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91% alcohol question

1. 

   staypositive212
   

   newbite
   Joined: Oct '09
   Posts: 1

   
   Posted 3 weeks ago
   Sun Oct 25 2009 21:59:08
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   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.

   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?

   Thank you!

2. 

   cilecto
   

   senior member
   Joined: Aug '08
   Posts: 514

   
   Posted 3 weeks ago
   Sun Oct 25 2009 22:40:04
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   Welcome.
   Alcohol evaporates relatively quick. A day later, there should be no residue. Alcohol only kill's the "live" bugs it hits direct, so eggs survive, as do any bugs that you don't hit direct. Alcohol may damage your finish. An alternative is "Murphy" soap, as well as other cleansers.

   Bedlam claims to kill eggs, but not all eggs. I don't know what DForce claims, but the conventional wisdom here is that multiple treatments are needed because eggs survive many substances (ex, heat and Vikane.) In general, BB-fighting is less about what's applied more about how and where. If your BB are not where you're applying, or are bypassing your application, the chems you are applying will be compromised.

   Whatever you apply, you need to read and follow the label carefully.

   Your problem seems more complex than your original expectations and you would probably benefit from a good pro.

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