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Can bed bugs crawl through electric sockets?

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kimintheeast

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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Jan 8 2010 18:58:51
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Hi,

I own a unit in a small condo building. The basement unit on the opposite side (across the hall and down a floor) has an infestation. The unit under me said she had two red marks but nothing else since 3 weeks ago. I am petrified of getting them. I don't have them yet to my knowledge (I have mattress encasements and interceptors on my bed, DE on the perimeter of the room) - knock on wood. We are trying to help her get rid of them but she owns her unit and does not have the money to do it. Anyway long story...actually, if anyone has any advice on what kind of leverage I have if my unit gets infested that would be helpful.

I know that the bedbugs can travel to other units. Caulking has been one suggestion which I may look into doing. I was wondering if people think it's worth putting those plastic blockers in the sockets - you know, the ones you put in so small children don't get electrocuted.

Thanks!
upagain

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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Jan 8 2010 19:28:59
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I would think that they most likely can fit between the cover plate and wall. There are holes in the backs of the outlets themselves, and from that location a bb could be able to get to the actual prong holes, but I think if a BB was in the outlet box they most likely would escape from the plate.
Louise

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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Jan 8 2010 20:57:18
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What about a swivel outlet cover? I'm not sure how tight the seal would be between the holes and the sliding cover, though.

And if you caulked around the perimeter of the plate as well, that could keep them from coming out from between the wall and the cover plate.

Louise
bait

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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Jan 9 2010 0:48:05
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They kid protectors can't hurt, but they really aren't design to seal. A nymph is very tiny. I would take the outlet cover off and puff in some DE. Then use the protectors for added security.
kimintheeast

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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Jan 9 2010 21:19:36
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Thanks for the responses. Gosh, it seems like so much work. Do you think it's worth it. I read somewhere on this site that they don't relocate until it's a year infestation or so. I guess perhaps if I haven't caulked, i shouldn't do all the electical covers. Alas!
BBcoukHome

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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Jan 9 2010 22:27:56
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Hi,

I would not be as worried about it as it may first appear. To see the logic you need to know a little more about how your apartment is wired. In most cases there are separate circuits or rings in each apartment and often things like lighting and wall sockets are on separate circuits.

Thus although the wiring and trunking runs from room to room they do not pass between apartments. The exception to this is the main power supply which like the water main will run through the building from apartment to apartment. If you shared an adjoining vertical surface (floor or ceiling) with a known infestation it may be worth looking to make sure that this area was well sealed. I say ceiling or floor because in most modern builds the services do not run horizontal but vertically.

The second and very significant issue is the fact that these services do not usually run through rooms of high static occupant (places you remain stationary for long periods of time ( typically bedrooms, lounges and home offices)). Therefore they are some of the last areas of a property to get infected. On a side note if you find bed bugs in your bathroom first then its a good indication that the source is an adjoining neighbour as this again will not be a normal first occupation area.

I hope that puts some rationality in it and that you do not feel the need to go on a frenzy of unnecessary back braking work.

David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited