Can't sleep, please help « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

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Can't sleep, please help

(4 posts)

Dillers

newbite
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 3

Posted 5 months ago
Fri Oct 2 2009 6:07:58
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At the end of June I moved into a condo I am renting . Maybe a month later I started getting mysterious bites, but my boyfriend and other roommate (roommate sleeps in separate room) weren't getting any. I thought I had maybe developed some sort of allergy so I waited it out to see if they'd go away. But I kept getting more. One night I saw on the show Monster's Inside me a segment on bed bugs. I still didn't think it was bed bugs, until I saw one on my bed one day (maybe 2 months ago). Then I found another on the mattress, and I've also seen one on the wall. I blamed it on my boyfriend since he got a used mattress from a hotel he worked at. But apparently 3 of his other friends got mattresses from the same hotel (stored in the same room), and never got bites. He called a local pest control company and they said they are under contract with my condo and we have to go through them if we don't want to pay (but they wouldn't say which building or floor)... so for months I've been feeling ashamed and embarrassed, thinking we brought the problem in and need to get rid of it ourselves. Now I really don't know if it was us or them.

A month ago we sprayed Raid but then they came back. We threw away the one used matress and encased our other mattresses.

I don't know what to do- go through the condo or talk to my landlord? I'm really frustrated and feel like I'm going to have to throw out tons of my stuff. If I move on my own, my boyfriend can't sleep over or he could sprend them back to me.

Where will we stay when we get treatment? Will they cover hotel expenses? I also want to go see my friends and family out of town, but won't for fear of spreading bugs to them. It's hard because I haven't seen them in months and I really miss them.

To complicate matters, we have cats, which our landlord oked but the condo association says it's against the rules. We got caught with one (she got in the hallway) and our landlord said just to make sure it doesn't happen again but the association threatened us with fines.

We do have a clause on the lease that says either we or the landlord can give 30 days notice to terminate the lease, but I'm not sure we could terminate it now that winter is coming. I've thought about just moving out and taking basically nothing with me, but I don't have that kind of money.

Also for work I have to change into work clothes there, so I'm worried about bringing them into the workplace.

Sorry I'm stressing out and can't sleep. Seriously it should be against the law not to inform future tenants of previous bed bug infestations. I'm scared to rent in the future, especially since this place seemed so clean.

I know no one here has the answers to all my questions but if you have any advice or suggestions please share. Thanks!
parakeets

oldtimer
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 913

Posted 5 months ago
Fri Oct 2 2009 16:17:55
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So sorry for your stress. We can relate!

First of all, you contact your landlord. Your landlord is responsible for contacting the condo association and following up about pest control in the unit he or she owns. When the PCO comes, they can tell you about treatment protocol. From what I've heard, bedbug treatment rarely involves people being away overnight, unless it is a severe infestation, but the cats might have to be away overnight--only if the PCO recommends it. It depends on the chemicals used.

About bringing bedbugs to the workplace--bedbugs don't really travel on your body like lice. They are more likely to travel to work with you in any bags you carry and things like that. Ziplocks can be your friend! When you take your bag or purse or work briefcase into your condo, seal it up immediately in a Ziplock bag. That way it won't get bedbugs in it and you can take it back and forth to work without worrying. As for the clothes you wear to work, if you wash and dry them on hot they won't have bedbugs and you can seal them into Ziplocks when they come out of the dryer. That way your clothes won't spread bedbugs to work, but if you are worried, when you change into workclothes at work, seal your home clothes in Ziplock bags while you are working. Watch shoes and boots and you might want to keep them in Ziplocks or at work if you can. I don't know about coats.

I related to this paragraph in your post--"Sorry I'm stressing out and can't sleep. Seriously it should be against the law not to inform future tenants of previous bed bug infestations. I'm scared to rent in the future, especially since this place seemed so clean." So true, all of it! Once you are sleeping better and have met with the PCO and are proceeding with the treatment (which will keep you busy) you will feel more in control. As for moving, if you moved now unless you got rid of everything you would very likely take bedbugs with you and wherever you move might have bedbugs, too. Arrgh. Welcome to this batty bedbug battle. You will win.
CookEmDanno

junior member
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 49

Posted 5 months ago
Fri Oct 2 2009 18:46:41
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Dear Dillers,

Stay calm, because things WILL get better. Don't let your mind go haywire with a million "what if's" that will keep you up all night.

Take one day at a time and do what you can to sterilize your clothing, isolate your bed, etc. Some people become obsessed to the point of distraction. Others are more practical and simply recognize that this is a common problem that can be overcome.

Once you inform the landlord and the building's PCO comes to treat, you'll feel the stress level go down. Then you'll become a bona fide bag lady with a strong opinion on the merits of Hefty One Zip vs. Ziploc Big Bags.

And oh yeah, pour yourself a drink.
NewBlood

junior member
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 77

Posted 5 months ago
Sat Oct 3 2009 7:18:23
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Hey Dillers,

I'm new to this forum and have just begun my battle. I'm lax about certain things, and not the best at formulating a plan - but from what I've read on these forums it seems that almost everyone wins the battle at the end of the day. The battle just takes time, money, and safety to see to conclusion. At least I certainly hope so - because I can't imagine living with these things for more then a few months without them DYING. :)

I too am paranoid about spreading these things to other people. I begged my brother not to visit me this week, but he did all the same. I also went over to friends last night after taking precautions not to bring any extra 'friends' with me. I think warning your friends and family is a great first step - if they, despite informing them of what you know of these things - still want to see you I think you should take precautions as the site FAQ mentions and realize that... you have to let it go. It's okay to still visit and have others visit you - just make sure that everyone is very careful when doing so.

Oh - and I'm not sure if you should move out and not take anything with you. Not to make you paranoid - but you've not guarantee that you just won't get these things again years down the road and then you'd have to throw it all out AGAIN, or feel that you would. Wait until the PCO says what you should do and throw out. Others more experienced in this battle can give you better advice about that sort of thing, but I get the impression that most stuff you own can stay -> even the bed you sleep on once it's treated and encased.