Confused About What To Do With Infected Couch & Loveseat

Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » General Topics

Confused About What To Do With Infected Couch & Loveseat

(8 posts)

Tags:

Wilma

newbite
Joined: Oct '11
Posts: 6
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Sun Oct 23 2011 16:13:18
#

Login to Send PM

About a week ago I discovered that the sofa and loveseat in my living room is infected with bedbugs. Both have been used for sleeping by myself and occasionally my daughter.

My landlord sent an exterminator a few days later and the furniture was sprayed down heavily. Still I occasionally see bed bugs, 3 or 4 since the spraying 2 days ago.

Now my dilemma is what to do with the couches. I want to toss them both as I have only seen bed bugs in these two sofas- never, ever anywhere else in our small one bedroom apartment.

However, I have read not to that. Because I sleep on the sofa I need somewhere to sleep and feel safe and comfortable.

So far I am considering couch encasements, tossing the sofas and also pulling up the carpet and finally buying a cheap futon or day bed to sleep on just to make sure the offending bugs are all gone before buying completely new furniture.

Btw, I am 99% sure the couches are the base for the bed bugs as this is where I have seen left over skeletal casings and even newly laid eggs.

Please help. I am desperate in tears and haven’t slept soundly in days. I never thought a bug would have me under so much stress.
mrwitz

junior member
Joined: Sep '11
Posts: 64
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Sun Oct 23 2011 18:28:11
#

Login to Send PM

I would be less concerned about tossing the couches than about how the situation is being handled by your landlord.

As I understand it it will probably take two treatments to eliminate the bugs (at least two), and getting rid of them involves pinpointing the source. When the PCO came did he inspect anything? Is it possible that the bugs came over from a neighbor? (providing that you live in an apartment building).

I think getting an understanding of where exactly the bugs are and how to treat them is a vital step before taking action. I was definitely hasty when I found out I had been exposed to them and now can't figure out whether they are gone or not. You want to take methodical approach, which should help your peace of mind.

I know where you are coming from, I hope that you find an effective solution soon.
Wilma

newbite
Joined: Oct '11
Posts: 6
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Mon Oct 24 2011 14:58:34
#

Login to Send PM

I think my landlord has handled the situation properly. He sent an exterminator and is willing to send him again and again. I want to know what I should be doing. I know people who tossed out or covered infected beds so it seems I should do the same for the couches. I'm just not sure what the best move is. Would love to hear from ppl who have dealt with couch infestations.

Like most ppl, I do not have a ton of money to spend, so I want to put it where it really counts.
Nobugsonme

your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,693
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Mon Oct 24 2011 23:19:46
#

Login to Send PM

Tossing your sofa is sometimes considered necessary by the PCO and sometimes not. I would not assume you need to do it. They can be treated. The pest control company should be giving you advice on this.

If it does end up getting tossed out, how you do that is critical. An expert's advice and assistance would be good. If the PCO won't help, you might consider calling some of these hauling teams that will cart off an old sofa for a few hundred bucks -- ask first to make sure they know how to deal with bed bug infested stuff.

It must be sealed in plastic before being moved to avoid spreading them in the home. And once outside, you need to ensure a neighbor does not take it in. Signs about bed bugs, apparently, are not enough for a lot of folks. (That's another plus for the haulers.)
Jamesblonde

newbite
Joined: Oct '11
Posts: 7
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Tue Oct 25 2011 0:40:47
#

Login to Send PM

I think you shouldn't throw them out, how do you know they are not else where in your house as well and not get into the new futon or couch you buy. Sometimes throwing things away not for the reason that you just don't want it anymore but you have to really will make you feel defeated and helpless, after all we are not donald trump and don't have tons money to throw around. I think your best bet is
1) ask a professional to treat your couch again and again until it's completely gone.
2) or you might be able to find places sell bedbug covers that can completely seal the couch so they can't get in or out, they normally cost a lot less than couch itself, bedbugs can not live more than 18 months without feeding, so after 18 months or even 2 years to be safe, if no more bedbugs, you can remove the seal, and maybe your couch will still look brand new!
Wilma

newbite
Joined: Oct '11
Posts: 6
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Wed Oct 26 2011 13:57:50
#

Login to Send PM

Sunday afternoon I bought about 7 boxes of baking soda and completely drenched my sofa, where I sleep, with it. Every part of the sofa I could find, inside and out. I tore off the bottom netting and really got in there. I rotated my couch around, turning it on every side in the air in an attempt to coat every area of it. It is now Wednesday and I have not seen another bed bug. This is the longest I have gone without seeing one since I discovered them almost 2 weeks ago. I can't say whether I have been bitten, though I think I haven't. I am quite paranoid however and I almost always seem to feel as if something is crawling on me. It may just be in mind because when I inspect my body and clothing I find nothing.

I also sprinkled baking soda on my carpet. I don't know what this will do, I read online baking soda may help kill them, so in an attempt to keep my sanity I did these things.

I also ordered a sofa encasement last night.

Btw, I have been praying a lot too. It also helps me keep my sanity.
Wilma

newbite
Joined: Oct '11
Posts: 6
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Wed Oct 26 2011 15:20:59
#

Login to Send PM

I just found a dead one I picked up with tape off the floor beside my love seat. It was dried and shriveled up. I crushed it in the tape as I always do when I find one and there was no blood. It was as crispy as a french fry. This gives me hope. Will keep treating the couch, love seat and carpet with baking soda.

My prayers are working. God is good
Wilma

newbite
Joined: Oct '11
Posts: 6
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Fri Oct 28 2011 14:38:56
#

Login to Send PM

Update:After drenching my sofa with baking soda Sunday afternoon, I have not seen another living bed bug. I have been sleeping on the sofa every night too.

Despite that, I still ordered a sofa encasement. It arrived today and though it gives me extra piece of mind, it is ugly and not really fit for everyday use. It is better for someone who wants to put their sofa in storage and leave it there.

Here is a pic of it. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/266/encasement.jpg/