which is my own dang fault for leaving it in there) and the glue for book binding came loose, so I have a few books that have loose pages now. It was maybe 5 books out of 50. </p> <p>In the end I concluded that my bites were likely from a flea infestation- my roommate wasn't interested in actually doing maintenance on her poor pet. Still, given the amount of bites I was getting it was a pretty serious infestation, and the PackTite definitely helped prevent it from transferring to my new apartment. So I was saved from a current infestation of fleas and have a great guard against future dangers of bedbugs.</p> <p>Also, I recently stayed at a hotel that I *know* had bedbugs as of last year (my 2 friends that brought bedbugs home brought them from this hotel). So as soon as I got home I stuck my clothes and suitcase in my PackTite and turned that sucker on. It's a HUGE piece of mind to know that I'm being proactive at keeping these evil little suckers out of my home!</p> <p>Oh- and I'm happy with the service. My timer broke (gee, probably from me using it for a week straight, day and night??). I finally emailed them today and they responded within an hour. No hassle of 'fax us your reciept' or a runaround about going to the pest place where I bought it. Simply 'what's your address'. Done. Love it! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/can-i-microwave-my-books#post-59282 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:38:46 +0000 bookbug 59282@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I don't know what it will do to the bindings, but I am wondering if this will take care of the problem at least as far as the books go, since I have a number of books I use as reference for teaching that are not readily available really anywhere...</p> <p>Anyone have experience with this? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/help-my-apartment-building-is-infested-with-bbs#post-59122 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:54:25 +0000 sara14624 59122@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>i just received a note from the management company of my apartment building that a unit in my building is undergoing treatment for bedbugs. according to the note, the management company has hired a professional exterminator to deal with the problem. i am VERY skeptical! my partner had bedbugs in her apartment and the exteriminators sprayed the crap out of her apartment 4-5 times and the bedbugs persisted. my partner did everything she was suppose to do: she cleaned all of her clothes, got rid of a bunch of infested furniture, kept all her shit in sealed contractor bags...etc. she eventually had to move out of her apartment--(which the sleazy landlord immediately filled with another unsuspecting tenant)--forfeit her security deposit and dispose of at least $1000.00 worth of property (as to not carry the little fuckers with her to her next apartment).</p> <p>after my partner's experience, i am well versed in how horrific a bedbug invasion/infestation can be. after receiving the letter from the management company of my building--i nearly broke down in a fit of complete anxiety and rage. i am SUPER paranoid--i feel like i can't survive another infestation. i want to pack up all my clothes (after washing them, of course), throw away all of my shit and move back to my parent's house until i can find my own place (WITHOUT bedbugs).</p> <p>my current roommate and i have decided to take immediate and extreme action to try and make sure that the bed bugs DO NOT spread to our apartment. i am writing to this forum in hopes that people will have advice as to what steps we should be taking to try and fortify our home against the little blood sucking pieces of shit. </p> <p>this evening after work i plan on purchasing the following items:</p> <p>-expandable foam to fill in all of the cracks and crevises around our pipes and anything that links us to the other apartments in our building.</p> <p>-a vacuum to start cleaning every nook and cranny of our apartment ---</p> <p>-dicatemous earth to sprinkle around the baseboards throughout the apartment.</p> <p>WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE BE DOING? in the same breath, WHAT SHOULD WE NOT DO? </p> <p>any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/mattress-protectorencasement-for-futon-couch#post-56784 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:41:16 +0000 OunceOfPrevention 56784@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi,</p> <p>I have some questions about futons and mattress protectors/encasements. I am going to purchase a futon that will serve as a couch and as a bed for visitors for my my new apartment. People in this apartment and/or the apartment building next door (hard to tell on bedbugregistry.com, due to an unusual address) have reported bed bugs, and I also happen to live in New York City, which is currently in the middle of a bed bug epidemic. I have already purchased a mattress encasement for my new bed and am going through all the precautions, but would a mattress encasement for the futon couch be enough to protect future guests (who would be sleeping on it) from bed bugs? </p> <p>My concern is that I or a friend or roommate may bring home bed bugs accidentally (this has happened to New Yorker friends before) and sit on the couch, thus infesting it. What would I do then? Steam the couch with the encasement on? </p> <p>Also, this may be a stupid question, but even though it's a couch, one would not sleep or sit directly on the encasement, right? I figure we'd need a sheet of some kind, but I just want to make sure. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/anyone-use-a-hot-air-gun-instead-of-dry-steamer#post-59178 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:10:03 +0000 Richard Thomas 59178@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>anyone use a HOT AIR GUN instead of dry steamer??? </p> <p>(Silly question- hair dryer ever work in a pinch???)</p> <p>Industrial grade hot air guns, sold in Home Depot, claim+to be very hot and project with great pressure...</p> <p>will they do the trick??? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/packtite-thermometer-q#post-59142 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:30:44 +0000 arielh85 59142@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Anyone know what the deal is with the thermometer? Mine has both max/min settings, and each setting has readings for "in" and out". Which number should I be looking at? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/seeing-lots-of-bugs-but-no-bed-bugs#post-56586 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:29:14 +0000 nycbedbug 56586@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi,<br /> Does anyone have any thoughts as to why I would be finding more bugs (mostly cockroach nymphs, but also a dead silverfish, a live centipede crawling on me (!), and a dying adult cockroach) post-treatment, as opposed to never seeing a single bug in my apartment prior to the bedbug fiasco? I know one possible reason is that I am just looking at my apartment in a whole new way, especially in this state of hypervigilance post-treatment, but I found a cockroach nymph right beside my bed this morning, and I think I would have noticed something like that before! </p> <p>In the basement of my building, near the trash cans, the landlords have some of those sticky flat white cardboard traps. I don't know if they're glue traps for mice - yuck - or specifically meant for bugs, but there are often bugs (mostly cockroaches) stuck to them. Should I stick a few in my apt. to see what I catch? Would bedbugs stick to them? (I've never seen a bedbug but know that I had them). </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/nyc-dermatologist-038-putting-the-bed-back-together#post-58945 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:29:25 +0000 nycbedbug 58945@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>Synopsis of my story: had an active infestation in July, treated 3 times, and the bed bug dog found no signs of bugs two weeks ago today. I have three questions that I bet people here can help me with:</p> <p>1. Does anybody in NYC (preferably lower Manhattan) know of a dermatologist who knows bed bugs/bed bug bites and could therefore differentiate between bed bug bites and other skin irritations? It seems as though the biggest hurdle to trusting that the bugs are actually gone is going to be figuring out what all of these random pimple-like marks are on my skin, which is usually completely clear. </p> <p>2. I have been sleeping on my encased mattress on the floor (not on its bedframe) ever since I prepped for the first PCO treatment nearly 2 months ago. (This was part of the PCO's protocol, involving taking apart the bed frame and leaning the mattress against the wall). I am thinking that the first step back towards normalcy might be putting my bedframe back together and sleeping on it. My only concern might sound crazy, but I think people here will understand: IF there are still bugs here (in my apt. or in the building), I would want them to be able to bite me so that I KNOW they're here before I unpack all of my stuff from the plastic bags. I'm thinking I'm an easier target just on the mattress on the floor. My bedframe has smooth metal legs, so I don't know if bugs can get up. The way they got in before, I think, is that the headboard was touching the wall (and I had a bedskirt). Any suggestions one way or the other? Should I think about buying Climb-Up Interceptors?</p> <p>3. Assuming there are no bugs in my apt./building, how long should I really keep living out of plastic? My PCO has mentioned that bed bugs living for 18 months are really lab-condition statistics and only maybe one bug out of many, and that they find in their lab that bugs die after several months. If this is the case, I figure it's better to keep my stuff closed up in plastic for as long as it could take the one bug that could have somehow gotten through my careful inspection/cleaning of all of my belongings to die.</p> <p>Thanks in advance for your advice! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bbctv-episode-on-bed-bugs-and-vacuums#post-59023 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:25:09 +0000 Nobugsonme 59023@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI2Lvy0PL0" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI2Lvy0PL0</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/has-anyone-tried#post-58828 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:14:55 +0000 bbq 58828@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Greetings all,</p> <p>Maybe this is very silly and missing the point, and it's only an idea (I don't have a reason to try it anymore, thanks in no small part to this website ;)</p> <p>but</p> <p>Has anyone tried combining DE with double-sided tape? I know a lot of people are using masking tape + double sided carpet tape along the periphery of their beds to see if they can catch proof of bedbugs. But if you wanted to de-infest, what if you sprinkled just a little DE on top of the double sided tape? You would solve the hazardous aspect of kicking up and inhaling DE since it is sticking to the tape (you would just lightly sprinkle it on and dust off the excess). Additionally, you are creating a baited trap since bedbugs will have to walk through the DE-coated tape in order to get to the host (you). </p> <p>Bad idea? Good idea? I won't even pretend to know if this method of using DE is actually safer than using it normally, but perhaps some other people on the forum can advise.</p> <p>Just a thought. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-my-pco-making-a-bigger-mess-for-me#post-58667 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:59:01 +0000 missing_my_sleep 58667@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>It hasent been a full week yet, but I don't think I can take much more!<br /> I called an exterminater as soon as I knew I had a problem, but I think I called the wrong one!<br /> They are isolating rooms instead of treating the entire house. They said they want to treat one room at a time, but that doesn't sound right to me.<br /> Now they want to use a fogger type thing, but I've read online not to do this.<br /> Any advice?<br /> I'm running on no sleep, now I found them in my bed! So sleep is out for me. I just cant handle these bugs for months or years. Im ready to just move out with only the clothes (fresh out of the dryer) on my back!<br /> Please help! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bag-or-new-bagless-vacuum-cleaners#post-52588 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:05:37 +0000 Just itching to get rid of them 52588@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Which type of vacuum cleaner is better for bb control? Or are they equally effective? I am about to buy a new vacuum cleaner and need to know. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/other-apts-in-bldg-have-bugs-how-to-protect#post-58403 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:42:24 +0000 sillymilly 58403@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I live on the fifth floor of an old walk-up building in Manhattan. I found out that the apartments two flights below me have had bed bugs for sure, and were treated a few weeks ago (neighbor told me the landlord paid for PCO to come and steamed everything, etc.) It's pretty likely that I already have them...but supposing that I don't, I'm wondering if there's any way to protect my apt? There are cracks absolutely all over the place! The radiators especially are a mess, the hardwood floors are messy with holes. It's a small apartment and everything is pretty cramped. Seems pretty impossible to block all routes.</p> <p>Any ideas greatly appreciated! I'm not particularly handy!........thanks. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/about-eggs#post-58397 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:37:54 +0000 MuchoInsano 58397@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Do contact killers (Alcohol, Steri-Fab, Kleen Green) kill eggs on contact? What about more harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/building-managers-should-notify-all-tenants-about-bed-bugs#post-39902 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:42:52 +0000 Nobugsonme 39902@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Do you agree?</p> <p><a href="http://bedbugger.com/2008/12/11/why-building-managers-must-notify-residents-that-their-building-has-bed-bugs/" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugger.com/2008/12/11/why-building-managers-must-notify-residents-that-their-building-has-bed-bugs/</a></p> <p>I'd welcome your response in the comments on that article! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ethical-obligationsconsiderations#post-58215 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:16:42 +0000 antibedbug 58215@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hey everyone,<br /> I posted a few days ago about finding out that my neighbor has BB's while I was in the process of moving out of my apartment... &gt;:-( An inspector from Lloyd's checked my apartment and told me that I was clear and should not be concerned about bringing them with me. However, after reading up on BB's, I decided that it was better to be safe than sorry.<br /> I am only taking a few boxes of things with me to my new place, all of which are going to receive a thermal treatment by Lloyd's. All of these items will then be encased and put in large plastic bags for transport. The remaining items are in storage (I rented a storage unit and moved stuff into the unit two days before I found out about the problem)... :-( I am not bringing my furniture with me and was going to try to sell it until I knew about this problem. What do you recommend I do with my furniture at this point? Should I sell it with full disclosure of the potential problem? Should I dispose of it? Can I steam the furniture and have it inspected? Ugh, this is an absolute nightmare...I dread finding one and truly sympathize with those who have them. :-( </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/fyi-nightwatch-by-biosensory#post-30348 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:51:39 +0000 BD1 30348@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I emailed this company to ask if this product (the trap/monitor available in October that everyone keeps refering to) is going to be available to the public. I was told that this product will only be available to purchase from a PCO at this time. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bug-pheromone-traps#post-58179 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:13:26 +0000 mrbill0626 58179@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Does anyone know what's the latest re: those new traps that were supposed to come out last year, but didn't?</p> <p>Thanks</p> <p>Bill </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/stubborn-mother#post-57814 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:10:16 +0000 ghostbitten 57814@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>So the basis of the infestation is her sofa bed, which her disgusting (physically unkempt, unclean) junkie ex would sleep on for a year, and then, since she came home from the hospital last November, she stayed on --- it sickens me when the LL came to help remove the mattress (we're being treated today) and I inspected, I saw the infestion is literally the <em>entire freakin' mattress</em> and prolly the bed too--I had to stop at the mattress. Just looking without a flashlight I saw moltings, dead bb's (all life stages), so much staining and fecal matter... I literally got sick a few seconds later in the bathroom. I'm still nauseated.</p> <p>I need advice---how do I convince her to get rid of the couch AND the mattress asap? She doesn't let go of anything and hoards hoards hoards. I'm starting to realize this problem won't leave as she won't properly do her laundry or follow any steps I've told her of (or that the PCO's sheet said to do) and won't get rid of anything, either.</p> <p>I'm at a loss, and to be honest, I can't bring myself to stay here while she's letting the infestation go on. I'm sickened by this, and it isn't like I have alternate housing, either... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/have-i-got-a-tip-for-you#post-50590 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:11:21 +0000 Grindstone99 50590@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Tell your PCO you have silverfish and get them to spray for that. It's illegal because the spray is not approved for bedbugs (for stupid political reasons) but so far this seems to be verrry effective for me! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/packtite-have-holes#post-57825 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:23:33 +0000 hathead 57825@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>we've been using our packtite for about a month now</p> <p>just noticed when i was loading it that i could see daylight pinprick holes at the seams<br /> pretty much all of the seams, not just one spot</p> <p>this is not anything we have damaged - i am sure it came this way!</p> <p>has anyone else noticed this about their packtite, or is mine defective?<br /> are the bb's able to crawl through these holes (my guess is yes)</p> <p>thanks for any thoughts! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ziploc-glad-vs-hefty#post-57596 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:32:57 +0000 bbfiend 57596@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Question : Which is better, Glad or Hefty? I am using both right now, though Glad seems more accessible in terms of obtaining them. </p> <p>Opinions? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/productsscams#post-57717 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:18:04 +0000 solacex 57717@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I was afraid of this.</p> <p>I am new and terribly scared. paid already over $1300 in "professionals"and products.<br /> it has been a month now (so maybe not so new but apparently naive)</p> <p>I purchased Steri-fab from a pest control place uptown in NYC as well as some Bedlam spray.</p> <p>Last night I did a test. Sprayed a whole bunch of Steri-Fab on the floor and I have captured several bug bugs in zip lock bags. Placed one on the floor to see if when he walks thru the stuff will he die.</p> <p>NOPE, he did not die and I made him walk thru it Over...And Over ... And over again. I am a film maker. So I filmed it in high definition. I placed him back in the plastic zip lock bag. this morning he is still not dead.</p> <p>I will post on this forum when he finally dies. He is very much alive and energetic, to boot!</p> <p>I hate to say it but I am afraid that these professionals are selling us products that kill NOTHING. unless they drown from the water content. that is not a joke. The exterminator sprayed in a zip lock bag I had with a bug. But there was so much juice in there that the bug turned to mush and yes then died.</p> <p>Please, someone find me a product that actually kills bed bugs.<br /> if it is sold elsewhere in the world I will be happy to pay extra to get it.</p> <p>By the way they do not die from suffocation, they have been in zip lock bags for days and did not die at all, in fact they move fast in there.</p> <p>Last but not least, I researched why we seem to have this problem in the first place. I thought beg bugs were like unicorns, a myth. well, they banned DDT in 1972 or 3 and since then malaria &#38; beg bugs and more have returned. It was the only product that killed both bed bugs and malaria (the mosquito) and more and cheaply.</p> <p>Just so you know...DDT does not affect humans, it messes with the environment But, only if used wrong. If used correctly it will not affect that either. It has been demonized and I think the industry that charges us $600 to get rid of bedbugs and tells us that it is that much more expensive than getting rid of roaches is behind it.</p> <p>I am bitten each night and need a solution. someone help me/us. lets work together and find stuff that works. I am trying my best to help you guys learn from what I find out.</p> <p><a href="mailto:solacex@aol.com">solacex@aol.com</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/de-or-drione-dust#post-57744 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:54:32 +0000 bbfiend 57744@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Can anyone direct me to where I can buy the Drione dust or DE? I read about how tricky it is to use them but I do have areas where my dog cannot get to, like electrical outlets and closets. </p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ziplock-bags-in-the-dryer#post-57675 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:31:36 +0000 DeathToAllBBs 57675@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I know you can microwave them, but can you put them in the dryer? Would they be able to sustain heat for 40 minutes or would they melt? </p> <p>I take my clothes out of them in the dryer, but I hate having to open them once they're in there. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/for-anyone-with-children-questions#post-55846 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:26:13 +0000 crashed 55846@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>To be brief... how did you handle it? I have a 13 month old, and he's getting bitten although I think it's because the bugs are probably on my living room floor. Although they might be in his crib. We're working on that. But how did you handle dressing them? Treating their toys? Stuffed animals? Being safe about bringing them to daycare/other peoples' homes?<br /> Any advice would be helpful. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/air-conditioner-how-do-i-treat-it#post-57365 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:37:00 +0000 badbadbedbugs 57365@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We have 2 air conditioners. One has been sitting in the hallway between 2 rooms that we know have bed bugs and one in the closet of one of the rooms that we know has had bed bugs in it. How do we ensure that there are no bug in them? PCO comes in a week. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/mattress-encasement#post-57359 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:45:57 +0000 bbfiend 57359@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Protect-a-Bed Aller Zip™ Bed Bug Proof Bedding Encasements:</p> <p>Hey, the company that advertised here, Northshore is charging more for the encasements than the maker website for Aller Zip™ Bed Bug Proof Bedding Encasements. For king size it's a good almost $20 more at Northshore.</p> <p>whats up with that???? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/moving-soon-dont-want-to-bring-them-with-me#post-57416 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:01:46 +0000 ratedr 57416@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi I've been infested with bed bugs for what seems to be forever and no matter how many times i have my apartment sprayed they don't leave!</p> <p>I am moving soon to a building that isn't infested and just want to make sure 100% that I do not bring ANY with me</p> <p>Are there any tips you guys have of what I can do with the stuff im bringing with me to make sure there isn't any in my televisions, game systems, blankets, shirts, pants, etc. etc.</p> <p>Any tips and all help would be MUCH appreciated thank you </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/dryer-testing-theory-confirmed#post-38748 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:23:14 +0000 spideyjg 38748@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Just did my own dryer tests that I described before. Stopped a load of clothes, opened the door, jammed an instant read thermometer deep into the clothes, shut the door, and gave it 2 minutes.</p> <p>This was halfway through the cycle BTW.</p> <p>158F so that dryer is a confirmed BB death chamber. </p> <p>At the end of the cycle nearly 170F</p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/dryer002.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/dryer002.jpg</a></p> <p>Unloaded, across the lot, and up the stairs the temp was still near 130F</p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/dryer002.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/spideyjg/BBs/dryer002.jpg</a></p> <p>These clothes would be baggable and considered BB free. </p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-do-i-keep-from-moving-the-bugs-around-my-house#post-57056 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:16:07 +0000 badbadbedbugs 57056@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We have 2 little kids and are just starting the preparation. It's going to take us awhile. We have a lot of decluttering to do and laundry is a always a challenge at the best of times let alone having to do extra. </p> <p>So in the mean time... How to we keep from moving the bugs around the house? I am quite sure we have them all through the upper floor where we sleep (we move from our bed where we know we have them to our 4 yr olds bed in the middle of the night when she wakes) I'd like to keep them there and not bring them down to our living room furniture. Is this even possible?</p> <p>Walk me through what I have to do to keep them confined to the upper floor.<br /> How do I keep from tracking them to our friends' places when we go out to visit them?<br /> How do we keep them from my partner's office?<br /> What about library books? How do I protect them from my house? (Obviously I won't take more out but we have a bunch out now...)</p> <p>Be as detailed as you can please.<br /> Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/have-bugs-preparations-for-moving#post-57042 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:26:43 +0000 Kate G 57042@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello, fellow sufferers, </p> <p>I've got me some bedbugs. The situation isn't severe yet (yet being the operative word), but my roommate and I get a bite or two on our legs every few nights. I haven't found any of the telltale signs, no bug poo or shells around my bed, but they're around. It's no secret that my apartment building is infested, in fact my upstairs neighbors just moved out yesterday. After much fighting, we got our landlord to hire an exterminator, he did his thing, but bites are still happening. </p> <p>So, my roommate and I are looking for a new apartment. </p> <p>My question is: When we move out, what do I need to do to ensure that I don't take any bugs or eggs with me? </p> <p>Specifically:<br /> -- Do I need to trash my mattress? The biting has been mild so far, but god forbid I took it with me and brought some guys along.<br /> -- Furniture -- for items such as chairs, desks, etc, how neurotic must I be with cleaning? Do I have to throw it all away?<br /> -- I've read all about the clothes bagging. Do I need to high heat dry and bag EVERYTHING? </p> <p>Any other advice on moving/leaving the evil bloodsuckers behind would be much appreciated. </p> <p>Perhaps this experience will build character. All I have gained from it thus far are wild psychological effects, namely PHANTOM ITCHING, which I think is an absolutely hilarious term. </p> <p>Thanks, friends --<br /> Kate </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/anyone-try-the-u-of-fl-method-contained-heat#post-56984 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:31:24 +0000 cilecto 56984@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>University of Florida posted an interesting approach a month or two back. Build a small "house" in center of a dorm room from foam boards. Insert two portable heaters and 3 fans, plus measuring/recording equipment. Add vials of BB. All dead. (Note that this was a controlled experiment and the infestation was "contained" to the vials. No indication in the experiement how this would work with a "real" infestation. Like, would the bugs come crawling out of the containment to escape the heat.) Great PowerPoint illustrating how they did it, plus how they apply it in the dorms (i.e., they apply "Tri-Die" behind the baseboards.)<br /> Project description - <a href="http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/grants_showcase/people_and_communities/bed_bugs.shtml" rel="nofollow">http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/grants_showcase/people_and_communities/bed_bugs.shtml</a><br /> PowerPoint - <a href="http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/grants_showcase/people_and_communities/bed_bugs_manual.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/grants_showcase/people_and_communities/bed_bugs_manual.pdf</a><br /> Press Release - <a href="http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/2009/07/07/3149/" rel="nofollow">http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/2009/07/07/3149/</a><br /> Has anyone tried this "in the real world"? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/new-to-bbs-with-some-urgent-questions#post-56922 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:19:27 +0000 ihatebbugs 56922@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>This site is a godsend! We brought bedbugs back from a hotel stay, and are now close to losing it. I have some questions maybe someone can help with.</p> <p>Is there a place in NYC you can walk in and buy Steri-Fab and No-Pest strips? </p> <p>Is it helpful to spray Steri-Fab on rug and furniture in between professional treatments?</p> <p>Is it much better to use a high powered HEPA vacuum, or will our Eureka Mighty Might do the trick?</p> <p>Our PCO used Phantom and Gentrol -- good combo?</p> <p>If we suspect the PCO did not do a good, thorough spraying, is it advisable to have a different PCO come in and retreat within a few days, rather than waiting 2 weeks with a poorly treated apartment?</p> <p>Once sleeping surfaces have been sprayed with pesticides, is it a good idea to put plastic over it or just a sheet? I'm just concerned about sleeping on pesticide treated surfaces -- especially on the day of the treatment.</p> <p>I keep getting little pinprick bites from tiny nymphs. Where are they coming from? Has anyone experienced this?</p> <p>I know this is a lot of questions. If anyone has any ideas or hard info, thanks in advance! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/packtite-works-like-a-dream#post-55720 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:11:32 +0000 sisterfaith 55720@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Any bit of help in this nightmare would be great....Packtite works like a dream!<br /> I finally plugged it in and it's great! What was I nervous about?</p> <p>Here's what I can tell you about my experience so far.<br /> -I put the unit on a wooden table in my kitchen.<br /> -I had read about an odor from the treatment on the inside...I had no odor.<br /> -There was a problem with the thermometer read out being pale and hard to see. I changed the AAA battery that came with the unit...BINGO! The numbers were all black.<br /> -I was needlessly concerned about how much it would heat up the room, and how hot the area around it would get. The IN reading, taken with the thermometer set next to the unit, was 82.8 to start and after 3 hours was only 85.8.<br /> -I've baked two loads so far.<br /> The 1st was only about 1/2 filled (there is a ton of room!) with shoes which I left in the .9mil clear plastic bag (opened) and a small (empty) hiking backpack (padded). I put the thermometer sensor inside the backpack. It reached 120 in only an hour. I left it on for 3 hours. It was 140 degrees when I shut it off.<br /> The 2nd load was 3/4 filled with light weight shoes, stuffed toys (every girl has one) and clothing (dry cleaning items). The shoes were in an open clear .9mil plastic bag but the clothes were not in anything. I put the sensor in the middle of the fabric. It took 1 1/2 hours to reach 120.<br /> I unzipped immediately after shutoff to start the cooling. It appeared to be fairly cool on the inside of the unit around the items, and warmer inside the pile of items. It cooled completly in no time. There was no effect on the plastic bags.</p> <p>I hope this helps some of the people coming on my coattails with their bb nightmares.</p> <p>David....you're a genius.....Thanks for giving us this tool. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/questions-about-experience-with-pack-tite#post-50833 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:33:31 +0000 billyburgbugs 50833@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I know there is a lengthy post talking about what people have put into their Pack Tite, but I am wondering about other items. The guy from the company, David, I think, seems to hold back from asserting definitively what works in the machine and what doesn't, and I understand for liability reasons why he would do that. But I would like to hear from other sufferers if they had success roasting books, CDs, DVDs and vinyl in this thing. My roommate and I have one arriving this weekend. KillerQueen comes on Wednesday! It's like getting ready for the biggest date of my life.</p> <p>I know that people have put emphasis on making sure the "core" temperature is properly above 120 degrees and obviously I plan on that, but is it like the dryer, in that you shouldn't over stuff the thing? I am not too suspect of a lot of my books to begin with (naive, I know, don't worry though, I am sufficiently freaked to err on the side of caution). I want to be able to seal up books in an XL ziplock (ya know, a fair amount, 10 or 15 at a time, stacked in rows I guess 3 to 4 high), turn on the machine, place the ziplock in and keep it in for 4 hours as is recommended. Open the ziplock before sealing up the Pack Tite? Forego my stacking idea and seriously do ONE book at a time, upside down and fanned out? CDs and vinyl...can I put stacks in there or are you all rolling your eyes like, "The heat won't get between the CDs!"</p> <p>Just asking every neurotic question I can at this point. </p> <p>I also want to say that this forum is like an oasis in Hell. So much comfort drawn from it. At the same time, so many scary stories! Yet, it still feels good not to be alone. I am even thinking about YouTubing my whole experience, just to put a face to this horror show for other sufferers. I feel no shame. This was an accident of fate.</p> <p>b </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/70-ethyl-search-and-destroy#post-56274 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:10:12 +0000 Ferdinand 56274@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Tonight I have killed. I killed. Probably not all of THEM, but MANY. I have killed a whole colony of BED BUGS. I hate them! I hate them! I do NOT think that I have solved the problem. And yes, I will sleep tonight (if I sleep) again in my pyjama with socks on, in the middle of a horribly humid August in Bushwick, New York City. But let me tell you briefly about my experience:</p> <p>Two weeks ago I moved into my “new” room in a shared apartment. A couple of nights later I located the first red and itching spots on my body. The next day I was over and over full of itching spots, horribly burning bites. So I started to do some research on the internet and found pictures of other victims with the same symptoms.</p> <p>I learned: THEY are out there, and we call them bed bucks. I truly believe that every horrible story I found about them online is true and I indeed decided to move out of this room by the end of the month. But since there are still a couple of nights left, I have tried to exterminate as much of them as I could/can.</p> <p>What I believe THE TRICK is: You have to search them! Yes, you must move your bed and also your bookshelf and your TV. But I guarantee you, you find there nests. Right, spraying the common sprays around, as I did in the beginning, doesn’t help much. But when you have found the nest and if you have the cracks right in front of you where you see them crawling around, then try a common spray and it will work.</p> <p>I used “Rubbing Alcohol” with 70% Ethyl, which I bought at Duane Reade PLUS another bed bugs spray. I filled the alcohol into an empty spray can, which I also bought at the drugstore. After spraying, I cleaned everything up with paper towels and then put another layer of spray on the floor and corners. Furthermore I put tape “inside out” around my bed-posts. Luckyly, so far I didn't find any traces on my mattress.</p> <p>I’m not sure if this it the best recipe, maybe I will know by tomorrow. But I think that I made a least some progress on the symptoms. And it took me a while, guys. Actually, I can understand now, why exterminators take so much money to do this. I believe they are doing it like I did… crawling around on the floor and pumping spray into tiny little cracks and wholes. GOOD LUCK! And hopefully SLEEP WELL SOON. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/neccesary-precautions#post-48626 Wed, 13 May 2009 11:40:37 +0000 thecrazywife 48626@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Okay - I'm in the limbo of pre-diagnosis - bites with no other signs. I want to know what I should be doing regarding protecting my co-workers, friends and family as well as preventing spreading in my own home - within reason - given the lack of definitive diagnosis.</p> <p>I also want to know how people with children manage this. I have two very young children, work full time and both my husband and I commute. My husband is out of the door early in the morning so I alone dress the kids and myself and pack our various things up for the day. We all get home late. </p> <p>I can't shower and bathe both children and myself every day before we leave the house. I'm not sure how I would ensure that once washed all of our clothes would be protected until wearing - nor can I imagine not dressing everyone until the very last minute - every minute is the very last minute. Are there strategies for this from experienced moms and dads? What about stuffed animals ? My son has a lovey that he is never without.</p> <p>Who should I tell about my indefinite situation? What are the non-negotiables?</p> <p>My husband is still pretty sure that I'm nuts so I'm not expecting a ton of cooperation either... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/whats-the-deal-on-patchouli-oil#post-56499 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:52:08 +0000 Just itching to get rid of them 56499@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Anybody heard that patchouli oil keeps away bbs? Any experience with it? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/terrified-of-spreading-to-work#post-56376 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:23:58 +0000 nycbedbug 56376@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>I've just had treatment #3 and am in that "wait and see" stage, constantly thinking I have a new itchy spot but then finding either no actual bite or maybe a tiny dot...assuming I do not get any definite new bites (or see any other evidence of bugs, which I never have), the PCO is going to come back in 3 weeks for a canine inspection. </p> <p>My huge worry is that I'm a teacher, and am about to return to work after a horrible last month of the summer spent in this battle against bedbugs. I am completely terrified of somehow bringing bedbugs to work. Things spread really fast in a school, and I could not possibly deal with my classroom being infested (for the work it would take to pack it up and also for the worry that if I eliminate them at home, I could then bring them back from work).</p> <p> I am obviously taking every precaution recommended in the FAQ, thus will be waking up super early to engage in the ridiculous morning routine I have adopted: shower, blowdry hair while standing in the bathtub, get dressed in clothes, shoes, and bag that have been sealed up until just before putting on, etc.</p> <p>I guess what I'm looking for is any additional advice or support others can offer -- I know not everyone is as lucky as me in that I have not had to worry about going between home and work every day as of yet. How do you deal with the constant worry about spreading them? </p>