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found bb after 14 months and 1 move...

1. 

   jln114
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Tue Aug 30 2011 3:16:41
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   Hi, everyone.
   I'm mostly just looking for some support (as most of us are on here).

   In April 2010 I found my first bedbug in my old apartment. It took some hassling with the manager and rental company, but they finally believed me after a couple months and treated the unit first with a chemical application and then with heat treatment (I have asthma and had a bad reaction to the chemicals).

   I thought I did everything right after the treatment and before I moved: washed everything I could (including my couch fabrics) on hot; dried on hot for the regular amount of time + 20 min; kept clean stuff in sealed bags; got an encasement for my mattress but not box spring (PCO said no problem); and subjected everything in my apartment to the thermal treatment.

   Tonight I woke up to the telltale allergic reaction to BB bites and found a little one in bed with me. At least I know what it is and that my new landlord is really helpful. At this point, I'll pay for the thermal treatment even if he won't just for the peace of mind (thank you, student loans). But I'm freaking out.

   I have anxiety (what a great combination of aliments!) and am having a tough time facing the bed to go back to sleep. I've examined my bed and can't seem to find any markings, though I haven't flipped anything yet to check the bottom, etc. I guess I'm wondering if it's likely that I somehow brought the bugs with and they've been dormant for almost 15 months (seems strange, though of course not impossible) or if it's a coincidence and they're in the building (there have been a lot of people moving lately).

   Any guidance on what I can do after this treatment to really prevent them? I hate the bugs but hate the thought of them harassing my dog even more. And I really need to sleep. Thanks in advance for your ideas.

2. 

   bed-bugscouk
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Tue Aug 30 2011 5:14:58
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   Hi,

   With regards the probabilities of what has happened here I would suggest that you have come back into contact with a source of bedbugs and this is a fresh infestation.

   The chances of a bedbug remaining dormant for 15 days let alone 15 months when food is available in the property is extremely remote.

   This is what I call a local source infestation where the issue is brought back in through occasional contact. It may be worth looking for overlaps in your routine between now and when you last got exposed to see if there is a common link.

   Thermal is most likley the best option given your medical conditions but the downside is that it cant do anything to stop you bringing bedbugs back into the property or killing them when they are there.

   Hope that helps.

   David Cain
   Bed Bugs Limited

3. 

   jln114
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Tue Aug 30 2011 7:12:48
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   Thanks for the reassurance -- that does help.

   Now I'm curious about your last paragraph: "Thermal is most likely the best option given your medical conditions but the downside is that it cant do anything to stop you bringing bedbugs back into the property or killing them when they are there."

   I'm sure there are answers on this site, but what methods help people avoid bringing them back home or killing them when here? I thought the thermal treatment would kill the bugs...?

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   blargg
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Tue Aug 30 2011 7:25:07
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   Do your neighbors have bedbugs? They need treatment, too.
   Or, some bugs may have escaped into a wall void or neighboring apt during treatment, then slowly made their way back to your apt.

5. 

   bed-bugscouk
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Tue Aug 30 2011 7:28:28
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   Hi,

   Thermal only has the ability to kill bedbugs within the area heated at the time of application.

   If you get treated one day and then a week later pick up bedbugs at the cinema and bring them home there is no thermal activity left to kill them. Thus it is essential that those getting thermally treated need to take steps to avoid sources of bedbugs.

   The only way to prevent introduction is either to packtite everything that comes into the home or to take precautions to avoid contact in the first place.

   David

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   jln114
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Tue Aug 30 2011 8:22:49
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   Thanks for the responses. I'm trying to think what could be the common denominator, and my only idea (for now) is the university I work and study at... Or from people moving in the apartment building.

   I'll look into buying a Packtite -- that sounds like a good idea to treat items brought into my home and will give me peace of mind if nothing else after the professional treatment.

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   jln114
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Wed Aug 31 2011 2:12:11
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   So, the PCO came yesterday, found no live bugs and only possible bb evidence (a potential place in the wall and one spot on the box spring). Explained he couldn't do a treatment without a live bug or more conclusive evidence, which makes sense to me. I guess now I just wait for the bug(s) to bite me again -- this time I'm ready to catch them (last night I tried to save it but the bugger ran away).

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