Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Introductions
Bugs at work and at home
(5 posts)-
Hello,
I moved over to New York at the end of June and I've been staying in a long term hostel with 5 other girls. All 6 of us came over from England for a 6 month internship and it had been going fine until a few weeks ago.
About 2 weeks ago one of the designers at my work found a bed bug crawling along her desk. Work said it was being treated, they got people in that night and then the next they bought in a dog group etc. That weekend my Aunt asked if I'd like to move in with her as she had a room coming free in her appartment. I jumped at the chance, the hostel is very lonely and I'm a bit homesick.
But then thursday I woke up in the morning and started reading this website and freaked myself out. I finally braved to look for bedbugs and didn't have to look very far, I found an adult right in the corner, didn't even have to lift by matress up. So I know I have bb's.
Work sent me home straight away to deal with stuff. I gave all my clothes, bed clothes, quilt and pillow to the laundrette and the manager of the hotel/hostel said that although he couldn't call the exterminator in until tuesday (tomorrow) he'd 'spray' the room himself to start with.
Now, it was very silly of me, I should have looked before. I've been getting bites all over since I arrived in june but I thought they were mostly mosquitos (which I think they were to begin with). But then I got bitten more and more at work. I'd go into work with 1 bite and leave with 10.
It's hard to know where they came from and it's not good to point fingers (although the middle aged women at work are all giving me dirty looks... oh and directly mentioned me to the whole office when there was a Q and A with the exterminators - nice) but I'm sure I bought them home from work.
Anyway, I digress and I'm making everyone bored.
I desperately want to move into my Aunts appartment because I can't stand being in this hostel any more. But I can't move in until these bugs are gone. All my clothes are in an airtight bag. But what about my shoes, my books, my toiletries, my paperwork? I don't have access to a freezer and the vacuum cleaner at this place isn't one with a nosel it's a big floor one (if you know what I mean?). I'm worried about my food because my miniture refridgerator is at the end of my bed, and to be honest I just want to go home. I can borrow a hand held steamer from work to go over my suitcases but I'm not sure how hot they get.
This evening I found a baby bed bug crawling along my bed. The exterminator is meant to be coming tomorrow but I dont know how well I trust this hostel anymore, I'm sure it's going to be a conman or something. How can I make sure they (a) come tomorrow (as I leave at 8:20am for work and don't get back until the same time pm) and (b) do a good job?
My matresses are covered in plastic anyway so the bugs I've found have just been on my sheets, and the base of the bed is just a metal frame. I'm too weak to pull it out properly to look (and too scared).
So basically, I have those few questions raised above, but the most important one is how do I know when I'm clean enough to go to my Aunts? How long do I have to leave it before I know they're gone for good?I'm practically alone in NY and I'm ready to jump on the first flight home but I know I can't because I'll just bring the bed bugs home to my parents and then they'll hate me too! haha.
HELP! =(
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golders
newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 5
Posted 1 month ago
Tue Oct 6 2009 23:38:18
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Hi,
I am in a somewhat similar situation. Moved into a flat a month ago. Started getting what I thought were hives but never checked the bed. Checked this evening, having googled a bit more, and realise we have inherited a really bad situation. We have lots of bed bugs in all rooms by the looks of it and I seem to be very allergic.. covered in welts and bumps :(
I can't really offer much advice, but just wanted to let you know you're not alone, and I hope the situation is being sorted out for you.
Good luck. -
tinyvampire
newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 25
Posted 1 month ago
Wed Oct 7 2009 12:57:02
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hi, all...
i read a post somewhere around here re: someone dusting their work area with DE.
i haven't seen any signs of bb around my work area *yet* THANK GOD, but should i also dust with DE; spray with alcohol, etc.?
also, i told my boss about my problem, since i had to call in sick about it one day. i haven't told my coworker who i work most closely with in our small department. however, my boss' partner (who also works here) knows, and they've probably told some other people.
how public should i go with this to protect my coworkers? i want to do something -- but i don't want to humiliate myself any further, and i don't want to create any hysteria about it, either.
before i leave home, i make sure that the clothes i put on are from my sealed bag of dryer treated clothes, and i'm trying to rub my shoes and desk down with alcohol or clorox wipes. should this be enough?
ugh,
-tinyvampire -
cilecto
senior member
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 519
Posted 1 month ago
Wed Oct 7 2009 20:45:24
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IIRC, it's illegal for a LL to treat in NY. It must be done by resident or a pro. If your LL thinks he can make a dent before the pro comes, he's a shnook or that's all he really intends to do...placate you 'til you move on. Sorry to welcom you aboard. Best of luck.
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cilecto
senior member
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 519
Posted 1 month ago
Wed Oct 7 2009 20:52:08
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Get educated, make a plan.
bag all your stuff, inspect it going in and out. papers one by one.
Wash and dry all your clothes & bedding.
Shoes can be heat treated, place in knotted pillowcase and run through dryer for 20-30 minutes.
Bottles and jars rinsed off.
sacrifice stuff you don't really care for or need.
A lot of this will need to take place outside the hostel, which seems too f-ed up. Any treatment there could drive the BB into your stuff.
If in doubt, throw it out or keep it bagged until you figure out how to treat.
Ask a lot of questions.
Best of luck.
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