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backpacks and other luggage
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mangycur
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Sep 17 2007 22:55:27
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I've seen on many FAQs that we should vacuum luggage. But then I read other things taht say vacuuming doesn't necessarily dislodge eggs. I suppose I could commercially steam my suitcase. But my backpack is the real kicker: it's this awesome, expensive UnderArmor backpack, rugged as heck and waterproofed to the hilt. Which means if I put it in a washing machine, even on cold, it will break up all the water proofing and destroy the backpack. And it has secret pockets that I couldn't vacuum even if I tried. Is it possible to swab the whole backpack with alcohol? Or do I just need to let it go and buy a new one? I know this has been mentioned on FAQs but the answers weren't clear to me.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Sep 17 2007 23:04:21
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mangycur,
If it seems like we don't have an easy answer on this one, it's because there isn't one. You can try this or that, but no one can guarantee you it will work.
Are you getting professional treatment from a PCO? You might also ask their opinion.
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mangycur
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Joined: Sep '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Sep 18 2007 7:20:00
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don't have a pco yet, and not sure when that's going to happen. I'm trying to coordinate with my neighbors, which complicates the process. Further, I may have to go out of town soon. In the mean time I am focusing on getting my clothes, purses, etc. sterilized and quarantined so I can at least live my life.
So while you don't have a perfect answer--praytell what did you do? Did you get your luggage clean enough that you felt confident, or did you throw it all out? -
buggeroff
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Joined: Jul '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Sep 18 2007 10:19:47
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I did four things. I took the bags outdoors and vacuumed them. I put them in the car, parked it in the sun, and let them bake for several days at about 130F. Then I sprayed the hell out of them with BedLam and left them out in the yard for a week (fortunately, it hardly rained here at all this summer and we had a couple of obliging heat waves). Finally, I put them in the bathtub for a few days and watched to see what, if anything, tried to escape. Then I decided the bugs, if any were in there, were dead.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Sep 19 2007 1:13:35
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Just to add to buggeroff's suggestion, if you put them in the car, please seal (airtight, with air pressed out first) in a bag. This may seem obvious, but just making sure. The last thing you need is an infested car.
:-pWhat did I do? I sealed in a bag for 18 months. I would not recommend this for any other items (see the FAQs on dealing with stuff for my opinions on that), but I was panicked and did not want to deal. I also did not know much when I did it.
If a bag was not important to you, you might toss it. But since it is, buggeroff's sequence might be useful. If you know anyone with access to a seriously cold sub-zero freezer, where you could leave it a while (weeks) that might be safer. A normal freezer I would not trust.
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mangycur
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Posted 5 years ago
Thu Sep 20 2007 0:10:12
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Thank you guys. It's a tough call. I might seal it for 18 months with DE. So much to think about.
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Thu Sep 20 2007 3:30:16
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Why the DE? If you seal for 18 months, and it's really sealed, I think you're safe
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mangycur
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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Sep 22 2007 20:17:41
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the DE is because I know I have commitment issues.
I will probably crack it before 18 months.
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