http://bedbugger.com/forum/ Bed bug support forums en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:54:00 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/phantom-125-pco-question-please-help#post-62606 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:11:19 +0000 wchicago 62606@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello<br /> My PCO has been spraying with Phantom diluted at .125 (chlorfanapyr, .125). Everything i've read says that phantom is good for bbs (originally developed for termites), but also that for bed bugs the dilution is usually .5 (this .5 dilution recommendation is from the Phantom manufacturer website, as well as all the published work on phantom and bedbugs)?<br /> this has been driving me a little nuts (i'm in week 6 of treatments, they come every 2 weeks and spray phantom .125, and yes i'm still getting bites). My questions, and someone please PLEASE answer if you know</p> <p>1. Should chlorfanapyr be diluted at .5 for bedbugs,or is .125 the proper dosing?<br /> 2. If it is being sprayed for 6 weeks at .125 and should have been at .5, will this give me chlorfanapyr resistant bbs because they've been surviving small doses?<br /> 3. How do i talk to my tech about this (I always have the same tech)? Keeping in mind, he is helpful when i ask for advice about some things (Like how to protect my dog, cure my shoes, etc) - but sometimes gives me conflicting advice from his own company (e.g., he said no vaccuming, but manager of his company just told me i should be doing daily vacuuming), he didn't give me a prep sheet or post care sheet, and gets a little huffy when i ask him about why he's doing things a certain way &lt;like i had to beg him to treat my nightstand and dresser, instead of just the baseboards in the bedroom, and even then he did not treat any furniture until the last visit, after i talked to his manager. notably, after treating the bedroom furniture, biting in the bedroom stopped&gt;.</p> <p>help? please? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/happy-thanksgivingor-not#post-62618 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:48:17 +0000 mojo 62618@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Now this is the dilema...I don't have bed bugs but my 26yr. old nephew and neice have them. The scenerio is neice went to a motel with friends got them in her brothers home. she noticed the bites and bugs and talked to my daughter who works in an apartment complex with issues in some of those units. she went out and bought the bags for her beds and decided to move out and into her boyfriends house. Now for treatment...really nothing besides vacuuming. They have the attitude if I ignore them they will go away, out of site out of mind! Now I'm having thanksgiving dinner and they are coming...what are the risks of them infesting my house and what can do to limit the spread? What can be done on their part to keep my home bug free?<br /> Any input would be great! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/preparation-for-exterminators#post-54404 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:39:51 +0000 sweetblood 54404@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Has anyone here had to do more with clothing than wash, dry and store in air tight bags? I'd like to think that the heat from the dryer is enough to zap them, but of course now I'm just paranoid. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/boflo-powder-propoxur#post-62253 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:59:34 +0000 belum2aj 62253@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi<br /> I've red that propoxur may be used to kill BB.<br /> Our PCO is scheduled to come in two weeks (he treated our house two weeks ago)<br /> I'm wondering If I it's wise to use this Bolfo powder on my bedspring (under mattress)<br /> and maybe puff it into cracks and crevices...<br /> Thank you for your reply.</p> <p>Standa from Czech Republic </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/can-i-donate-clothes-post-treatment#post-61234 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:46:09 +0000 nervousaboutbedbugs 61234@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We had 2 thermal treatments about two months ago. Never saw a bug, but had other signs including blood on the sheets. Our house was cleared by dogs a week after the treatment, but we continue to see comet-like stains on the sheets. Have tried to write them off as bleeding scabs, marks left by the dogs or cat, etc. , but suspect there may still be a problem.</p> <p>In the meantime, we had a baby boy. Our older kids are girls so we have BINS AND BINS of beautiful baby girl clothes we don't need any more.</p> <p>What can I do with these in good conscience? If dried and bagged, would it be safe to donate them, or should they be thrown away? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/where-to-buy-diatomaceous-earth#post-50809 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:01:26 +0000 Scared and Frustrated 50809@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi,<br /> I was wondering where I can buy DE and something to apply it with in CANADA. I have called the hardware stores but they don't seem to carry pure DE, just some insecticides which contain some DE.</p> <p>I also looked on Amazon, but the Canadian site didn't seem to have any DE. I suppose I could order it from the States? Any Canadians here find a good place to get BB fighting tools?! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/opening-bags-post-treatment-to-packtite-treat#post-60532 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:45:09 +0000 tinyvampire 60532@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>hi, folks:</p> <p>we had our second professional (suspend) treatment 5 days ago, and we're getting our Packtite in *three days* (my heart is pounding).</p> <p>in any event, if we start to open the gigantic clear can liners we have most of our stuff in -- in order to put manageable piles into the Packtite, do we risk making things worse for ourselves before they get better? </p> <p>because i'm still being bitten, although i haven't seen any BB evidence lately (though our floors and rugs are reds and browns, so they've always been difficult to see -- perhaps nymphs are getting me?), i'm thinking of scheduling another treatment. </p> <p>should we not open any bags until after that? </p> <p>any advice is appreciated.</p> <p>thank you,<br /> -tinyvampire </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/vent-pco-instructions-exactly-opposite-how-bad-is-this#post-62512 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:40:00 +0000 wchicago 62512@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>VENT VENT VENT</p> <p>Ok, so I"m cruising into treatment #3 this monday (yes, so 6 weeks since the PCO started coming and i began the zip loc lifestyle) and i'm speaking to the manager of the company and she says "have you been vaccuming every day?" and i say "No, my tech told me not to vacuum where the pesticides were" and SHE said "Thats just for the first 4 hours after application, after that you should be vacuuming every day"</p> <p>Ok, these folks didn't give me a prep sheet (I had to call and have them read it to me on the phone), and said NOTHING in the sheet they left after each treatment about daily vaccuuming (their sheet only listed pesticides used and where they used them) AND their tech told me SPECIFICALLY not to vacuum where the pesticides were being placed. And he obviously didn't mean until 4 hours after application, because he made me stay out of the house for 4 hours after application. And now i learn i should be vacuuming every day as part of the treatment. REALLY? Would have been NICE to know that 6 weeks ago!</p> <p>So, this means for 6 weeks i have been remiss in daily vacuuming. I even bought a bagged vacuum at the start of all this because i assumed i would be vacuuming - but then after speaking to my tech about vacuuming during treatment 1, was told not to vacuum the bedroom, living room, and back room &lt;where he treated&gt;. ARGH. Keep in mind, i don't ever see the bugs wandering about (have only seen 2 adults on my bedframe when i took it apart for steaming, and one nymph in the whole time i've had them, and only the nymph was a wanderer - wandered onto my leg, in fact)</p> <p>How bad is this do you think? How much does the lack of vacuuming really hinder bb eradication efforts? They are using Phantom &lt;if that helps anyone&gt; but only at .125 dilution (when everything i've read says it should be .5 for bedbugs -this is ALSO confusing).<br /> I'm really getting frustrated with the lack of communication and worse, the mixed/opposite communication, and am still being bitten &lt;though not nearly as much as 6 weeks ago&gt;. The PCo is one i hired myself and is crazy expensive and has a 60 day contract. </p> <p>So, enough venting -the question is -does anyone know how important the vacuuming is for successful bb eradication? Because i failed to do this, have i made the problem worse, or maybe just prolonged the final eradication? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/latest-information-from-the-bug-off-seminar-with-drs-potter-and-miller#post-62297 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:40:22 +0000 jeffklein 62297@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Just a quick report on some of the things we learned at the bug off seminar this week. I think one of the most surprising things was the fact that bed bugs no longer live for a year and a half without a blood meal. They're now saying based on lab studies that it's only several months. How things change. The most disturbing facts to come out of the seminar was how poorly our liquid pesticides are working. And unfortunately there doesn't look to any wonderful products coming down the pike any time soon. A couple of bright spots with product is Phantom insecticide, Transport insecticide and Temprid insecticide as well as the dusts. Gentrol wasn't mentioned much so I am assuming that based on increased egg production as well as increased mortality it's a wash. Temprid is not labeled for use in New York but Transport and Phantom are. The main issue is Phantom's long period of time before control is achieved. In several studies it shows it can take up to several months. The dusts on the other hand are where I believe we should be focusing our attention. There wasn't much difference in mortality rates and times between Drione, DE, and Tempo 1% dust. Aside from chemical there were three other methods mentioned one was heat, one was fumigation, and one was freezing. Both doctors agreed that heat and fumigation were the most effective and that cryonite is a tool although it has no penetration ability. I think everybody here knows that I am partial to heat. Dr. Potter stated that there's less than 1% of companies in the country that are currently using these methods. I think another fact that it makes the bed bug scenario nightmarish is that they are stating that 28% of people that are infested have no clue that they actually are. One of the things that Dr. Potter mentioned is how people are amazed at how after 50 years bed bugs are back with a vengeance. Dr. Potter is amazed that for the last 50 years bed bugs have not been problem. I think that is the most telling statement of all. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/help-with-bed-bugs-in-small-car#post-62084 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:25:12 +0000 BuggyinLA 62084@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We've heat treated the apartment and are currently receiving no bites or sightings in the home (fingers-crossed); HOWEVER, we have been bitten numerous times in the car as well. </p> <p>We already tried driving the car out on a hot day to a sunny place and leaving it there to get up to temp., but we're in the middle of November, and even in SoCal, it just doesn't get that sunny or hot at this time of year. </p> <p>We spoke with our landlord about this, and he suggested fogging and vaccumming the car. I know full well that fogging doesn't kill eggs, and that it usually only serves to drive them deeper into the infested items. For some reason -- stress? -- I decided to let him do it anyway. </p> <p>Now we're still getting bites in the car and have isolated it, meaning we never put anything in the car without PackTiting it and we always change clothing after riding in it. </p> <p>Where do we go from here? Thermal? Vikane? Crazy? We're a one car family and really need the car back and functional and bug-free! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/new-here-and-need-some-serious-adviceconsoling-about-moving#post-62390 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:22:49 +0000 damaged 62390@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi Everybody, </p> <p>I'm new to this site and made a big mistake of moving into a house with a friend that had bed bugs in the basement but she had never been exposed to them sleeping upstairs. I woke up with the infamous linear pattern on my arm, and only slept in the bed one more night after that. I did EVERYTHING I was supposed to. Washed all my clothes and dried in hot water, placed them in garbage bags and carried them out to the deck immediately. All my belongings were placed in Rubbermaids or Clear Sealed bags. Poulin's pest control came in to do the initial house treatment on Thursday of last week, I brought my belongings on a truck to the heat vault at their location (it heats your things up to 140 degrees for 6 hours, the only "known" method to eliminate EVERYTHING including eggs). From there i treated the back of the truck and the tarp I used, used New bags to put everything in, and had it brought to my sister's house in the country where I am staying until the end of December. I go back and forth between here and my other sister's place when I work evenings in the city, and have been *very* careful. I returned here to the country after not sleeping here in the past five nights, with my things only delivered last night around 7pm where I brought them directly to my spot downstairs. For some reason I was worried, so I slept on the couch upstairs. When I went downstairs about an hour before sunrise this morning, I felt the need to inspect. When I turned my pillow over, I found a bed bug... ALIVE. Now keep in mind this is a brand new bed here, I did not bring any furniture over. My sister will KILL me if I carried them here, even though I did everything right. Am I going to have to go through extermination again?? Or was this one little tough guy that escaped everything? When I called Poulin's to speak with the Quality Control Supervisor he said he wouldn't normally be too concerned considering sometimes they can live for 5 days after crossing the product, but the fact that my belongings were in the heat vault and something may have survived does cause a little concern. He's planning on sending someone for an inspection today. I already can barely sleep even when I thought I was safe, now I feel so sick to my stomach that I may have to go through this all over again. Do I tell my sister? Does ANYONE have any advice for me? I'm going absolutely crazy, considering that I already suffer from OCD. Please help! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-and-stucco-ceilings#post-62264 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:04:09 +0000 Louise 62264@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>As I was laying in bed last night staring at my ceiling, I got to thinking about bedbugs, and how they can crawl up walls and across ceilings in order to get to their next meal. </p> <p>Sooooo..does the type of ceiling matter? Since they're not great climbers, would a stucco ceiling (with all of those bumps) be more difficult for them to crawl across? Or would it perhaps make it easier (more to cling to)? A glass ceiling would clearly be ideal but also rather impractical (not to mention way-expensive!).</p> <p>Does anyone have any anecdotal info they could share?</p> <p>Louise </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/cancel-second-treatment-by-nybedbug-dog-what-to-do-next#post-61246 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:58:23 +0000 Maddash 61246@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>A couple of weeks ago, my 2 year old showed a few bites on her leg and face, and my wife had one breakfastlunchdinner row on her arm. A week ago my landlord sent NY Bedbug Dog to inspect my one bedroom apt in a large apartment building (that has struggled with bedbugs quite a bit). The dog indicated bedbugs around our bed (which sits in a dining alcove) and my daughter's crib. He seemed to ignore the couch, which is basically in the same room as us. The PCO did not do any visual inspection following the dog's point. We had not been told to prep at all. He basically told us to throw out all the stuff around our bed, my daughter's books (sad), and magazines, etc. This was his only instruction. From reading on this site, I know it's a lot more complicated than that, but I followed his advice. He sprayed right away around my bed and around the crib (I did not see exactly how or where, as I was getting my girl ready to vacate the place), and we were told to leave for four hours.<br /> Over the next couple of days, we did laundry and bagging. We bought my daughter a new bed and trashed the crib, along with underused toy, animals, etc. We put tons of stuff through the dryer. But we started to wonder about how unspecific the PCO had been. Also about what chemicals my daughter was being exposed to. We called and asked what had been used to treat-- we were told Phantom and Gentrol.<br /> I then called John Furman (KQ), on the advice of this board and a friend who had used his services with success. Furman told me of his skepticism of dogs and suggested that I must do visual inspection myself, in as detailed a way as possible. He also said Phantom was ok but not great for 1st treatment, and that according to some studies, Gentrol, a pesticide designed for roaches, may very well increase BB population. Great.<br /> The week went by, and we saw no bites. I did as thorough an inspection as I could, with a halogen flashlight, looking at the bed slats, under furniture, baseboards, all very carefully, and found NOTHING. We were starting to think false positive, and to relax a bit. Then, today, bites appeared on my daughter's leg again. Our hearts sank.<br /> Now, we're not sure how to proceed. Do we go forward with the next treatment from this same company, and see how it goes? Or are we wasting our time with them? It is free, provided by the building, which is a far cry from the expense of going outside for a better PCO, like Furman, but we don't want this to turn into something worse. Can anyone chime in as to what you think is the best way to proceed here? Thanks for all your knowledge and help, here, and everywhere on bedbugger. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/dying-mattress-protector#post-62268 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:53:45 +0000 kitep 62268@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My mattress &#38; boxspring protectors have various splotches, gotten when the bedbug was crushed on them instead of in the tissue I was trying to pick them off with. Is there a way to make them white again?</p> <p>I'm guessing I shouldn't wash them.</p> <p>I'd be willing to cover with white duct tape, but it doesn't stick too well, and thus provides hiding places instead of making sure the bugs stand out :( </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/has-anyone-heat-treated-a-car#post-62222 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:34:33 +0000 BuggyinLA 62222@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Looking at options for our still infested cars, we can either go with Vikane or heat treatment with ThermaPure. Since we're in SoCal, both are options for us.</p> <p>Anyone have experience with either option? All thoughts are appreciated. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/mumbo-jumbo#post-62219 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:33:49 +0000 watkinsnewan 62219@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I had my second treatment today The district manager of Orkin told me I had a MINOR INFESTATION. (In my eyes when the word infestation is use it really is not good news.). that is was not that bad... THANK HEAVENS... I really has A LOT to do with this site an all the GOOD advice I got from a variety of different people.. SO thank you YOU KNOW WHO you are .. They treated the wood bunk bed frame and put more dust in the boys room.. and sprayed the base boards and beds again.. ME and my husband set the house up like they needed it and it took them no time at all to do the treatment.... So cool... I think it is so nice when A customer makes your job easier... I this from experience..This is Mumbo Jumbo to me just like when I have A conversation with the lil one I can only understand A few words..<br /> These are the chemicals they used the first time...<br /> Cykick CS 1oz/gal 1000 sq ft....<br /> Sterifab sprayed surface until damped...<br /> Delta Dust 2-3 grams per sq ft...<br /> I am not sure about this one cause I read the guys hand writing But I think it is<br /> Altosid pellet one pouch per site up to 135 sq ft or surface area...<br /> So for you out there that understand these chemicals there you are<br /> for the second treatment..<br /> Cykick CS 1 oz/gallon per square foot<br /> cykick Crack an Crevice 1 sec of product in lin ft </p> <p>OK now that is over and man was that hard..<br /> Just wanted to let you know about the chemicals..<br /> Every thing went great... Thanks guys.. for all the help..<br /> Thing are looking up and he said I may not need A third treatment...YEA..<br /> I start My 60 day wait... I am on the look out..<br /> He also asked me to encase the bed back up.. I like that Idea... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/recommendation-please#post-62094 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:52:33 +0000 mcs 62094@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi there, I am new to this site (which seems incredibly helpful)..anyway I am seeking advice on how and where to find a qualified person to come and check out whether or not I have bed bugs in my apt--specifically in New York/Brooklyn.<br /> I have been waking up with random bites here and there on my legs for the past couple weeks and was telling myself it was something like fleas or mosquitoes because the bites where on my legs (and I was under the impression they tend to go for your upper body/arms/torso) and because it was only one or two bites at a time. But then this morning I woke up and had a little cluster of about 5-6 bites right on my hip (apparently they can bite through sleeping clothes?!) and now I am officially freaked out. It sounds like them, right?<br /> I haven't seen any of the tell tale signs like dark spots on my sheets, their skin sheds, waste, etc., but I guess the bites are enough?<br /> Can anyone provide a really highly recommended company? what should I do in the meantime? there is so much varying advice as to whether I should start with the vacuuming/washing/drying/bagging now, or wait until I have someone come by.<br /> Any and all advice would be so greatly appreciated. I am trying not to get too worked up about this but it seems like such an insane process that I am about to undertake I can't even imagine... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/would-you-recommend-steri-fab-or-kleen-free-for-shoes#post-61802 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:12:12 +0000 twitchyscratchy 61802@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Which one is better?</p> <p>I know a steamer or a packtite is ideal, but i can't afford either of those "luxuries" (ha.). </p> <p>I also don't have a dryer and the ones at the laundromat won't work with the dryer shelves.</p> <p>I wouldn't use the chemicals on every day shoes, only ones i intend to store for a while (at least a few months).</p> <p>In terms of my every day shoes, they are leather. Has anyone tried pouring boiling water on leather shoes? Baking them in the oven? If I did boil or bake them, then oil them immediately afterward, will this destroy my shoes?</p> <p>Also, I can't afford new shoes. </p> <p>I hate you, bedbugs. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/homemade-bed-barriers-climbup-interceptors#post-62010 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:53:26 +0000 Rosella in NYC 62010@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I created my own <strong>homemade “barriers” around the legs of my bed</strong>. (I can’t afford to purchase ClimbUp Interceptors. ) I purchased some Rubbermaid food containers that are about 3 inches high. I placed a line of double sided tape around the interior of the container and placed the containers under the legs of my bed (so each bed leg is sitting in the bowl of the container). I will add some talc powder to the containers tonight. </p> <p>Has anyone tried to make something like this? Will the bb’s even be able to climb the smooth sides of the plastic Rubbermaid container? Is there some further “trick” that the Climbup Interceptors use that I’m missing here? Is Johnson &#38; Johnson baby powder the correct kind of powder to use?</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/who-pays#post-62200 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:10:41 +0000 bugbuster 62200@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>In a NYC condo apartment building, it's the apartment owner, yes? </p> <p>But what if a person's infestation likely came from another apartment where the residents (renters, not owners) handled their problem irresponsibly, though board and management did everything they could to contain the problem? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/55-day-rule-questions#post-62125 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:13:51 +0000 BuggyinLA 62125@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>The situation: We have a 30-day guarantee from our thermal company -- and a new apartment awaiting our move-in by Dec. 1 that's in a different building with our same management group. Our landlord would really like us to start moving IMMEDIATELY. (He doesn't particularly understand bed bugs despite our best efforts.)</p> <p>Questions: </p> <p>(1) My partner and I are both "responders" at this point. I wasn't getting a reaction to the bites, but now I develop large, red welts just like she does. This will hopefully alert us to any live bugs (so long as we can pinpoint if the problem is the apartment, work or the car), right?</p> <p>(2) Does the 55 day rule apply with thermal? We don't have anything bagged, because that's not part of the thermal treatment process. We live in a studio apartment, so literally everything was/is suspect. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-there-any-health-threat-with-vikane-gas#post-62139 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:18:50 +0000 Itchybutdealing 62139@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am particularly concerned about an asthmatic child and any thing residually in the air after the process is completed. Thank You for your help. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedding-encasement-during-second-treatment#post-41279 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:39:36 +0000 wb 41279@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am getting my second treatment tomorrow. After the first treatment I immediately put a protect-a-bed allerzip cover over my mattress and was thinking I will never take it off again until I throw out the mattress when I move in about 8 months. But I never considered what I should do for the second treatment. I assume they will spray the mattress again so should I take the cover off let them spray it, wash the cover and then put right back on? Just like almost every other aspect of this whole horrible situation I don't know what to do.</p> <p>Can anyone help?? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/diy-bedbug-control-howto#post-61957 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:53:54 +0000 eval 61957@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>I know it is not recommended, but I am going to have to take care of bedbugs myself. My landlady is broke and I never signed a lease. I'm moving out anyway in early Feb, hopefully if she has some money by then she can deal with it when the apartment is empty. My goal is to not get bit, and not pass them on. I need advice on how to proceed (skip to the end for my questions).</p> <p>My roommate's subletter probably brought these this summer, he admitted to staying in a hotel full of them and one morning he had many bites on his arms (5 months ago?). It never happened again, but about 3-4 months ago I caught about 4-5 tiny little ones on my keyboard and bed sheet. And about 2 months ago my roommate now remembers seeing one in his room. Those I saw were hard to identify and I couldn't find anything in the rug, (futon) mattress, sheets or futon frame. I was never bitten.</p> <p>A week ago I woke up with what seemed like a very very light rash, tiny mild red spots (but in a row) on my arm, with one or two itchy bites on my neck and back. I still could not find any in my sheets or anywhere on the mattress. However, the futon frame was totally infested. Many of the drill-holes for screws were tiny breeding grounds with 4-5 bugs each. I killed them with what I had on-hand (tetramethrin, "Black Jack" Ant &#38; Fly killer) and vacuumed them up, saved about a dozen for identification.</p> <p>I have since ordered 4lbs of diatomaceous earth (WOODSTREAM 5170B "SAFER" ANT &#38; CRAWLING INSECT KILLER) which I'll dust under my bed (I have a respirator mask) after I'm done with the pesticide sprays and powders. Here's what I have:</p> <p>1gal Bonide, 0.02% deltamethrin<br /> 1.5lb Terro Ant dust, 0.05% deltamethrin<br /> 32oz Spectrum Triazicide, 0.25% gamma-cyhalothrin<br /> 1.5lb Bayer Ant, 0.1% Cyfluthrin (large granules)<br /> 1lb Scotts Bug-B-Gone dust, 0.25% permethrin<br /> 32oz JT Eaton BedBug Spray, 0.13% pyrethrin</p> <p>I doused my futon frame and the wall-edges of my rug in the Bonide (deltamethrin) and sprayed previous problem areas with the JT Eaton (pyrethrin). (Unfortunately I've since read that many bedbugs are resistant to deltamethrin and will avoid it, encouraging "dispersal." Thus my roommate will tackle his room in a similar fashion ASAP) I've also sprayed the JT Eaton on my mattress edges just in case, since the label claims it's safe.</p> <p>Later I diluted the Spectrum (0.25% gamma-cyhalothrin) about 1:50 and steam cleaned my rug with that solution (after doing a normal vacuum and regular steam clean first). After two days the odor is gone. I plan to carefully dust under my futon with DE, especially the points of contact with the floor, and place double stick tape around the edges of the frame and parts of the wall, for monitoring. I haven't seen a single bug since I went to town on the futon frame a week ago.</p> <p>I'm a bit frustrated the cyfluthrin is in large granules, not sure if I should crush them or just apply to cracks and edges as-is. It's cheap construction with tons of holes and crevices, caulking this up is not an option. And again, I'm leaving in three months. Otherwise I can dust the wall-edges and cracks with permethrin (and some old pyrethrin) dust, if the cyfluthrin granules are unusable.</p> <p>Question I have for you all:</p> <p>Should I avoid using the deltamethrin, spray or dust?<br /> Is 0.005% gamma-cyhalothrin sufficient to kill? Should I dilute to 0.05%? (Is that safe?)<br /> Is 0.13% pyrethrin as "safe" on my mattress/covers as the label says?<br /> Should I apply DE more widely than just under the beds and contact points?<br /> Are the cyfluthrin granules worth using at all? Can they be crushed and used?</p> <p>Any practical suggestions or links for how to deal with this are welcome. (Be aware that telling me to get a PCO is not helpful. I'm a student and cannot afford it right now and neither can my landlady [her husband did exterminations before he passed away], and I am not going to take on debt for a no-lease apartment I'm leaving in 3 months) Are there any good HOWTOs breaking down which chemicals and in what concentrations can be used in different ways? Thanks so much everyone. best,</p> <p>eval </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bbs-and-heat-electric-mattress-pad#post-62007 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:31:59 +0000 Rosella in NYC 62007@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I was wondering what affect (if any) an <strong>electric mattress pad</strong> might have on bedbugs (10 bites over 17 days, no sign of bugs/fecal matter/blood/etc, have cleaned/laundered like mad, isolated the bed, going crazy). I often sleep with the electric mattress pad turned on. For those unfamiliar with an electric mattress pad, it is a mattress pad that plugs into the wall and has a on/off button and a control for the amount of heat (typically between 1 and 10) and it automatically shuts off after 12 hours (it is the best invention EVER – similar to an electric blanket). I have been researching to find out how hot they can get, but haven’t really found any numbers. I found one company website stating their mattress pad reaches 118 degrees (but it was not the brand that I have). The fact that I sleep with Modal sheets (warm and hold in heat) and a heavy down comforter in a heavy corduroy duvet cover probably makes it even warmer. Do you think this heat further draws the bugs to me? Do they like warmth? Or does this speed up the gestation/development period for the eggs so they are hatching faster? Or is it hot enough to kill them? Or does this make it any harder for them to get to me as it is another layer (I have my electric mattress pad over a regular mattress pad)?</p> <p>Thanks for any/all help. I’m trying to stay level headed about this and not rip my own skin off due to itchiness! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/cheaper-method-of-mattress-encasement#post-62009 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:46:49 +0000 Rosella in NYC 62009@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I read the reviews of the <strong>mattress encasements</strong>, and I’m wondering what makes the recommended encasements cost over $100. I’m not at all concerned about looks, so can I just buy a cheaper heavy vinyl mattress cover/encasement (for about $10) and then duct tape (and I mean heavily duct tape) the zipper shut? (or whatever tape Home Depot has that is the strongest, stickiest tape) It appears that most of the concerns cited were about the bugs escaping the encasement through the zipper accidentally coming open. I would probably use 2 encasements, and have the zipper openings at opposite ends of the bed, so that on the “what if”, if a bug manages to get out past my massive assault of duct tape, they are still trapped in the second encasement (also heavily duct taped shut). Any thoughts? Are there issues/concerns other than escaping through the zipper opening and teeth? Am I being delusional, and just need to cough up $135 for a Protect-A-Bed encasement with the BugLock Zipper? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/here-comes-the-fourth-treatment-then-what#post-61988 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:53:54 +0000 sadlyitching 61988@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p><strong>The backstory</strong>: I don't think our PCO knows what he's doing. We discovered bedbugs at the end of August (this was after about two months of heavy denial) and then called the exterminator. We live in Asheville, NC and nobody seems to have bedbugs around here but the exterminator assured us he could do it, although they only offered a 30 day guarantee which didn't sound like enough. Well, they came and fumigated the entire house; I took every scrap of clothing &#38; every textile to the laundromat and ran it through hot dryers for an hour, then sealed it all and put it in the garage, etc., etc. Two weeks later, my son was bitten again in the basement - we only had them in the basement, or so I thought - so I called the exterminators back and they spot treated. Another ten days, another bug, so we threw away the couch (antique, beautiful, belonged to my mother; I cried) and had the exterminators back. for a second spot treatment. That was about two months ago and we thought they were gone. </p> <p>Now, after a couple of isolated bites last week that I assured myself were from mosquitos, we're both covered with bites again. My whole face and neck are covered with giant lumps. I called the exterminators and they said they would come back and fumigate the whole house again. That's happening on Thursday - today is Tuesday. The exterminator is being kind to come back this time without a charge and he will not come back again. I've already spent nearly $1500 on this infestation and I am completely tapped out. </p> <p><strong>The Questions</strong>: Do I have to start over with every single piece of clothing &#38; textile in the house going through a dryer?<br /> What can I do before Thursday to stop myself being bitten again tonight and tomorrow night?<br /> What am I going to do if they're not really gone then? Is there any way to tell if they're truly gone? What questions should I be asking the exterminator at this point? He said that he didn't think we were ever badly infested; he never saw even one bug during treatment and we have so far seen only three, one of which was found dead after the first treatment.<br /> We have three dogs. The PCO said that Frontline/Advantage would ensure that they are not a vector but is it possible they are moving the bedbugs around? The bugs didn't seem to be upstairs last time around but they definitely are now. What can I do about that? Should I throw out their beds? (they are outside during the day and have beds on the porch.)<br /> Is it really ever possible to get rid of these things? I don't have $500 to buy a PackTite; should I just throw away everything I own? Tear up the carpet? I'm at my wits end, here. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/onslaught-and-bedlam-used-in-apartment-efficacy#post-41634 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:20:01 +0000 phantom1 41634@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Does anyone know how effective the combination of onslaught and bedlam is when used in combination on a medium infestation? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/what-is-cyonara-does-it-work#post-61915 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:42:02 +0000 shaye 61915@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>A friend of mine says to treat bbs with cyonara. Does anyone know what this is? Said he got it online and it worked great along with pyrethrin dusts. I'm unable to pay for a pco and my LL will not, plus we have already planned to move the first of the year due to all the ongoing issues in the house the LL could care less with (foundation issues). I have to proceed with my move and am doing everything I can to rid myself of these pests before then. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/has-anyone-tried-cedarcides-best-yet-does-it-work#post-23833 Wed, 28 May 2008 18:59:20 +0000 Lunabugged 23833@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am a single handicapped mom with two kids in a three bedroom apartment on the third and top floor in a very bad bario/neighborhood with a slum lord for a management co that truly does the bare minimum to help their tenants especially the tenants with HUD based rent agreements that pay a percentage of their Social Security Disability for rent because the income as a whole is just the disability check and is so low. I have bought many products that say "Bio-friendly" and end up not being...and have harsh side effect. But I recently in studying medical journals came across Dr.Ben Oldeg and his contract with the Army, and the company "Cedarcide"...and their products called "BEST YET"...and all the marvelous things about it. Before I drop almost my entire check on the fogger and product can anyone tell me what they know of the product, or company, or if anyone has had positive or negative expierances with it? Has it worked effectively for anyone for BedBugs? It says 100% eradication....? Please help...if you have any knowledge...personal or learned or word of mouth can you please respond. I have already paid men to come throw away almost all my furniture except for one bookshelf,a singer sewing machine table, tv stand,little asian table my kids eat at, and the matresses on the floor. The rest all of it...IS GONE! Wrapped with thick plastic like the best wrapped gifts in the world so it would drop anything going down the steps I now sit, and the kids sit in lawn chairs and clothes are bagged up and being washed in borax, one outfit a night..as my dryer is broken and takes an entire day almost more to dry one load. I have to be ready with one outfit for each kid 36 hours before they wear it to school. I am living out of plastic buckets and its horrible. I am losing my mind. If anyone knows anything about these products please tell me. Also if you , used another product that actually WORKED please tell me, share. I will be forever in your debt.<br /> Broke,Losing Mind, Desperate in Maryland,<br /> Lunabugged </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/why-is-de-making-it-worse-more-bites#post-61887 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:25:54 +0000 bedroomknight 61887@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am at my wit's end. I have been battling bed bugs since August after finding out that my bites weren't caused by mosquitoes. I was horrified when I followed the forum's advice &#38; flashed a cell phone light at about 3am onto my bed. I saw a little colony of black bugs crawling along the seams. Immediately, my husband and I jumped out of bed, ran into the shower &#38; lay shivering in towels in our guest bedroom. The next morning, the mattress was bagged &#38; tossed in the trash. I rounded up all the clothes and washed them in hot water. I didn't want to take my chances so I tossed the comforters/sheets and pillows in the trash too.</p> <p>After treating all the bedrooms with sprays &#38; toxic powders...I got tired of seeing a stray bug here and there. I finally turned to DE and coated all the rooms with it, including the room where we sleep. I did this on Wednesday. As of Thursday, I have had 4 bites. I noticed 2 fresh bites on my leg. </p> <p>Is the DE making the those bugs desperate and so they are running out to feed? Why am I getting bitten more now? We had about 2 months of peace w/no bites but as soon as the DE was used, they seem to be on a rampage! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/sharing-vikane-treatment#post-60380 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:58:15 +0000 bugginmeout 60380@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>Long story short, I am moving November 1st and have a small amount of items that I want to Vikane before moving into my new place. However, I can't afford such a steep price (I was quoted $1450 from Bed Bugs &#38; Beyond in NYC--$700 for the spray, $750 for use of vault).</p> <p>Is there ANYONE ELSE moving soon that doesn't have much and would want to share the price of the vault with me? I am petrified I'll infest my new apartment.</p> <p>BTW please tell me I'm not alone in having multiple breakdowns and crazy anxiety. This has taken over my life and has made me absolutely insane :-( </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/sofa-treat-or-trash#post-47930 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:45:25 +0000 khan 47930@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We've scheduled for treatment starting friday and are wondering what to do with our sofa.</p> <p>We're in a one bedroom apartment where we think the infestation is near/in the sofa.<br /> Our bedroom doesn't seem to have a problem, since our bed looks clean (white IKEA mattress, simple frame) and we've never been bitten anywhere.</p> <p>Our worry is that after the 1st treatment (we've got three scheduled by our management co's PCO, separated by a week each), we'll scatter the bugs from the sofa to other uninfected areas.</p> <p>Our sofa/loveseat is 6 months old at ~$1000 bucks and is upholstered (difficult corner)</p> <p>Does it make sense to trash the sofa/loveseat BEFORE the treatment begins or do we try and save it through the three treatments? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/risks-risks-risks-to-move-or-not-to-move#post-61858 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:11:40 +0000 BuggyinLA 61858@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>When the inspector from Precision Environmental came out prior to our first ThermaPure heat treatment, I told him that we were planning to move to a new building that is bed bug free (no known bed bug incidents ever) with the same building management group following treatment. I asked him about moving time frames -- when it would be safe to move, how would we know, fears about reinfestation if we stayed in the building we're in now, etc. I hadn't considered at that point the possibility that our heat treatment wouldn't work -- and that it might be possible for us to move to a new building and take our bed bugs with us. I was just worried about how and when to get out of our current building without risking reinfestation. </p> <p>Fast forward in time... </p> <p>We're going through a second thermal treatment tomorrow. The first treatment, which we were assured was not done properly, failed. We have been told that this treatment will be successful. Our fingers and eyes are certainly crossed. </p> <p>Here's the question to all of you experienced bedbuggers: Should we still move or should we stay in our current building? </p> <p>My confidence has been shaken in thermal remediation; however, I've heard many success stories and our PCO has a 100% kill, 30-day guarantee. That's how we're getting the re-treat so quickly. They did two other units in our building the same day as our first treatment, and from what we've heard through the grapevine, those treatments worked (although we haven't talked to the involved tenants directly). </p> <p>We're stuck between a rock and a hard place. </p> <p>If they treat and the treatment is unsuccessful, we've moved to our new, concrete floor (no more wood for us!) apartment in our BB free building -- and we've brought them with us. I also have no idea if the guarantee applies if we move locations (I'll be asking on Monday). Then we'd be at our landlord's mercy, probably footing the bill ourselves for a Vikane treatment on a UHaul before we move on to a new location.</p> <p>HOWEVER, if the treatment is successful and we don't move, I would guess we run the risk of eventual reinfestation, since the whole building isn't being treated (70-plus residences in the whole building). I've asked around in neighboring units to see if they've had problems, but not a great deal, because I don't want to anger management and risk eviction (we're month-to-month). </p> <p>Thoughts? Should we move and hope the problem is really over? Should we stay and hope we don't reinfest? Is there a way we can safely move when we still don't know exactly where the BB came from in the building? </p> <p>Any experience or ideas would be greatly appreciated. We'll also be talking through this with the PCO tomorrow. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/please-critique-my-moving-plan#post-59809 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:22:14 +0000 DieDieDie 59809@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>New to BB. Mid-August '09 I received a memo from LL saying bedbugs have been reported and all units would be inspected. My apartment was inspected late-August and no signs of BB were found. After Labor Day, the bites started. PCO has been out 2x - 1 week ago and 3 weeks ago. Still receiving bites and have decided to move. I'll have some time to prepare as I don't have the $$$ right now for new apartment deposits - $$$ have been drained by laundry, cat boarding, a couple hotel nights, etc. etc. etc... - go figure. </p> <p>Lease is up in Feb. I'm hoping I won't have a problem breaking the lease, if I can manage to figure out how to get out of here before then. </p> <p>The question - what is the most effective protocol for leaving the beasts behind? </p> <p>Thermal and/or Vikane treatments don't seem to be available (Portland, OR - if somebody knows differently, please tell). I'll invest in Packtite and a good dry steam cleaner. All furniture and most electronics stays in the apt. I'll need to bring laptop. It resides on desk with tall metal legs, but electronic cords nearby may be climb-able. I've not seen anything in/around the laptop (not that that means anything).</p> <p>Basically, I'll just bring stuff that can be washed - sheets, clothes, dishes. Books I think I'll need within the next 2 years, go in Packtite in current apt, then Ziploc, then Packtite again in new apt. Pictures, sentimental stuff, and books not required right now gets sealed for 2 years (adding 6 months to be extra sure). Mattress is in an AllerZip at the moment, but I'm thinking that I'll leave that behind too (but wash encasement and use it on the new mattress). </p> <p>What am I missing? I know there is a non-zero probability that they'll come with, but I'd like to get that probability as close to zero as possible.</p> <p>Kris in Portland, OR </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/pco-treatments-and-infants#post-23930 Fri, 30 May 2008 13:47:52 +0000 BeatBugs 23930@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Bed bugs are clearly persistent critters, so if you just want to kill them, stronger is probably better.</p> <p>But like a lot of folks here, we have pets and small kids, and I'm wondering if there are things we should ask about while shopping for a PCO.</p> <p>ThermaPureHeat doesn't show any providers by us, in Seattle, so we'll likely need steam/chemical. Anything we should look for or avoid?</p> <p>Is diatomaceous earth an inhalation problem in the babies' room once in place, or only during application? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/de-is-awesome-everyone-with-bbs-should-use-it#post-61696 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:14:34 +0000 KILL_ALL_BEDBUGS 61696@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I haven't seen a bedbug in months, thanks to a heat treatment and DE. I just found out today that the apartment below mine had them (and is where my infestation came from in the first place) up until a few weeks ago. I think I avoided re-infestation because of the DE I put in every crack and crevice I could find.</p> <p>Before I had bedbugs, I had lots of house centipedes and flies and spiders. Now, nothing, zero bugs of any kind. I find dried out centipedes on the floor once in a while. Freaking awesome. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/climbup-interceptors-keep-cracking#post-57429 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 06:00:21 +0000 crashed 57429@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi, I'm not sure what to do. The climbup interceptors that I have on my bed keep getting huge cracks in the middle from the weight of my bed. They're obviously not all that effective with cracks in them, so what should I do? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ethicallegal-question#post-61665 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:46:30 +0000 bugsarehere 61665@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>First up, I need to complement this site and say that no site on the internet has been as useful to me as this site has been, there's so much excellent information in one place (on a topic though I never thought I'd need to know about but we'll leave that for now...).</p> <p>Obviously I have a bed bug problem, the source is something I'm not 100% certain about as I travel alot for work and live in an apartment complex so of those are the prime suspects (though I'm not counting out a friend bringing them in or some other source).</p> <p>I found out about this around two weeks ago and since then have done some investigations and tend to believe that my current infestation is quite small as I only found a couple of tiny bugs when I pulled off the sheets of my bed though more scarily I found one crawling on me out of my couch!!!<br /> I've been vacuuming like a maniac, washing and bagging unneeded clothes, telling friends they can't come over and throwing out things I don't really need in anticipation of calling in a pest controller in the next day or so.</p> <p>My dilemma is that I'm moving at the end of the year for work and my lease expires in a few days, I'm able to extend my time here until the end of the year outside of my lease after negotiating with my landlord, though if I tell my landlord about the bed bugs I'm sure I'll be evicted immediately with nowhere to go... (I was planning however to tell my landlord when I leave so she can act on it)</p> <p>My plan was to get a pest controller in, have him spray the house and hopefully cure my Bed Bug problem, my concern however is that if he's even 1% unsuccessful that the next tenant might inherit this problem which is something I wouldn't wish on anyone and my other concern is that my landlord's husband is a lawyer which worries me that I'll get in trouble if I don't disclose my issue up front.</p> <p>Any suggestions on what I should do? Can I try self treatment first before telling my landlord? or do I have no real choice?</p> <p>Thanks in advance!!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/pco-will-be-spraying-shoes#post-61564 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:35:47 +0000 twitchyscratchy 61564@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello bbs,</p> <p>I asked my PCO what to do with my shoes. all of them but the pair i wear everyday are bagged and outside.</p> <p>i asked if he would spray them, and he said he would treat the outside, but not the inside where they would be in contact with the body.</p> <p>is this wise? </p> <p>i've said before, our problem is at this time still very small. we've had them no more than 10 days and i'm LUCKY to have caught it this early on. i sincerely doubt any bugs would have had the chance to move in to our shoes (though i know it is a possibility). do you feel treating them with the spray is sufficient? </p> <p>btw, i have very little money and can't afford a packtite. i also have no home dryer to speak of and my laundromat does not allow shoes. anyway, most of them are leather. </p> <p>my friend has a garment steamer. should i steam/hairdryer them? </p> <p>should i bake them in the oven?</p> <p>would you folks feel comfortable with PCO-sprayed shoes?</p> <p>please advise. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/best-tape#post-61317 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:03:04 +0000 kitep 61317@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Yesterday, I used some white duct tape to tape up the zippers on by bed encasements. This morning, it had already pealed away from where the zipper closes.</p> <p>What is a good tape to use? Did I just get unlucky with this particular roll of duct tape, or is there a better kind of tape to use? I saw in the faq that some people use blue painters tape - seems wrong, since painter's tape is designed to come off easy, but since I already have some, I'll give it try and cross my fingers :) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/stupid-baggy-box-springs-encasement-droops-to-the-floor#post-61462 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:19:44 +0000 kitep 61462@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I looked under my bed - and wowzer! I found out my box spring encasement is touching the ground. And not just a little - there's a sizeable contact area. The bottom of my frame is about 6" off the ground. I guess I'll have to find something to put the bed legs on. :(</p> <p>(And before anybody asks, I bought a full size encasement for a full size bed) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/helpi-have-three-suspiciou-biting-spots-three-days-ago-but-no-more-since-then#post-61445 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:25:53 +0000 babyhippo 61445@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Thanks very much for anyone replying.</p> <p>I am having flu now, so I stayed at home for a week. I don't know how could I get bedbug anyway. I live in a new building, and I don't have friends visiting for 4 months, and I didn't travel for 4 months (the closed traveling is in July).</p> <p>I found three biting spots on my body three days ago. Each spot consists 3 to 4 tiny biting wounds. I watched the photos posted here already, and the bites on me do look like bedbug bites.</p> <p>I washed the clothes I wore that day, and all my bed lines by hot water and hot tumble dried. And I throw away all small rugs. I don't see new bites in three days. And I don't find any bedbug yet. </p> <p>Do I need to do anything else right now? I will steam my mattress by using electric iron today. Do I need to clean my sofa as well? Any advice is appreciated. </p> <p>Thanks a lot~~ </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/what-can-you-do-if-you-cant-afford-a-pco#post-61351 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:42:05 +0000 delorpompom 61351@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I've been trying to get rid of these bed bugs for nearly three months and have not talked to my landlord because I think they'll make me pay for it and I simply can't afford it. I have no idea how they got into my apartment at all and I haven't been able to sleep soundly for a very long time.</p> <p>I spend my weekends vacuumming, laundering, and inspecting my apartment and despite my efforts the infestation seems to be getting worse. I purchased mattress encasements after I found the first few bed bugs which were nearly $100 and clearly haven't done anything. And today I I just disovered that they have infested my futon which was nearly $600 and I can't throw it out because it's one of the few pieces of furniture I have and I bought it only two months before the bed bugs.</p> <p>I'm in college and I can't afford to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a PCO. I can't justify paying that kind of money when I don't know how they got in. For all I know it's from someone else's apartment and the liklihood that they'll just come back seems like a waste of money. I simply dont' have this kind of money.</p> <p>Is there anything I can do besides call a PCO? All of the resources I've looked at say to call one but I just can't afford it. I'm moving in the summer and really don't want to bring them with me when I move because I don't want to throw away my futon. I'm trying to save up to buy a new mattress and bed frame for that move but I can't afford to buy another futon. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bug-habits-it-would-help-us-to-know-these-things#post-59937 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:34:08 +0000 Mad_in_Maine 59937@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello all-</p> <p>I’ve got some questions about bedbug habits that may help us deal with them, mentally and physically! Sorry if the answers are within the forum somewhere, but I’ve spent many long hours searching and browsing and even reading some posts more than once – my brain is full and we’re freaked out enough as it is. So...</p> <p>Do BBs go into some kind of dormancy when they cannot feed, or do they continue to stay active and look for food (us!) for as long as they can until they die?</p> <p>Do BB eggs lie dormant? I understand that flea eggs can rest unhatched for a length of time until something tells them that food is around. Is it the same with BBs? It would help us to know if eggs are sitting around for months waiting for a good time to hatch.</p> <p>Will adults, or whatever BBs are capable of laying eggs, actually lay eggs if they aren’t getting fed? Again, peace of mind to know that efforts to prevent bites would go toward eradicating them.</p> <p>If an egg hatches, and the newborn cannot feed, will it grow anyway? Die? Lie dormant or just wait?</p> <p>What is the time between egg laying and hatching? If we’ve killed most of the live ones, but there are still eggs about, how long before we might expect to see the next generation popping up?</p> <p>I’ve got some other questions, but they’re best left for another discussion… </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/not-sure-if-i-should-move-back-in-or-not#post-60974 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:24:39 +0000 offsides1971 60974@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Found BB on Aug 30th. I had some bites for about 4 weeks and we didn't know what they were. We have stripped our Master bedroom and adjoining bath to nothing both two dressers and a bookcase. Threw away the mattresses. Orkin came on on Aug 30th and sprayed baseboards, hall and other two bedrooms around baseboards, treated all three beds with dry steam as well as spraying in the hall bath and laundry room..basically every room on my top floor because I was leaving nothing to chance. It cost $1850 if anyone is interested in knowing, that was for the three bedrooms..the hall/bathroom and laundry room they just did baseboards for me because it would kill any escapees. We pulled carpet away from baseboards also so they could do under the carpet. Everything is either thrown away or washed/dried. They came back Sept 7 and 14th and 25th and resprayed everything. Then they had me call a steamcleaner to steam all carpets at 240 degrees. Then Orkin came back and did all the baseboards in all the above areas again on Oct 1 or so after the steamcleaner. On the Sept 14th and 25th visits, they even did all my light fixtures/ceiling fans/vents in our bedroom and around the window trim. Because I freaked when I found two near the ceiling..they said it's because they were climing from the poison. They've perma dusted all my furniture, drawer by drawer. They've used both stuff to kill them and stuff to keep them from reproducing. My headboard was so full of that critters that I've put it in storage (live in the midwest) and plan to leave it there all winter in the cold. We've seen no nymphs for 3 weeks..nothing..nada. Orkin tells me I'm clear and we can repaint (because it needed it anyway) and move back in our bedroom. I'm completely paralyzed with fear. I found three little black dots tonight on one of the bedroom walls..very small..like the head of a pin. When I rub them, they smear a bit. Is this bedbug excrement? Are we safe to move back in after three weeks with no signs of them? </p> <p>BTW..I do highly recommend Orkin in the Kansas City area if you live around here. The guy I had was awesome and came every time I called within 24 hours and sometimes less. He'd spray and say "if you see more than 4 give me a call" I'd call and tell him where and when I saw them and he'd come out again. Heck, he's almost become a member of the family and even gave his opinion on what color I should repaint the room with..lol My final question is I heard from one person that we should have continued sleeping in there to lure them out into the poison. They seemed to be pretty active until they were hit all those times with spray. I'm afraid since I'm not seeing them they are hiding waiting for me to come back and sleep there. Orkin says no, that I'm fine and that each time we saw less until the very last time we only saw one little baby nymph and now nothing. Thoughts? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/will-these-chemicals-work#post-61108 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:47:13 +0000 2manybb 61108@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My PCO used Bedlum and OnSlaught to treat my bedbugs, we have had 3 treatments and still today i found a live bb. Are these chemicals repellants? are they going to disperse the bugs to other areas of the house? So far the only bugs found (by people and dog) and only bites have been in one bedroom. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/de-under-baseboardsquarter-round-near-heating-vent-and-cold-air-return#post-61035 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:11:23 +0000 stressingovernothing 61035@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We recently replaced the floor in the basement, and the trim is off, so I planned to put DE in the gap (laminate) and behind the baseboards/quarter round before I caulk and paint. There is a vent on one wall and a cold air return on another about 6" off the floor. Should I avoid putting the DE on those walls, or will having the top caulked/painted be sufficient?</p> <p>At this point I have no idea what's trying to eat me, but my theory is a little inert powder under the baseboards can't hurt anything good (so long as it stays under the baseboards and doesn't get in the HVAC system). </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-found-this-at-walmart#post-18962 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:58:34 +0000 bed bugs in colorado 18962@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I found bed bugs the second week in January. Any way thank goodness I found them when i did. They were in the headbord of my water bed. The headboard is history. The spray I found was at walmart called Hot Shot the active ingredient is Lambda-Cyhalothrin 0.03% this has worked for me so far. Haven't seen any for almost 3 weeks. Most important is it Was only 2.99 a bottle. It is not labeled for bed bugs but when I did research online found it's great for bed bugs. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/just-found-a-bed-bug-help-please#post-60795 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:51:33 +0000 Trina_Crys 60795@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I work in a club house type setting. One of our members had beg bugs and brought them in to the center. We had a pro come in and spray the place. Now I'm getting bites at night and just found a dead bed bug under my mattress. I don't have the money to have a pro come take care of my place. I was reading through the forum and found a thread about Hot Shot. Seems like it works pretty well so I'm gonna get some of that. While looking at their site I found <a href="http://www.hotshotbrand.com/ProductCategories/IndoorInsecticides/FleaKillerPlusFogger/">Hot Shot Bed Bug &#38; Flea Fogger </a>. I was wondering if anyone tried this and how it worked out for you.</p> <p>I'm totally freaking out, I hate bugs in general. Plus I don't want them to spread to other or get worse. I would be very thankful for any help. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/lost-cause-before-the-fight#post-60784 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:09:35 +0000 InsomniacWarfare 60784@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Note:: This is quite long... but I am hoping someone will be kind enough to offer me some kind of advice.<br /> <em>[You can actually skip my preamble and scroll down to the Bolded area]</em></p> <p>So, a few months ago (I would say around the beginning of June) I noticed I would receive "spontaneous rashes" in the middle of the day. Lo and behold I find two days ago (Friday afternoon)... bed bugs.</p> <p>I suppose I would consider myself a prime candidate as I sleep in the basement of my parents house and my entire room is blanketed in darkness 24/7. I've been sleeping on the floor (with just a covered feather bed intended to avoid this problem) for upwards of 4 years next to walls and under windows as if i had a normal bed. I vacuumed normally (weekly?) around and under the "bed" and never thought I would get them until perhaps July... but since I saw no bugs I figured it was something else... (mainly an allergic reactions to tomatoes or from stress.)</p> <p>Well, Friday afternoon a friend showed up to surprise me (birthday is soon)... When she arrived after my nap, I became frustrated at new "bites" and tore my whole "bed" apart. A few friends of mine battled from NY battled BBs in the past and I had looked up the information, so I knew what they were the instant I saw them. I have found one or two nymphs and perhaps 5 or so adults (assuming the best... I would be on generation 3?) Once I found them... I promptly burst into sobbing tears complete with hygienic panic (I have always showered three times a day, but saturday I'm pretty sure the water bill jumped an extra 40 bucks). </p> <p>I knew this meant I would be spending the rest of forever "searching every nook and cranny in bed bug induced paranoia." Right now I am uncertain of how to continue.</p> <p><strong>-Start Here if you did not feel like reading the preamble-</p> <p>~Current Measures~<br /> Friday (before leaving as I had an event to attend) I bagged all my clothes/bedding items. Yesterday I washed and dried several items twice. I will be doing another wash/dry... with preventive bagging, hopefully today. My teddies have been through the dryer several times and will be getting vacuumed today. I threw out a nearby box I had been planning to use for storage (only eggs/poopies I've seen so far). I have thrown out the feather mattress, pillows and am preparing to take my king sized down comforter (currently bagged) to the cleaners ASAP.<br /> I ran both a normal vacuum and hand vacuum (for the crevices) twice. I took a bottle of alcohol to the baseboards, walls, window sills (where i found another adult) and then re-vacuumed. I am also planning to ask the well-trusted handyman to help caulk the walls, carpet crevices... etc.</p> <p>~Current Problems~<br /> I have an enormous amount of items including a laptop, desktop, three monitors and a 40in television on an entertainment center complete with stereo and 5 set speakers. Several video game consoles, DVD, books (I am talking library amount)... Many items all squished into my one room. Most of these items are used weekly (I reread ALOT) and I highly doubt I can spend the time cleaning and rebagging them... I have commuter college and my parttime job.</p> <p>I believe the BBs came from the large sum of clothes (from a deceased Great aunt who obviously was suffering from home hygienic issues before departing) that my aunt moved into the house where she, my mother and I currently reside. Another possibility are my two best friends both of whom's older brothers had BBs last year (and still might have them with no intent to fight.)</p> <p>I normally do not allow people into my bedroom, but my best friends will obviously be upset when I inform them that neither of them are no longer allowed EVER because of the infestation... If I have to explain further it may cause a serious rift. (A few of my other friends have been over to help in the fight, I wish they wouldn't but they are trying very hard to be supportive by helping me clean and inviting me to leave the house after.)<br /> Also... my aunt (who owns the residence) believe that if I simply start sleeping on a covered mattress, that the pests will go away, she refuses to help preferring to believe that BBs only live in straw-like mattresses and that they will stay wherever I am. (-____-) My mother is contributing by running away from me in bug induced panic.</p> <p>~Possible future problems (during the battle)~<br /> I rarely sleep (I'm usually up 2 days straight, such as now... habitual since childhood) and am recently out of the house save for my two hour naps every so often. So I am guessing I will have the "dormant problem." However, since I will be removing the curtains that keep my room dark the invaders might switch to a normal nightly schedule which coincides with my own mostly nocturnal schedule.</p> <p>~Current preparation methods~<br /> Parents are planning to purchase a full size mattress and mattress cover for me. I am planning to get a plastic shower curtain (hello kitty!) to place on the floor and isolate/protect? the bed. (Climb ups if I buy a headboard-less frame, possibly DE... if I can think of it and it's cost efficient it'll be done.) Aside from the caulking I definitely have to clean out the bookshelves and my one small dresser... they WILL be dusted with some form of DE and possibly steamed. I will be getting ziplocs for my drawer items (most of my clothes are actually hanging in a portable wardrobe which appears to not be infected, but will be getting climbups for preventive measures.)</p> <p>For the most part I am depressed about the situation because I have sooo many items and things are set up in a VERY artistic manner that I now have to compromise for all eternity. Not that the artistry of my room is important enough alone to sacrifice the fight, but I feel honestly like I will be fighting a losing battle. (The abnormal amount clutter from my aunts house is still spread throughout the basement in the rooms adjacent to mine.)</p> <p>Advice to offer? Please? T-T<br /> (I'm going to shower and nap on the couch since "dinner time" is over.)</strong> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/91-alcohol-question#post-60839 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:59:08 +0000 staypositive212 60839@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>so...if I sprayed a wood bedframe's knotty pine spots/cracks/crevices with 91% rubbing alcohol, have I just created a permanent firetrap in our apartment? The bedframe is my 3-year-old son's, so there is no candle burning or any other open flame ever in the room, but I'm worried about lasting effects and/or whether it's safe to spot treat like this again. We've done 3 apps of Bedlam and Dforce in the apartment, but continued to see adult bugs on that bed at night. Mattress/pillow was encased after first application of Bedlam, and we just moved so room is bare but for one lamp and a small table (which have been inspected and are not harboring bbs), and all bedclothes and pajamas are hot w/d regularly. After the sixth week of bug siting, I pulled mattress off and took bed apart, noted there were about 15 cracks/knots in the wood that were big enough to hide 3 or so adult bbs. Killed the one live bb I saw, but sprayed alcohol into the knots to kill anything lurking. </p> <p>Is it safe to re-apply? Should I wash wood first to avoid alcohol buildup? Doesn't the alcohol evaporate? And, (a bit unrelated, sorry), do we need to reapply Bedlam to encased mattresses (the outside of the covers), in case freshly cast eggs might be on the outside?</p> <p>Thank you! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/safety-of-an-unattended-packtite#post-60649 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:59:40 +0000 bedwarrior 60649@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>When we first got the packtite I viewed it like I would a portable electric heater- something which should never be left to operate unattended. However, we are finding it frustrating that it can take as long as it does- sometimes as much as 4 hours plus- to get the core of something- such as luggage- up to 120+ F just to start a session. I know there is a safety shutdown mechanism in case of overheat, but that doesn't prevent a fire hazard from something falling below the bottom grill. However, placing items in there carefully can prevent that danger, so I was wondering if anyone just timesets it and leaves it unattended? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/protecting-myself-from-bb-in-the-hospital#post-60629 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:26:48 +0000 bugsnyc 60629@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>After a long battle with the buggers in my nyc apt, I havent gotten bitten in a few months. Im not sure if im in the clear, but Ive been washing, steaming, living out of ziplocks, ect. Im 35 weeks pregnant and am completely afraid of getting BB in the hospital (Cornell on the UES) when I give birth staying there overnite for a few days. im terrified of getting them, bringing them home (either me or my husband), ect.</p> <p>Any suggestions on how to protect myself while there?</p> <p>Thanks so much. This forum has been a such a help to me.. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/packtite-heat-loss-solved-company-owner-very-helpful-good-product#post-60742 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:41:36 +0000 titanbug 60742@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I had some questions and emailed the company. I received a prompt call back from one of the owners who gave me his phone number to contact him if I had further questions. I did end up calling him several times, and he was very nice, even answering my Saturday calls. My unit didn't appear to heat up properly, and David told me a few things to try, eventually solving my problem. What we learned was that it's good to have a blanket or something under the PackTite so you won't lose heat from the unit. I had hardwood floors and a basement under my unit and that's why it didn't heat up properly; the unit was working fine otherwise. David kept working with me until he solved my problem, which I really appreciated. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/cleared-by-dog-but#post-58373 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:09:16 +0000 nycbedbug 58373@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Just looking for some feedback/encouragement...Champ, the dog from M&#38;M, did not find any evidence in my apt. last Friday. My skin still feels itchy/sensitive, and I sometimes seem to have a small red bump (usually on my upper back) but they don't look exactly the same as my initial bites. </p> <p>I'm definitely not going to start taking anything out of plastic, but I'd like to be able to relax a little. Are others in the same situation? How sure should I be that they're gone? (I've read all the posts about skin sensitivity and about bedbug dogs.) </p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/diy-heat-treatment#post-60647 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:29:35 +0000 invasions 60647@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello all, I manage a few rental properties, and we have been using a PCO to deal with bed bugs, without much success. The treatments are expenisve and chemical based. I have been reading about the heat treatment and was wondering if I could use a commerical heater to achieve similar results, such as: <a href="http://www.heater-store.com/dayton_1rku2_electric_heater_3530_prd1.htm." rel="nofollow">http://www.heater-store.com/dayton_1rku2_electric_heater_3530_prd1.htm.</a></p> <p>Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. There are no local companies that offer heat treatment. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/thermapure-success#post-58774 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:15:12 +0000 arielh85 58774@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Has anyone had success using ThermaPure thermal treatments? I'm moving in a few weeks and found a company that will use the treatment on all my belongings if I take it to their warehouse (they almost always do the treatment in individual homes, but have done the warehouse thing a few times). The rep I spoke to said it mostly works in one shot, but sometimes takes two...thoughts? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/array-of-bugs-after-treatment#post-60538 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:29:26 +0000 newbugs 60538@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My roommate and I just discovered that we have bedbugs. We had bites but didn't actually see one until hours before our first treatment which gave us hope that we didn't have a big infestation (the inspector didnt find any signs of bugs). </p> <p>Last night after treatment I saw one walking across my encasement in broad daylight! Then today we found roaches and a pillbug in our apartment. I know that we should expect to see some bedbugs after treatment because it takes a while for them to die but should we be seeing all of these other bugs? Shouldn't they be dying instantly since there is all of this poison around our apartment? Has this happened to anyone else? I have not had problems with these until now!</p> <p>Thanks to everyone who posts! It is so helpful to have this forum as a support! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/leather-furniture#post-60539 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:32:57 +0000 empathie 60539@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi -- I know BBs can be <em>on</em> a leather couch, esp in the seams/stiches, but can they get inside? Is it at all possible to treat leather furniture? If so -- with what?<br /> Thanks. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/thermal-and-pianos#post-60172 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:55:14 +0000 Louise 60172@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Is it possible to thermal treat a house with a piano in it, and not destroy the piano in the process? Ditto for drums, a drum set and guitar, although these can be moved out more easily (unlike the piano). They are all used regularly, so quarantining them for an extended period of time isn't an option.</p> <p>Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated.</p> <p>Louise </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/vikane-chamber-share#post-60019 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:19:49 +0000 soscared 60019@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>New York City/Brooklyn Bed Buggers,<br /> Is anybody considering doing a Vikane treatment on or before October 20th? We have a few items and so we're looking for a share. If interested, PM me and we can coordinate. Thanks. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/anything-that-cant-be-steamed#post-60268 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:30:48 +0000 pleasebugsgoaway 60268@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Sadly, bites reappeared 2.5 weeks after our 1st treatment. I just ordered a steamer (reliable T630 - reconditioned ones available relatively cheaply on ebay right now) and am planning to steam everything: vacuum cleaner, clothes, shoes, bed, floors, walls, toys, books, furniture, etc. Maybe the steamer instructions will say this, but is there anything that CAN'T be steamed? Will it take paint off my walls? Will it melt plastic toys? How about electronics or things with motors like the vacuum cleaner? </p> <p>Also, do you think I can add a drop or two of essential oil to the water I put in the steamer, or will that ruin it? </p> <p>Also, I've justified the cost of the steamer by rationalizing that I can steam any used furniture I might buy on craigslist, allowing me to continue to buy used rather than new furniture. What do people think about this? If I were to buy a used wood table, for example, could I steam it on the sidewalk and then safely bring it inside? How about something upholstered like a couch? Any input from steamer owners appreciated. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/my-newest-plan#post-60346 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:08:09 +0000 nycbedbug 60346@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I had bedbugs in late July. My apartment was treated by a PCO three times in August/September, and a bedbug dog found no trace of them on September 11. While I have not received any 'definitive' bites since the first ones in July, it has been impossible to tell whether I've received new bites or my skin has just become extremely sensitive. I am seeing a dermatologist this week -- I know she won't be able to say whether a bite is a bedbug bite or another bug, but I'm hoping she can tell me whether the itchy spots I have are bites at all.</p> <p>I'm almost positive that I was the one who brought the bedbugs in, and I knew it almost immediately (had just returned from a trip), so it's unlikely that they spread to other apartments in my building, although I know it's a possibility. I spoke with all of my neighbors and they said they had not seen or felt any signs of bedbugs, but for my sake would be fine with having their apartments inspected. The landlord clearly does not want to pay for this, even though he said he would, and therefore nothing has come of it. </p> <p>I've been daydreaming about Vikaning my stuff (which was all laundered/carefully inspected and is all still sealed up) and moving, although I don't know how I'll afford it. I've recently had an idea for a plan before resorting to that: Assuming the dermatologist says my skin is just sensitive and they aren't bites (so, assuming my apartment is bug-free), I could unpack all of my stuff and see what happens. If I don't get any more bites, then I can finally go back to normal life. If I get new bites, then I'll Vikane and move. Even though I carefully inspected all of the items before bagging them, it's hard to believe that one of these little ninjas couldn't have slipped past me as I flipped through the pages of the five hundredth book at 2 am as I prepped for the PCO.</p> <p>Does this sound like a good plan? How long should I wait before trying it? Assuming the 55 day rule, my last treatment was August 21, so I'm approaching two months now. Should I wait longer? One of the PCO technicians mentioned that bedbugs rarely live past 4 months except in lab conditions. Should I try to wait 4 months just in case? Should I buy a packtite? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/got-bedbugs-i-have-helped-dozens-of-ppl-with-great-results-just-ask#post-60326 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:14:59 +0000 watkinsnewan 60326@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>why not just list them here in the thread!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/vikane-not-working#post-60298 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:03:44 +0000 itchy landlord 60298@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>For many years we have owned a single family home in the mountains with a tiny detached granny unit that we rent out. Our current renter has been with us a couple years and came to us last month saying that she has had bed bugs for about a month. She was distraught. She asked us to caulk up holes in the walls which we did (not knowing that we could be picking up bugs just by being in there, a mistake).</p> <p>She said she set off three "bug bombs" (mistake). We had no idea what we were getting into. She couldn't sleep so we told her to stay in our guest room until we could get an exterminator out (mistake). The PCO from Terminix came. A couple days later they tented the granny unit and treated it with Vikane gas. We put the guest bed from our house plus most of the guest room furniture into the granny unit to be gassed too. She had her car detailed. We all stripped down, showered, and put on clean clothes after moving the furniture. We did everything we could think of to be safe.</p> <p>After Terminix took the tent off the granny unit, our tenant had maybe one good day and then she started getting bites again, and finding bugs. Is this possible? We chose the expensive but supposedly effective treatment because we wanted to take care of the problem immediately. I did some research on the internet on Terminix and found quite a few complaints and scary stories. Did I pick a company with a bad reputation?</p> <p>Terminix promised us encasements for two beds, but it took them two weeks (and many reminders) to finally bring them. They finally came out and did spot treatment on the mattresses and the granny unit (the freezing technique). Our tenant is still getting bitten.</p> <p>All our guest room furniture is out on the porch. We are afraid to bring it back in our house. Meanwhile we are afraid we got bed bugs anyway. We haven't actually gotten any bites that we know of, but we are itching like crazy and crawling out of our skin at the very idea of them. </p> <p>Does anyone have any suggestions as to what our legal rights are in regards to Terminix? Can we insist that they tent again. We live in California, and I am sure the laws differ from state to state. </p> <p>Does anyone know when it might be safe to bring the furniture in, off the porch? Do we need to be obsessively vacuuming? Can we wash our laundry at home, on hot, or do we need a commercial washer?</p> <p>We are really trying to be good landlords. We had no idea what a nightmare this could be. I have such compassion for each of you who has been dealing with this issue. Any advice you could give a new comer would be greatly appreciated. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/did-you-spread-bed-bugs-to-another-house#post-60313 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:52:09 +0000 itchy landlord 60313@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am curious to know if any of you accidentally spread bed bugs to a friend's house by visiting or sleeping there. I know most people on this forum are trying to get educated and be bug free, but I am sure we all made mistakes without knowing it. </p> <p>I have read that BB's can hitch a ride on a shoe, back pack, etc. After my tenant told us about her BB problem she moved in with us for a few days (and brought a few of her things with her) . We had no idea how dangerous this was at the time. I guess I am just wondering about my chances of not getting infested at this point. I haven't seen a BB yet in my house. </p> <p>How easily do they hitch a ride from one building to another separate building? We do not share walls. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/treatment-and-inspection-videos#post-60111 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:54:41 +0000 spideyjg 60111@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>This video set keeps falling off the radar but is the best thing I've seen on youtube that covers inspection and where to treat.</p> <p>If self treating listen very closely to the plan of attack and the number of places you will have to deal with.</p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAqpqPzp5tc" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAqpqPzp5tc</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9hdpce1iNM" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9hdpce1iNM</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/tretorn-rain-boots-how-do-i-clean-the-fur-on-the-inside#post-60114 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:03:27 +0000 Kate G 60114@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I moved out of my buggy apt and I now seem to be bb free. However I still have a few pairs of shoes in plastic bags that I haven't opened yet. </p> <p>Does anyone have any advice for cleaning a pair of rubber rain boots with fur inside? I can't put them in the dryer because the rubber will melt. My only thought was to blow a hair dryer into them for a long time (silly, yes, but what else can I do?). I hear freezing isn't too reliable, and I can't afford a packtite unfortunately. </p> <p>Our bugs weren't TOO bad in the old place so they may be ok but I want to be safe. Advice? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/steamer-test-by-jeff-white-on-bbtv#post-60082 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:05:20 +0000 spideyjg 60082@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHDHOFrbv34" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHDHOFrbv34</a></p> <p>Jeff White discusses testing using a instant read kitchen thermometer to verify the effectiveness of a steamer.</p> <p>Hmmmm testing a heat treatment option using a kitchen thermometer. Sounds somehow familiar. ;)</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/are-we-really-in-the-clear-how-do-we-know#post-59780 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:16:26 +0000 nervousaboutbedbugs 59780@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We've had 2 thermal treatments to deal with what we suspect was a minor bed bug infestation. We had no clear evidence of the bugs, but quite a bit of circumstantial: comet streaks and other blood spots on the sheets, lots of bites on my daughters, three positive canine alerts from two separate teams, and a possible nymph sighting on our bed (I squashed it before I looked carefully, and don't know if it was a nymph or a book louse, which we also had lots of). </p> <p>While we know it is not a good idea to treat for bedbugs without first finding one, we felt that using thermal we would not be exposing ourselves or our children to any toxic chemicals and would get some peace of mind before our 3rd child is born. We live in a single family home and had both our work and daycare checked, so weren't terribly concerned about re-introduction.</p> <p>After the first thermal my daughter continued to get bites and the thermal provider requested we use a NESDCA dog team, which we did, and which alerted again in my daughter's bedroom only. A second thermal treatment was performed 3 weeks after the first.</p> <p>Since then, our house has been cleared by the NESDCA dog team. We've gone back to living basically like normal - I still vacuum like crazy and dry the heck out of everything, but no more ziplocs or spraying our shoes. We have our mattresses encased and interceptors on the beds and couches, but those seem to collect only dog fur and gnats. </p> <p>Good news, right? Only, of course, I'm still terrified that we have them. The day after the all-clear by the dogs, I found several suspicious blood stains on my new sheets, by my feet. Several of the spots were pink blood while there were also 3 or 4 darker smears. I decided they had probably been left there by my cat, who most definitely slept on that part of the bed the night before. He's old and sometimes leaves 'gunk' behind where he lays. I was reassured to find that one of the blood smears actually had some residue I could scrape off of the sheets, which I assume a bed bug would not leave behind.</p> <p>Tonight I found more blood spots, small ones, on my husband's side of the bed. Could it be bed bugs? Could it be that his sensitive skin occasionally bleeds a little at night? </p> <p>Only my daughters ever reacted to the bites, and while they've gotten no more of the huge itchy welts they were getting daily during the height of our problem, they do continue to have little bites or pimples. Which is it? I have no idea.</p> <p>How should we approach our current situation? Should I still be following all of the protocols, even though we used thermal and the dogs cleared our home? How will I ever know if the marks on my daughters are caused by bed bugs or something else? What will ever give us peace of mind again? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/good-pco-in-washington-dc#post-60012 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:51:30 +0000 kimintheeast 60012@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on a good PCO in the Metro DC area. Any assistance is much appreciated! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/building-has-bb-not-sure-if-i-have-them-yet-what-to-do#post-59987 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:48:33 +0000 FreakingOutinBK 59987@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I received a written notice from the management yesterday that my building has an outbreak of bed bugs. It's a big (approx 120 units) but well-kept prewar (lots of gap and cracks around the baseboards). I haven't had any bites, and I searched my sheets and mattress in extreme paranoia and didn't see any evidence. However, I saw a bug crawling on the floor, got a good look at it (definitely a bed bug) and sprayed it to death. At the time I didn't know that I should keep it to show the PCO and I threw it out. </p> <p>What should I do at this point to help prevent a full-on spread to my apt? Is it ok to encase my mattress since there don't appear to be any in the bed yet, or should I hold off until I get an inspection from the PCO? Should I assume that nothing is safe? Is it overkill to start washing and bagging up my clothes now? I have a LOT of stuff, including shoes, bags, books, CDs &#38; DVDs, and almost all the furniture is wood.</p> <p>Any advice would be welcome. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/failed-thermal-need-advice#post-55507 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:51:00 +0000 hathead 55507@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We live in a large victorian – 3 floors. First 2 pesticide applications failed, and so did the first thermal. After thermal, the beagle identified two pieces of furniture and a filing cabinet. We are not into holding onto possessions, so the furniture went (one had failed pesticides already and the other I didn’t care about). We still got bitten after that (in bed, and when doing any work on the 3rd floor), so there are bugs still loose in the house. The problem is definitely the worst or even confined to the 3rd floor at this point. The thermal people are coming back on Thursday. Here are the steps we have taken to make our chances better:</p> <p>Cut holes in the knee walls in the 3rd floor, as those walls were completely sealed, and we are not sure the heat got into those spaces properly.<br /> Tossed the furniture which was still with bugs<br /> We will put the files into boxes loosely packed and open all the filing cabinets<br /> Pulled bookshelves away from the walls, as well as other large furniture on the 3rd floor.<br /> We have very little clutter. We have four pets – sent 2 cats away to foster care.<br /> Every pet gets a bath before leaving the house, and is put into a clean car and a clean carrier.</p> <p>Is there anything we should be doing that we haven’t thought of? We are at the ends of our ropes! We believe thermal is a great way to go, but are puzzled as to why it failed. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/use-of-de-in-storage-bags#post-59833 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:31:29 +0000 smash 59833@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>After battling with BBs on and off for the past few years, I successfully lived without them for a year until two and a half weeks ago. I'm not going to go into a long story as I'm moderately calm right now but I'm sure once I start losing my mind again I will have much more to say on here!</p> <p>I do freelance costume design in my spare time from my apartment and have hundreds of dollars in fabric. Currently it is bagged up and shelved as I learned from my many previous experience to keep it this way indefiniately. I will be redrying and putting in new safe ziplocs today.</p> <p>My question is this. <strong>Does anyone know if it would be beneficial to put a small dusting of DE on the inside bottom of the ziploc bags before sealing the fabric inside?</strong> Some of the fabric can't be put in the dryer without destroying it but I am going to attempt putting it on low heat. I just want to do as much as possible so I won't be unknowingly harboring anything. I guess this is an appropriate question for other things that may be packed away for the long term statis period as well. Wouldn't it make sense to put things that can't be heated to the appropriate temperature (shoes, soft items) in a bag with DE to be stored?</p> <p>I picked up Chemfree Insectigone Crawling Insect Killer which is 80% Diatomaceous Earth but haven't used it yet, not until I've thoroughly organized and cleaned my place. I know there are health risks with the inhalation aspect and I'll have access to a respirator when I use it. Honestly this is the least of my worries as I have severe reactions to bites and if I start getting bitten more frequently risk having an anaphylactic reation which has happened before. </p> <p>I've searched and haven't been able to find anything about doing something like this so if anyone has input it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks. </p>