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Action Pest Control, NJ — Treatment?
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petong
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Oct 12 2009 19:13:56
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My landlady has made an appointment with Action Pest Control of New Jersey (www.actionpestcontrol.com) to come and do a K9 inspection of our entire house on Wednesday. I'm having a visual inspection of my apartment tomorrow because it's free. I have found 3 bug samples, 2 or which have been positively ID's as BBs by the company that's doing my free visual inspection, Pest Control Systems of NY (www.pestcontrolsystemsofny.com). I feel good about having two different opinions, and about have both a K9 and visual inspection—and, frankly, about not having to pay for the K9 inspection myself.
But my question is: What are people's experiences with Action's TREATMENT methods. Everything that I've found on the forums so far seems to focus on their K9 inspections methods and not on their actual treatment. There's a thread in which someone from Action even seems to have recommended FOGGING, which is the exact opposite of everything I've read here and everywhere else.
Does anyone have any Action success stories?
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oldtimer
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Oct 12 2009 19:49:38
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petong
I have worked on bed bug inspection projects with Action Pest Control.
Action is a fifty year old family run pest control company. In addition to their K9 program, they specialize in bed bug treatment with state of the art protocols.
I would suggest that you give John or Todd a call to discuss the protocols that will be utilized in your building. Every job is different... the treatment will be customized based on conditions that are discovered during the inspection.
The comments about "fogging" that you have read in the FAQs / comments are focused on aerosol total release canned foogers that are available over the counter (OTC) from companies like Hot Shot & Raid.
Commercial PCOs have professional grade products that can be applied in different ways.
In some cases, an Actisol machine is utilized to treat a specific area or item with a fine mist (fog).
This treatment is quite different from the products that are available in cans of OTC total release fogger that are sold in hardware or grocery stores.
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 9:27:14
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Hey petong,
I recently have hired Action to treat my apartment so I can give a detailed run down on what they have done, what my first treatment day was like (having a second tomorrow) and everything of that sort.
Before I begin though I want to say that Action Pest Control has, perhaps, the best customer service I have ever had the (unfortunate) pleasure to work with. I say 'unfortunate' because I am obviously dealing with bugs - but Susan, the bed bug lady who answers the phone - has been nothing short of wonderful in answering all of my questions.
I am going to break up the treatment description into several long replies in this thread - hope it's helpful!
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 9:29:32
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When I hired Action at first I asked repeatedly if they would perform a visual inspection of what the dog alerted too. I was told that they would absolutely do this - that the technicians were all trained to do so. This was unfortunately not the case on inspection day - with the inspection guy saying that it was pointless to search for the bugs because they wouldn't be found (too small to see).
Now - with that in mind when I called Action back to ask about their treatment price (I was gathering information from several different bed bug companies for my land lord to use when hiring) Susan was shocked about them not doing a visual inspection when they arrived. She immediately scheduled a different K-9 team to come down and inspect - for free - and promised a visual inspection of what the dog alerted too. This occured last Wednesday and, although no bed bugs were found - I had a much better feeling to the second inspection rather then the first. (They found some fecal matter in some furniture).
I hope that I wasn't creating any problems when I called back and informed them - I really just wanted to know if their team would perform a visual inspection if the entire apartment complex was to be searchedn for these insects (and to have it in writing this time). Susan was wonderful in making sure I got what I requested.
Lastly - I had bought encasements for my bed/box-spring prior to the sweep online, and the first inspection team thought it would be a good idea to encase the mattress/box-spring right then - so as to contain any that may be already in those items.
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 9:34:25
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Treatment - Part 1.
My first treatment was two days later (I pre-emptively hired Action because they were the only ones who had a 90 day warranty on my apartment - since none of my neighbors are being treated (none are complaining)) so that would have been 6 days ago. Susan answered many of my prep-questions before hand of course. So here's what happened last Friday! (October 9th, 2009):
I had asked if my car could be treated (I'm paranoid about such things)- and they did so. They used some sort of aersol spray to treat the inside of the car - spraying in the front/trunk for approximately a minute and then leaving the car sealed/shut for 30 minutes afterward. (I left it shut for 3 hours before I rolled the windows down to use it).
I had wondered what I could do about my winter coats. Susan had told me that I wouldn't have to bring them to the dry cleaners as they have pest strips that can be placed in the coat-closet to keep the bugs at bay. Alas for me the PCO's did not have any of those strips when they showed up, but promised to bring them by for the next treatment (tomorrow).
I had mostly followed the prep work provided. I say mostly because my bed/boxspring was already encased in a cover. The inspection team told me it was best to not unzip it to vacuum, just leave it in the encasement and the treatment team will decide what to do when they arrive. The treatment team decided that they would spray inside the encasements, but not remove them to steam the mattress nor box spring (I think... I can't recall if the box spring was steamed).
The PCO's who arrived themselves were extremely awesome to talk too - answering the hundreds of questions I had regarding the treatment they were doing that day, and the cute girl PCO informed me about what chemicals they were going to use too ! They use a contact and residual killer, and a chemical that will prevent new eggs from being viable - I'll attempt to get the chemical names when they return tomorrow. Basically - any females won't be able to have children. Take THAT bugs! Right in the baby maker!
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 9:38:26
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Treatment - Part 2.
I had left all of my 'doo-dads' (collectables, board-games, wall-hangings, books - stuff one shows off on shelves and whatnot) alone as Susan had told me that the PCO's would handle them when they arrived. When the PCO's arrived however I ended up having to bag all of those items to move them away from the furniture. So into regular plastic bags they went - left open to hopefully get some of the chemical into them. Not everything was bagged in such a way however -> some items I had in cardboard boxes were left in the rooms, as were other items I had in some large uncovered tupperwear. (I had asked what to do with them and was told they'd be okay). The PCO's that there told me it would be best to leave the items in the plastic bags until after the next treatment I was having (a week later - tomorrow October 16th) and mentioned that the bugs do not usually go into books or such.
At this point (during steaming, before chemical spray) I left to keep an appointment I had at my bank. I was gone for approximately 4 hours, and when I returned the apartment was completed (they had told me that they should be there only another 2-3 hours, and to wait until 3:30ish before I re-entered).
When I entered the place looked as I had left it - with my garbage bags lying around the apartment and stuff on the top of certain tables (not all the furniture needs to be steamed - only what the dogs alerted too). I was unsure what to do with them (the bags) so I moved all the items in them to Hefty One-Zip bags. Since the PCO's told me to leave the items in the bags until the second treatment I decided it was best to seal them up. I hope I haven't sealed any bugs away to avoid the chemicals they are applying. I was also a little worried - as the encasement on my bed was never removed so I was worried that it was covered with chemicals when they sprayed. Not knowing what to do I still slept on it that night anyway with no ill effects. (I HAVE to sleep on the bed).
The PCO's had showed me how to vacuum my furniture (my book shelves and whatnot) as well, and did their best (before I had left for my appointment) to calm me down too.
They told me as well that they would prefer if I could vacuum the entire apartment every day as opposed to every other day - but at the very least I *must* vacuum every other day as is indicated in the post-treatment paper.
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 9:47:19
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Final Thoughts/Grade -
So my thoughts? On a 1 - 10 scale I give Action a 7. I was happy with the treatment, although I wish I knew I was going to bag my stuff before hand so I could have done so much more efficiently (moving it all into bags before they arrived and into a room so as to avoid cluttering the place up). I would also have asked that the encasement for my bed be removed from the structure before fogging. I would recommend them to others for treatment - although I would really REALLY make sure of what to do with the books/etc that one has out. This may just be me obsessing over it though - as you can tell. I'm just worried that the treatment I had was done a little unconventionally for them and as such won't be successful as quickly as it could be.
Oh, I also give Action's Customer Service a 10. Honestly - Susan has been so incredibly helpful during the entire ordeal that I can not imagine any other company having someone so pleasant to answer questions/concerns I had. She really is incredible.
My advice - is that if you buy your own encasements do NOT put them on your bed until after treatment is over (or insist that they do treat the mattress and remove the encasement from the building prior to treatment). I would also recommend that you watch the entire treatment process and ask questions about anything/everything! They are very helpful in answering them, and I wish I had been there for the entire first treatment so as to ask what to do with my wall-hangings/pin-ups as well. Of course - they are the professionals.
It is the most important thing though - to follow the pre/post-prep paper they will eMail/provide to you. If you have any questions about the procedures ASK. Honestly - asking questions is most likely the best thing you can do to ease your mind and this way if something is going on you're unsure about you can then call the company and ask them directly later.
Also if you hire Action definitely request/ask/insist that they perform a visual inspection after their K-9 team alerts! They are supposed to do so - and odds are will want to know if their PCO is not doing this.
Lastly - the price and whatnot. I live in a nice two bedroom, one bathroom apartment. I don't have the dimensions unfortunately, but it's a decent sized place and I live there alone. It costs me $1,200 for the treatment and $300 for the dog-sweep. If you hire them to treat the apartment within two weeks of the dog-sweep they (or they did this for me, might not for others) factored that into the cost of the treatment, and it was lowered to $1,000. You will have to buy encasements from them before they will issue a warranty - you can do that yourself or through them. I ended up buying a box-spring encasement as the one I bought was ripped after a week (I have sharp edges on my metal frame which tore a hole in it). They sell a mattress/box spring encasement as a deal for $130.00 total - or $70.00 each (I don't recall the brand name, I can get back later with it though).
I hope this helps somewhat! I can, if you are interested - give more information after they treat my apartment a second time tomorrow - and give updated details as the days go by. If I am not supposed to post all of this in a forum like this let me know please as well - I am hoping though that it is helpful to anyone who wants to hire Action to know about what it has been like for me, and what was done, and etc etc.
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 10:27:35
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Oh - finally! Post-Treatment stuff.
I must keep all of my clothes bagged and sealed until after the second treatment, and I plan on asking about how soon I should remove them (do I remove them this weekend, or wait two weeks after the treatment to remove the clothes). Like others here I keep bags separated based on where/when I am wearing them.
I must vacuum the apartment once every two days - this includes all floors and all treated furniture (frame, shelves, etc). I recently discovered that I may have wanted to NOT vacuum up the cracks/crevices so as to avoid sucking up any dusts they applied there. I'll ask the PCO tomorrow, but Susan has indicated it'll be okay - they can reapply if needed tomorrow.
All surfaces should be washed when you return - so make sure to wipe down all counters, table tops, night stand surfaces, etc.
The cost of vacuuming (as I must buy bags for my vacuum) and washing clothes (as I must keep buying one-zip bags) has brought the total cost for the entire treatment process up to roughly... I'd say $1,500 total for my apartment all told. If I factor in the time I am spending doing laundry/vacuuming as well then I'd place the cost at roughly $2,000 so far - and going up to $2,250 or so by the end of it all (due to more laundry, and the 3.25 hours it takes to vacuum the entire apartment up). Finally - alot of clothes I had have shrunk.
So... keep that in mind as well. If I had to do it again I don't regret choosing Action Pest Control at all - although I might have gone with a thermal treatment instead. HOWEVER - Action is giving me a 90 day guarantee - which is two months more then any other place was going to give me without being able to treat surrounding apartments. This is - in the end - the reason I chose them as the company I wanted to treat me. So far I have not regretted it (save for being worried I've done things incorrectly for my bagged doo-dads, but that can be remedied I hope tomorrow) and they have gone out of their way to let me know what they can do for me with that warranty as well (they will come back as many times as I need to retreat or inspect - they even offered to sweep a house I may be moving too to make sure it is free of these nightmares before I move in - and also scan my stuff before moving out if I am under warranty then - honestly they're good folks). The '7' I gave them does not mean I dislike them at all - merely that I am worried about what to do about the bagged items, and my bed/box-spring too as it wasn't 'normal' procedure.
Whew, that was alot of text. Hope you got through it all, and hope it was helpful as well! If you go with Action I believe you're making a good choice - and I'll update this thread (if I am allowed to) with
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 10:28:32
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.. data as time goes by, assuming NoBugsOnMe allows me to do so. Whew. Sorry for what feels like spamming - I'm just really detail oriented. Hope this was helpful!
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petong
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 17:10:01
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Thanks so much NewBlood!
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 20:25:57
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No problem at all petong. I apologize for the various typos in my above posts - despite proof reading, my posts end up sounding like I don't have a handle on the English language!
After Action leaves tomorrow I'll provide another response here to indicate what happened to me then as well. At the moment I believe that their dog team will scan all of my belongings (I'll be leaving the bags opened for a limited time so he can sniff 'em) and clothes to see what may or may not be infested. Susan has already indicated that the bags that may contain bugs can be treated. Hopefully nothing is infested though, and far less is alerted to this in my furniture as well!
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Oct 16 2009 13:10:16
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As promised - here's a recap on today's events. There wasn't actually much to report today!
Action showed up again this morning - this time with Rex. This would mean that I had all three dogs show up for my various inspections! The items I had in bags were opened (although the PCO said that the dog could smell the bugs through the plastic) and then the great bed bug hunt began.
As with the other times the dog was led around the entire apartment to find them and alerted on... nothing! Not even my bed had them in it this time. Nothing in the outlets, the closet, the sofa, the bed, the bathroom, etc. No bugs alerted too. Oh thank goodness! Horay for chemicals and cleaning up every other day!
They treated all of the edges around my apartment with more chemical (not with dusts) anyway to be sure, and reminded me that if I am indeed bit and suspect bed bugs they will gladly come back out to check/re-treat within 90 days of today. I signed the warranty, thanked them endlessly, and that was that!
The PCO's indicated that I could get 'back to normal' having the all clear -> but I will still vacuum every other day for the following two weeks, and none of my clothes are going back until another laundry which I'll do tomorrow. Finally all of my doo-dads are going to be kept bagged up and run through a packtite when I get one next month.
As before the PCO's who visited were glad to help out, reminded me to call if I had any questions or if I was bit again (if I SEE a bug call a week later, if I am bit after two weeks and suspect bed bugs call and they'd resweep again). I forgot to ask about the chemicals in my euphoria of being bed-bug clear - but I am sure that Susan can tell you what chemicals they used.
Well... that's it! I hope this has proven to be helpful. Action seems to have treated my apartment successfully (I need to wait two months now to be sure), and I have been very happy with them and their service. The PCO's were friendly and knowledgeable, and their customer service is second to none.
If I had to do this again I might choose the thermal treatment from a different company ONLY because of how much less work is required on my part (literally when you factor in the time it takes to do pre-post prep and the cost of laundry/dry-cleaning/etc it is about the same price) but I liked Action's service very much.
So there you have it! Hope the report is helpful.
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petong
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Oct 16 2009 19:57:28
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Thanks NewBlood. Sara and her handler—Able I think was his name—came by today and indicated BBs in every bedroom in our 4 bedroom building and in the walk-in closet in my apt. Able—he was so nice and I feel terrible for not remembering his name—said that it seems like our infestation is pretty mild and should be relatively easy to deal with. So I think my landlady is going to schedule treatment for a week from Monday—unlike myself, she and the 3 other people who live in this building haven't started the laundry prep so hopefully that should give them the time they need.
I hear you on the thermal treatment, but from everything I've read that's not an option here in NYC (Action was recommended to my landlady by a friend who had BBs, which is why she hired a company from NJ. The friend apparently moved soon after the treatment so I wasn't sure if her experience with Action's treatment was representative.)
Also, for anyone else who's interested, Able took a very strong anti DE stance. He said it works only as a repelant, which would of course spread the the BBs to other rooms/apartments perpetuating the infestation. So. Food for thought.
Now let's just hope everyone else in the building does their prep work! I'll update after treatment as well, and NewBlood, keep us informed of your situation! And thanks again for the info!
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your host
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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Oct 17 2009 16:56:37
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Feel free to keep posting to this thread with updates. Reviews of customer service and the actual treatment day are useful, but it's much more useful to hear how things go from there on (follow-up treatments, etc.)
Good luck!
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Sun Oct 18 2009 13:52:14
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Just a quick update -
Yesterday I unpacked all of my doo-dads (books, my rock collections, minitures, DvD's, fake plants, etc) were taken out of boxes and placed back on the shelves. I did it without using a packtite as the dog didn't alert to any thing in the bags, and if there ARE bed bugs in them I want them to wander around so I know I have them again. I did NOT unpack my clothes though - and plan to bag my clothes for... well... most likely forever now.
On that note I was bit by something yesterday (might just be a small reaction to something) on my stomach, and again on my wrist a few hours later approximately 3 hours after unpacking everything. Today the wrist bite is gone completely. This morning, an hour after waking up, I had a bite on my right thumb which has practically faded away (and wasn't there when I awoke). I also found two dead midges while vacuuming up today - so small I wouldn't have seen them if I wasn't scouring everything for possible reinfestation, so I'm hoping it's just almost invisible flying bugs that are getting me as opposed to other things that were missed - but if I'm still getting bit by ANYTHING at the end of next week I'll call Action to let them know.
This makes me realize... you never get back to being 100% normal again do you? Like... my life has been forever impacted by the possible presence of these bugs hasn't it?
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Oct 19 2009 15:48:59
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Hi New Blood, Please let Susan know if the "bites" persist. Some studies are indicating that actual bite reactions aren't surfacing for 1 to 2 weeks. Ask Susan, she has first hand experience. Susan is quite a trooper in letting some bed bugs have a meal off her arm. Most of us have experimented and everyone has reacted differently and at different times. Anything we can do to help .. let us know.
Kind regards, Todd @ Action.
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Oct 19 2009 19:01:29
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NewBlood,
There's no reason to panic if you get a suspected bite; it could be a delayed reaction but it could also mean some bed bugs or eggs survived.
When you bag untreated items, it is fully possible that some will contain bed bugs or eggs.
Having opened those up may mean some bed bugs escape.
They may cross a residual poison or dust and die.
However, if you keep getting bites, I would personally request another follow-up treatment within a few weeks of the last one.
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petong
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Oct 19 2009 19:38:45
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That sound normal, right? Those last few bugs have to come in contact with the residual chemicals. Right?
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your host
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Oct 19 2009 21:46:25
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Wellllllllllllll, yes, and no.
I am not actually a big fan of putting untreated stuff which may contain bed bugs in bags. But I stress that I am not a pro.
Even without doing so, if NewBlood needed a treatment, then there will probably be bed bugs still living and hatching right after it (and hopefully they will die off). It is not abnormal to have some activity after any treatment.
Bringing stuff out of bags could mean more bed bugs to kill, or the PCO may be right that none were "preserved" in that way. Regardless, if bites or sightings continue, it's a sign you probably need additional treatment.
It sounds from what they've done (and said here) so far like Action is keen to make this treatment work, so that's a great sign.
petong, what's your status? FYI thermal is an option in NYC, even in single apartments. But there may be reasons it's not a good idea in your case.
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soscared
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Oct 19 2009 22:05:58
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I am also using Action, and will post a review when they're done. They did the first treatment last Tues, and another one will be tomorrow. I am disturbed though, bc all of a sudden we are getting A LOT of bites. I hope it's bc they are all being lured out to the chemicals, as opposed to bc a female has become pregnant and is torturing us with several hatching eggs daily.
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Oct 19 2009 23:29:13
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nobugs.. to address your comment regarding your "not being a fan" of putting untreated "stuff" in bags. This is something as a PCO ; not sure anyone dealing with Bed bugs can really boast the title "PRO", we are all striving to to find an economical and relatively painless solution with the least inpact on our "living space" environment. However, one thing we come up against is, an apartment/home/condo that is ..well..not minalmalistic. I worked as a PCO in Ireland and it was a breeze working in the sparsley decorated homes. I think as Americans in general, myself included, we aquire ALOT of stuff. I think somedays if me, Bed Bug genius..lol..would develope an infestation... I'm at risk each and everyday. My wife and I have a house full of Antiques, ornate furniture, etc. We have alot of "stuff"...and so do alot of my customers. If these items aren't bagged , gathered, corraled, etc... it may hinder the actual application of the treatment. A PCO needs access to all cracks/crevices...alot of times dresser drawers... nightstands with collections of old lottery tickets and half read magazines...this is reality.
Part of our treatment is bringing the K9 back on the followup visit.. these dogs consistantly amaze me and those around them. Lets say we do miss a few bugs that were tucked in a purple Crown Royal bag that held your poker change; that was in a giant Ziplock bag of a nightstand you emptied. We can open all the bags and run the dog and check. A not so perfect "process of elimination" but sometimes its all you got. Trying to narrow down a very elusive and crafty bug.
Everyday is a learning experience..
"soscared"---don't be ..your in good hands. If you need to have a talk call the office and ask for Todd. I will help you to understand the fundamentals of the treatment. Bed bugs lie dormant between feedings. Some of the chemicals are actually designed to "wake up" the bed bug..we want them on the move. Stay in contact .. we will walk you through it. As I'm sure any PCO will agree... we work with a very emotional customer..we understand..it SUCKS. Best part of my day is getting that all clear sweep and folks can get back to normal...
OK..
Maybe never normal..
Everyday is a learning experience.
T
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Oct 20 2009 6:59:58
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Hey ActionK9, hey NoBugsOnMe,
Thanks very much for responding - and I'm doing my best not to panic!
It's rather tough, but I know it can take up to 9? 10? days for the bites to show up. I'm waiting until next Friday - and if I keep getting bit I'll have another sweep of the apartment again. You folks have been incredible during the entire process - so thanks so very much!If I do get any positive hits this time I'm not going to touch anything that I own (as I was a bit unsure of what to do with all the books and whatnot I have) and I'll leave it to the experts to move about or put in bags, or whatnot. I'm hoping that it's some other sort of bug and not bed bugs getting me at the moment though!
- NewBlood
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petong
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Oct 20 2009 12:44:14
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NoBugsOnMe — My status is, the dog indicated bugs in all 4 bedrooms in the 3 apartment building I live in and in the walk-in closet off my living room. I'm on the top floor so it looks like the BBs have moved down from my apt, since I seem to have the most activity up here. No one else in the building is complaining of bites, not even my roommate whose bed also has them according to the dog.
The PCO guy said it looks like we have a relatively mild infestation that should be easy to treat and my landlady scheduled the treatment for Friday morning.
But, like NewBlood, I'm a little worried about my own prep work. Pretty much all of my clothing—nuked in the dryer—is either in vacuumed Space Bags or ziploc bags in clear Sterilite tubs (which my PCO guy said were no good on their own, hence the ziplocs within). I think I'm ready to get started on vacuuming the apt, but my vacuum in really crappy, so I have to figure out what to do about that. And I find the info regarding books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, office papers, belts, shoes, duffle bags, etc. kinda confusing. The prep sheet simply says "All loose items shall be removed from floors and closets emptied." Ok, emptied, but what do I do with the above mentioned stuff? Put it in bins? Baggies? The PCO who came with the dog said that books and shoes and coats where ok to leave unbagged, which, if I understand the treatment makes sense—even if there are bugs in those, they'll come out, get all up in the poison and die or stop breeding or whatever. Either way, I'm trying, unsuccessfully so far, to get in touch with Susan at Action to ask her some questions about prep.
Besides all of which I have no idea whether my stoner roomie is doing his prep correctly or if he'll even be ready by Friday morning. SO frustrating.
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soscared
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Oct 20 2009 17:47:14
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Thanks, Todd. I may call. I'm just freaking out bc they are biting me a lot more, and the dog today alerted to MORE locations, rather than less. Hopefully it's bc they've been "woken up" only to hit poison and die.
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Oct 20 2009 21:28:03
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ActionK9 - 21 hours ago »
nobugs.. to address your comment regarding your "not being a fan" of putting untreated "stuff" in bags. This is something as a PCO ; not sure anyone dealing with Bed bugs can really boast the title "PRO", we are all striving to to find an economical and relatively painless solution with the least inpact on our "living space" environment. However, one thing we come up against is, an apartment/home/condo that is ..well..not minalmalistic. ...... Lets say we do miss a few bugs that were tucked in a purple Crown Royal bag that held your poker change; that was in a giant Ziplock bag of a nightstand you emptied. We can open all the bags and run the dog and check. A not so perfect "process of elimination" but sometimes its all you got. Trying to narrow down a very elusive and crafty bug.
Hi Action,
Thanks for your response. I do appreciate the difficulties of treating cluttered homes. It sounds like you have a protocol for dealing with the possibility of stragglers in bags. That's good. Oh, and when I say I am not a "pro," I mean professional. I don't work in bed bug treatment.
We have a FAQ about whether people should bag their stuff. The main suggestion is to ask the PCO questions about their plans -- when the stuff will be brought out.
And I wrote the FAQ because some people were bagging their stuff without a PCO's instructions to do so (just because others were doing it, I guess) and also because some PCOs were telling people to bag and not giving any further direction about when or how to remove the stuff. You can imagine this can be disastrous!
Re: dogs -- I have heard bed bug dogs can be effective (have heard reports and seen the research) but have heard some are not. Speaking generally, and not about your firm, it's important for readers of this thread to recognize that results from dogs may vary.
(And let's not have anyone -- you know who you are -- jump in and tell us that whether a bed bug dog is effective correlates with who trained them or didn't train them, or whether they're certified by a certain body or not; it's speculation and anyway, I think we all know it's probably a lot more complicated than that. I don't want this to become derailed into one of "those" bed bug dog threads!)
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your host
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Oct 20 2009 21:33:13
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petong,
Definitely address your questions about prep to the company. Don't worry about what people say on the forums -- others do not know your situation, what it looks like, or what the PCO is planning to do. People using other firms might do a different prep routine, but it does not make it better or worse.
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Oct 21 2009 7:33:44
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petong,
I myself left my belongings unbagged until they showed up - then everything had to be removed from my shelves and I was unsure as to what to do with it all (leave it in piles on the floor, leave it in bags?) so I bagged my stuff in those large lawn garbage bags you can get from anywhere. I asked what I should do with the stuff and the PCO indicated that I should leave them in bags until the following week. I get the feeling that I may have hindered the process by doing any 'stuff' work myself -> which is why if I have to be retreated again I'm not going to touch anything. I'll let them decide what to do with the stuff - I would suggest you do the same. (Don't bag anything like books or the like - Susan had told me not to. If you have to move the stuff I guess just leave it on the ground or something? Ask the PCO's when they show up but if I end up getting retreated again I am NOT going to bag the stuff this time). The prep instructions are unclear about what to do with those items (it's clear on clothes and bedding) aside from removing them from the furniture - so let them move them I suppose.
In my case I picked up those Hefty One Zip plastic bags and put all the books, DVDs, etc into them. After the sweep this past Friday I decided I would take all the things out of the bags as instructed. Susan had told me repeatedly not to bag any such items before the first treatment - which is why I was worried when I did bag them on treatment day (and why I kept asking her what I should do since I had done so).
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petong
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Oct 21 2009 14:22:15
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OK, so far Action has been really bad about returning my phone calls about prep questions. Not very impressed on this count. If pre- and post treatment is so vital to the success of the treatment, I would hope for some clearer instructions and a little more help when questions arise.
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Oct 22 2009 14:38:01
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Petong..... call me direct with your questions. Please understand, we are an extremely busy operation. We have given you prep sheets and while we cannot address every single item that a customer may or may not have in their possession...you have to use common sense.
There are FAQs on here regarding some of your concerns. If you empty a drawer..put the items in an open box/container so that it can be exposed to the treatment. If it can handle a high heat dryer cycle...do it.
732-552-8857 Todd
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your host
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Oct 22 2009 15:58:26
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Action k9,
I would strongly advise against your phone number on the forums. Please let me know if you would like it deleted and also, remember you can Private Msg other users with such info.
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soscared
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Oct 23 2009 19:46:45
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Hey Newblood,
How is it going? Still getting new bites? -
petong
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Oct 23 2009 19:50:35
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Had treatment today. I've been really anxious again the past few days, worried that my roommate would not be ready, and sure enough, this morning when the PCO guys got here the roomie had not vacuumed his room or stripped his bed. I had to do these things as he had already gone to work. The guys calmed me down, assuring me that it wasn't such a big deal, that the rest of the house was very well prepped, and that our infestation was mild. They said they were confident that they could knock this thing out easily.
However, when I got home my landlady said that the PCOs had particularly mentioned how many BBs they found in the roommate's room. Now I'm really scared that if they were that bad in his room he's taken them to work with him and will just keep bringing them back without knowing it (according to him, he's not reaction to the bites at all). But I guess that's just out of my hands at this point.
The PCOs said that they feel confident that they got everything. They said anything we had was either dead or it was going to die. So we'll see.
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soscared
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Oct 23 2009 21:06:01
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I hope they are right, Petong. They told me the same thing. But now after the second treatment, I am still being bitten. But I keep hoping they are just coming it out to the lure of the poison.
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Oct 24 2009 16:54:08
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soscared - 21 hours ago »
Hey Newblood,
How is it going? Still getting new bites?Hey SoScared,
Yes as a matter of fact I am! However I'm not sure if they are bed bug related or from some other insect. If they don't stop by the end of this week I'll have to call Action again to get another sweep and treatment if I need it. Hopefully it won't come to that though and it's just chiggers, or other bugs that are getting me at the moment but if it is bed bugs I'm ready for more weeks of vacuuming.
I still haven't seen a single bug, cast off skin, or the like - just the occasional bite.- NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Oct 24 2009 19:02:04
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Just a note about action first quote. It is always a difficult task when people ask about throwing things out. On one hand if it all goes resolution will be easier to achieve which is what folks want, on the other hand throwing stuff out can be expensive so you try and be sensitive especially when
things have sentimental value. So people want quick resolution and want to limit throwing things out. Already two opposing forces. Unfortunatley in the early days around 2001 - 2003 I probably felt bad and tried to work around not throwing things out. Fortunately with encasements this is less of an issue these days and for some who can afford it there is fumigation and now heat. But sometimes some things gotta go. Just be sure to bag it before taking it out and indicate that it has bed bugs so some other chap doesn't pick it up. -
petong
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Nov 2 2009 21:57:44
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Just a quick update: Had our second treatment with Action this past Friday—only a week after our first, not sure why the landlady scheduled it so soon, I thought you're supposed to wait 2 weeks between treatments. They brought the dog in again, a different one from the first time, and it did not indicate BBs anywhere in the house. Also, I haven't been bitten since that first treatment. So I'm feeling pretty optimistic!
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soscared
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Nov 2 2009 23:11:40
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WOW, Petong. congratulations. I am jealous. We are having our 3d treatment with them tomorrow.
petong - 1 hour ago »
Just a quick update: Had our second treatment with Action this past Friday—only a week after our first, not sure why the landlady scheduled it so soon, I thought you're supposed to wait 2 weeks between treatments. They brought the dog in again, a different one from the first time, and it did not indicate BBs anywhere in the house. Also, I haven't been bitten since that first treatment. So I'm feeling pretty optimistic! -
NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Nov 3 2009 8:25:59
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Congrats Petong!
Alas for me I am still getting bit constantly - every day I've had 1 - 5 new bites show up on me (even since they announced me bed bug free two weeks ago) in the morning, or the mid-evening hours. They are coming back this afternoon to resweep and possibly retreat if they find anything this time. I'll update again with what happens later today after they visit! I still have not seen a single bug, casing, blood spec or spot during this time - and if they don't find any this time I'm going to convince myself that something ELSE is attacking me.
Wish me luck!
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Nov 3 2009 16:01:49
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Hey everyone -
Action Pest Control just left, they were very friendly as always. Unfortunately their dog handler was sick today (the one scheduled to see me) so I couldn't have a dog sweep to see where the bugs are hiding. They did spray some chemicals on my floor, cracks/crevices and my couch/bed frame just in case but didn't want to do any large chemical treatment without having a dog to help them figure out where the bugs are. The chemicals they used look like it was... Suspend, Demand, Transport, Onslaught, and CB80 - a mixture of the first four I believe and the CB80 was separate.
I was glad for their arrival again - they recommended I vacuum again so I'll go back to my 1/2 the apartment schedule as of tomorrow. They also answered a host of questions I had too - very patient folks! Hopefully the bites will die down a bit - and if not I am already in the works to have a dog team down to sweep the apartment again. Another week or so it seems - but I'm not overly worried about it. Life as usual (or as usual as it can be with these things) for me until then!
Oh, they also pointed out that they'll come back out as often as needed (and allowed based on the chemicals they used) to treat me until the bugs are gone or until the warranty ends.
I think that you're in good hands should you choose them.
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watkinsnewan
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Nov 3 2009 16:18:08
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Glad to here.....Just out of curiosity How long is the warranty...
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Nov 3 2009 18:49:54
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Hey watkinsnewan,
90 Days since the end of the second treatment (I believe). This would mean roughly January 13th or so for me.
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Nov 12 2009 9:04:11
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Hey everyone, another update!
Action returned today with a Dog team I had had in before - handler Steve with Sara (this team alerted to 10-14 places the last time they were here just before my initial treatment on October 13th or so) to sweep the apartment and see what they would find. I had all of my plastic bags unzipped this time as well to be sure they would be checked - and the great scan began and ended with... 0 hits/alerts! He brought Sara around the apartment twice to be sure as well - and no hits at all. As always Steve was friendly and reminded me that if the bites continue to give them a call again and they'll come back out.
- NewBlood! (Two new marks/bites were on me this morning but I am beginning to think that something ELSE is getting me, or I'm having a reaction to something in the apartment now).
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zzzra
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Nov 17 2009 17:56:23
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Hello everyone!
I have been reading these and other post since August-never wrote anything myself. Now, I feel that I need to share my knowledge for all those that will be searching for answers just like I I did. So here is my story...
One morning in August I woke up seeing something little running over my sheets, I caught it squish it and found out that this little thing was full of my blood! Disgusting. Googled it and found out that it was a bed bug. Called my slumlord who arranged for a regular exterminator to come out and spray. We never found any source of hiding, no spots on the bed, nothing. I had that so calle d early infestation. Should I mentioned that between my first day of seeing the bedbug and my first spraying I found two more bugs two mornings in a row that fell from me in the bathroom when I woke up. Speaking of moments in my life that I wish never, ever happened. To make a long story short. They sprayed once, then twice then 3 times, then I bought DE, not the one for the pool that one is dangerous for your health, bought Pronto, washed and dried EVERYTHING-coats, hats, scarves, tablecloths, stuffed animals. Every single thing was in the zip lock bags. I had to rent the storage since my apartment wasn't big so I had to make it livable. In the meantime my slumlord decided that he had enough of the bedbugs and didn't wan to to any additional treatment. I hired Action K-9. They did pretty much what everyone described here, so I don't want to repeat myself. Additionally I bought Packtite and regardless of all the spraying I treated all my books and anything that will fit in the Packtite. I bought little steam and steamed little things that were "suspicious " to me. Last time I saw live bed bug was 8/30. End of October I moved out, trashed my old bed and moved on. How do I know that they are gone? That's a hard question for all of us. I don't see them, nothing bites me. I guess I will know in a year. I am paranoid, still looking for them even in the new place. I know that I did every single possible thing available for treating bed bugs-except I did not heat my whole house. All the reading, research I did pointed in one direction, you have to do multiple things to get rid of them. What worked for me was Packtite, DE, Action K-9 and a little steamer. You HAVE to wash or at least dry everything. Don't assume anything, remember nothing is 100%. It cost me close to $3000, all the washing, storage, spraying, Packtite-I'm selling it on Amazon-if you need it http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002C4NVO4/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1258494374&sr=8-1&condition=used
In my worst times I put petroleum jelly on the legs of my bed and DE on the floor. I know that PCO are against DE, but I think that DE works. Packtite works for sure and it can fit a lot. I treated all my shoes, too. If you buy DE, buy the one on Amazon marked Concern. I would use Action K-9 again, those dogs are more accurate then any exterminator and these people are very nice as everyone already noticed. It really, really sucks to have theis experience and it does get worst before it get's better. Oh yeah, I also ended up in the courtroom because I withheld my rent (escrow) so we shall see how is that going to end. Good luck, don't let them beat you, talk to people, read, find friends that can listen and pray. May all the bb's go to freaking hell! -
cilecto
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Nov 17 2009 22:45:24
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As the bedbug problem spreads, the risk of a re-infestation grows. A PT is valuable in helping to prevent and mitigate. If you already have one, why would you part with it?
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zzzra
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Nov 18 2009 10:29:48
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cilecto - 11 hours ago »
As the bedbug problem spreads, the risk of a re-infestation grows. A PT is valuable in helping to prevent and mitigate. If you already have one, why would you part with it?First three spraying were done by the exterminator that my slumlord uses on regular basis, meaning this company wasn't specialized in exterminating the bed bugs. Second of all insecticides alone are not good enough to take care of the bedbug problem. This was proven in my case, when I saw live ones after first two spraying. Like with any kind of problem, goal is to get someone who is specialized in certain area, not someone who has general knowledge of the problem.
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cilecto
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Nov 18 2009 18:11:39
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In 6 months, you could get a new neighbor who brings in an infestation. Or in a year, you inadvertntky pick up a few in a diner…
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Nov 18 2009 21:38:51
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zzzra,
Your posts on other threads about your Packtite for sale are considered spam and wertr deleted.
Your original post about selling your Packtite remains above.
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soscared
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Nov 18 2009 23:21:30
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Personally, I will never sell my sweet amazing delicious beloved Packtite. It makes me feel safe and happy. Like cilecto says, you can bring the bugs back on any day. And if you ever plan to travel, won't you want to bake your suitcases? I think Packtite is, sadly, a necessity now that bbs are a worldwide epidemic.
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petong
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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Nov 28 2009 22:44:53
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after over a month of no bites and no bug sightings at all I just found a BB on my bed. We're still under Action's 90 day guarantee, so I'm trying not to panic. I just got home tonight after being away for the holiday. not sure if it's a bug that got on my on the plane or what. it's a pretty decent sized BB. ugh.
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soscared
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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Dec 5 2009 14:08:50
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Petong, any update? Did they treat again? Did you see any more? More bites?
My update is that I had a biopsy on one of the things I thought may have been a stress reaction or something, but the biopsy said definitely a bite. An insect bite, but they can't tell what insect.
I had a very obvious set of bed bug bites on my ankle also. Still trying to figure out WHEN my reaction is. Either it's delayed and the bugs were just in my bed, or it's pretty immediate, and the bugs are everywhere. The uncertainty is one of the aspects of this which sucks the most.As far as my review of Action. They have been very good about coming out again and again to treat. I have had 4 treatments so far. The last one, they seemed to be a lot more cavalier about the impact of the pesticides on me and the baby, and even told me I don't need to leave the house till it airs out (I did anyway). I was also able to be present while the sprayed, unlike the other times. They sprayed my baby's bedframe (though would not do the mattress, like the other times). I am now concerned about the pesticides in her mattress. Is it normal practice to spray the crib bedframe?
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Dec 7 2009 9:54:06
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Another update from me as well,
The bites continue without pause it seems. Action has been great at coming out to scan/treat with the latest visit having occurred this past Friday. As with the other post-treatment scans their bed bug dog team had no hits in the apartment. They even went around three separate times to make sure there was nothing.
They did a check on my vents and noticed that they were extremely dusty - my filter was also really.. disgusting (should have placed a new one in months ago). They believed that I may be being bit by dust mites, or showing a reaction to them. I am a bit unsure (I picked up a protect-a-bed allerzip encasement months ago - it's what I sleep on - and is supposed to stop those insects from affecting me) but I grabbed a new filter anyway. They then sprayed out my vent system, and misted my bedroom again.
Two days later (last night) about 10 - 15 bites showed up on my arms/legs.
At this rate - having been cleared three times, having no proof of having them (I cant' find ANY evidence) I am left with little choice but to admit either it's something else - some sort of invisible super insect that bites me at will - or that they are impossible to find via any normal detection means, dog or otherwise. I have read on this site somewhere that your body may start to react to other things it ignored after being bit by bed bugs - so that could very well be it.... I have also read that sometimes it takes MONTHS before the bites stop showing up, so that could be it too. Maybe it's a weird reaction to chemicals instead? Maybe medicine that I take, or stopped taking?
Oh - lastly Action has promised to leave me a Nightwatch for two weeks (one week at my apartment, another week at work) to see if it will pick up anything. They have three of them total apparently - so it may be something to ask about too! I'll keep this thread updated with the results of the monitor if it does/doesn't find anything. I still like Action - even though I am still being bit. They definitely come out as often as needed to combat this thing, and they have been very friendly and understanding through the entire process. Hopefully the nightwatch will be able to catch one if I have them and if not... then I have no idea what's feasting on me, or what my body is reacting too.
- Newblood!
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Dec 7 2009 14:02:06
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Consider trying some passive monitors as well... BB Alert monitors & Climb Up Interceptors can be a highly effective and inexpensive means of providing surveillance for bed bugs.
Use some yellow fly ribbon sticky traps for flying insects and some flat glueboards to screen for other pests that could be responsible for the bite marks that you are still experiencing. Cheap electric flea monitors can be useful to check for fleas.
Focus on evaluating other potential sources of allergens and biting insects. Given that we have negative K9 searches and no current visual evidence of bed bug activity
I assume that you are utilizing the Nightwatch monitor at the work place to see if you are having a delayed reaction from bites received on the job?
Are the bite marks on exposed areas of skin?
Does the seem to be any kind of pattern for the bite locations or the timing when they occur?
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NewBlood
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Posted 3 years ago
Tue Dec 8 2009 10:28:02
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Hey Doug, thanks for responding!
I can't really use the climb up alerts because I don't have a frame anymore. I threw it away some 5 weeks ago now (sealed in plastic and marked along with my boxspring) as the bites just wouldn't stop, so the mattress is on the floor. I could move to the couch but I am very hesitant to do so. The bathtub could be another option I suppose... but I'd really rather not do that!
I have no idea what else could be biting me. I mean - I see nothing else alive aside from me in the apartment. All the bugs I see these days are dead - silverfish, ants, spiders, centipedes, carpet beetles, etc - dead. I've not seen a mosquito in some weeks, and I tend to hear/feel them and mosquito bites look quite different then these marks look. I suppose it could be fleas - but Action checked before their first treatment and indicated there were no fleas. I have not received any bites around my ankles/feet since this started back in August.
I haven't received the Nightwatch yet - I was hoping Action would deliver one to me on Friday last week but they were still rented out (the company only has three of them) so I am waiting for a return call to schedule it for two weeks. I plan to have it run at my apartment for a week, and work for a week to see if they are there.
The marks are on exposed areas of skin - they seem to appear on the areas that are exposed at night only (the small of my back, my arms if I am not wearing my 'armor' to bed (long sleeve sweater, sweat pants, gloves, socks, etc) but I suppose the bugs could crawl up my suit jacket arms to get me at work. I find it odd that I don't feel the bugs crawling around on me though. Recently I received some marks on my left ear - I'd like to think that I would have felt something crawl up there and bite me, but I suppose if they are light enough I wouldn't feel them crawling about.
There is a timing when they occur, but no pattern. The bites tend to show up at: 7:30 in the morning (generally upon waking), 7:30-8:30 at night, or 3:00 am in the morning (if I am occasionally up that late). It does not matter where I am - over a friends, at home, at work, etc - the marks show up at that time preceded by a VERY itchy itch. The marks swell slightly (like a slight mosquito bit) and then become red marks (unlike mosquito bites). The marks are almost always singular in nature - but occasionally (rarely) I'll get two or three - these don't have any pattern though, appearing some distance from each other, or close, in lines or not. No one at work - there must be at least 15 people around me - have been having any trouble during the entire time (I realize they could be non-reactors but I'd like to think with that many people about there'd be another reactor here).
I believe they show up on exposed areas of skin only - but since I go through the day wearing different clothes (I tend to wear short sleeve shirts at home) it's difficult to tell. Recently (as of two weeks ago) I have begun to wear clothes to bed - pants tucked into socks, gloves, etc - to see if the bites let up. It seems to help - with the bites I received over the weekend occurring after the only day I did not wrap myself up. I need more time to tell however.
I was also put on a dose of antihistimines for a month - with it having no effect on the bites at all. They still occurred regularly despite the medicine. I have attempted to use scabies lotion as well without effect.
I'm buying a new house as well - so hopefully I will escape any apartment environment condition that may be causing this in a month or two.I also have some flea traps on order - expecting them this week - to screen for them, but does one have delayed reactions to fleas? I ask because these bites - they show up wherever I am. If I'm in my car I could have some show up there. If I'm at work they may show up there. If at home, they show up.
Whew man. It's really something else! Thanks again for responding Doug - I am beginning to suspect something ELSE besides BB since I've been given an all clear three times now by Action (I really like them as a company, I believe they are doing their upmost for me) but what else it could be completely eludes me. If I do ever find out (BB or otherwise) I'll let everyone know what it was!
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soscared
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Dec 31 2009 14:08:17
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Hello everyone,
In case anyone cares, I wanted to give my update. Action came out again 6 weeks ago, and then again last Tuesday with the dog Sara. 6 weeks ago, the dog cleared the whole place BUT our bed. So they sprayed again everywhere, pretty much doused the place. I don't know if that's how it's supposed to be done or not. The bites kept coming. Last week, they came with Sara, and she cleared us. They ran her through 2 times, in some places 3 times. I trust this dog, bc Doug recommended her, and bc I just psychologically have to trust her , in order to feel like i have SOME control over any of this.
Anyway, she cleared us, but they sprayed (at my request) in a few locations, which did not include my baby's room. So now, the bites have for the first time greatly diminished. I am keeping a thorough log of anything that even MIGHT be a bite. However, twice in the past week (after their treatment) I got super itchy bites, both times on my leg, and I think they're happening in the baby's room when I spend about half an hour at a time in the dark in the rocking chair putting her to sleep. I am pretty still during these times. I am so concerned now. Her bed is isolated with climbups, so the bedbug(s) must be somewhere in the room, hopefully NOT, but possibly in the old cracked wooden floor. The baby has stopped getting bites on exposed skin, so I am hoping they are not in her bed.
I know I have read that Bbs will not ONLY bite exposed skin, BUT, is it odd that they haven't bitten the baby's exposed skin AT ALL in a while, yet this morning I discovered 2 things that look like bites on her tummy? She wears footy pajamas, so only her hands, face, neck and collarbone region are exposed. Can I assume it's not bedbug bites on her tummy, or maybe old ones? Why would they crawl down her pajama, when they can bite all those juicy exposed regions?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
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soscared
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Dec 31 2009 14:12:52
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Oh, but in case anyone is checking this thread to see whether Action is a good PCO, as far as I can tell so far, they are great. I would recommend them, but I will do so even more enthusiastically when *all* bites disappear.
I recommend them for coming out as many times as necessary, with their dog, and not giving me any headaches about it. They are very friendly and sympathetic. As far as their treatment methods, I am not expert enough to evaluate. They do some things that are clearly not recommended - such as treat without a confirmed hit. They do not spend too much time confirming the dog hit. But from what I have read on here, it's very rare to find someone who does. -
bait
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Dec 31 2009 16:08:18
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This is a depressing thread.
If any of you folks want to come over to my side - "mystery bites" - you're welcome. What, nobody's interested?
I really hate to be such a downer, but it is apparent that pest control companies - and Action sounds among the best - just don't have the goods. They work hard, have the equipment, knowledgable staff, yet there's something missing in the equation. The products are not affecting the BBs. as advertised. Along with chemical resistance, I think the problem is that Cimex's behavior is misunderstood. I think they travel further away from the host than is known, and can detect CO2 from greater distances. Lab bugs do not behave the same as field bugs.
The last thing I want to hear is that your skin is reacting to stress, chemicals, or some other pest (what other bugs could survive the onslaught?) With the not-so-likely exception of mites, I would bet my life savings (oh I forgot - it's gone) that you are getting bed bug bites.
Happy New Year.
Bait
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soscared
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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Dec 31 2009 20:56:26
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Bait, do you think yours are bed bug bites? Or something else?
Happy New Year to you as well. -
bait
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Jan 1 2010 1:54:29
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soscared, I'm sending you a PM.
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soscared
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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Jan 13 2010 21:56:21
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In case anyone reads this thread for info about Action Pest - my update is that we've been sprayed 6 times, doused in fact. We "cleared" but received bites and then the dog came back and alerted in my baby's room. They wanted to hang nuvan DDVP strips in my bedroom and the baby's room, which I refused. To their credit, they wanted to hang them for only the hours we were going to be away, but I still thought that would be dangerous and ineffective as the rooms are hardly airtight and I would rather be eaten by bedbugs than expose the baby to a potent
carcinogen.
Anyway, next week they are coming with the general manager and bringing the dog. Hopefully the situation will be resolved with his help. I will post an update. -
soscared
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Jan 29 2010 14:10:11
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Another update in case anyone is following or looking into using Action Pest .
Today, 3 weeks after the last treatment, the dog Sarah (who is awesome) came out again. This time it was the big guns bc I've been treated so many times. It was the general manager and 2 other knowledgeable people. The dog did not alert to anything. I do trust this dog even though they have never in the past followed up on her alerts. They also did a thorough visual search and found nothing. They also spoke to me for a while in depth. They said if anything, the bugs are inside the floor, but more likely I have no bugs left. They did not treat, which I was happy with. I wouldn't have allowed them to treat again without finding something anyway.
They suggested that I steam everything and everywhere (even around the baseboards) with my new Vapamore MR-100, just to be sure. Steam the wooden floors bc they are very old and cracked and can provide many harborage areas which would be out of reach of the chemicals. They did say if the dog did not alert to the floor though, then I should be fine.
They also rented me a Nightwatch for 9 days. I know the Nightwatch is not the most effective tool, but it's better than nothing.
So that's about it. I am now making the decision to go back to normal life. I have been looking in great detail at old (pre-bed bug) pictures of me and the baby, zooming in real close, and finding that many of the markings I would now consider bites used to show up on us even before all this. So unless we had bedbugs for a while, it stands to reason that not all my markings are bites. (Though I definitely HAVE had unusual markings that i WOULD consider bites, once the bed bug situation arose). We are going back to normal life and decontaminating only before going to stay/meet with people. We will stay vigilant, and hopefully if they are here we will find something. I will also steam and vacuum at an increased frequency for a few weeks.
Thank you very very much to everyone here for all the advice and kind words. It's really unbelievably generous.
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oldtimer
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Jan 29 2010 14:30:43
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SoScared,
I am glad to hear that you received good news.
Sara is a great dog... I always feel good about referring people to her and John.
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upagain
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Jan 29 2010 15:52:46
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Soscared-
I did the same thing with old pictures during my scare. Its amazing how we start inspecting our skin and thinking everything is a bite when we might have had those things all our lives. I wish the best for you.
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newbite
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Posted 3 years ago
Mon May 31 2010 16:55:04
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Todd/Action K9,
I just read about your concern regarding bringing bed bugs home from work. I echo your concern, and as a PCO, I am also in multiple infested conditions on a daily basis. For me, I throw all of my clothing/shoes right into my PackTite in the garage and hit a shower the second I get home.
Nice to see the high regard that some of your clients hold you in. There are still companies like yours and mine out there. These bed bugs are dreadful and we do our best to eliminate them so people can return to their normal lives.
Best Regards-
Len -
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Jun 4 2010 15:37:34
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Len/Victory,
Yes...knowing how troubling a bed bug infestation can be..my wife would seriously put the hurt on me if I brought the little suckers home..and she is Irish/Italian..i wouldn't stand a chance. I do all the things at home that I recommend to my customers, especially mattress/boxspring encasements. I do periodic inspections...i tend to freak out over lint from a throw pillow...looks like a bed bug when a bed bug is on your mind. I was given a dryer from a friend and put that in my garage for those "just in case moments". So far so good, but some of the larger "housing project" jobs really creep me out. I was recently in a building and the K9 was acting funny... popcorn ceiling crawling with bed bugs..the dog was overwhelmed with scent and did not know what to do...needless to say..you did not need a dog to find the bed bug problem in this case..... my personal motto has always been..never cut corners. Best of luck!!
Todd
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clabas1
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jan 10 2011 16:02:57
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This may be a bit old, but I'd like to give some input on Action Pest Control. We have an apartment in NYC and a house in Ocean County, NJ. Bed bugs were found last summer in our apartment building and the landlord hired a company from Long Island to conduct a canine inspection of each apartment. The dog signaled positives in two places in our apartment. There was no visual confirmation, and we weren't being bitten, but we believed we had an infestation because it was all new in our building, we were uneducated, and there was quite a level of hysteria. We immediately hired Action to inspect our house, thinking that if the bugs were in the apartment we probably carried them to the house. Action's method of inspecting was so much more thorough than the landlord's company. We were greatly impressed. (I will go into greater detail on this if someone asks.) Suffice it to say, we were so impressed by Action -- their methods as well as the time the men took to explain things to us -- we arranged for them to come into NY to re-inspect there. For various reasons the landlord made it difficult for us to get the inspection done quickly and the process became really difficult. Susan at Action was fabulous to work with and she patiently dealt with our landlord to get things set up. The Action dog, Sarah, came in and gave us a clean bill of health, as she had at our house. As I said earlier, we had much more confidence in Action's diagnosis, due to their methods, than we did with the landlord's company. Our landlord then brought a third dog in to inspect -- negative again. The landlord finally accepted this third diagnosis, and we haven't had any signs of bugs for six months. We did have a preventative treatment done that the landlord paid for, but the preparations didn't require anywhere near as much work as would have been the case if we actually had bugs. If we had accepted the results from the first inspection we would have gone through incredible grief. Action saved us all that, even though it would have been very easy for them to go along with the first diagnosis in order to create a job for themselves at our NJ house. We are very grateful and I recommend them highly. Not only were they completely ethical, they educated us and explained how it could be that the first dog signaled two positives. We're thinking of moving this year (nothing to do with the bugs, just need more space) and will definitely have Action in to the new place to give it a clean bill of health before we finalize things.
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Mar 2 2011 18:02:38
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Thanks for the kind words... I've been so busy fighting the good fight that i do not get a chance to check in here as often as i'd like. It always amazes me when we are called in to perform a K9 inspection as a second opinion and we find NO evidence of any infestation. This recently happened in a multi-million dollar apartment on Park Ave. The family travels quite a bit and asked the nanny to schedule a K9 inspection to be sure that there was no issues to contend with. The K9 team that shall go un-named, pointed out 5 or 6 areas in which the dog alerted to and while he himself was not in the business to treat the infestation, he was rather quick to produce a card of someone who would. (The angle here is... don't hire a K9 team from a company that also performs treatment because they are "creating" work for themselves?!?!?) At any rate, the nanny was suspicious, did some research and ended up calling Action for a second opinion. I dispatched a K9 team and guess what.... Not one stinking alert! We deeply examined all the so called alerted areas and not a trace of anything.
One thing is for sure in the business of detecting bed bugs... you must do your homework and you need a level of trust with the PCO you are working with.
Todd Lorah
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Posted 4 months ago
Mon Jan 28 2013 4:08:08
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ActionK9 - 1 year ago »
(The angle here is... don't hire a K9 team from a company that also performs treatment because they are "creating" work for themselves?!?!?)
Hi Todd,
Please don't take this the wrong way but isn't Action K9 part of Action Pest Control? Your website certainly seems to imply this.
I am not doubting your company's abilities but rather questioning the usefulness of the rule you've just emphasized.
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oldtimer
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Posted 4 months ago
Mon Jan 28 2013 8:28:38
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I think that Todd is just trying to point out that even K9 teams that provide "inspection only" services may still have a hidden conflict of interest when they recommend other PCOs for treatment.
Sometimes the claim that "We don't have a conflict of interest because we only provide inspection services" is just another deceptive sales pitch.
If a consumer hires Action K9 for the inspection... It is obvious that Action Pest Control is an affiliated company.
Integrity is the key issue in this situation.
Full disclosure is an appropriate method for managing any potential conflict of interest between the company that provides an inspection and the PCO that performs the treatment.
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