Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » General Topics
Could I be clear??
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Em1231
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Joined: Aug '09
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Aug 28 2009 11:25:52
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I stayed in a hotel room for 2 nights that had bed bugs. After I discovered them, the hotel moved me to a new room, which I was in for 4 days. I took no precautions to prevent myself from bringing the bed bugs to the new room or to my house, as I didn't know anything about them at the time.
I didn't get any bites show up on me until after I was home for a day. I know bite reactions can be delayed. I've now been home for a week and half, and do not seem to be getting new bites.
I've now had 3 PCOs come in. None of them can detect any evidence of bed bugs/skins/eggs/feces. I myself have not seen any signs of them either: no blood smears, bugs, etc. In the mean time, I've been washing/drying/bagging my clothes, throwing stuff out, vaccuuming, steaming, etc.
I'm having a dog team come over in two weeks to see what they find. But after not seeing them myself, and having 3 PCOs unable to find anything...could I be in the clear? Maybe I got lucky and none came home with me? What do you guys think?
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BugzBGone
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Aug 28 2009 11:55:24
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It sounds like you've done everything just right and don't seem to have any signs of anything. I would say just keep your eyes open and the dog team is definitely a good idea. I did that myself last week and got the all clear. My parents had an infestation, but they received 4 PCO treatments now, and haven't seen any live bugs in almost 2 weeks! I also had two sprayings and 4 visual inspections at my apartment and everything has been fine. It sure is nerve-wracking, but I believe we are both on the right track!
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Em1231
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Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 21offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Aug 28 2009 11:59:51
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Thanks BugzBGone! Congrats on not seeing anything 2 weeks.
I'm thinking I either didn't bring any home, or that I did and they just haven't "infested" enough to show enough evidence of themselves yet. Hoping the second one isn't the case!
It's nerve wracking as now I'm questioning every speck on my sheets, blotch on my skin, etc!
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DrFrank
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Joined: Jul '09
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Aug 28 2009 13:38:56
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How long do you want to live with the uncertainty? Will you worry about having people over, or visiting people, or possibly taking bugs to work, in the mean time? Buying or making some monitors might help minimize your stress, if you're as prone to paranoia as I am.
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Em1231
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 21offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Aug 28 2009 13:54:55
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Well, I had a glue trap under my bed for a week and it showed nothing.
While all PCOs that came to inspect found nothing, they all said it could be because it's too early in the game. I've only been home from my business trip for 12 days. They said it may take a little more time before they/I am able to detect them. Catch-22: try to catch it early, but have to wait for signs.
That's why I am having the dog come in on Sept 8th. If I see signs of bugs before then, I'll call my preferred PCO and have them come out to treat ASAP.
Does everyone think this is the right course of action? Like I said - as of now, there are no signs (bites, bugs, etc). What else can I do but see what happens - and then immediately act if something does happen.
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BugzBGone
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Aug 28 2009 13:57:36
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When the PCO's came in, did they actually spray or treat anything, or did they just inspect? Seems if they're familiar with BB's, they'd know where to look.
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Em1231
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Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 21offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Aug 28 2009 14:02:47
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All 3 came in to inspect (and all on different days spaced) - not treat.
As of now, they can find no evidence of anything to treat.
None of the 3 could find any bugs, feces, eggs, castings, blood smears, etc, etc.
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BugzBGone
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Aug 28 2009 14:16:23
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Oh, I see. Can they do a preventative treatment? I'm not sure how much that costs, but that's what they did in my apt even though they also did not find any evidence, and I personally feel the PCO that came over did a pretty thorough job inspecting. This company I used is very familiar with BB's. Another lady I work with did the same routine for prevention after being exposed. I also think the K9 inspection will be great for you, and will give you lots of peace of mind. People here have varied opinions on the dogs, but I was very satisfied with mine, and the handlers (2 dogs, 2 handlers) were wonderful! I think we're both on the right track to getting through this!
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Bugbitten Meg
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Aug 28 2009 14:27:21
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I added a 'dog' tag up at the top-- you might want to use it to read 'What information can you expect from a bed bug dog?' and anything else that catches your eye in the list... many people have had very good results with dogs, (I've had one in myself to confirm... which they did, sigh.) but it is also true that if the dogs are rewarded immediately when they alert to a bug, without the handler checking for physical evidence, formerly well-trained dogs are likely to get less reliable... which means that you're looking for a good handler, as much as a good dog.
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Em1231
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Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 21offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Aug 28 2009 14:36:44
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None of them mentioned preventative treatment, from my research I haven't come across anything about preventative spraying. Is this something I'm not aware of?
All 3 PCOs didn't want to treat with chemicals if there weren't bed bugs - since there were no signs of the bugs, they told me to keep an eye out and see. And in addition, I have the dog coming out.
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BugzBGone
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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Aug 28 2009 14:48:58
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Well, the preventative sprayings I got (total of 2) were the same process they do for an active infestation. I don't think it was anything different or special that they do; they just followed the same process. I guess it depends on the PCO; some may not spray if they don't see anything. In my case, they treated because my parents' had a BB problem, and I saw a couple bugs in my apt after coming back from their house. Stragglers, I think! Nothing else was ever found.
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Em1231
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Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 21offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Aug 28 2009 14:55:24
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Well that's the thing - I've never seen a bug in my house. If I had, I would have had them treat for sure. It's very nerve wracking though _ I can't wait until the dog comes so that I know for sure.
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