http://bedbugger.com/forum/ Bed bug support forums en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:47:58 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/where-to-put-the-ziplock-bags#post-62824 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:31:55 +0000 buggedout16 62824@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Thanks cilecto... you are so patient.</p> <p>One thing... should I leave the bags out in my living room (which I'm not sure is infested) or bring them back to my bedroom (where I saw the bug Friday so pretty sure that's the main site). Or does it even matter? I guess, bottom line, are these bags a big risk to spread the bugs to my living room if they're not already there? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/theyre-in-my-toddlers-room#post-62823 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:40:15 +0000 itchymama 62823@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Cilecto,<br /> Thank you very much for the thoughtful reply. We live in a home built in the early 1900s with almost all wood floors, so I am concerned about the issue of them living in cracks.<br /> Also, my daughter regularly hangs out in our bed to watch movies, etc., so I just had the thought that I need to be checking our bed as well. We've never noticeably been bitten, but we don't have the same allergic reaction to bites that she does. I've been so concerned with her room, that I neglected to think there's a solid chance they could be in our room too.<br /> I'm concerned about this issue of spreading them beyond our home to others. I haven't given that any thought. Is there something else I should be doing to avoid that?<br /> And this is random, but our cat has been itching like crazy lately. Is it possible that she's got them as well? Or could even be the source? She's an indoor cat who will occassionally run out the door but she gets immediately put back inside. I gave her a flea treatment last week and she's still at it, so I don't think it's fleas. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/just-found-new-hatches#post-62822 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:35:39 +0000 flabergasted 62822@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>flabergasted - 8 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/just-found-new-hatches#post-62821">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> As these thing move by night we are preping and looking at after dark with led lights , I just found new found new hatches in my stereo speakers thanks to everyone here and am going to vaccum. Can anyone tell me if putting the moth balls into a vaccum cleaner bag and removing from the vac after and sealing in a platic bag placing them in a deep freeze to conseve vac bags work. I was told this by someone who had them and yeah this situation with the vac bags is going to get expensive everytime I find some.</p></blockquote> <p>I think I just found nest central in the home there system I have fecal, shells and various sizes it is about 3 to 5 feet from the couch which seems to be the infested area. Unfortuantely these are Nuance speakers and sealed other than physically pulling out a speaker we can't get in to vaccum. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/just-found-new-hatches#post-62821 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:24:49 +0000 flabergasted 62821@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>As these thing move by night we are preping and looking at after dark with led lights , I just found new found new hatches in my stereo speakers thanks to everyone here and am going to vaccum. Can anyone tell me if putting the moth balls into a vaccum cleaner bag and removing from the vac after and sealing in a platic bag placing them in a deep freeze to conseve vac bags work. I was told this by someone who had them and yeah this situation with the vac bags is going to get expensive everytime I find some. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/had-two-treatments-got-new-bites-not-sure-about-next-steps#post-62820 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:49:45 +0000 RachGreen 62820@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>This website has been an invaluable help through this whole thing. I've been reading other people's posts but now I'm hoping to get some specific advice. </p> <p>About 2.5 months ago, I noticed that I was getting bites in lines. They itched, and after some time my partner also started getting bit. We laid down DE. We finally did a close inspection and found 1 dead one and a few live ones in our closet, but the bed was pristine, no bugs that we could find, fecal matter or blood stains. I should admit that I got a fogger from home depot and used before I found out that it was the WRONG thing to do. </p> <p>We called the landlord, who hemmed and hawed but finally agreed to get a PCO in. We asked that they check other apartments but he wouldn't do it because no one else had complained. We bagged everything in the bedrooms. PCO came (he works for the Boston department of public health, seemed to know what he was doing, but was a bit racist against certain racial groups for tolerating bed bugs). He sprayed the bedrooms, the mattresses and the living room. Then we encased everything and used the packtite for all the stuff we couldnt put into the dryer (great company by the way, I heard from customer service in about 5 minutes after I emailed with a question). </p> <p>The bites stopped. He came again 3 weeks later, but said that we didn't need to bag everything for the 2nd treatment, just get stuff off the floor. That was about three weeks ago. I believe he said he used suspend, and then another chemical that he called bed bug birth control. </p> <p>This week, I've found new bites. At first I thought they were as Sean (I think that is the entymologist's name) described- perhaps old bites flaring up again. But I got one last night with a red dot in the middle and it seems new. Now I'm back in a panic again. I've called the landlord and insisted that they check other apartments. I don't know if he's going to do it. When we got bugs the first time I put a note on the door saying that if anyone has any bugs or pests (I didn't say bed bugs directly) that they should notify the landlord because we'd all get them. After a few days I found the note in pieces on the floor, not sure what that was about. </p> <p>Clearly, our landlord needs to check the other apartments. I'm going to call the board of health just to double check that it is required. but what do I do about our apartment? I've put my stuff into ziploc bags after washing and drying, but we have wall to wall carpeting and a drop ceiling. I can't tell if our neighbors have them and no one is speaking up so we've been reinfested, or if perhaps we weren't diligent enough in our de-bugging with the packtite and the laundromat and that it's our fault that we've been reinfested. </p> <p>Part of me hopes that by sleeping in the bed there is some residual poison around and that the bugs will still be exposed when they come back to feed, but I don't think that's likely since it's been three weeks. We've put some more DE around the bed. </p> <p>I'd love some advice from those of you who have been through this before. As I said, this website has been a beacon of truth in the middle of a lot of lies and scams. So many many thanks, I'm sorry to those who had to go through this without this site. I'd really appreciate the help. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/sprayway-good-night-product#post-62819 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:37:58 +0000 cilecto 62819@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'd love the box just to annoy people ;) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/theyre-in-my-toddlers-room#post-62818 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:36:56 +0000 cilecto 62818@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Sorry, IM. It sucks to think of kids as bait. You do need to strategize a bit and do so in cooperation with your PCO, who is, hopefully, competent about BB and diligent enough to do things right. So far, there's little you mentioned that "absolutely" needs to be tossed. Also, if you're very lucky, you might have already removed or encased your infestation. A few elements of particular concern:<br /> - BB do not just live in beds and objects, they can also live in cracks and crevices of your home. This will need to be treated.<br /> - Cold is not a very reliable killer. Most people here do not believe that an overnight in the home freezer will do.<br /> - Moving items about your house risks spreading the bugs. Be conservative.<br /> - Heat rises. In winter, attics actually stay relatively warm. Unless you live in the most extreme of climates, and your home is unheated through the winter, you will likely not kill your BB and you risk spreading, even if bagged, should rodents attack.<br /> You might do best to concentrate on a. symptom relief b. planning and taking steps to keep from spreading bugs to visitors or the places you go, c. trapping/killing the most obvious bugs. d. perhaps vacuuming and immediately tossing the bag.<br /> Best of luck. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/theyre-in-my-toddlers-room#post-62817 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:10:36 +0000 itchymama 62817@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi all,<br /> I'm going to apologize in advance for this panicky post, but I'm not sure what to do. My toddler has randomly had bites on her neck and face that we thought were mosquito bites until it turned cold. I started hunting down other causes and was horrified to discover it might be bb. So I went to her room with a flashlight and found a speck of blood under her pillow and a couple of scab-looking things there. Further inspection didn't turn up much on the bed itself, maybe some poop. But the bedrails (that came from a friend who got them at a garage sale) had some concerning stuff in the seams that looked like it could be shells, eggs, etc.<br /> SO, I've been researching and got a lot of conflicting opinions, and I'm not sure what to do from here. I'm not willing to leave her in that bed and use her as bait.<br /> So here's my plan. Please tell me if there's something I can do better. I want to throw out the mattress and box springs, and the bedrails are already gone. I want to put the head and foot boards in our attic, where the cold weather this winter should kill any stragglers. I plan to take all of her clothes, stuffed animals, etc. out, wash/dry them in hot water and then put them in tupperwares. AND on Monday I plan to call a pest person. Is my plan all wrong?<br /> I've already bagged the mattress and steamed the box spring/frame and vacuumed the room, froze her sheets and jammies and favorite animals. And now I'm washing/drying them all.<br /> Thank you for any thoughts!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/where-to-put-the-ziplock-bags#post-62816 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:07:48 +0000 cilecto 62816@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Check with your PCO.<br /> AFAIK, plastic is not BB's favorite material, and since it's a smooth surface, less risk of BB making it their home. Most likely, the PCO will not treat the bags, but after treatment, any bugs on the bag "should" step off to feed and then they're doomed. With any bag, you need to inspect the surface before opening to make sure there are no bugs hanging around (and will inadvertently end up inside), so check the zip top and the bottom pleat (if your bag has one). Also, don't overload the pleated bags, as the pleats do sometimes blow out. As per laundry, you can a. inspect the bags as per above, b. get a plastic laundry basket to protect the bottom of the bag. if possible only place your basket on smooth, hard, uncluttered surfaces, less likely to have BB hanging out. You can rinse off the basket in your tub later. You are going to be a pro at this in no time. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/for-pco-does-anyone-know-about-this-supper-heating-the-house#post-62815 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:44:32 +0000 flabergasted 62815@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>cilecto - 1 hour ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/for-pco-does-anyone-know-about-this-supper-heating-the-house#post-62805">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> &gt; For some peoples interest while reading the forums I used my H20 Mop and mini steamer last night on the couch after I riped the bottom off and they cooked just fine.<br /> Glad for you, but based on the info on the boards, steaming requires more firepower. Seeing some dead bugs does not mean that you got them all. There are also issues with mold promotion and blowing bugs away.</p></blockquote> <p>Until I found this web site with real people battling these things and not someone trying to pick my pockets and sell me sprays I hit the net and read. </p> <p>Steam was an alternative to chemicals, as was the thermal maybe I should have elaborated further how I used the H20 mop. Since I have allegies and use steam all the time for cleaning I know to have a rotating air source like a fan in another room to promote fast drying and not to saturate the area. </p> <p>Everything I read says the BB's hate heat. So knowing that the couch and chair was probably source since I found out the bites were not scabbie we pulled them out and found fecal and shells, vacuumed it throughly pulled off the dust cloth off the bottoms. We found some live ones which we vacuumed out. We then turned the couch on its back gave the inside creases a shot of steam with the mini steamer flip the couch up put the H20 mop on the dec and ran it around using the carpet lift so the pad wasn't really in direct contact and ran over the deck a couple of times then we flipped the couch forward. We proably had about 10 adults that landed on the carpet and a bunch inside we vacummed them up and fecal and skins that came out. We then vacuumed the baseboard area and gave it a shot of steam and stood there watching and a bunch came out from the baseboard that looked like 2nd or 3rd (I found some wonderful picture on a public health site these stages egg to 5 unfed adult and fed adult) so we vacuum and put some steam to the carpet. I also did this was all done once it was dark outside and as if we were watching TV that's when the bites were happening. We just stood there and watched they after the steam and more showed up walking in the carpet we vacuumed and did it a couple more times getting a few each time. I was also checking the carpet to make sure we were not saturating it. I know it is no cure but it sure flushed the live ones out quick and thats was all I trying to do was get as many as I could until got more info on what could be done. In my research the morning I found out this was the problem.</p> <p>I have read that if one of these things is in your home for a year that they produce 3 to 4 eggs a day so the math in my head was real simple since I am a number crunsher 1 bug at 4 a day = 1460 and every 7 to 10 days the eggs hatch. When I thought it was scabbies that creeped me out because they burrow into you skin. Imagine what we are finding on the floors and beds living microscopically under your skin. You can catch those trying on cloths in a store but they can only survive 2 to 3 hours off a host and are killed by hot wash &#38; dry and there are sprays and skin treatments you can use on furniture and beds very succesfully with one treatment. But accoding to the chart most of the ones we are find now are instar to stage 3 so I actually caught this early. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/where-to-put-the-ziplock-bags#post-62814 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:35:00 +0000 buggedout16 62814@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>What about a bag that you set on the laundry room floor while putting all your clean/dry clothes into it, for about 10 minutes? And that the bottom of the bag hit the stairs a little bit on the way up to my apartment. It's an apartment complex (not the same building I'm in) and I don't know at all if anyone else has them, and I don't know where to put these bags- I know they're clean on the inside but not sure about the outside. I don't have a garage or porch or whatever to put them on, to really isolate them. I haven't been treated yet (PCO comes Monday). Should I bring the bags back into my bedroom, or leave them by my door in the living room? (That's where they are right now and I'm now having thoughts of some bugs having escaped and now spreading/hiding in my living room or worse, going out the front door to someone else's place.) Please help me... I'm sorry for all the questions, I'm just kinda freakin out again. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/sprayway-good-night-product#post-62813 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:26:10 +0000 noway 62813@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>That would be worth a request to the company for a "plain brown wrapper." </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/sprayway-good-night-product#post-62812 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:09:38 +0000 bait 62812@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>It comes to your house in a very indiscreet box that blaringly says "Bedbug Spray" in big letters. ...</p> <p>That is just plain stupid. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/sprayway-good-night-product#post-62811 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:00:53 +0000 jasmine311 62811@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I haven't used the rest, but I'm on my fifth can of Bedlam. It works well but I don't think the residual lasts a week--more like four or five days. It comes to your house in a very indiscreet box that blaringly says "Bedbug Spray" in big letters. Then it sits outside your door for all the neighbors to see till you get home from work.</p> <p>But I have to say I'd be lost without it. I don't spray the top of my airbed with it. I do that with alcohol. But I spray the sides of it with Bedlam every day. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/can-bed-bugs-crawl-along-plastic-eg-cable-cord#post-62810 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:15:29 +0000 buggedout16 62810@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Okay; so I should just leave it alone for now, right where it is? That's what I'll do then... if my PCO recommends otherwise I can do that then. Thanks for all your help these past couple days... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/getting-bags-to-trash-038-laundry-advice#post-62809 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:12:42 +0000 buggedout16 62809@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I know this is an old post, but it's something I was wondering about, too. I can't do all my laundry at once d/t limited washers/dryers in my apartment's laundry room, and also limited hours. So I have some clothes bagged up and sitting on my floor, in double trash bags with the openings duct taped shut. If I can't do them as soon as I bag them, what about placing them in yet ANOTHER bag that I duct tape shut right before I take them to the laundry?</p> <p>Also, what about my laundry stuff- i.e. detergent, dryer sheets, bag of quarters... where should I keep that in my apartment? There's always a chance they could get bugs while I'm doing my laundry right? Should I just put them in a ziploc bag as soon as I get back into the apartment? Right now I just inspected the bag really carefully and set it on the floor near the front door- bad idea? I'm thinking so; I could be spreading to the living room (if not there already).</p> <p>Thanks... everyone is so patient here. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/getting-bags-to-trash-038-laundry-advice#post-62808 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:12:41 +0000 buggedout16 62808@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I know this is an old post, but it's something I was wondering about, too. I can't do all my laundry at once d/t limited washers/dryers in my apartment's laundry room, and also limited hours. So I have some clothes bagged up and sitting on my floor, in double trash bags with the openings duct taped shut. If I can't do them as soon as I bag them, what about placing them in yet ANOTHER bag that I duct tape shut right before I take them to the laundry?</p> <p>Also, what about my laundry stuff- i.e. detergent, dryer sheets, bag of quarters... where should I keep that in my apartment? There's always a chance they could get bugs while I'm doing my laundry right? Should I just put them in a ziploc bag as soon as I get back into the apartment? Right now I just inspected the bag really carefully and set it on the floor near the front door- bad idea? I'm thinking so; I could be spreading to the living room (if not there already).</p> <p>Thanks... everyone is so patient here. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/for-pco-does-anyone-know-about-this-supper-heating-the-house#post-62807 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:07:04 +0000 flabergasted 62807@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>buggyinsocal - 7 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/for-pco-does-anyone-know-about-this-supper-heating-the-house#post-62769">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> You might want to search the boards here for "thermal" as most people refer to the treatment by that term. You'll find a lot more posts about the subject that way, including my own account of the thermal treatment I had back in June of 2008.<br /> I live in one unit in a four plex. I had thermal even though I have an apartment. Thermal can be a great option even in multi-unit buildings so long as it is accompanied by inspection to assure that all adjacent units are either uninfested or are being treated at the same time.<br /> Keep in mind that with conventional chemical treatment, you will be required to continue acting as bait to lure the bugs out to cross the residual chemical poisons put down to kill the bugs. In addition, with chemical treatment, you may very well require more than one treatment since there are no chemicals that reliably kill 100% of bed bug eggs. As a result, with chemical treatment, you're basically luring the already existing bugs out to feed on you in order to get them to cross residual poisons after the first treatment, and then on a second or subsequent treatment, you're continuing to lure out the bugs that hatched from the eggs that weren't killed the first time.<br /> Some people are far more able to tolerate--mentally and physically--being bait than others.<br /> In addition, thermal isn't without its risks. It's likely to damage at least some items in your home, even with prep that follows all directions. If your PCO gives you good instructions and you follow them carefully, the damage is likely to be minor. However, I also think it's important to be really clear about the pros and cons of any treatment option.<br /> If I had it to do all over again, I would absolutely choose thermal a second time; however, I was lucky enough to get a good PCO who got it right the first time. I'm not sure that people who've been treated by less skilled PCOs would say the same.<br /> I would personally be at least as concerned about researching the PCO in question as I would be about researching the method.<br /> Hope that helps some.</p></blockquote> <p>Your answer was the answer I was looking for. I found out from the company here that does the thermal that they are supposedly the only company in Canada that does this and particularily in this city. So where could you get a reference from? </p> <p>I was concerned about damages. The prep list said remove electronics, plastic and on and on since the only place I can have found anyof these thing is in a couch and chair. I work in the construction industry and have seen in large comercial and residentail developements heat damge from fires in complexes half a block down and depending on the year of construction the FT fire rating on the electrical jacket in your home would be a concern. I have done extensive renovations but still have the old some old wiring in the basement area where I haven't refinished. I don't think the security systm and several special computer runs in my home that are fibre optic even with the FT4 fire rating I don't think they would take to kindly to the 140 degree heat without damage. Also I am not comfortable with pulling stuff out the house like candles etc and bring themback in just in case there are eggs. </p> <p>The PCO that is going to do the work came today and said it doesn't appear that I have a bad infestation as it seems to be concentrated in the living room but he does think they came through the foundation from my neighbors. Reading all the forums here has pretty well made my mind up the old neighbor that moved out turned the place into a flop house and every Tom Dick and Harry that need a place the last two months they were dragging furniture in and out constantly. When the lease came up the girl who orginal leased the place was so fed up she told brother and friend lease is up in a month you better have a place to live. The new neighbor moved in and two months later I have my first bites. The PCO is pretty sure they are coming through the foundation and since I tore the basement down to the concrete walls they are going to really soak it.</p> <p>I contacted a foundation specialist that works for our company (he wasn't surprised and asked how I was holding up) this is a very common call these days with complexes like this. So before they spraay he going to do a thermal check on the frame line and reseal the base. I am also going to knock on the door and ask if anyone next door has anything weird with their skin. I was told they will probably lie because of the social stigma that goes along with this. But these people have three kids.</p> <p>As for being bug bait I can live with it for a little while longer - I think the thought of having the scabbies was worse because the burrow into you skin and but they die when away from "the host" for more than 2 to 3 hours and laundry soap and good old indoor bug spray that you can use on beds and funiture will kill them with a good steam clean after. The couch will remain my bed with daily washing of the sheets until the spray is done and I the money I am saving will pay for the new living room suite once I can move back to my bedroom after the spray. </p> <p>Thank You. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/sprayway-good-night-product#post-62806 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:03:21 +0000 cilecto 62806@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>FYI. Seems same formula is also being marketed by Arm &#38; Hammer as "Pronto". </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/for-pco-does-anyone-know-about-this-supper-heating-the-house#post-62805 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:18:03 +0000 cilecto 62805@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>&gt; For some peoples interest while reading the forums I used my H20 Mop and mini steamer last night on the couch after I riped the bottom off and they cooked just fine.</p> <p>Glad for you, but based on the info on the boards, steaming requires more firepower. Seeing some dead bugs does not mean that you got them all. There are also issues with mold promotion and blowing bugs away. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/for-pco-does-anyone-know-about-this-supper-heating-the-house#post-62804 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:01:31 +0000 flabergasted 62804@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>bugfreebed - 12 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/for-pco-does-anyone-know-about-this-supper-heating-the-house#post-62763">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> The Thermal is a great option in single family homes , condos and apartments can get a little tricky . Your a little unclear does your neighbors have BB and what are they planing to do ? If you do the heat and your neighbors don't I would back it up with an application of dust in the wall voids ( outlet covers , pipes, cracks) and caulk all the cracks in the unit .</p></blockquote> <p>The are town houses they were built 30 years ago when they actually built things to last. They don't share any common utlitiy runs ie electrical or plumbing so that would be a problem. Its a brick wall and and the only place it apears they can come through if the foundation framing line and yes about two months after the new renters moved it i noticed my 1st bite . The caulking thing will ge don before the PCO sprays this week see my reply to buggyin social he couldn't have answered the question any better. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/can-bed-bugs-crawl-along-plastic-eg-cable-cord#post-62803 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:01:22 +0000 cilecto 62803@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Bugs can migrate between rooms and units via holes and utility spaces. That's how they may have arrived at your place, from a neighbor, about whom the LL might not know or might not admit. The cable itself, as Doug, says, should not be a problem. </p> <p>To give you some perspective, in BB treatment, the PCO treats infested surfaces and harborages (one hopes). The poison stays behind for a few days. Bugs on your cable and other less vulnerable items, even if not treated, will eventually step out to feed and will cross the poison between the item and you.</p> <p>Sealing gaps is something best left for after treatment. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/can-bed-bugs-crawl-along-plastic-eg-cable-cord#post-62802 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:59:27 +0000 kitep 62802@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Couldn't BBs just as easily walk along the floor next to the cord? Can't the PCO just coat the cord with whatever pesticide he's using elsewhere?</p> <p>Good luck! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/can-bed-bugs-crawl-along-plastic-eg-cable-cord#post-62801 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:49:20 +0000 DougSummersMS 62801@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Bed bugs can travel on the cable's plastic surface. Seal the area around the cable where it goes into the wall. Moving the cable off the floor isn't likely to make a difference... I doubt that they will prefer the cable surface. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bites-come-and-go-look-differentlyi-need-to-believe-im-overreacting#post-62800 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:41:15 +0000 bait 62800@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Bites can change over time, but to go from ITCHY to NONE itch is a bit of a stretch. </p> <p>It may be something else. Search this site for "mystery bites". </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/what-does-one-do-should-a-harborage-be-discovered#post-62799 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:19:33 +0000 bait 62799@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>from Doug Summers a year ago:</p> <p>A nylon knee stocking can be used as a filter on a hose wand system. Place the stocking inside of the hose &#38; hold it in place by slipping the plastic nozzle onto the end of the hose. The nylon stocking will catch the specimens &#38; can be thrown away without contaminaing the vacuum. </p> <p>There's more. Use the search function to find "nylon stocking". </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/phantom-125-pco-question-please-help#post-62798 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:12:34 +0000 bait 62798@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I don't believe that resistance happens that quickly. Although some mutations in some species can happen relatively quickly (the peppered white moth to the black moth), it still has to manifest itself, be advantageous, and then move throughout the population and maintain its advantage. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-on-my-acousic-guitar#post-62797 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:08:02 +0000 cilecto 62797@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Encasements might affect usability and acoustics of instruments, LOL. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bug-k9-faq-comments-welcomed#post-62796 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:06:03 +0000 DougSummersMS 62796@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Brian,</p> <p>Here is a better link for information about IFEDCA membership</p> <p><a href="http://www.ifedca.com/IFEDCA%20MEMBERSHIP%20HANDBOOK.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.ifedca.com/IFEDCA%20MEMBERSHIP%20HANDBOOK.pdf</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-on-my-acousic-guitar#post-62795 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:52:54 +0000 bait 62795@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm glad you're inquiring about this. Unfortunately for me, it's too late. All my instruments are gone.</p> <p>You should be able to put the guitars in plastic encasements, then place moth balls in there too.</p> <p>There is an encasement product called SofaSafe that may be big enough to even cover some pianos. Dunno. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-on-my-acousic-guitar#post-62794 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:09:12 +0000 cilecto 62794@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I would not use a pack tight this way, and I'd be careful heat treating wooden instruments.</p> <p>A PTcirculates warm air throughout the enclosure for even heating. It is likely not effective in heating evenly outside itself. PT aims at 140F, which may damage laminated wood products on ways that are not obvious, but affect acoustics. A PT is sealed when operating to prevent escape of BB, a cardboard is not.</p> <p>In summary, too hot, poor circulation, poor containment.</p> <p>This might be one of the things to bag with a pest strip. Please search the boards and review thus technique carefully before executing. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-on-my-acousic-guitar#post-62793 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:36:04 +0000 twitchyscratchy 62793@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>i think pulanski is concerned about the heat damaging the instruments, which i'd worry about too. i can't speak to the banjo, but with the acoustic &#38; ukulele you might be able to take the strings off and dust a very fine bit of DE inside of their bodies. </p> <p>i hadn't thought about my guitars being possible harbourages! boo! :(</p> <p>good luck to you. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/dog-inspection-false-positive#post-62792 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:23:38 +0000 DougSummersMS 62792@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We need to look at all of the evidence, then the PCO needs to make the judgment based on training, experience and statutory requirements. </p> <p>If we have unconfirmed alerts we should perform the job the same way we would if the dog was not present.</p> <p>If a K9 misses a large colony like you are describing... The problem is going to be due to poor handling practices... If there is an unmistakable scent image, then it is clear that we are looking at handler errors. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/questions-on-babies-and-bites#post-62791 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:16:37 +0000 bgrebel 62791@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello. I have been batting b. bugs for about 4-5 months, and am fairly knowledgeable about them. I thought I had finally eradicated them after moving and not seeing any bugs or signs FOR A MONTH. However, I think they are back. I continue to get small, very tiny clear round bumps on my body. They don't itch very much at all like a normal b. beg bite; they just itch for one month then i find a clear round little bump within a couple minutes. The bumps usually go away within 10-15 minutes. </p> <p>Are these baby bed bug bites? Do baby bed bug bites actually cause physical bumps? I know they itch but I am not sure about whether they cause any skin irritation. I am getting these tiny bumps, 2-3 times a day and am freaking out.</p> <p>I am assuming I still have them and thus- am vacuuming every day, spraying rubbing alcohol on my baseboards frequently, having professionals come continue to spray, and doing an unending array of laundry. I wash my sheets every couple of days as well.</p> <p>ANY ADVICE ON BABY BED BUG BITES? ANY ADVICE ON HOW CAN I FINALLY STOP THIS NIGHTMARE? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/search-function-not-working-for-me#post-62790 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:06:30 +0000 noway 62790@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>PS: this will work on most other websites as well. FYI..... </p>