Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Free for all
Bed Bugs Outside
(12 posts)-
KatSim1
newbite
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 9
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Nov 17 2008 20:25:08
#
Login to Send PM
Hi Everyone... My boyfriend just came home from traveling, and thought he came in contact with bed bugs. All of his luggage is outside and bagged, he even put the clothes he wore home outside in a bag too. What I want to know is, how concerned do I need to be about these little bugs getting inside. He says he thinks he knows where the bed bugs were, an once he bagged that particular item, he didn't get any more bites. (He traveled to another location before coming home.) We are planning to wash everything in extra hot water tomorrow. And dry it for hours, etc.
Should I call pest control just to be sure? Will they be able to tell even if there isnt' a clear infestation? I mean, are there eggs on his ipod? Are the bugs likely to try to come inside from being outside? I can't be too careful.
Thanks!
-
senior member
Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 596
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Nov 17 2008 20:57:10
#
Login to Send PM
The iPod is a long shot ... Launder all the cloths very carefully. I would keep the luggage in the garage sealed in an airtight bag for 18 months. You could look into treating the luggage outside with some products on the market like bedlam. JT Eaton also makes a luggage product. Some have bagged items and used moth balls but I would take caution with that method. Best of luck
-
senior member
Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 596
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Nov 17 2008 20:58:11
#
Login to Send PM
oopps I would think calling pest control is a little premature at this point.
-
beyondbugged
newbite
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 12
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Nov 17 2008 21:40:54
#
Login to Send PM
Do you have a steamer? Maybe you could steam the luggage. We're getting ready to go through treatment for our bed bug problem and the PCO suggested steaming all of our books and anything that won't fit in the dryer as a precaution. I bought a really nice hand held steamer from Bed Bath & Beyond for $50. It also cleans really well, as an added bonus!
-
KatSim1
newbite
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 9
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Nov 17 2008 21:46:16
#
Login to Send PM
thanks for your suggestions so far. i was thinking if i called a k9 unit, they could just tell me, so i won't have to worry about it forever.. or, until there's an infestation. it seems like a waste of money if nothing is wrong, (although, peace of mind is worth a lot).. however, isn't it much easier to get rid of something before the real problem starts?
-
Jeanette
newbite
Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 34
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Nov 17 2008 21:56:03
#
Login to Send PM
As I have mentioned in earlier posts, I will be travelling in December and was wondering whether I could put my vinyl bag and knapsack in the dryer. That question was answered. I am going to put both articles in the dryer on the hot cycle for 60 minutes, checking after 30 minutes to see how they are faring.
For my suitcases, it was suggested to use the No Pest strips or mothballs. I am not keen on that method. However, I like the idea of a steaming my fabric suitcases but was under the impression that a steamer cost around $500 or more.
If I am able to find a store in Montreal that sells hand held steamers for around the price you paid, do you think that would that do the job of killing any possible bed bugs that may be in the fabric suitcases?
-
Marixpress
member
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 305
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Nov 18 2008 9:29:30
#
Login to Send PM
I threw out my couches last month. NOT saying you should do that but if I were in your situation and I knew that BBs were in my luggage, you can bet your life savings that I would toss all of it rather than risk infestation again. Best of luck.
-
beyondbugged
newbite
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 12
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Nov 18 2008 9:41:37
#
Login to Send PM
Jeanette - 11 hours ago »
However, I like the idea of a steaming my fabric suitcases but was under the impression that a steamer cost around $500 or more.
If I am able to find a store in Montreal that sells hand held steamers for around the price you paid, do you think that would that do the job of killing any possible bed bugs that may be in the fabric suitcases?The PCO that checked our house (we're having a steam treatment done) looked at my steamer and said it should do a good job. It's a Shark steamer, and it has attachments for furniture included. That should work on luggage. Maybe check out the Bed Bath & Beyond website and see if it can be shipped to Canada? Our PCO said that heat is the only way to kill the eggs, so that's why we need to steam clean or put everything in the dryer in case the eggs may have been laid on books or something in the closet. Good luck!
-
Jeanette
newbite
Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 34
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Nov 18 2008 12:59:41
#
Login to Send PM
Thanks a lot for sharing your information and suggestions, beybondbugged. I am going to look into getting a hand held Shark steamer. I like that idea - no poisonous gases involved in the process.
-
Hi,
Firstly as long as the items are isolated outside of the property they should not be an issue.
Keep them isolated and go through the decon instructions in the FAQ's of this site. If you do need to move things indoors to work on them place them in a dry bath so that the area is isolated and contained.
Once your have dealt with it all educate yourself on what to look for an inspect you home. Repeat the inspection one month later and incorporate the vital steps of checking around your sleeping area into your monthly cleaning routine.
Exposure to bed bugs away from your home does not need to result in an infestation at home as along as things are contained.
David
one of the hardest parts of dealing with a bed bug infestation is remaining calm and collected enough to deal with things in a logical and methodical fashion -
Steam is a thermal treatment...as long as you are able to heat the surface that you are treating over 120 degrees F...it should be effective.
You can check the treated surface with an infrared thermometer to ensure that you are reaching the proper temps.
The more expensive units run longer & put out a higher temp steam with a lower moisture content. The high end units utilize a pressure tank design to produce the hotter steam.
-
bugbuster
junior member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 63
Posted 8 months ago
Tue Mar 10 2009 11:05:15
#
Login to Send PM
You could always buy a Packtite unit.
Reply
You must log in to post.
