Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed Bug Success Stories
as close to success as I will admit to
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mangycur
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Joined: Sep '07
Posts: 275
Posted 6 months ago
Sun May 10 2009 9:45:30
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I have held off on doing this for a while because I just can't believe they're gone. I fought the bugs for about a year and a half. Now it's been 8 months since my last sighting/biting. I wish I could say I knew exactly why they're gone, but I think luck is part of it. I had several PCO treatments using steam and Phantom. The bugs just kept coming back and I just kept having the PCO come over. Finally the last time seemed to have worked.
I really don't think they're totally gone, but since I can't find any and have no bites for 8 months, I'm starting to do these wild and crazy things, like sit on my bed while wearing my "outside" clothes, and leaving my backpack out on the table, and putting my books on the shelves again. I feel like I'm getting away with something scandalous! I'm waiting to get a smack on the nose from the universe for being so impertinent. So you see, the anxiety lives on! But even neurotic me has to admit that after 8 months without evidence of bugs it's time to start trying to be normal again. I might get them again, but I might also get hit by a bus, so carpe diem!
The only advice I can give others is, keep washing and bagging, get Phantom, and go to yoga so you don't pull your hair out. Oh, also having a packtite in the house gives me incredible peace of mind. I went on a trip recently and I cooked my suitcase before and after.
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senior member
Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 544
Posted 6 months ago
Sun May 10 2009 12:14:50
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Mangycur,
Thank God! I'm so happy this period in your life is over. I had the same trouble actually believing they were gone,too.You'll get used to it although at first you will still be expecting to see them every time you check.Houseguests from hell is what I know refer to them as,it makes me smile to have defeated the enemy.Good luck with your new found freedom. -
buggyinsocal
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Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,130
Posted 6 months ago
Sun May 10 2009 12:27:35
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W00T! Congratulations Mangycur! I'm so happy to hear that it looks like you're bed bug free.
As to feeling like a rebel when you do wild and crazy things like sit on the bed in your outside clothes, well, you let me know if that ever goes away. I was bed bug free after one treatment in June 2008, and I still feel a little zing of anxiety when I do what I did last night which it take the throw from the couch to the bed. And LEAVE IT THERE. ooooooooh. Wild and crazy. I can tell you that old habits die hard, but I've also started leaving my dirty laundry in laundry baskets on the bedroom floor rather than putting it in sealed ziplocks. It only took me a few months of being convinced the bugs were gone to do that.
Some things I've done are probably permanent changes. I'm not sure I'll personally ever have down comforters and pillows again (not a huge loss for me since I have allergies anyway and should be using hypoallergenic alternatives). I will always arrange my bedroom with the bed so that I can access at least three side of it (no more bed in the corner). But over time, I have started to relax a little bit.
I would say welcome to the club of former bed bug infestees, but I understand the fear of the universe sending another shoe your way, so I won't go that far. :-)
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paulaw0919
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Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 997
Posted 6 months ago
Sun May 10 2009 21:27:59
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Congrats Mangycur!! I'm glad to hear your freedom and way back to normal life!
These types of posts of "letting go of anxieties" are good to hear as well. Even for me. I have a some "abnormal quirks" that I can't break even after so long. :) For example, I've had family in my home again and even had two play dates in my home and as much as I love it, it does bring on much anxiety for that's how we got our bed bugs 2yrs ago. (by having family here) Even though we are in and out all day (3 young children) to this day I still cannot break the habit of not bagging our dirty wash! I long for the day to just have a hamper in each bedroom and toss the dirty clothes in until it's time to wash them. :)
I hope to hear more of people doing the "wild and crazy" things that used to be normal in our lives for it can all give each other the little push we need with our own post bed bug quirks. ;-)
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Yay, Mangycur!!!!
I am SOOO happy to read this. You have no idea.
Well, you probably do have some idea.... :-)
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Itchy-Scratchy
senior member
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 452
Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 11 2009 6:15:39
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Oh Mangycur, I am so happy for you!!
After a year and a half!! That give me so much hope!
We've been free since January 1st ... but I'm still following protocols and don't feel comfortable announcing any successes yet...
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lumpyredthing
newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 23
Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 11 2009 7:14:00
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I'm praying that I will soon be able to join your anxious ranks!! First treatment is tomorrow.......
Feels like life is on hold until then!
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junior member
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 58
Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 11 2009 11:00:42
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[quote]These types of posts of "letting go of anxieties" are good to hear as well. Even for me. I have a some "abnormal quirks" that I can't break even after so long. :)
Congrats! What a fabulous status to earn: Bedbug free! However, I, too wonder how long my 'abnormal quirks' will hang on. I'm still in ziplocs in my dresser drawers, drapes not yet re-hung in bedroom, and I felt like I was taking a walk on the wild side when I added a bed skirt that actually touches the floor! (How sad is that?) We've been bite/sight free since mid-November. Now we have Hershey, wonder bed bug detection dog, and he has cleared our home. What peace of mind.... until he starts sniffing intently and my heart takes a dive! Fortunately, when this has happened, he is sniffing out an errant kibble, or one of his toys.
On another topic - is anyone actually going to movie theatres? One more shift in social behavior due to bed bug paranoia!!! -
paulaw0919
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 997
Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 11 2009 12:21:01
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Too funny Bugbait! Good for you with the bed skirt! I'm not there with that one yet, not even close...but I've had people here, my kids have "things" again. I don't panic when they take a favorite loved stuffed animal out of their bed room anymore. So I guess we weigh each other out on that one ! Lol.
No movies yet for me. I was never really one to go to the movies much anyway though. I would love to bring my 4 yr old to a movie, but just don't want to deal with the anxiety when we have a drive in (yes a drive in!) about 6 miles away. We'll be having some good family nights out this summer. :)
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buggblues
junior member
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 60
Posted 6 months ago
Mon May 11 2009 20:58:45
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Your story gives me much needed hope... i am on my 3rd round of battles.. would love to leave some of the anxiety in my past life...
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I'm subtracting my first three treatments, so I'll say I had my 5th today. A new PCO, and I knew in the first minute, really, that he might be the one. First thing he did was to start removing the switchplates. Came home from work to find my house turned upside down. EVERYTHING had been treated, mirrors off the walls, book cases upside down.
What a happy sight. I have hope for the first time in months. Wish me luck!
Portland, OR
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