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BB Article in USA Today, Today

1. 

   BBsBlow
   

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   Posted 5 years ago
   Wed Nov 7 2007 18:57:27
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   Ok, 5 minutes in a dryer??? Since when? I don't think this article captured the true agony of what it's like to have the bugs, though it's one of the better articles I've seen. (No, I won't be writing a letter to the editor about this one- ha, ha.)

   click here

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   nomorebugs
   

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   Posted 5 years ago
   Wed Nov 7 2007 19:42:27
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   Thanks, more spreading the word.

   Pick up bed bugs on the subway, rental car, or movie theater? Ew.

   The reference to 5 to 10 minutes in a hot dryer to kill bed bugs and eggs has been referenced several times. Bed bugs are very sensitive to heat. I think the recommendation is set the dryer to the highest temperature setting which is typically 180 degrees F. I suspect we can trust this information.

   I personally make sure the cloth/clothing is all completely dry then very hot for at least 10 minutes more. Drying is cheap and while you are at it, just go for a few minutes more. If you want to go longer, by all means. But I hope the 1 hour to 2 hours is a bit overkill.

   If I think something is infested or bed linens, I'd go longer. If unlikely maybe 10 minutes at assuredly high heat is enough.

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   Nobugsonme
   

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   Posted 5 years ago
   Wed Nov 7 2007 20:17:35
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   Actually Potter studied it and found that a dry sock took five minutes in the dryer. We link to his research in the FAQ on freezing (via http://bedbugger.com/faqs/stuff).

   The article is misleading, though, since larger articles need longer (which is why I recommend 20 minutes for most clothing, from dry), and since wet clothes need a WHOLE lot longer.

   Freydkin, the author, was a reader of the blog when she had bed bugs. She asked me for an interview for the article but it did not work out schedulewise.

   Nomorebugs, dryers vary so much, but the laundromat I use, it takes well over an hour to get to "dry plus ten minutes."

   I don't think anyone should dry DRY clothes that long, though.

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   insomnia
   

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   Posted 5 years ago
   Wed Nov 7 2007 21:19:42
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   BBB--you're right, the article didn't really portray the agony. But the picture of the BB was huge...it definitely captures your attention! Hopefully since so many hotels provide USA today for patrons, this article will reach tons of travelers. (largest circulated paper in the country) I only wish it referenced this site.

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   Nobugsonme
   

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   Posted 5 years ago
   Wed Nov 7 2007 21:20:56
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   The hotel distribution is a really good point, insomnia.

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   nomorebugs
   

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   Posted 5 years ago
   Wed Nov 7 2007 21:25:04
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   NBOM, oh. I was assuming the 1 hour or 2 recommendation was after the clothes are completely dry. I've must have misread. I completely agree with your about thicker items. Once in awhile, stop the machine, reach in and feel the clothes, they should be all dry and hot. Fluff out the items.

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   BBsBlow
   

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   Posted 5 years ago
   Wed Nov 7 2007 21:53:13
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   Ok, so am I then a crazy person for drying things almost 2 hours no matter what it is? (Clothing/sheets.) 5 minutes seems like nothing!

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   nomorebugs
   

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   Posted 5 years ago
   Wed Nov 7 2007 22:07:20
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   BBsBlow, you are not crazy, if two hours makes you feel better, so right ahead.

   I think people should read the 5 minutes as "at least 5 minutes (probably more), for already dry clothes, in a already extremely hot dryer, with minimal load, so the whole item is hot".

   I would not rely on just throwing in dry cloths in the dryer and just turn it on for 5 minutes.

   I think the FAQ on this forum is very good on this. I re-read it.

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   Nobugsonme
   

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   Posted 5 years ago
   Thu Nov 8 2007 3:38:46
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   nomorebugs,
   thanks!

   BbsBlow: As John Lennon sang, "Whatever gets you through the night, it's alright, it's alright."

   

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    BBsBlow
    

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    Posted 5 years ago
    Thu Nov 8 2007 21:33:47
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    LOL Though I can argue once in a while I don't get through the night happily! Boy was my stuff hot out of the dryer today. Ow!

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