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55-day mark ???
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bbfiend
junior member
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 82
Posted 2 months ago
Sat Sep 12 2009 17:26:25
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how did the 55-day mark come about? why 55 days? (so far, we've hit right under 40 days..) but am very curious. I'm super allergic, so react instantaneous, no half-hour lag, nor 1 hour-lag nor 1-day lag, etc.
Right now, since the last bite, it's been 10 days.. (still counting...).
Does anyone know why - about the 55-day mark, that is??
Thanks.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,547
Posted 2 months ago
Sat Sep 12 2009 17:38:19
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I believe it started with Rick Cooper, an entomologist connected with Cooper Pest in New Jersey. The idea is that 55 days after the last sighting or bite, you're pretty safe taking stuff out and resuming normal life. That is, if you react. Many people don't and so IMO 55 days might not be enough time to actually see a bed bug.
If you react instantly, then you might be safe resuming normal life sooner than 55 days, but it is important to realize you have NOT crossed the 40 day mark. You said you went 10 days without a bite. That is not a long time. It's a good sign, do not get me wrong -- obviously improvements are being made. But bed bug nymphs may be hatching and biting. I would give it at least a month more with no bites or sightings. Otherwise you risk maybe having to redo washing and bagging you may have carried out.
If you get any more bites or see any bed bugs, you need additional treatments.
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bbfiend
junior member
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 82
Posted 2 months ago
Sat Sep 12 2009 17:46:04
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Thanks Nobugsonme,
No, I don't intend to slack our efforts in battling these crazy vampires. In fact, our books and paintings that are sealed up will continue to be sealed up, for 2 years, probably. We are a little obsessed, as you can tell.
I still think there must be some in the apartment, lurking, waiting till we aren't as cautious. The last bite was from a female and it bit me on the couch. Caught it and killed it and if it's laid eggs, am I right to assume that the eggs would have hatched? The PCO sprayed the couch 2 days after, so if there are nypmhs hatched from the hypothesised eggs, I'm assuming they would have perished from the crossing the spray barriers. Possible?
Sometimes, the bbs don't seem to behave normally, or what we think is normal, and I guess that worries me.
Seen dead water roach the other night, in the walk in closet, so i think the spray is still effective. But I think we are going to live out of ziploc for quite many more months, just in case.... maybe a little extreme, but better that than to redo the whole process again.
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bbfiend,
Paintings are harder to decon, but remember you have options for dealing with books if they're needed before 2 years.
I agree with you on the caution. Just be glad you react to bites! Seems crazy to say it but imagine wondering for years -- it happens.
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bbfiend
junior member
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 82
Posted 2 months ago
Sun Sep 13 2009 9:03:57
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Oh, am totally "happy" about my reactions since the education on bbs. That's the only way we managed to catch the bugs so far! If I hadn't reacted so quickly, I think the infestation would have been worse, it seemed like quite a few we caught were females. At least no new eggs and nymphs from these dead bbs.
I feel bad for those who don't react fast or who don't react at all, it's hellish, I think, not knowing. That's worse than knowing, or seeing the bbs, or the itch/pain.
We can do without the paintings for a good while, these are my husband's work, so it's really storage for now. When we painted the painting rack about 2 months ago, 2 came out (we think) and got me, so the paintings have to be sealed up, JUST IN CASE.
I think I have to look into buying a packtite next, with guests visiting from overseas next year, I think that will come in handy - for my guest's and our protection.
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