Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed Bug Treatment
Do I stand a chance???
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notsleepingverytight
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Joined: Mar '09
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Posted 4 years ago
Fri Mar 20 2009 15:56:22
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Ok, my PCO just left after my first treatment. And sorry, but this post may be long. I researched PCO's in Houston on this and it out of all of them, this one seemed to be most knowledgeable. There were 2 guys and it took them a bit over an hour. They used Precor, Tridie (sp?), Suspend and PI. Based on what I have read here, and in my research, I really wanted Phantom to be used. My PCO told me Phantom is not labled for bed bugs. What?! Is this true?! They removed and dusted all electrical outlets both upstairs and down, and did something in the attic. I have a 2 story stand alone home and they concentrated their efforts upstairs in my bedroom (no one ever really sleeps in my guest bedroom) and the laundry area which is just outside my bedroom. They sprayed the baseboards throughout the house. They did not treat my couch as I never use it and they did not do anything special to my office. My time is spent in my office downstairs (where I found the nymph which may have hitchhicked downstairs with me that morning-or it could have been a spider-who knows) or my time is spent in my bedroom upstairs which coincidentely is directly above my office. Prior to their arrival today I found 4 adult bugs and I recall maybe seeing/killing the nymph (before I knew what it was, and again, maybe it was a spider). The PCO found nothing during the inspection a few days ago. When they were spraying today they found 2 in a corrugated cardboard box that was stored under my bed. Yuck. My question is, with what was used, is there any way I have a chance of beating this thing? If anyone can advise, I would appreciate it. Is there anything I can do to self treat my couch and office chair? I'm concerned because the PCO thinks their treatment today should be enough. I mentioned the egg hatching concern and was told there is enough poison to kill them. Should I book at 2 week treatment with them anyway? What can I expect? PLEASE help! I am becoming consumed by this thing! THANK YOU!
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notsleepingverytight
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 19offline
Posted 4 years ago
Fri Mar 20 2009 16:00:38
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Also, how long do I need to live out of bags after this treatment and drying on hot/baking things in the sun? Thank you!
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notsleepingverytight
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 19offline
Posted 4 years ago
Fri Mar 20 2009 23:39:37
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Just went out to meet friends for much needed drinks after spending 3 days bagging up my world. I am scared to death to go upstairs to bed. Will they be more prevalent now after the treatment? Did the treatment even do anything? Like I just told a fellow Houston poster, sometime tonight I have to go up to that darned bed and 'face the music', but am wondering....Should I stay up and do more laundry?.......Figure out if I want to place No Pest strips in my bagged stuff (and what size and for how long)?......Watch TV in bed?...Oh wait! Nevermind! It's in a bag for at least a month. Scratch that (literally??)......Read more forum posts?.......Figure out a plan B for discontaminating the bagged goods?......Completely isolate the bed?.....Carefully inspect the mattress encasements (which a 5'11, 135lb girl put on herself thank you!) for rips?.....Ponder whether or not my friend will ever see me as bug free?.....and the list is endless.......Sorry to vent, but I am totally spent on this. Thanks for listening....
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paulaw0919
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Joined: Jul '07
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Posted 4 years ago
Fri Mar 20 2009 23:55:23
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Phantom is labeled for bed bugs now, but wasn't about a year ago. Chemicals used seem okay, but it's not so much the chemicals but how and where they were applied, how thorough they were with in their crack and crevice treatment. Out hear on the east coast bed bugs have shown resistance to for some time, but your strain in Houston may not be affected by that yet.
You will most likely need repeat treatments. Depending on how spread out and how long the infestation went on for. I don't know what to say about the couch. Maybe turn it over, upside down and inspect all cracks/crevices, seems etc of eggs, bugs, skins ect.. I wouldn't do that right now after treatment though because bugs are on the move due to treatment. Maybe a K9 to inspect the couch? Don't know, maybe some one can chime in on that one. Personally, the PCO I feel should have inspected it before or during treatment but if you told him you never use it he/she didn't think it was an issue? Imo, should require an inspection regardless.
I recommend reading the FAQ's here very very thoroughly,,,especially on finding a PCO, prep work, and laundering. I'm concerned in that the PCO you mention doesn't do follow up treatments concerns me. You also didn't state that he'she did any vacuuming or steaming. It's not unusual to need 2,3,4,+, treatments when using traditional pest control. It all depends on how bad the infestation is and the skill of the tech. The reason why I mention prep work, is that you had a box or items under your bed and card board boxes are like a bed bug nursery for egg laying.(inside of it) Did the PCO give you a prep list? As for laundering, I know TX is pretty hot, but I don't know if it gets hot enough to air dry clothing and kill bugs/eggs that may be in the clothing. The PCO should let you know when it's okay to unpack your clothes. Much depends again on the severity of the infestation and how thorough the tech was. Many PCO's say not to unpack your clothing for 50-60 days after all the bugs are gone, no bites, signs, fecal, skins ect..
It takes time and persistence but can and does get won. Don't give in to the bug, but in return use your anger to follow up withe treatments and learn as much as you can from the FAQ's to better inform yourself and make wise thought out decisions. There are many more options out there and information now than there was even just a year ago. I don't know TX too well, but there are also other choices of treatment such as Thermal and Vikane that rid the bugs faster. Either way it can be beaten. I wish you the best of luck.
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notsleepingverytight
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 19offline
Posted 4 years ago
Sat Mar 21 2009 1:15:19
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Thank you paulaw0919! I needed that. Just isolated the bed with glue traps under all 6 plastic/metal wheels and did the best I could with painter's tape around the two wooden feet of the headboard. Man, has all of this mss changed my habits! I used to view the space under the bed as valuable storage space. Nothing will ever be stored there again--ever! What's frustrating is I have done research every day for the almost the past two weeks for hours and hours a day (I'm unemployed too-bonus!) and even had a lengthy phone conversation with KQ. I thought I had developed a plan, but when I researched PCO's what I found was so dis-heartening! No one here in Houston seems to know much at all about bed bugs. The PCO I decided on was the one that I was most comfortable with knowledge wise. He actually did inspect the couch (only under the cushions) which concerned me but he didn't see it as a big issue because I told him i rarely rarely used in. Now in retrospect, I should have told him every square inch on my place is constantly occupied! Haha! We argued over chemicals used, but in the end I feel that this PCO was my best choice given my options. I believe my infestation was small (whatever that means) because I have found 5 adult bugs (including treatment today) and possibly one nymph (maybe) in 13 days. I think I am going to call them in 2 weeks or so for follow up-just to make sure. I greatly appreciate your response. Gee, maybe if I don't find a job soon, I can go into the bed bug business! Houston needs some help! Hahaha! I really think it's just a matter of time before the problem becomes widespread here. Ugh, oh well, off to fight the fight.......Thanks again.
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member
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 177offline
Posted 4 years ago
Sat Mar 21 2009 2:21:09
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It does get "better" but it seems to take a long time with anything not thermal. I've had 6 various treatments (Last 3 months cy-kick, phantom, tridie, and now gentrol - and my case of Phantom so i can do my own follow up) but believe my problem was prolonged by my now gone Murphy bed. I just movie tested my couch tonight - first time I've been on it for two weeks. They ripped the fabric off the bottom and sprayed god knows what up there after freezing it. HEAR ME - Freezing just came with the treatment so what the heck, i have issues with it blowing bugs all over the place, but it did seem to more than sterifab.
The cushions have been PACKTITED for 8 hours and it was an event-free flick tonight - and believe me I was nervous.
More cleaning and Packtiting and caulking and Morphy's tomorrow and on and on, AND I SO UNDERSTAND what you mean about those Pest People, they are a conundrum unto themselves. That is the saddest part, really. These "experts" here in Cascadia, unbeknownst to them, have the KQueen casting a shadow over them and their arrogant masks. They don't know we've been educated by the Killer and think they can just talk some smack about their methods.
I agree, it's exactly like what Mr. Natural said...hmmm, let's see, he said, oh yeah, "Mr. Natural sez, Use the right tool for the job." but of course we know it's how you "apply" the tool, right?
Portland, OR
(can things be improving? feeling a little frisky tonight...and that's a testimony unto itself.)
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notsleepingverytight
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 19offline
Posted 4 years ago
Sat Mar 21 2009 16:43:27
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Hello hoo2677! Glad you had an "event-free" flick night! It sounds heavenly! Maybe one day.... Although I must say I slept fairly decent last night (6 hours vs my usual 3) because I have isolated my bed. Still am only sleeping with a sheet and only bunched up clean clothes for a pillow though. You mentioned you have your own supply of Phantom? Can the average joe purchase it?
My PCO is hell bent on the fact that the one treatment will work and it is going to be tough to convince them otherwise (cocky sons of you know whats). Again, I knew more than them. UGH. I am going to call Monday and speak to the owner to give him a piece of my mind. But if I decide to use Phantom, can I use it alone as a second treatment? What should be used in my second treatment in conjunction with what was used in my first? Should I start looking for another PCO, which is scary because these guys seemed the most knowledgeable. So, so frustrating!
I have a few more questions.....My PCO told me to bag up my clothes/fabric items and treat them (wash and dry on hot, dry clean, etc.) and told me I could unpack everything after treatment (their treatment and me treating the clothing, etc.) and the residuals would kill anything left. Is this advisable? I can't seem to find a definite protocol on this. I bought some No Pest strips and am thinking I may want to use these for treatment in the bags, but again, have not found a standard protocol for use--how long? do they need to be cut smaller? are they fabric safe? how many items should be in a bag? etc. Any suggestions?
Also, I think my mattresses were still a bit wet when I covered them. Is that OK? I waited about an hour and a half or so, but just couldn't wait to get the darn things on!
I think I'm going through PTTD - Post traumatic treatment disorder!
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notsleepingverytight
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 19offline
Posted 4 years ago
Sat Mar 21 2009 17:50:21
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BTW, the PCO said they COULDN'T put any more poisons down because it would defeat the first application. WHAT?! Can someone please help? I'm going crazy with this! What would be recommended for the 2nd treatment? ARGH!
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member
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 177offline
Posted 4 years ago
Sat Mar 21 2009 22:57:16
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Ooops I did write Phantom, I meant Bedlam. I don't think you can buy phantom, only PCO's. My apologies.
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buggyinsocal
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Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 2,440offline
Posted 4 years ago
Sat Mar 21 2009 23:01:29
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t does get "better" but it seems to take a long time with anything not thermal.
Or Vikane.
Regular readers know that I'm a big fan of thermal, but I'm an even bigger fan of full disclosure. Vikane can also get rid of bugs in a single treatment.
As for the PCO saying that they couldn't put any more poisons down because it would defeat the first application, you should (for the present) listen to them on that front. Some kinds of pesticides will undo the work of other types. Since the PCOs know what was put down and where, frustrating and terrifying though it may be, it's probably best to trust them. One of the reasons that the FAQs here emphasize not doing any of your own pest control without consulting your PCO first is that even non-chemical pest control can undo chemical pest control (for example, steaming or mopping a floor that's been treated with a residual can remove the residual or decrease its effectiveness, and your PCO may be relying on that residual being in that place for the whole treatment to work.)
Trust me, I know it's easier said than done to trust a PCO you've just begun working with, but in order to have the best shot at it, it's the best approach.
I was hugely skeptical about the PCOs that treated my place, but they did get rid of the infestation with a single treatment, so I've come to understand that every PCO is different.
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notsleepingverytight
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 19offline
Posted 4 years ago
Sun Mar 22 2009 10:02:40
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That's really good to hear buggyinsocal--one treatment?! As you probably know, I REALLY want this first shot to work! I guess I need to find a way to adopt a 'wait and see' attitude which I am finding really difficult to do! Ugh! So I guess I will follow their instructions on putting my clothes, shoes, etc. back? What a task. Should I monitor for 2 weeks? A month like they suggested?
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paulaw0919
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Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,159offline
Posted 4 years ago
Sun Mar 22 2009 11:23:59
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Thermal as well As Vikane fumigation has to be done properly for it work in one shot. I had Vikane fumigation of our home and vehicles 1.5 yrs ago. I just wish I found out about it before all our belongings and furniture were gone. (soo muc hmore info out there now vx back then) I wish both weren't so expensive in the NE for it's my treatment of choice and not possible to do with every infestation you get if it were to happen again.
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notsleepingverytight
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 19offline
Posted 4 years ago
Sun Mar 22 2009 11:42:42
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If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for Vikane treatment?
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paulaw0919
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Joined: Jul '07
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Posted 4 years ago
Sun Mar 22 2009 14:32:37
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Well, I live in NJ. Down south and out in CA where Vikane is used more commonly for termites it's much much cheaper. Much of the cost depends on the size, shape of the structure, whether there are crawl spaces, basements, ect..
We have a 2000 sq ft house that is on a slab (no basement) It ran about $8000 including both vehicles. If I knew this was an option back then, I would have saved double of that in furniture loss. I've heard down in FL vikane for the same type of structure is half of what I paid, maybe less.I do want to stress that there are EXTREME precautions that need to be done when prepping the structure and when leaving/re-entering the stucture when having this done. You must be sure you leave w/o a single bug on you, in your clothes, shoes, wallet etc... and you must make sure that everything in the house is set up so it can be fully exposed to the gas.
One must make sure they are using a knowledgeable experienced fumigation company and hopefully has some warranty. (must use 3x the rate of termites and a prolong time to penetrate the eggs)
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w152171189
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Joined: May '09
Posts: 6offline
Posted 4 years ago
Sun May 17 2009 19:47:57
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Can anyone recommend a Vikane treatment specialist in CT? What did you have to do to make sure that all household items would be exposed to the Vikane? Will treatment professionals use Vikane for light infestations?
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