All about Vikane treatment -- Also, who in DC does it?

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All about Vikane treatment -- Also, who in DC does it?

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iwannabebugfree

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Mar 31 2009 22:35:50
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Hi guys.

It's been a few months, but I'm still dealing with bedbug infested neighbors in my apartment building. I'm going to be moving out of my apartment (my lease is up) at the end of April and want to make sure none of these buggers come with me. I plan on trashing most of my furniture (the bed and the futon are old and need to be replaced anyway), but I will be taking some electronics and books and things with me.

I know that some of you have mentioned renting a Uhaul and having it treated with Vikane. Do any of you know anyone in DC who does this? Has anyone had experience treating like this? Is it effective?

Also, I have yet to see any bed bugs in my apartment or have any bites. However, the bed bugs dogs made a positive ID in my space and my neighbor across the hall is still getting positive dog IDs in her space. We've also had several other units throughout the building treated for an infestation. At this point, is Vikane treatment something worth doing? Or should I just clean what I can and move it? While I know skipping the Vikane is going to be cheaper, I'm so scared of moving these things into my new space.

Any thoughts?
Nobugsonme

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Mar 31 2009 23:52:30
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I don't know for sure if anyone does it in DC. Someone else was just asking about the same region (Maryland/Virginia).

Two suggestions: call Bed Bugs and Beyond (you can google them) and ask if they do it in your area or know of someone who does. They provide such a service in NY and (I understand) other areas. Even if not there, they may be able to help or suggest someone.

Call DOW who produce Vikane TM. They may be able to recommend a provider, if it is legal there.
lizziefur

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Posted 3 years ago
Sun Jul 26 2009 19:41:48
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Hi,

I'm in Philadelphia and looking for a Vikane provider as well. Did you have any luck finding one in DC??

My biggest question is whether rowhouses can be tented and treated.

Any thoughts?
buggyinsocal

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Posted 3 years ago
Sun Jul 26 2009 21:25:56
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I'm not a PCO, but my guess is that rowhouses cannot be tented and treated with Vikane for two reasons.

First, Vikane is a highly toxic gas, and treating one home in a row of attached houses without the gas leaking into adjacent houses seems impossible to me.

Secondly, even if that were possible, I remember reading a comment somewhere that Vikane becomes a more complicated procedure in multi-unit buildings even when all units are being treated. So even if there were a way to deal with the gas migrating from one unit to another, it would greatly increase the price.

Of course, I'm not a PCO, so I don't know everything. But I do live in southern California so I see buildings tented all the time. However, so Cal architecture doesn't really use row houses anywhere I can think of, so it's possible that there is a way. I just can't wrap my head around what it would be, so if PCOs have seen it done before, I'd love to hear about it.

If you're looking for a one time treatment, thermal might be a better option with a row house. And I do believe there was at least one PCO in the NY/NJ/PA area who was doing thermal treatments, so you might have better luck with that.