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Fumigating Computers

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LosAngelesBugs

newbite
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 8

Posted 1 year ago
Sun Aug 31 2008 19:19:58
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Hi, Everyone.

I just discovered BB's about 10 days ago in my apartment, and am too exhausted even to rant. I've pretty much decided to move. I plan to bag, wrap, and dust everything and put it in storage for 18 months. I figure, that way, if I get re-infested, it will be much easier to fight with far few possessions. However, among all the other terrible decisions I have to make, I have to decide what to do with my brand new Imac. It's the center of my life and I can't do without it for that long. The mind reels at the idea of having to buy a second one.

The Pest Control man is coming for the second time tomorrow, and I thought of asking him to spray directly into the computer. If we did that a couple of weeks in a row and then bagged it till I got to my new place, would that do the trick? Or would that just fry the computer? Also, what happens if DE gets into your computer or keyboard. I'm rolling in the stuff right now. Are there any manufacturer's recommendations for fumigating computers?

Also, I've seen many references here to Vikane treatment. I gather it's the treatment of choice for all your belongings. Are there places you can take single items (like a computer) to have them Vikane treated? How about your car?

Thanks-in-advance for your help. And thank goodness your site is here. It helped bring me back from the insane place I was at a few days ago.
buggyinsocal

oldtimer
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,259

Posted 1 year ago
Sun Aug 31 2008 21:10:07
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I ended up going with a thermal treatment instead of Vikane, so even though I'm in your neck of the woods, I don't know about Vikane places around here.

Honestly, when it came to the car, I seriously contemplated simply driving out to someplace like El Centro or Palm Springs or something and just parking the car in direct sunlight on a hot day.

I used a meat thermometer in my car to find out how hot it got, and in the LA Basin at 85 degrees, the temp inside my car (Which is admittedly a dark color exterior) easily reached and stayed at 140 degrees.

Thermal death point for BB is 140 degrees for 4 hours. Having been out to the Colorado River where the air temp regularly reaches 120 in the summer, I'm pretty sure parking your car in the direct sun out there would warm it up plenty.

I'm not sure I'd try that elsewhere, but since BB are most affected by really hot, really dry air, we sort of have the perfect climate for that.

It might be worth investing in a BB dog to save yourself the trauma and anguish of worrying about the car and the computer. I know someone out here used one. The name of the company was Isopest? Isotherm? Iso something. Ah ha! Here it is:

http://www.isotechpest.com/bed_bug.asp

I will probably pay out of pocket to have them come out and inspect my place shortly before the warranty on my current treatment runs out.
sleepingstandingup

junior member
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 35

Posted 1 year ago
Sun Aug 31 2008 21:35:48
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i covered my car in black sheets and left it sitting in the sun on several 98 degree days for 8 or more hours. Nothing could have survived in there. Even if it is not that hot, having a black sheet over it will certainly raise the temp. As far as the computer, I don't know if high temp will hurt it, if not, put it in the car to cook also. I also used this for items that could not be washed, making sure the items were spread out so that the heat could penetrate and maintain a sustained high temp for over a long enough time to kill the bug or eggs.
BakedBedBugs

member
Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 137

Posted 1 year ago
Sun Aug 31 2008 22:52:16
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Look up the Thermapure folks:
www.thermapure.com

They have a few licensees in your area. I treat laptops and computers in virtually every home I thermally treat and have yet to have any damages reported.
Best of luck!
Tony
spideyjg

oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,614

Posted 1 year ago
Sun Aug 31 2008 23:10:39
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Spray the inside of your computer and you will likely kill it.

Lloyds pest control in San Diego does Vikane in a chamber.

Check the specs on the Imac for its maximum storage temperature.

Oops found it real easy. Notice the "Storage Temperature" is 185F. Well above the death point for bugs so thermal would be a reasonably safe option.

http://www.apple.com/imac/specs/

High heat is gonna take a toll on your battery life expectancy over the long term.

Hey Tony do you know if any do a chamber thing also?

Jim
BakedBedBugs

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Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 137

Posted 1 year ago
Mon Sep 1 2008 0:15:31
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I do, but I'm not sure if the other licensees do. Good question. I'll ask around a bit.
Tony
LosAngelesBugs

newbite
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 8

Posted 1 year ago
Mon Sep 1 2008 1:30:39
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Wow,

What a lot of good tips. I definitely won't let anyone spray into the computer. I will also follow up on the options mentioned. Tonight, I'm furiously ripping things out of cabinets for the spraying, tomorrow.

Thanks, All.
bittenandtired

newbite
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 14

Posted 1 year ago
Mon Sep 1 2008 2:01:52
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'Hey Tony do you know if any do a chamber thing also?'

Huh?

I'm thinking thermal would be a good way for us to go, we've got chemical sensitivities in the house. Can a whole structure be done?

I found someone in our area on the thermapure site. I'll give them a call, but any heads up from those that know here would be greatly appreciated.

TIA -
Cantfindthem

junior member
Joined: Apr '08
Posts: 42

Posted 1 year ago
Mon Sep 1 2008 2:38:08
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LAB,

I left my laptop in my car in a black plastic bag for two weeks. The internal temp of the car (according to a laser thermometer-i.e. a heat gun) was in a range of approximately 135-138F. About four days ago I opened my laptop and saw no signs of bed bugs and/or eggs.
buggyinsocal

oldtimer
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,259

Posted 1 year ago
Mon Sep 1 2008 10:30:48
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bittenandtired,

I used thermal treatment and was very happy with the results. Search the forums for posts with the thermal tag and you should find my post about treatment. It's now been over 55 days since the single treatment, and I'm still bug free.

I believe that they can do a whole structure. I don't know what the upper end size is, but calling the folks in your area that you found may give you more info.