http://bedbugger.com/forum/ Bed bug support forums en Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:08:02 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-miss-the-k9-topics#post-69470 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:07:50 +0000 soscared 69470@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Personally, I like the debates. They have cleared up issues in the bed bug dog (no trademark!) industry for me better than reading any summary online, though an FAQ would probably do the same thing really well. Yes, it sucks when the debates distract from the original question, but I do think they are useful. If nothing else, they tell the sufferers 2 things: 1 - alerts need to be confirmed, and 2 - bed bug sniffing dogs are not a 100% answer. there is disagreement and uncertainty even in this field, unfortunately. i think a lot of people hire PCOs with dogs thinking the dog's answer is 100%. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/pesticides-my-pco-is-using#post-69469 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:46:18 +0000 actionwdi 69469@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm a PCO that doesn't do bed bug treatments. I question a couple of issues that you brought up </p> <p>[He's sprayed five times now. Three times, he used a mix of conquer (estenvalerquate), gentrol (hydroprene) and exciter (pyrethrins). And twice he used Suspend SC with gentrol and exciter.quote]</p> <p>My understanding is that the bugs can develope an immunity or resistance to products over time. Using the gentrol and exciter all 5 times might be an issue. I'm also suprised that they are not using steam as the PCO's I know that are having success are utilizing chemicals as well as other methods.</p> <p>How long are the treatments taking? I'd be curious to know this as splash and dash treatments will not work. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/dri-die-where-to-buy#post-69468 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:06:50 +0000 spideyjg 69468@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Nobody considers that clown a hero.</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/pesticides-my-pco-is-using#post-69467 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:58:03 +0000 kvv 69467@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have very little faith in the PCO my landlord has hired (after 4 treatments we finally dragged him over to our neighbors, something the management company refused to do) and found out they had a severe infestation. I'm looking at my options at this point, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the wisdom of his treatment methods.</p> <p>He's sprayed five times now. Three times, he used a mix of conquer (estenvalerquate), gentrol (hydroprene) and exciter (pyrethrins). And twice he used Suspend SC with gentrol and exciter.</p> <p>Although we've found bed bugs everytime in the past and today was only the second treatment our neighbors had, he didn't see any bedbugs, and he told me the 6 or 7 bites that my boyfriend got a few nights ago could have been from anything. If we didn't know that two apartments had confirmed infestations and we hadn't been doing treatments for 2 1/2 months, I might agree, but I'm pretty sure I didn't just randomly get an infestation of something else that bites. When I pointed out that they might be in the cracks of the of the baseboard or floor (which is hardwood and has enormous ones) he shrugged and said, unlikely.</p> <p>Anyway, sorry to rant, but I would really appreciate any reflection on his treatment methods (when I asked about encasements and bagging clothing, he told me, "who knows, it might help." I've done both anyway. But my roommate and I are trying to figure out what we can do to force to landlord to use a PCO of our choice. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/200-bed-bugs-in-every-train-compartment-on-average#post-69466 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:51:52 +0000 cilecto 69466@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I wonder how many more "truths" promulgated by "the industry" will fall as time goes by. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/official-bed-bug-k9-industry-thread#post-69465 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:11:56 +0000 LVK9 69465@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>actionwdi I think you zeroing in on one of the issues in the K-9 industry as it stands now.<blockquote>She had ZERO back ground knowledge of bed bugs</blockquote><br /> I think that after a team completes an inspection and the customer thinks the "star of the show" was just the K-9 your team maybe lacking in some required skills and knowledge.</p> <p><blockquote>I'm hoping that the Teams that are maintained properly and are truly educated in regards to bed bugs &#38; pest control knowledge will seperate themselves from the others and set a standard for this industry. </blockquote><br /> This is something that I think will happen. When to much emphasis is placed on the K-9's ability alone, in my opinion is a bad thing. It is bad for the K-9 industry if customers have the feeling after an inspection the only reason "the human" was part of the inspection was to hold the lead and write an invoice. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-miss-the-k9-topics#post-69464 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:10:03 +0000 LVK9 69464@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Nobugsonme, I am not fearful of being banned or thrown off your site. I am not someone who throws bombs on this site just to watch the flames, I just try to add my perspective to a topic if I feel it may help.<br /> This makes sense and is how I will handle my post in the future. <blockquote>What I intended by the Official K9 thread was that when you feel some k9 industry thoughts coming on, you say, "hey folks, I am responding to this thread (on the Times article) here [with "here" linked to the Official k9 thread]. Follow me!"</blockquote> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/official-bed-bug-k9-industry-thread#post-69463 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:05:40 +0000 actionwdi 69463@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have read the many post regarding bed bug k9's with mixed feelings. As a PCO, dog handler, and dog trainer I hate hearing the stories about false alerts from K9 teams as it tarnishes the entire k9 industry but quite honestly, I'm surprised there aren't more stories of bad results based on what I've seen.</p> <p>Earlier this month I was requested to speak at the Canadian Pest Management Association's meeting in Ottawa. While I was there I spoke with an exhibitor that was promoting her new K9 mold and bed bug inspectors. The problem was that the trainer trained the individual dogs to alert to both bed bugs and several different types of mold! When I asked her how she knew what the dog was alerting to she said they practise with the scent she wants the dogs to alert to on an inspection. So she basically believed the dog could turn off its ability to detect bed bugs or mold upon request. I felt sorry for her because she had spent a very large sum of money to a trainer that clearly doesn't have a clue and she was starting a business that , from the start, is bound to fail. She had ZERO back ground knowledge of bed bugs and her knowledge of dogs was based on her experience as a breeder and the 4 days of training with her trainer. A very sad situation.</p> <p>As for false alerts, most dogs are trained on training devises rather than real world situations. The handlers hide the samples and unknowingly lead the dog to alert to the samples. If the dog does this correctly 95 out of 100 times they brag about an accuracy rate of 95%. But have someone hide the vials and neither dog or handler knows where they are and the accuracy rate drops to (maybe) 75%.</p> <p>Although most companies don't have the resources for 2 canines, we do all of our inspections with 2 teams. This way we can compare results and recheck questionable alerts or lack of. Finally we do a visual inspection to verify but if we can't locate them the question is are our eyes at fault or the dog's nose? The point is, as mush as we'd all like to have a 100% correct inspection, I think it is impossible to gain this level. We even tested a $20,000 thermal imaging camera to locate bed bugs with our dogs but the bed bugs didn't generate enough heat for the camera to pick them up.</p> <p>I read somewhere on this forum that a blogger thought that bed bug dogs would run their course in 2 years. He may very well be right but I'm hoping that the Teams that are maintained properly and are truly educated in regards to bed bugs &#38; pest control knowledge will seperate themselves from the others and set a standard for this industry. Bed Bug dogs are not the only answer but simply a tool. If you don't recharge your flashlite you get a weak beam of light which can cause you to miss important signs. The same is true with a bed bug dog team. </p> <p>I look forward to reading the post on this forum and thank the host for allowing me to post here. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/dri-die-where-to-buy#post-69462 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:01:33 +0000 greenapplepest 69462@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>cilecto - 3 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/dri-die-where-to-buy#post-69458">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Based on the writeups on "do my own pest control", TD is silica (as us DE) with pyrethrins in spray formula for cracks and crevices. So Dri One seems similar (concentration may be different), albeit you need an application device. DE/silica with pyrethrins is available under several brand names. Delta dust is a pyrethrin, plus quartz and inert dust.<br /> Green Apple: isn't it also the stuff the hero of last week's New York Press article swears by (and loves to inhale)?</p></blockquote> <p>Hero?? that man is a menace to society. "The Mad Bomber" as he likes to be called. Real name Frank Middleton isn't even a certified tech from what I was told they took it away after the article. He is black listed as far as I know. Delta dust works very well on general insects especially cockroaches but it was found that delta didn't have an effect on them and in some cases they were resistant. </p> <p>Mike S </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/found-a-bed-bug-in-my-new-apartment-tough-it-out-or-break-lease#post-69461 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:44:49 +0000 persona-non-bugga 69461@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>If your specimen is confirmed to be a bedbug, then consider LEAVING this apt behind, especially if your area has a large supply of rental apartments, and you aren't daunted by the search for a new place. This doesn't guarantee that any future home will be 100% bedbug free. But if it's not too inconvenient to search out a new place, why walk into this problem with both eyes open? </p> <p>If you need some more confidence in your decision, try talking to the PCO about the bedbug treatment/problem history of this apartment. Professional obligations to his client (your landlord) might prevent the PCO from disclosing this outright. But try to establish a rapport and keep it conversational and casual, and see what info you can fish from him. </p> <p>If you get the sense the PCO is going to be tight-lipped, give the impression that you're a clued-in, laid-back ally of your landlord/mgmt co. Assume a worst-case scenario that this building is totally infested with bedbugs, start chatting, and see if he'll confirm or deny.</p> <p>example:</p> <p>"I was talking to the management company, and they say bedbugs are such a pain in the a$$. They're so difficult to kill. Sucks for them. You guys are at this building pretty much all the time, right? It's like pest control lives here. ha ha. ... oh there was a problem a few months ago ... you were at this apartment seven times last year, but you're sure the worst is over, and all you get are stragglers? ... You say the apartment below me has a hoarder that refuses to let pest control in his place, and you suspect he's got bad infestation?"</p> <p>If he confirms the worst for you , then an entrenched problem that you want absolutely nothing to do with it is revealed. Also revealed: landlord/management company leading tenants to slaughter (or bedbug feedings). Why enrich them with your rent?</p> <p>If the PCO denies it and looks genuinely confused, then that's helpful too. </p> <p>Even if the PCO says nothing, if he tenses up revealing concealment or deceit, that's telling, and I'd assume the worst. </p> <p>Or, you know, once bedbug is confirmed, you could forget talking to the PCO and just LEAVE. Listen to your hunch whatever it is. Trust it. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bug-powder-unsuccessful#post-69460 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:23:42 +0000 Nobugsonme 69460@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>DE faq: <a href="http://bedbugger.com/faqde" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugger.com/faqde</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bug-powder-unsuccessful#post-69459 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:04:10 +0000 cilecto 69459@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>This stuff?<br /> <a href="http://bedbugpowder.com/" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugpowder.com/</a></p> <p>did not find a data sheet (MSDS) but it seems like DE or other silica.</p> <p>BBY: read the FAQ and search on DE or diatomaceous earth. One point to consider is that if you overapply it, bugs may pick up and it and avoid. And you need to apply it (and any substance) in such a way that all bugs have to cross it to get to a meal.</p> <p>Finally, "bites" can be alergic reactions to other stimuli (including the powder) or you may be exposed outside your home (car, work, school, movies…). </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/dri-die-where-to-buy#post-69458 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:46:32 +0000 cilecto 69458@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Based on the writeups on "do my own pest control", TD is silica (as us DE) with pyrethrins in spray formula for cracks and crevices. So Dri One seems similar (concentration may be different), albeit you need an application device. DE/silica with pyrethrins is available under several brand names. Delta dust is a pyrethrin, plus quartz and inert dust. </p> <p>Green Apple: isn't it also the stuff the hero of last week's New York Press article swears by (and loves to inhale)? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bug-powder-unsuccessful#post-69457 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:29:16 +0000 BBcoukHome 69457@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi, </p> <p>I appreciate the stress of the situation but it would help people understand better if you could list the name of the products used and the active ingredients. The term bed bug powder is too generic as its often used to describe all sorts of internet products.</p> <p>I would however say in a light infestation you need to worry less about the carpet and spend more time actually looking for where the bugs are located. To help yourself do this you need to spend some time learning about:</p> <p><ul><li>Live samples</li><li>Cast skins</li><li>Faecal traces</li><br /> </ul></p> <p>The FAQ's here are a good place to start, if you prefer visual based learning try:</p> <p><a href="http://www.bedbugbeware.com/aboutbedbugs.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.bedbugbeware.com/aboutbedbugs.html</a></p> <p>Hope this helps.</p> <p>David Cain<br /> Bed Bugs Limited </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bug-powder-unsuccessful#post-69456 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:15:22 +0000 bedbugsyuck 69456@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>hello again. we've treated our home with the bed bug powder about 4 weeks ago. my parents' room. me/my sister's room. our den downstairs. my mom removed the carpet from her room, but all the other rooms have carpet. she put the powder down, and saw one the next day (i know the powder takes up to 2 weeks to kick in) i don't believe that my mother had a problem for the past 3 weeks or so. the infestation in my room was very minor, there was little to no bugs in our room. however, my sister said that she had gotten bit about 2 weeks ago. our den downstairs seems like it has not reacted to the powder at all. i saw a bug there a couple of days ago, and i keep putting the powder down, but i seem to get bit when i sleep down there. (by the way, i've always thought i was a non-reactor, but my body just reacts differently than my family members, my bites are a lot smaller, and don't itch as much) i guess we're putting down the powder in the wrong places??? the den downstairs has carpet and 2 couches, one with a pull out bed, one without. is it possible that the bugs can be lingering in the carpet???<br /> PLEASE PLEASE PLEEEEEEASE REPLY! I NEED ANSWERS OR SUGGESTIONS! PLEEEEEASE! I'M REALLY DESPERATE! SAY ANYTHING YOU CAN! EVEN IF IT'S ONE WORD! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/jb-pest-control-in-nyc#post-69455 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:54:45 +0000 BBcoukHome 69455@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>MyWorstFear - 6 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/jb-pest-control-in-nyc#post-69440">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Wow, now that's impressive! Wish I could do that. It would make travel and going anywhere SO much easier for me.</p></blockquote> <p>Hi, </p> <p>You might think it would negate inspection but its not the case. I was able to smell the single bed bug in this case because the room had remained closed with no air flow for some time so the smell had built up. I would never rely upon smell alone and always look for the visual signs.</p> <p>After all had the previous occupant of the room just left a few earlier that day then visual inspection would be the only way to detect.</p> <p>It also comes from working on bed bugs for a very long time and dealing with more cases than most people who ever want to see in several lifetimes. So yes you to could develop a nose that is this sensitive but it would take a lot of field work.</p> <p>The best use of it I find is when I am walking down the street and smell them on a breeze, sometimes the scent trail is strong enough to track to a building but most of the time I just end up walking in circles chasing the vapour trails that bounce between the buildings.</p> <p>David </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/200-bed-bugs-in-every-train-compartment-on-average#post-69454 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:40:20 +0000 BBcoukHome 69454@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hmmmm , odd this one, Ben certainly seemed to get the bit between his teeth and understood the nature of the problem rather well (it was almost as if he had a string of accurate information sent to him my email).</p> <p>Awareness and news on bed bugs is not always a good thing when the message is not as accurate as it could be whether that's a news items or a 30 foot bill board in Times Square.</p> <p>David </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/trying-to-stay-optimistic#post-69453 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:23:52 +0000 buggedout16 69453@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Ouch. That is a rough situation with your parents. It sounds like you're doing all you can right now to treat. I would read over and over again the FAQs on not bringing bed bugs home when you travel, and devise a plan for your parents if they end up staying with you. The longtime user Cilecto wrote a very useful "safe passage travel" thread, I will find the link for you. </p> <p>&lt;edit&gt; here it is... <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/please-feedback-safe-passage-holiday-travel-plan" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/please-feedback-safe-passage-holiday-travel-plan</a></p> <p>I would include- </p> <p>-Keeping their luggage and anything else, e.g. purses, shoes, etc., they bring in large Ziplocs while they are there, and have them also pack their clothing in Ziplocs inside the suitcase;<br /> -Not to bring any toiletries because you can't really put those through a Packtite, just have what they need on hand or get it for them to use while they are there;<br /> -Any medications just keep bagged up while there, maybe also keep in your refrigerator as an extra precaution, and just examine the outside of bottles very well before they leave (not at ALL a likely place for BBs to be though);<br /> -Packtiting their luggage and everything else they're taking back with them right before they leave for at least 4 hours, take immediately from the Packtite to a Ziploc bag and to whatever car they will be leaving in;<br /> -Having them shower immediately before leaving, using a freshly dried washcloth and towel; and put on clean Ziploc-bagged clothes, in a bag that was maybe in their luggage but not opened at all during their stay and then walk out the door, no lingering, put shoes on outside the door.<br /> -Encourage them to discard of the outer ziploc bag on their luggage outside once they get home and once again put the clothing (including whatever they're wearing) through the dryer when they get home. (The packtite DOES work, this is just an extra safety measure just in case kind of thing; depending on airplanes and taxis or rental cars etc... just some extra peace of mind but maybe not actually necessary)</p> <p>I know my parents thought I was going way way overboard when I wanted them to do a small fraction of this for an afternoon visit, but hopefully if you can frame it that you want to take every precaution to keep them from dealing with these creatures and you want to enjoy their company as much as possible without worrying in the back of your mind whether you are giving them some kind of bugs that could wreak havoc in their home, they will understand. </p> <p>-Above all- DON'T let the bugs overshadow your visit with your parents completely- savor the time being with THEM, you and they matter more than some stupid f**ing bugs; tell yourself that over and over (I may be preaching to the choir here but that is something I have struggled with every time I have visited someone, and the one time my parents visited me.) </p> <p>I'm sorry you're here; I hope you are soon through the worst of it; it sounds like you have a good PCO which will hopefully help, and you are in a stand-alone house which will also help... I know those things don't make much of a difference though when you are right in the middle of it... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-miss-the-k9-topics#post-69452 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:02:16 +0000 Nobugsonme 69452@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Are people now not writing about dog industry issues or differences of opinion because I asked them to put them in a particular thread?</p> <p>Or because the thread is in a green sticky (which I implemented only because it allows people to FIND that special thread easily)?</p> <p>Or for some other reason?</p> <p>This thread contains a lot of content which would be well suited to the Official k9 thread. But which is also okay in this thread.</p> <blockquote><p><cite>LVK9 - 6 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-miss-the-k9-topics#post-69429">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Nobugsonme, the problem with the sticky is lack of traffic. I am unsure if I can post my thoughts about a post or a story if it is outside the K-9 section. Take the story in the New York Times that was posted along with nobugstobefound's post. I would have commented on nobugstobefound post but was unsure if I could. If that story was posted in the K-9 sticky section I would have.</p> </blockquote> <p>LVk9,</p> <p>I don't want to say that you can't mention k9s outside of the Official Thread.</p> <p>What I intended by the Official K9 thread was that when you feel some k9 industry thoughts coming on, you say, "hey folks, I am responding to this thread (on the Times article) here [with "here" linked to the Official k9 thread]. Follow me!"</p> <p>Then everyone who's interested -- which will likely include all of the folks above who are not in the industry, myself, and a good number of others -- will follow and you can hash things out.</p> <p>I think it is probably okay in most cases to comment on the New York Times story the thread mentioned, and it's not too late to do that, by the way.</p> <p>However, I want to suggest that stating something about your profession that laypeople can understand and benefit from (for example, whether dog alerts need to be confirmed visually as some of us stated in the thread, or whether it's okay to leave this for a subsequently hired PCO to do, as the article seemed to suggest) is cool.</p> <p>But too often, such statements, perhaps particularly if they come from pros, turn into wars. These kinds of threads can contain useful information, but they usually turn people off.</p> <p>I am happy to see THIS thread discuss any industry issues you like, because it's labeled as such, rather than springing off of some newbite's question about his/her pest problem or request for a dog recommendation.</p> <p>If someone requests a dog recommendation, can you say, "make sure to ask the handler X"? Sure.</p> <p>But if you want to go into the deep dark murky waters, you probably want to take it to a new thread. To some degree, you should try and regulate yourself, but don't worry that I will ban you for "taking it there" if a thread goes there. I just think we need to aim for better.</p> <p>I am open to other suggestions. I have not had a lot of time lately to implement some changes to the website which will make a better moderation system possible (e.g. the ability to MOVE posts easily). </p> <p>At such a time, when posts can be moved and there are additional moderators, this won't be such a big deal. It just becomes hard to get threads back on track once they become hijacked by some drama that has nothing to offer the original poster in the thread. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-and-me-%e2%80%93-our-2009-summer-journey-with-the-buggers#post-69451 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:42:38 +0000 Nobugsonme 69451@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Thanks, willvandam. So glad it was a success and you're 6 months free of this nasty problem.</p> <p>Who did your thermal in NYC? </p> <p>The other issue that I don't think you mentioned (and it's late so I might have missed it) is that you want to be pretty sure your neighbors have no bed bugs if you're going to do this. </p> <p>And not just based on them not reporting them to the landlord, telling you, or even feeling they have bites. Was this explored somehow, to put your mind at rest before you shelled out the dough? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/200-bed-bugs-in-every-train-compartment-on-average#post-69450 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:53:55 +0000 Nobugsonme 69450@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle: <a href="http://bedbugger.com/2010/03/16/200-bed-bugs-in-every-train-compartment-rentokils-pr-fail/">Rentokil's numbers were a bit funny, they now admit.</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-and-me-%e2%80%93-our-2009-summer-journey-with-the-buggers#post-69449 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:34:07 +0000 buggyinsocal 69449@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Drive by comment as it's been a long day.</p> <p>First, I am not at all surprised that a bed bug fight takes a toll on a marriage. Most posts here by people who don't live alone reference the fact that the bed bug fight caused stress in relationships among people living in the same residence fighting the bed bug problem. Thanks for pointing it out so that people in the future may be less shocked by it.</p> <p>Secondly, thanks for taking the time to write up how it went for you. I also did thermal, and my experience was mostly the same (except that I didn't have a flat panel tv at the time, so I'm happy to know that it would likely survive if I had to do this again.)</p> <p>Here's hoping that your future is bed bug free for a long, long time to come. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-miss-the-k9-topics#post-69448 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:28:02 +0000 buggyinsocal 69448@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm all for heated debate so long as those debates don't lose sight of the impact they are likely to have on people who aren't professionals.</p> <p>If someone who doesn't do for a living what I do asks me about a debate within my field, I try to modify my discussion in certain ways:</p> <p>I try, whenever possible, to avoid jargon and references that someone not in the profession won't get.</p> <p>I try to frame the parts of the discussion that professionals don't agree on as parts of the discussion that professionals don't agree on.</p> <p>I try not to let any of my opinions unnecessarily poison the well. On the other hand, if others are saying things that are dangerous or incorrect, I try to correct the information without ad hominem attacks.</p> <p>Okay, for example this: </p> <p>People argue constantly about where commas do and don't go. If you ask a journalist or someone from Great Britain, they will generally punctuate this sentence as follows:</p> <p>Bed bugs are most easily killed by heat, chemical pesticides or Vikane.</p> <p>But if you ask someone who studied literature in the US, we'll generally put commas here:</p> <p>Bed bugs are most easily killed by heat, chemical pesticides, or Vikane.</p> <p>I know where I stand on the debate of which one is correct (I vote for the latter one every time.) Personally, if you asked me privately, I would rant and rail about how the second version is totally more correct.</p> <p>But I generally don't rant in public about how much more correct the second one is, esp. to people outside my field.</p> <p>Instead, I point out that some aspects of English (American or British English) grammar are hard and fast rules. Subjects must agree with verbs--that one's non-negotiable.</p> <p>Other aspects are not widely agreed upon. For example, some people think it's fine to split infinitives if it's a single adverb. At this time, I'd say most people accept that as okay. Some "mistakes" are correct in one context but not in another (like using the first person I in some kinds of writing but not others.) Can you begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction? Some people say yes, some people say no. Some are judgement calls that there isn't profession-wide consensus on. </p> <p>In private, if asked, I would say that yes, I firmly believe that the Oxford or serial comma is totally required. I think leaving it out is a throwback to the days of newspapers when saving ink mattered. I think grammar aims for clarity, and most sentences read more clearly to me if that pesky comma is in there. So if you ask for my personal opinion, I'll tell you that I think that the whole journalistic convention of leaving it out adds to confusion about style (just as does putting titles of novels and movies in quotation marks instead of italics) is WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG.</p> <p>Um, yeah.</p> <p>But I never say that to laypeople who don't teach grammar. And I never say it to a classroom full of students because when I'm in public talking to outsiders, I feel like I carry an extra burden of not inflicting in group debates on normals who don't know the context.</p> <p>And, frankly (see, I'm terribly fond of starting a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. That's two paragraphs in a row I've done that way) I don't think that doing so is likely to convince anyone else of my position or teach them the finer points of comma rules in a useful way.</p> <p>In other words, when I'm talking to people who aren't English majors, I don't call it the Oxford comma. I don't wave around my personal feelings about something that is a debate within my field because I think about what information is most important to people outside my field and edit what I say to the information that I think will help them make the best decisions in the situations they are asking about.</p> <p>I understand that that's harder to do when a person feels passionately about a subject.</p> <p>I've been around the boards long enough to know that discussions of dogs are likely to turn into heated debates, and at this point, I expect it.</p> <p>But I also remember how a comment I made before I knew that took the discussion to a whole new level of argument that I didn't expect at all, and given how stressed out bed bug sufferers are in the early stages, if I could wave a magic wand and edit the threads about that discussion to stay less hostile-appearing to newbies, I would.</p> <p>Unfortunately, as I'd hoped my link to xkcd would point out, the internet doesn't work that way. We're all people, behind these posts (and I'm a woman for anyone who feels weird referring to me without knowing), and people are fallible, and passionate, and enthusiastic, and often panicked when it comes to bed bugs.</p> <p>I always try to think about structurally what can be done to decrease the chances of bad things happening, which for me is not a question of who can and can't say what.</p> <p>Structurally, short of asking people to be mindful of the way that their discussions of heated professional issues will read to newbies, I'm not sure there's much that we can do.</p> <p>I would say the same thing to people on all sides of the dog debate. </p> <p>I'm happy to see industry discussions of how the industry can make the reliability of dogs even better than it already is. Of course I value the time and expertise that entomologists, PMPs, and dog industry folks volunteer here to educate all of us. But I also think that esp. for pros in the field part of being a pro who is a great ambassador for the industry is trying to remember that generally on the boards is a public place where the audience is often non-professionals, which means that the nature of the discussions is different than being at a conference of other professionals.</p> <p>How to put in place structures on a public forum to increase the chances of that happening?</p> <p>Well, if I knew how to do that, I'd be in private consulting helping to set up websites and making a lot more money than I make as an English teacher.</p> <p>(And if anyone want me to explain any of that wacky grammar stuff up there, I'll be happy to. Apologies that I couldn't think of a better example. ) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/found-a-bed-bug-in-my-new-apartment-tough-it-out-or-break-lease#post-69447 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:56:34 +0000 buggyinsocal 69447@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>First, get confirmation that the bug in question was definitely a bed bug if at all possible. (look for other signs, etc.)</p> <p>For me, a big determining factor in the "stay or go" scenario will involve how the building management responds.</p> <p>We know that bed bugs are a pest of exposure. If you're in a city with a substantial bed bug problem, then finding a unit in a building that has no bed bugs now and never had any may be a challenge. If the building management responds quickly with a good quality pest management pro, then I might stick with that building--only because moving somewhere else is rolling the dice again, and you might not get a responsive management in the next place.</p> <p>If, on the other hand, you're in a city that doesn't have a high density of bed bug infestations and/or management sends out a "spray and pray" style baseboard jockey, or denies any problem, or doesn't move quickly, those would be red flags to me that the building may be more likely to be hiding a chronic bed bug problem.</p> <p>I don't think it's fair to needlessly penalize landlords for having tenants who had a bed bug problem if the landlords/management companies respond appropriately.</p> <p>On the other hand, if the building is being shady about reporting an ongoing problem, that may suggest that they're more concerned with collecting rent than creating habitable conditions. </p> <p>In the latter case, you may need to seek legal advice to get out of a lease, in which case you're going to need proof of infestation--so getting confirmation of a bed bug infestation is important. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/jb-pest-control-in-nyc#post-69446 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:21:19 +0000 greenapplepest 69446@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>MyWorstFear - 1 hour ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/jb-pest-control-in-nyc#post-69440">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite></p> <blockquote><p><cite>BBcoukHome - 2 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/jb-pest-control-in-nyc#post-69428">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Upon entering the room which had been shut up for some time I could actually smell the bed bug and through inspection found one refugia containing a single adult male bed bug.<br /> No other signs in the room so I could clear it without using any chemicals (no point in using chemicals if there are no bed bugs left).<br /> David Cain<br /> Bed Bugs Limited</p></blockquote> <p>Wow, now that's impressive! Wish I could do that. It would make travel and going anywhere SO much easier for me.</p></blockquote> <p>Bedbugs do have that unique smell that make it unmistakable.</p> <p>Mike S </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/dri-die-where-to-buy#post-69445 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:19:30 +0000 greenapplepest 69445@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>allmusic - 19 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/dri-die-where-to-buy#post-69443">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Perhaps, but on this website it is referred to several times as Dri-Die. Check out this FAQ page and you'll see what I mean:<br /> <a href="http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/30/faqde/" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/30/faqde/</a><br /> A further question, I guess: Is drione dust the same thing as Dri-Die? Is it the same thing as diatomecous earth? As Delta Dust? I'm confused. If not, where would I buy drione dust, either online or (preferably) locally? Hardware store? Chemical supply company? Nursery? Or...?</p></blockquote> <p>Tri die is a pressurized dust. See if they sell it on <a href="http://www.doityourselfpestcontrol.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.doityourselfpestcontrol.com</a> they have those products. Delta dust was found by entomologist Michael Potter to be noneffective against bedbugs. See if you can get Tempo and DE.</p> <p>Good Luck </p> <p>Mike S</p> <p>Green Apple Pest Management Solutions Inc. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/trying-to-stay-optimistic#post-69444 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:00:01 +0000 mssmith 69444@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>On my husband's last business trip, he brought back a very unique souvenir - a bed bug. He stayed at the Westin, which proves what we've been hearing all along, that bed bugs can be found in even quality hotels. Bed bugs have been one of my very worst fears for quite some time. Both my husband and I travel quite a bit for business and pleasure, so the risk of bed bug exposure is quite high in my house.<br /> Here's a rundown of our saga:</p> <p>Jan 26 - Husband returns home.<br /> Feb 3 - I receive one bite on each foot. Itchy, but not unbearably so. Slightly suspicious.<br /> Feb 11 - Two bites on one foot, one bite on the other. Very itchy. Panic mode.<br /> Feb 13 - Exterminator comes to inspects. Claims that I have been bitten by spider. I do not believe him. Go and purchase brand new vacuum because I am concerned that my old vacuum is contaminated (this I do not mind. It's a Dyson and it's great!)<br /> Feb 15 - Second exterminator comes. After much inspecting, he finds a shell in our boxspring. I immediately start to cry. Exterminator looks afraid of weeping girl and offers to come in less than 48 hours to treat. He comes with a 1-year guarantee. Spend entire day crying and bagging clothing. At end of day, put week's worth of clothing in dryer for 30 minutes and decamp to in-laws.<br /> Feb 16 - When husband returns to house to prep for exterminator, he receives 3 bites on his wrist. They do not itch.<br /> Feb 17 - Exterminator comes to treat. Does not find any other evidence of bugs.<br /> Feb 19 - Fly to childhood home for family wedding. Timing could not be worse. I am so scared of bringing a bug home with me. I dry everything twice, and use my in-law's luggage instead of my own. While at my parent's, my husband develops a non-itchy bump on neck. No idea what it is but fear the worst.<br /> Feb 25 - Return to house for the first time. Minor anxiety attack.<br /> Feb 28 - Spend day at house cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. Encase mattress and boxspring in covers. That night, find a bump on lower back. It's not itchy, not sure what it is.<br /> March 1 - Husband finds bump on leg. Not itchy.<br /> March 3 - Move back into house.<br /> March 5 - Exterminator comes to retreat.<br /> March 8 - Husband finds 3 bumps on back. Not itchy, but 3 is a big danger sign. No sign of bugs in the cups under bed legs.<br /> March 11 - I find a bump on shoulder. Not itchy.<br /> March 20 - Hire two beagles to come and sniff the house. Pretty good system - dog #2 stays in car while dog #1 inspects. If #1 detects activity, #2 comes in to confirm. Dogs find two hot spots - one in the downstairs closet where husband kept briefcase (I was concerned about this area from the very start but no one took me seriously - SO frustrating) and one near our headboard. Exterminator comes immediately thereafter to treat.<br /> March 21 - Husband finds one bump on chest, one near waist. Not itchy. </p> <p>That's where we are right now. In some ways I wish that the bumps would itch because then we could at least confirm that they are bites and not ezcema (which we both have) or stress-related acne.<br /> I am trying to stay optimistic but I am so tired and so stressed. I am normally stressed out by work and family issues and this is just putting me over the edge.<br /> To make matters worse, my parents are coming to visit in two weeks and I don't know if they should stay with me. My dad has cancer for the 4th time and this time the doctors are telling him that it's incurable and they're just trying to contain it. He has a break from chemo, which is why they're coming to visit now. I could put them in a beachfront hotel, which would be nice, but they want to stay with me, in my house and I want to be accommodating since I don't know when he will be able to visit next. What to do? I have a PackTite (which will be my and my husband's new best friend given all our travel) but I'm not confident that heat treating their suitcases and clothing before they leave will be sufficient. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/dri-die-where-to-buy#post-69443 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:56:25 +0000 allmusic 69443@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Perhaps, but on this website it is referred to several times as Dri-Die. Check out this FAQ page and you'll see what I mean:</p> <p><a href="http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/30/faqde/" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugger.com/2007/03/30/faqde/</a></p> <p>A further question, I guess: Is drione dust the same thing as Dri-Die? Is it the same thing as diatomecous earth? As Delta Dust? I'm confused. If not, where would I buy drione dust, either online or (preferably) locally? Hardware store? Chemical supply company? Nursery? Or...? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-and-me-%e2%80%93-our-2009-summer-journey-with-the-buggers#post-69442 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:11:24 +0000 willvandam 69442@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi, we are writing this to share our experience with the buggers – over the course of a Summer in New York we became bed bug experts but not by choice we did it to survive. I am writing this to share our experience and some tips with those dealing with the buggers now.</p> <p>Our unfortunate bed bug experience began in the Summer of 2009 and lasted for several months. We don’t know how the bugs got in but every so often we would see the little buggers. Words can not express the emotional turmoil we faced during that time – the fear that we would see a bed bug, some friends who shunned us, and the worst of all, when we found a bed bug in our 14 month old son’s crib – bed bugs took a heavy toll on our summer and was a test of our marriage – you may find that hard to believe but bed bugs take a heavy emotional and mental (and not to mention eventually financial) toll on you.</p> <p>So let’s just get down to business –like I said, it is expensive, emotionally stressful, and an overall pain in the butt to deal with the buggers. This describes what we did and what options you may have:</p> <p>First, we had a bed bug dog come in and the dog confirmed there were bugs in the living room and bedroom – minus $250</p> <p>We decided to try a short cut: steam clean the carpets and sofa, where we saw the bugs – it was a long shot…and it did not work, there were still bugs – there goes $700.</p> <p>First off, we had a 14 month old infant and a dog, so our goal was to have an environmentally safe way to deal with this problem, and in a way that would inconvenience us the least. So washing clothes constantly, bagging all our belongings, and basically living out of a box for even a few weeks was not a good option for us. </p> <p>So we researched our options:</p> <p>1) Spray – The problem with sprays is it requires two sprays 14 days apart, and during that time you need to keep everything bagged up (and I mean everything) and packed up. And after the spray you still need to keep things stored for an additional week at a minimum. And you are required to wash ALL your clothes too. Basically you are living out of boxes and suitcases. It is a reasonably priced alternative. We spoke to M&#38;M pest control and they were very nice and understanding.</p> <p>One option that M&#38;M recommended instead of washing and storing everything was to use Bed Bugs and Beyond, which would pack and fumigate everything for you to save yourself the trouble – but that option was extremely expensive.</p> <p>2) Cryonite – Less prep work, however it will only work if the cryonite makes contact with the buggers, so you can do this and still not get rid of the problem as the buggers can make it into walls. You still need to wash ALL your clothes and live out of a box.</p> <p>3) Heat treatment – this was the best option for us – there was no prep work aside from getting some flammable and combustible items (aerosol cans) out of the house (and wine too). You don’t need to pre-wash anything since the heat will permeate the entire house. And it’s one treatment only – but it is very expensive, at least several thousand dollars. We chose this option because it did NOT require us to wash all our clothes, and the heat would permeate through the entire house, guaranteeing the buggers would die, and it was environmentally safe. So basically this is what happens: the guys come in with these heaters and heat the apartment to as close to 140 degrees as possible for several hours (the buggers cannot live past 115 degrees), pretty much all morning and afternoon if you let them. The place gets hot believe me – it gets so hot that it will go through your walls and the buggers will not be able to hide – when we came back two days later the place looked like it was robbed, because they have to move things around and spread your clothes on the floor so the heat and get into the clothes (and the place was still as hot as a furnace two days later, which shows how hot it was during the treatment). Now what about electronics? Well, we have a lot of them: laptops, flat screen TV, phones, etc. Well you unplug everything before you leave, and when I came back, everything worked. Now you just have to make sure you’re on a low floor, since the heaters are powered by a generator on the back of a truck, and they bring the wires in through a window – so if you’re on a high floor (or not facing the street) it is going to be logistically difficult for the wires to make it to the window. </p> <p>It’s been 6 months now and we have been bed bug free but what an awful experience we had to go through – for anyone dealing with this now we completely understand what you are going through.<br /> Good luck to all - </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/live-sample-preparation-to-send-to#post-69441 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:37:15 +0000 MyWorstFear 69441@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Actually, if you just take some close up photos of it, the experts on here could identify it for you. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/jb-pest-control-in-nyc#post-69440 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:33:55 +0000 MyWorstFear 69440@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>BBcoukHome - 2 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/jb-pest-control-in-nyc#post-69428">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Upon entering the room which had been shut up for some time I could actually smell the bed bug and through inspection found one refugia containing a single adult male bed bug.<br /> No other signs in the room so I could clear it without using any chemicals (no point in using chemicals if there are no bed bugs left).<br /> David Cain<br /> Bed Bugs Limited</p></blockquote> <p>Wow, now that's impressive! Wish I could do that. It would make travel and going anywhere SO much easier for me. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/my-landlord-and-his-guy-or-the-gold-standard-of-bed-bug-ignorance-in-chicago#post-69439 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:30:23 +0000 MyWorstFear 69439@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hmm, maybe Doof has bed bugs, but because he's so boozed up, he's<br /> 1) got a blood alcohol level of 91% so the bed bugs won't bite him, since it would be fatal to them.<br /> 2) not aware of it or just doesn't react<br /> 3) (nod to Cilecto) this is a "nice" place, bed bugs won't come here. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/possible-bedbugs-a-few-questions#post-69438 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:25:48 +0000 noseeum 69438@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Thank you so much for your prompt and informative response! Although I realize I may yet have bedbugs, your post did a lot to reduce my anxiety and get me focused on identification. </p> <p>I just found a live (what I believe/hope to be) carpet beetle in the bathroom. It was a little bit bigger than a flea and had a mottled shell (not the horizontal lines). I took some photos but am going to wait until tomorrow to post them along with photos of the casings, which I couldn't take because it is too dark now. </p> <p>My brave husband has agreed to return to our bedroom, so if there's a problem, hopefully we can keep it there. Thanks for the advice re: glue traps and vaseline. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/found-a-bed-bug-in-my-new-apartment-tough-it-out-or-break-lease#post-69437 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:55:45 +0000 cilecto 69437@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Check bedbugregistry.com and see if anyone's listed the building and how they handled prior infestations. If it is BB, I suspect the "no reported" the agent said was based on "don't ask-don't tell". If you're in a city (like NYC) that posts building violations online, search their database and see what comes up. If you have ready access to legal help, I'd ask about my rights to collect your fee, deposit, rent and perhaps costs. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/my-landlord-and-his-guy-or-the-gold-standard-of-bed-bug-ignorance-in-chicago#post-69436 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:42:15 +0000 cilecto 69436@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>The LL probably has BB in his home, too. (just speculating.) He slathers it with the nastiest looking stuff he can find at Home Depot and fires off bombs more often (who cares if it drives the bugs to the neighbors) than he has sex. He's spread some "mystery" powder some guys cousin sold him, plus special water from a river in Egypt (apologies to our Egyptian readers). To anyone who visits, he boldly declares "we don't have bugs" and to any friends who get them while visiting, "they must have brought them". </p>