Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Tales of Bed Bug Woe
clothes shopping
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nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue May 29 2007 15:45:19
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I have been postponing clothes shopping for fear of bringing in new clothes to my apt. and infesting them. i have not been bitten since jan 26 2007. i think i could shop now. my question is just this -
how does one safely BUY new clothes? what if the person bought clothes home then returned them and infested them?
would a solution be to buy them then go through the process of washing them and bagging them along with your clothes that were in the dressing room?
nothins easy anymore.
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I wash before wearing (and I bag it immediately upon arrival at home--don't leave in an open laundry basket). But I'm crazy. We can be crazy together. It's ok.
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nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue May 29 2007 16:19:56
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thanks. i find that to be the only sensible, secure solution. but when you think of this - there is no end to the places, ways and means you can bring one home. really sucks and ins depressing. i go in and out of bb depression.
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I feel pretty traumatized, so this is tentative, but I think the way out is to refocus. The way out of fear is endeavor. New interests, especially something that is difficult, something you can lose yourself in because of interesting challenges, something fun but that requires effort. Easier said than done, true, but that's what I try to do.
For those with close family relationships, seeking refuge in that is also helpful.
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willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue May 29 2007 16:32:45
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I washed and bagged a few new clothes first. Guess I'm crazy too!
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coopbugged
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue May 29 2007 17:10:49
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Oy, don't be crazy! New clothes are very unlikely to be infested, far less likely to be infested than your old clothes! It's like worrying about being the target of a terrorist attack... your chances of being run over by a car or being in a car accident are far, far higher, but you don't stop crossing streets and/or driving do you?
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I understand you coop, but you are not afraid of new clothes. Nightshirt is. Washing them would be a simple solution until she can overcome her fears. Telling her that her fear is irrational does not help her (she probably already tells herself that many times over in a much more convincing way). Again, I repeat this with respect, do not expect only happy, unafraid people to need this forum.
But you could serenade her, that would be something, and would make her smile I bet! :-)
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coopbugged
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue May 29 2007 17:28:10
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hopeless, you're right, no harm in washing new clothes (in fact I have always done so, even pre-bb). But it's been 4 months since nightshirt's been bitten. I know anyone who's been through the bb thing is changed forever. But it's not healthy to live in fear forever when the chances of re-infestation from buying new clothes is really very, very low.
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I'm pretty sure nightshirt will meet some gorgeous outfit one day that she just won't be able to wait to wear and, done, fear gone. But this is her first shopping trip. Let's see what happens.
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willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue May 29 2007 21:24:53
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I hope she's not one of those people who like returning things nomo ;)
If so ... here is one of the few places bed bugs can help us grow as people. They can help us be more decisive and more intent in purpose and more thorough in our actions.
All of us--no one especially me included too!
(Actually … I saw this thread and was hoping to hear about a gorgeous new outfit you had picked up for yurself nomo.)I can wait ... all the ladies in Ca., always ask me for my opinion on their outfits ...
(It's caz ... I'm "that way") lol.
PS we got a Viagra spam-add on the blog yesterday? I read thru most of that long thread for January Some of you ladies (and others) have been around a lot longer than I.
I got some good stuff from reading nightshirt and nomo and S., and other’s, like nbom.
But I just can’t believe that “Parakeets†was actually planning to change her on-line name to make it more "bug-cuter"
double ::)) to all of you.
Nightshirt--you so totally deserve a nice new outfit (or several) go for it but make sure it fits!
fondly willow -
Willo,
Keets changing her name would be the worst idea ever.
First, her name meant something.
Second, no disrespect to anyone, but it's so hard to tell people with "buggy" names apart now there are so many of us. -
willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue May 29 2007 21:59:45
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My heart actually skipped a beat when I read it, but she is so funny when she comes on here and informative all in one. That bird rocks!
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Yes she does.
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nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 9:26:46
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thanks for all the support. whether bloomingdales is unlikely infested is besides the point. my mind is infested. i do have bb free mind days where i actually fantasize my pre-existence. didnt know i should have been so happy. so coop - it is 5 months since my last bite. i have had little nubie things in between but dont know what they are. the experience was so traumatizing for me that i did see a therapist, and i didnt socialize for a long time. and it was holiday time which made me sadder. my daughter was unhappy, i was miserable and my husband took effort to get on board. so please be kinder. because you know - SOMEONE DOES get hit by lightening. it may just not be you this time, or it may. never know. and that is the thing with bb's you never know. so i choose caution over carefree. it is just doing things for the first time - getting over that hump. I AM BUYING A TON OF STUFF THIS WEEKEND - NO MATTER WHAT.
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nyjammin
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 9:33:29
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Ok. As far as new clothes. I'm in it with nightshirt. Either my son grew, which he does seem taller! Or all the clothes shrank in the washer and dryer (probably not). Anyway, I need to buy new pants for my son. A lot of his pants are "highwaters" and I need to get new ones. I'm afraid as well. So, nightshirt, are you going to buy and then wash and dry? Isn't drying easier than washing and drying? I mean, since the clothes are new and not dirty, can't the new clothes just be put in the dryer while it's spankling new for like 80 minutes? Just a suggestion. I'm only going to buy a few pants since the weather is warmer and my son will wear shorts and he has those already.
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nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 10:38:00
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im gonna wash and dry. ill be more comfortable although im not sure it matters. it matters for my mind.
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willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 11:53:32
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This is the best news here in days! You so deserve it!
GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I'd wash too--most of us probably would.)I bought a stand-up white plastic shelf with 9 clear plastic drawers. It was in a second hand store! '
But at $25.00 I had to have it!
I HAD TO WASH IT!
It was 1/2 off in a thrift store?
How could I NOT have bought it for $12.50? Second-hand or not!I SOAKED IT IN THE TUB FOR TWO DAYS! (This was like three weeks ago btw--It was nerve wracking just going into a few thrift stores, I had to, like, MAKE myself go in there!)
BTW—I made use of it for my bed bug killing supplies … for now ….
And the top drawer is for some important papers.
Nightshirt--such good news! -
nyjammin
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 12:10:15
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wtw: what did you soak you new furniture in? any chemicals? The seahorses (who are fish) wanted to make sure you're not ruining their homes, ha, ha.
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willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 12:16:45
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I used regualar laudry detergent and hot hot water and a little elbow grease. Soaked about 4 times over 36 hours? basically that is what I did. Since it is white and clear
and plastic it was easy to do, but took time the extra time and forethought to be 99%sure.Considering your current predicament, jammin, I could say some things here.
I'll say this: I've shared everything I know with you at least twice by now.
take care!
Willow
my post stands as is. -
coopbugged
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 12:44:22
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hey ns, didn't mean to sound mean or unsupportive... I just get fired up seeing how the little bloodsuckers continue to torture people even after they are gone.
Me, I have both fears -- fears that I will be too lax and they'll be back and it will be my fault, and fears that I am going overboard unnecessarily and driving myself and my family crazy. Sometimes I feel that I will never be back to "normal" again, and I know what you mean about looking back on the pre-bb days and not realizing how good I had it back then!
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 13:09:54
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I think new clothes should be washed before wearing anyway, I always did. People may have tried them on before you and no one knows what may have been lurking on their skin.
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nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 13:19:19
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yuk lt. dan - you are right and coop if i misinterpreted your blog sorry. i will fill you in on the"buy" after the weekend.
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willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 13:54:58
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hey ns--Please don't make it just a pm !!!! We all want to know!
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nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 14:05:24
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im a good sharer. ill tell all on monday. thanks sooooooo much for the encouragement. who knew clothes shopping would be such a big deal?
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willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 14:59:40
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Oh the whole thing about washing clothes--and jay-walking is funny silly and I think it's all so great! I've always done it too! Washing new clothes. But now...? I'd not want to try too many things on first. So that's like still jay-walking, but looking for oncoming cars first?
Truth: I almost got physically sick when I bought my first few new things in my post Bed bug awareness. Maybe I'd take them into the change room and shake the “you now what†out of them before trying any of them on.And what I do in the privacy of my own change room--I hope--is not being videotaped by some nutcase. If it were … she/he would get a real "shake" of a show from me.
;) -
nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 15:05:16
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how about this thought. i was thinking i really need to get to the ballet or the philarmonic. how would it look to kleen-free your seat first! LOLOLOL. you could do the same with clothes!
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coopbugged
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 15:27:52
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Hey, don't laugh but I was very tempted to take one of my giant ziplocs to the movies and cover my chair with it. I was tempted to bring Steri-fab but the smell would be offensive to others.
If you're in NYC you could always go to the philharmonic in the park!
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 15:43:48
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Have you ever witnessed people walking the streets or riding the subway in NYC wearing surgical masks?
I always wondered about that. -
nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 16:23:58
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thats in case of a microb attack like in china or a nerve gas thing. a new worry to inhale a bb and have it breed in you? now even i wont go that far lol.
and coop - did you do that at the theater?
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coopbugged
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed May 30 2007 18:52:51
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na, husband put his foot down, and I think he was right. Can't live live worrying about every plush public place. I look at it like terrorism; I live in NYC, but the chances of me being hurt in an attack are statistically very, very small. The chances that I might pick up a new infestation from a movie theater seat are probably smaller. The chances that I will be run over crossing the street is very much greater, but I cross streets every day
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu May 31 2007 9:36:49
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Good morning all,
coopbugged I agree with you but I do think that with the education that we all have now as bb warriors we cannot ignore the fact that the U.S. is experiencing a bb epidemic that is growing day by day and will get worse. How much worse? Who knows we can only guess but I think much worse unless a miracle happens. The smart thing to do is of course proceed with life but definitly proceed with caution. We do not want to be eaten alive in our own dwellings our what was once I considered my sanctuary.
Your husband has a different way of looking at life. I do not think that we should "worry" but I do think the smart approach is to be cautious. How? We all have to find that answer in ourselves. Let me ask you this question. Who did and does most of the work fighting in your bb war? My guess is that it is you and not your husband.
I think that the chance of picking up a bug in a taxi, plane, train, hospital and yes a movie theatre are rapidly growing. It is a fact. Will it get worse? Yes. Untill the government does something about this epidemic infestations will continue to grow. If we can take precautions that guard against an infestation then why not take the precautions. It only make sense to me.
Sound like your husband does not mind living with bugs or he has not any fight left in him to continue to do the correct thing.
A therapist may help. For the first time in my 47 years I started to see one.coopbugged I admire your courage and persistence in this war, and the bb war, for this nation is at it's beginnings.
I made my decision a long time ago and that is that I DO NOT WANT TO LIVE WITH BED BUGS. I believe that you have already made your decision which I believe is that you do not want to live with bugs either.
Don't give up the fight! Losing is not an option. Hey, if your husband pisses you off because he wont help you with this bb thing, just take a steamer to him and give him a lovingly nudge with the tip, it wont kill him but may leave a little scar.
That may bring him back from his fantasy world of life before bed bugs. Just kidding of course.Best of luck to you.
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willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu May 31 2007 9:57:13
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Well Dan Coop's "hubby" has some spunk--he put his foot down and would not allow Coop, to bring an extra large "zippy" to the theater to sit on. That is over the top and I think it is a good idea!? as in ... ?!
Think of all the attention you'd get ...
Think of all the empy seats all around you all of a sudden.
So not a half bad idea.(OK I jest here--a bit with a ;)
But I agree LTND. DAN ... growing epidemic getting worse.
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nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu May 31 2007 12:13:48
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lt dan i totally agree with everything you said.
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coopbugged
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu May 31 2007 12:15:14
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Well at first I considered bringing my bottle of Steri-Fab and spraying the theater seats but that would've been REALLY conspicuous AND obnoxious!
My husband has been tremendously supportive; he did the first 100 lbs of laundry :) but neither of us has been as vigilant as is often advocated here. He was never bitten (or didn't react to the bites) even though they were "nesting" under the upholstered part of the bed on his side! We found 10 of them there and once there was evidence (and even before) he was totally on board (he even posted here under my "handle" once).
We'll never know if we're being too vigilant or not vigilant enough or the right balance in between. If they come back, who knows if it's a resurgence or a reinfestation? But I refuse to let the little vampires (or my fear of them) consume too much of my life. After all, they are a nuisance -- they don't spread disease. And we are able-boddied to deal with them, and though we are not rich we have the resources and the will to kill them dead, dead, dead!!
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nyjammin
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu May 31 2007 14:12:55
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coop, bringing sterifab is ok, but what if they are in the seat next to you or behind you or in front of you or on the floor, etc. I would spary my clothes, maybe in the bathroom so no one sees and then when I get home. Just a suggestion.
ltdan.: I'm very happy and very upset by what you said. I'm happy because if this bb thing gets to real bad proportions, and it does seem that way, that HOPEFULLY the reluctant government will do something about it. I'm happy because I will not be the only one or feel like the only one. Sorry, guys if this sounds selfish, but misery loves company, hope I haven't offended anyone.
I'm very upset because if I get rid of bbs and this thing gets worse, which I agree it will, then we all can be reinfested real easy all over again. In a cab, park bench, subway, bus, supermarket, etc.
I'm very upset because I know this thing will get worse and it will effect the poor and uneducated the MOST. There is a woman on bedbugger group who is a single mother of 5 kids and can't afford a pco. These are the people who are going to suffer. I feel awfully bad for them. I cry for them.
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu May 31 2007 14:20:46
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coopbugged,
If it would make you feel better to bring a bag to sit on at the movies, you should. To hell with what others may think.
If it makes this whole traumatic bed bug thing easier for you than so be it. Your husband and loved ones should understand this.
This bb thing is so surreal. It may come a time in the not so distant future that you will see others bringing plastic to sit on
at your local movie theatre. Do bed bugs not spread disease? Can they be 100% sure? I know they disgust me. -
nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu May 31 2007 14:30:22
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ewwwwwww lt dan. i hope they dont and i have decided to believe they dont.
nyj - ANYBODY can get them. they do not prey on the uneducated and poor more that educated and rich.
and by educated i hope you mean about bb's. but until you are infested you dont bother or even think to be educated about them.
the only thing with the poor is its expensive.
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nyjammin
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu May 31 2007 14:34:39
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Nightshirt, what I meant by uneducated, I meant about bbs, like how to wash the clothes and bag them, etc. I probably worded it wrong. And you're right, until someone gets a bb problem, they probably will not be interested or educated on the matter. I hope this changes. The poor cannot afford pcos or treatments and that's terrible.
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willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu May 31 2007 19:29:20
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I have nothing serious to add to this thread besides renting DVD's.
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I would comment on the bringing Sterifab to the movies issue, since James is so kindly reminding us on the blog that we live in a litigious society, but I think I'll give jammin a break for today! :)
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nyjammin
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu May 31 2007 19:34:27
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ok, no more comments from me.
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willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu May 31 2007 19:40:48
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Don’t anyone count their eggs before they are hatched
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 2 years ago
Fri Jun 1 2007 13:28:18
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Personally I do not partically care for going to movie theatres anyways. I do it for my wife.
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nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Jun 3 2007 16:04:17
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DONE! YEAH - i got 2 skirts, one dress three long sleeve shirts and three short sleeve shirts. i went to my parents home this thursday and stayed till saturday. i went to the "mall" there in white plains and shopped at norstroms and a few of the speciality shops. got back to parents and washed and bagged, vwala. tomorrow the skirt. thanks all for your support during this fiasco.
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jun 4 2007 9:32:47
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Be careful about renting dvd's. If a dvd or a library book was sitting in someones infested bedroom than the bugs
could have crawled into the dvd package or into a library book, returned and then taken home by you.
I could see that being a possible cause for an infestation. One suspect that may have caused my infestation is the
upgrade to High Definition, my cable box upgrade. If that box was in someones infested room and then they returned
it to the cable company and then we installed it, well that is a possibility too.
Nothing is safe. -
nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jun 4 2007 9:39:25
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when i do that i will de it before connecting. great idea. what about the grocery store? waht about the pet store? what about the Bridge store? what are we gonna do? maybe vicane the world.
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I think spraying things on someone else's property (whether a movie theater, or a workplace) and a public place is a bad idea. In this post-9/11 age, told to be careful of "susicious activity." I think people spraying things is very suspicious. If someone sprayed anything on the subway, for example, panic would ensue--because people would NOT think you were trying to prevent bed bugs attacking you. They'd think you were a terrorist.
One person on the yahoo group asked about spraying her airline seat. This is bed bug madness: in order to prevent bed bugs on a seat which may or may not be infested (but the odds are, it's not), you'd risk being whisked off immediately for questioning? If you even get the spray through security...
If sitting on a bag makes you feel good and does not cause a sound (to disturb others), then why not. But it won't prevent bed bugs from biting you. They can bite your ankles, for example.
A lot of what Bedbuggers do to try and feel better about bed bugs does just that, but does not prevent bed bugs. Realizing that can be depressing, but can also be freeing!
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nightshirt
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jun 4 2007 10:07:53
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you are so right. diligence is one thing. afraid to live another. i think people have their moments of panic then can become calm and rational, when living day to day life. i know i do. i even dream about them. so they have certainly entered my psyche and at this point it is up to me to control.
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willow-the-wisp
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jun 4 2007 10:19:26
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I've had a few bed bug dreams too! Also some of the things we do to make us feel better DO work! So there is also that "other side of the coin" to look at.
--Like a good long soak ... relaxing, and it is so, so unlikely you'd get bitten in a bathtub full of warmish water.
--Like spraying at things you can't see (in private). I know I've had to have hit and killed at least 50 of the little B**&#($&$ ... even though I never saw them.
But this was not done in an airport or on an airplane. :)
--washing clothes, even brand new ones before wearing ... airing out a book at the library before checking it out--then bagging it and taking it home to inspect a bit further before reading. etc ...
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