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Cable TV box could contain bugs!
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Jul 9 2007 11:20:51
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Food for thought.
On my list of how I could have become infested included my upgrade to high definition cable box.
Many boxes are recycled, meaning the box you receive could have been previously been in a infested room.
The boxes are returned to the cable companies and then wind up in your home. If eggs or bugs are present in the "used cable box"
then of course you will then inherit the bugs. -
Bugalina
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Jul 9 2007 12:11:49
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I just picked up a new box yesteday and told the Cable people of my concern about bugs...They were very tight lipped but they did assure me that all the boxes go thru the warehouses where they are taken apart and inspected. Lets hope as a new box is now in my home..Take note that they do not take back used clickers...
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Jul 9 2007 15:07:04
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It occurred to me months ago that this is one of the 20 or so ways that I could have gotten bed bugs (there are countless others).
Bugalina--what do you mean about the clickers? You think they throw away used remote controls???
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Jul 9 2007 16:48:14
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nobugsonme,
The cable company did not take back the original remote. Now I wonder why? -
oldtimer
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Jul 9 2007 16:54:16
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It is more likely to be the fact that the remotes have a low commercial value and the boxes are where the value is. It might shock you but I suspect it costs more to put a new set of batteries in the remote / clicker than to buy a new one.
David
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Jul 9 2007 17:26:55
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We've returned remotes, though, so I am not sure this is universal or that they toss them all out.
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Bugalina
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Jul 9 2007 18:20:19
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it not about batteries...they just don't "reuse" remotes...I don't know why...but whenever I have turned in a box...they say oh keep the clicker even though it won't work with the new box and they issue me a new one...I am going to call them and ask them why...
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Jul 9 2007 19:40:45
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that has happened to me when we got a new kind of box, because they stock three kinds of remotes that work with different types of boxes... might be the reason.
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old timer
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Jul 9 2007 19:48:55
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Hello All,
It is possible, but unlikely that a cable box would be a source of bed bugs ... Cockroaches yes, bed bugs no.
As for the remotes ... they do not take them back because:
1) They wear very quickly and rather than deal with a disgruntled customer it is cheaper to send out new ones.
2) They are a breeding ground for bacteria. The cost of cleaning it thoroughly before sending out to someone else would not be worth it.
Sincerely,
Sean
Entomologist / Pest Professional
http://www.thebedbugresource.com -
Bugalina
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Jul 9 2007 20:21:59
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I think that Sean is right...they are a breeding ground for bacteria...so they become just another waste product in our waste stream...ironically yesterday I was unpacking and inspecting some "quarantined " stuff from my mother in laws garage...I came upon a plastic box of all of my remotes..the brand new Toshiba TV that I threw away a year ago, the Pioneer that sits in a Pod..and the cable remotes....I threw away the two cable remotes ..I don't like to contribute to waste but I know that Cable would not take them back..then today..I see this post...
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Jul 10 2007 1:28:09
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yes, i do find it reassuring that i am spared others' bacteria.
and glad that the cable box was not a likely vehicle.sean, how about a used air conditioner? say one that was in an infested home and then sold? (would they hang out in an a/c once they found the human to feed on?)
thanks!
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old timer
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Jul 10 2007 10:23:34
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An air conditioner may very well be a source of bird bugs, or mites if birds were nesting in/on the unit.
If the birds migrated or died then the bird bugs or mites would seek out a new food source.
Most of the time insects (and mites) are creatures of habit. It is most likely that they would travel to the new host, feed, and return to their harbourage.
In any given population you will always have "pioneers" that are either lazy and lay their eggs closer to the food source, or intelligent enough to know that this is more efficient. These would most likely be new adult females (from 5th instar).
The good news (if there is any) is that upon inspection by a trained eye bird bugs can be readily distinguished from bed bugs. Once this has been done the inspection for a source shifts away from the bed and toward windows, eaves, attics, etc.
Sean
Entomologist / Pest Professional
http://www.thebedbugresource.com -
your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Jul 10 2007 23:37:25
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Thanks Sean!
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Jul 11 2007 12:44:46
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If a cable box sits in an infested bedroom why would it not be a good place for bed bugs or a bed bug to infest and lay eggs?
Cable boxes do have vent holes which could provide an easy way for bugs to come and go as they please and it is dark and secluded. I do not understand why this would not be possible. -
willow-the-wisp
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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Jul 11 2007 19:59:12
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Sean said not likely. I think it is possible too ltndtdan. That one I caught and held for a while ... it may very well have come out of the little holes in the fire alarm pull station high up on the wall. She was quite the pioneer ... if ... that was the case.
I like this thought about the pioneer anything. I mean it is scary to a degree knowing that this is sort of how they evolve, but--it is also comforting to know it is not a probable source, as; most follow the bed bug s'"regular routines".
Why would be good to know. it's not too near the bed ... its up on the wall ... probably that but any other reasons i can't think of personally ...
Not that I am any kind of an expert or professional.
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