Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Introductions
Hi. New and bugging out.
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buggedinmanhattan
newbite
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 8
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Nov 2 2007 12:46:08
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Hello everyone.
Unfortunately I'm here to relay our bbg's story. I've been reading this site and forum for the past few days, and frankly, it's taken a few days to just let this whole mess of a situation sink in. But I plan to now post regular updates on how things progress.
Our story:
Came back from a trip recently (Oct 18th). Stepped into our apartment, took off my sweater and noticed three strange looking bites on my left arm. In hindsight I should have stripped there and then and washed everything. But, I didn't. If I could only turn
back time.The next morning I notice some more bites, this time on my hands. My immediate reaction was fleas, as my partner had just returned our friends dog, which we had looked after for roughly 10 days. I then took to doing some major, major, cleaning. I washed everything on the hottest setting - the sofa covers and cushions (three times), our pillows (twice), sheets and laundry along with all my stuff I had unpacked. I cleaned, scrubbed, dusted and vacuumed and felt mighty good afterwards. Clean, happy and whatever-this-is free.
Over the course of the next few days more bites appeared on my arms. My partner: zero bites. I began to research more and came to the understanding that perhaps these were not fleas, but dreaded bed bugs. I ran to the store and brought a few bottles of eucalyptus oil (I had read that spraying a mix of this on yourself, clothes, soft furnishings, bed, etc) repels the bbg's. I ordered winter green oil (this just happened to arrive in the mail only yesterday, so I have yet to spray), but I read that also spraying this around your home once a month kills the eggs. I'll look for this link and see to post it up later (I still have a lot of cleaning, washing and bagging to do). I began putting some drops of eucalyptus oil in my shampoo and body lotion. Each night before bed I would touch up my arms some more with a mix of this. This seemed to be working for a couple of days and some bites were drying up nicely. But by day 8 I wasn't seeing much progress, and fed up, I booked an appointment with the dermatologist.
29th October: The dermatologist immediately confirms our fears: we have bed bugs. And oh, how common this is, not to worry, don't panic, don't yet run and call the exterminators. Gave me two prescriptions, one for scabies (still dumbfounded as to why when he said that they're bed bug bites), and one anti-itch cream. No other advice except to come back in three weeks. Immediately went home and looked up exterminators, started to read this site, many others, felt panic stricken as to what I was reading (how tough they are to get rid of).
Tuesday Oct 30th: Began major onslaught of reading and researching, preparing supplies (big load of contractor bags). Flicking through a magazine that night in bed and thinking to myself, tonight is the last night of relaxation - tomorrow the war begins! I then felt something crawl down my neck, I jump but don't see anything, and as I turn my head back to fix my pillow, I see two bugs crawling up the wall. Bingo. New sheets, pillows and blankets were taken out of our space bag and we've taken to sleeping on the sofa since.
Oct 31st: Begin washing and bagging (it is so insane, so daunting to be faced with such a task - I ask you all, how do you cope?!?!). So far I have 6 large contractor bags full of clothes sitting on the kitchen floor. I have an entire closet of clothes that are hanging to go through today along with some more regular loads of laundry to do. My husband that night decides he's going to take action and armed with a bottle of Fantastik (bleach) takes the bed apart - catches and kills half a dozen large and small beg bugs. We decide we need help but conclude to go with natural solutions. So having read the recent posts here about Mitebuster.com decided to call these guys and give them a try. I'm currently waiting for Luis to call me today to confirm, but looks like we're set for a Tuesday morning appointment next week. I have also booked a cleaner to come on Monday to help me wash and inspect everything.
On the upside (trying to look at the positive side to all this), have gotten rid of, so far, two bags of old socks, sheets and delicates. I'm sure there will be more stuff going. And that, my new friends, equals less clutter and more space in our tiny rabbit hutch apartment in New York City. I'm trying to get my partner to agree to a new metal bed frame out of this, as I'm totally grossed out now by our upholstered and padded bed frame. I'd rather we didn't try to 'save it'. Have people had much success in saving furniture?
Oh, and I'd like to add - we get the impression that they're in the bedroom only as we've not found any evidence elsewhere in the apartment. I pray that this isn't wishful thinking. So in between doing all of this major domestic duty, I'll check back as much as I can and report on (I hope and pray) our progress in the coming weeks.
Thank you nobugsonme for this web site and forum.
Regards,
Bugged in Manhattan. -
pleasehelp
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Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 301
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Nov 2 2007 13:11:17
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Hi Bugged, So sorry about your bugs. Do you think they were in your apt before your trip or that you brought them back? The bites you found the minute you walked in the door seem to indicate the latter, but your description of what sounds to me to be a pretty mature infestation indicates the former... maybe you were traveling with them??? Wondering why you didn't notice them before. Maybe others have thoughts on this.
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minibughater
junior member
Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 88
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Nov 2 2007 13:14:28
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All I can say is I unfortunately welcome you to this great forum.
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minibughater
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Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 88
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Nov 2 2007 13:44:26
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that sounds right pleasehelp especially if you said you killed a half a dozen BIG and small ones.
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Blue_Ox
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Joined: May '07
Posts: 144
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Nov 2 2007 15:06:59
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One thing I noticed in your post was that you moved to start sleeping on the couch. Are you still? Did you know that this is something that can make them spread, esp. if the couch is in a different room?
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mrbill0626
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Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 172
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Nov 2 2007 17:04:42
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BuggedinMahattan:
Where did you see that winter green oil kills bed bugs eggs?
Mr Bill
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buggedinmanhattan
newbite
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 8
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Nov 2 2007 17:08:59
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Hi, Thanks for the welcome.
Update: My appointment with Mitebuster.com is now confirmed for Tuesday morning.
pleasehelp: At first I thought it must have been from my luggage or sweater. But now I am not so sure. The other night when my husband ripped open the upholstered head board I nearly gagged when I saw those big mature bugs chilling out there. There were 2 on one side, 2 on the other side, 2 small ones in the middle portion of the bed frame, and 1 on my side at the foot of the bed frame.
Why I didn't notice them before? Do you mean whilst on my travels? I had no reaction at all during the 10 days abroad. I literally noticed the bites when I came home, and this was probably about half an hour to 45 minutes upon being in the apartment did I then take my sweater off and see the bites. So that's why I'm thinking that they must have already been in here.minibughater: Thanks, and believe me, I was willing and able to already be at this stage of preparing the apartment as of last week. Hubby and I went back and forth over what this is over the weekend; bugs or a food allergy? Sadly, I was right. I just hope leaving this until Tuesday is not making this situation gravely worse.
Blue_Ox: Yes, we're still sleeping on the couch. That night I saw two crawl up the wall, did not know that we may be carrying them into the next room. Also, I have not been bitten at all since we've slept on the couch. Is it possible that we haven't carried them onto the couch?? In any case, I've booked Mitebuster to treat the whole place - all two rooms!
Well, must get on and back to the 6 loads of laundry. This weekend is going to be one of those memorable and fun weekends, I can just tell.
Bugged in Manhattan.
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nomorebugs
junior member
Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 115
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Nov 2 2007 18:03:49
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You probably got bitten really bad because the bed bugs in your house were really hungry won your return.
Perhaps it's too late now, but I would avoid sleeping in a new location. The will move and you have have another site to worry about.
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I am new to the site and also am living with the nightmare of fighting the bb's. I also live in NYC. We had someone from Terminex come out 2 weeks ago. They were really thorough and seemed to know all about bb's. Things have definitely improved, but we are still getting bites. They are coming out to do a second treatment two days from now. From what I've read on this site, it sounds like 2-3 treatments is pretty standard protocol. Terminex does have a 30 Day guarantee, so this next treatment is included. If you need an exterminator in NYC, I'd recommend Terminex.
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nycbbs,
Thanks for your input. I am glad things are going well. Most people need three or more visits, so make sure they come back until you have no bites or signs.
I do recommend that people wait a few months to post PCO recommendations. Just to be sure. :-)
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Lelaine
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Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 37
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Nov 5 2007 23:16:51
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I'd say welcome to the club, nycbbs, but that doesn't sound quite right. Glad to hear things are improving for you. I hope it only takes 3 or 4 visits from your PCO.
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buggedinmanhattan
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 8
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jan 17 2008 12:21:06
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Hi everyone,
Well... I have a GOOD NEWS update. It has been over 2 months since I last posted here.
Things got so busy as the holidays approached that I did not have time to check back on this site and post updates -- I'm sorry.Mr Bill, this is where I found info for Winter green oil:
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/05/05jan10a.cfmBTW, I didn't even open it after I got the delivery over two weeks late.. we already had Mitebuster's over and so I did not bother with it in the end.
Second - WE ARE BED BUG FREE THANKS TO MITEBUSTER.COM AND TO ALL OF OUR HARD WORK.
Mitebuster's were awesome and if you live in or near Manhattan (NY), I would highly recommend them. They don't use chemicals and that is such a big plus even though I initially freaked out and was eager to bomb the place with the harshest stuff available!
Good people, I have to tell you -- I really did freak out a lot having read so many of the horror stories here (people sleeping with gloves and fully clothed).
Luis, if you're reading this - thank you so much for putting my mind at ease.So, Luis + colleague arrived and explained that we'd more than likely need one treatment and they really impressed with all the preparation that was done (saying how he visits hundreds of places a month and people don't take all the necessary steps to prepare prior to a spraying).
Here's how we did it:
- I washed on the hottest setting every possible item of clothing that I could, bagged in labeled construction bags.
- I washed on cold some delicates (and sprayed them after with a mix of water/eucalyptus oil).
- Other delicates were bagged and popped into the freezer for two weeks.
- Some items were dry cleaned and bagged.
- Others I ironed over and bagged.
So... moral of my story is: No, you do not have to wash and run up the highest dry cleaning bill. Thanks to my mom, I took her practical advice to put some items in the freezer and iron other clothes I did not wish (could not afford) to dry clean. Our dry cleaning bill was almost two hundred dollars - so I kept it at bare minimum. Coats and heavy bedding.
- Shoes, books - vacuumed. Every item was cleaned / looked over for poss infestation.
We lived with bags of clothes in our apartment for almost two months and kept the bedroom (where the bugs were found) sealed and closed. Everything in there was removed and cleaned and prepped for Mitebuster's. At night (initially) my husband would even tape around the bedroom door. And we tossed out our bed frame.
Mitebuster's sprayed and powdered the entire apartment.
The bedroom was sealed (holes were plugged up).
Just before the holidays we brought a new bed frame and moved back in and clothes went back into the closets.
So please let me re-assure you -- it is possible to get rid of them and without having to go for multiple treatments or harsh chems. Yes, it took a lot of hard work and effort to get the whole place, clothes and every item cleaned. But once done, it was maintenance, maintenance, maintenance: making sure the place was vacuumed each day using a fresh bag, sealing and tossing the old one out, and making sure bags with clothes remained sealed. Clean clothes in 'clean only' bags. Worn clothes in separate bags. Regular washing of worn clothes. Regular checking (at night) of any activity of BBs. And frankly, once Mitebuster's had the done their job we did not see (or feel) a single bug or bite.
We've been sleeping back in our bedroom for almost a month now. Nothing new to report except that we sleep very soundly back in our bedroom with our freshly organized closets.
And Thankfully this is all an experience of the past.
I hope my story helped! Best of luck!
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lieutenantdan
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Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1,162
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jan 17 2008 15:13:24
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Sorry but this sounds like an advertisement to me.
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LOL, LtDan! Don't you tell them about our secret troll radars!
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buggedinmanhattan
newbite
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 8
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jan 17 2008 16:25:23
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Sorry to hear that you feel this way, lieutenantdan.
I remember months ago reading very similar accusations from someone who was endorsing a local service. I sincerely apologize if I violated any forum rules about doing so.
Frankly I was truly grateful to read about the company in question, rather than some of the utterly useless (i'm such a victim)! horror story -- so yup, that was definitely helpful for me. THANK YOU to that person for doing so.I'm back here today as there's a tonne of coverage on one of the stations here in NYC. I thought it would be good of me to take the time out to go find my password for the forum, and write up how things finished up for us. I'm doing this because I hope my experience/steps that I took, helps someone get rid of their bbg issue.
The icing on the cake for my posting (I feel)! is that I HAVE named the company and hopefully help some New Yorkers out here.I have a health issue which means that I should avoid being around hard chemicals. But I was originally so upset about this problem that I wanted to go with http://www.globalexterminating.com/. Kerry Bruzzo was so kind and helpful, but in the end I was open with him about my health problem, and we decided in the end to try a company who do not use harsh chemicals. THANK YOU Kerry, if you read this site -- but as I expressed to him them - I hoped we would not have to get back in touch!
Once again - my sincere apologies to the owner of this web site if I violated any rules by naming the company. But I felt compelled to share this info along with all the exhausting steps we took to make sure we got rid of the little bastards all in one go.
KR, Bugged in Manhattan (NO MORE)!
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rather than some of the utterly useless (i'm such a victim)! horror story
See, now you went and hurt our feelings.
Your contempt is showing, buggedinmanhattan.
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buggedinmanhattan
newbite
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 8
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jan 17 2008 16:57:53
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You're right, hopelessnomo.. that wasn't very kind. I'm sorry.
I was genuinely taken back and pissed off that someone here feels (my story) is an ad!
I honestly have no contempt for anyone here, let's face it - having a BBg issue was a nightmare. Ever feel a bbg crawl on your neck? A fan of insects? Did i feel like a bit of crazy person after when I had the tiniest itch or think I felt something on my skin in bed?
I'm sorry, everyone if I caused offense... I'm sure this experience left some good therapy material. ;-)
I truly hope that you all get rid of your bbg problems ASAP any which you that you can so that you can get on with your lives..
Just as I now plan to do with mine.
All the best!
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buggedinbrooklyn
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Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 120
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jan 17 2008 18:58:40
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wow, just wow.
some how, I can not believe that in just one treatment you somehow got rid of a large infestation. eggs included. something sounds strange about this story.
I too used mitebusters, twice infact. only to have to do my own treatments with suspend like products and drione dust for long term residual treatments.
I'm not saying that the use of kleanfree and other non chemical contact killers are not helpful...but to think that alone you can get rid of bedbugs with them is silly.
please show me how kleanfree, the stuff that mitebusters uses can kill the eggs of bedbugs.
buggedinbrooklyn
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buggedinmanhattan
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 8
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jan 17 2008 20:04:18
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Hi buggedinbrrooklyn:
Well, we found half a dozen bugs but never found any eggs, so I'm not sure what we had measures up to an infestation?
And this is really important: we only found them in the bedframe.
The rest of the furniture (1 chest and 1 built in closet which is on the opposite side of the room and it isn't wood - bbg's I was told, only live in wood), was inspected the next day (it was late at night that we (I) first saw them) - and nothing and no bugs were found.
Here are a few things to note with what happened:
1. Prior to my trip I had no bites.
2. When I returned (after approx. 10 days), I found bites.
3. After the dermatologist apt. I literally took the rest of the week off and began to clean, bag, wash, iron clothes and prepare our apartment. That is all I did for 6 straight days. All day. My husband literally thought I had lost my mind...now he's rather quiet about it...especially once the guy confirmed that everything i'd read to do was true and correct procedure.
6. We'd check at night to see if there were any more (I did this by leaving a small reading lamp on in the room). we never did.. but we stuck with our scheduled apt. (I insisted)!
7. 6 days later (after dermo apt.)we had the treatment done.
8. Cleaning became an enormous ritual every day... it was obsessive.
And that's it. Over two months later and we have had no sign of them. When I really say we, I mean me. I'm the one who showed signs (the bites), and we've been sleeping in the bedroom for almost a month now.
Now, it's also possible from what I've read that I'm reporting the no-finds way too soon. But I really, really, really hope that's not the case!
>please show me how kleanfree, the stuff that mitebusters uses can kill the eggs of bedbugs.
I don't know how to prove that and we didnt have or find any eggs. And we didn't document it and take photos while treatment was done/after.. why would you? I have the receipt from the company though.
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buggedinmanhattan,
It is true that a localized infestation (eg only around the bed) is possible, and certainly easier to abate no matter which methods are used. I hope that you find no further bed bugs.
Luis from mitebusters has been in touch with me to let me know they do now use not only steam and an enzyme cleaner but (if necessary) DE and pesticide sprays (I am not sure which ones). It does sound like their treatment methods are evolving, but I stress that I have not used them, and this is information someone from the company shared with me.
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buggedinbrooklyn
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Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 120
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Jan 18 2008 9:28:19
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dear buggedinmanhattan,
with all due respect, I'm going to try to point out why your full story seems odd to me. there are many reasons for this, so I'll quote most of your last reply, and try to point out what I and others might think is strange about the whole thing.
please also bare in mind, that I truly hope you are now bug free, and doing well.
take everything I say lightly, as I mean no harm.quote " Hi buggedinbrrooklyn:
Well, we found half a dozen bugs but never found any eggs, so I'm not sure what we had measures up to an infestation?
And this is really important: we only found them in the bedframe. "
you pointed out in your past replys that you had found 6 adult sized bedbugs in or near your headboard, as well as 1 near your foot by the bedframe. you later said that you also found 2 bugs crawling up your wall when you were sleeping on your couch.
that is a total of 9 bugs.
clearly, that is a lot to notice in such a short time. as for how bad your infestation could have been, I would say that it was at least a med to heavy infestation...posably only localised if you were lucky.quote" The rest of the furniture (1 chest and 1 built in closet which is on the opposite side of the room and it isn't wood - bbg's I was told, only live in wood), was inspected the next day (it was late at night that we (I) first saw them) - and nothing and no bugs were found. "
not finding bugs or any signs of them is more normal then you think. almost 75% of the people here who report bedbug bites go months without ever seeing a bug.
clearly, bedbugs don't only live in or on wood. if that were the case, they would avoid your cloth bed and couch...or your bedframes.quote" Here are a few things to note with what happened:
1. Prior to my trip I had no bites.
2. When I returned (after approx. 10 days), I found bites."
see, this is what is truly strange. if you didn't notice any bites on your trip, only to be bit shortly apon your arival, then I dought that you brought them with you from your vacation. yet to find sooo many large adult bedbugs just days after your return, you had to be bit before you left for vacation. bedbugs don't just grow while not being fed on someone. they need a food sorce.
to find them already localised in your bed frame and headboard means to me that they were in your home for some time. feeding, and reproducing, for quite some time.
let's also remember that while you were able to find large adult bedbugs, the baby bugs and eggs can be so small, that I dought that you would be able to spot them...unless they move, or in the case with eggs are in a cluster.
the only true baby that I ever saw was so small that it looked like a spec of dust on my key...only this spec of dust moved, so I knew it was a bug.quote " 7. 6 days later (after dermo apt.)we had the treatment done. "
yes, but only one treatment. with so many bedbugs found, tell me how you got rid of the newly hatched babys after your only treatment?
quote " And that's it. Over two months later and we have had no sign of them. When I really say we, I mean me. I'm the one who showed signs (the bites), and we've been sleeping in the bedroom for almost a month now. "
while I'm glad that you have no new bites, if they (mitebusters) missed just one spot that the bugs are hiding at you can have a reinfestation the size you are describing you had, within 3 or 4 months. since bedbugs can hide anywere, like the computer you are reading this from, there is a good chance that they missed some place.
even with residual killers, bedbugs are ultra hard to get rid of. almost 99.9% of all bedbug cases take more then one treatment with residuals...I find it ultra hard to belive that you are bug free with just one treatment of an enzime cleaner.
no offence, but that is just ultra hard to belive.quote " Now, it's also possible from what I've read that I'm reporting the no-finds way too soon. But I really, really, really hope that's not the case! "
since I don't think that you got the bedbugs from an APT next door, I don't think that waiting 2 months of no noticeable bites is too short of a time to report.
I'm also glad that you are bite free for the last two months.
but clearly your story is missing something important, because it makes no sence to be bug free after just 1 treatment with a contact killer.quote " >please show me how kleanfree, the stuff that mitebusters uses can kill the eggs of bedbugs.
I don't know how to prove that and we didnt have or find any eggs. And we didn't document it and take photos while treatment was done/after.. why would you? I have the receipt from the company though. "
it is a well known fact that nothing at this time can kill bedbug eggs...right LT.Dan?
they hatch in 5 to 10 days, and start a new infestation if ALL the live bugs are killed by that enzime cleaner that mitebusters uses.
I somehow fear the worst if your story is true.buggedinbrooklyn
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lieutenantdan
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Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1,162
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Jan 18 2008 12:12:46
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buggedinbrooklyn,
Some professionals now believe that BEDLAM will kill a percentage of eggs if the eggs are directly sprayed. I was told by an entomologist that BEDLAM may work on killing eggs because it has a petroleum base that somehow will penetrate the egg shell. Also steam will kill eggs. A hair dryer will not because it is not hot enough.buggedinmanhattan,
I find it difficult to believe that this company was able to successfully eradicate with that much ease when we know for a fact that based on studies done by people like Potter and Miller that bed bugs have built up resistance.
If you in fact are a bed bug warrior than I think that you either are very lucky or you still have bed bugs dormant or active but you are not having skin reactions because of your immune system.If getting rid of bed bug infestations was that easy this website would not exist because we would not have a bed bug epidemic in this country.
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buggedinbrooklyn
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Posts: 120
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Jan 18 2008 12:38:58
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LTDan,
quote " Some professionals now believe that BEDLAM will kill a percentage of eggs if the eggs are directly sprayed. I was told by an entomologist that BEDLAM may work on killing eggs because it has a petroleum base that somehow will penetrate the egg shell. "
with still no public poof after about a year since you have been preaching this about BEDLAM, I think it is clear to say that no, bedlam does not kill bedbug eggs.
unless I missed something in the past few months, I think it's clear to say that this is a dead issue regardless of what some entomoligist may think.buggedinbrooklyn
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lieutenantdan
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Posts: 1,162
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Jan 18 2008 13:39:29
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buggedinbrooklyn,
That is cool that you feel that way.What kind of proof are you lookin for?
It all appears that info in general about any prodeuct is mostly word of mouth or some info put out by some company.
I have never actually seen any proof on DE other than some professionals or us talking about how DE works.
Just because you have had a negative result when you had sprayed a bug with bedlam is not enough proof that bedlam does not work. That bug may have had a resistance to bedlam's chemicals. Sometimes a product did not get mixed enough. Did you shake the can before you sprayed?Also I do not consider myself a preacher and I don't believe that it has been a year.
Why do you state that it is a dead issue? -
Hi,
Just a note to say yes highly localised infestations may be cleared with good discipline and comparatively simple steps it all depends on what stage you are at.
It explains why I am able to clear some cases in just 3 - 5 days and others take 16 - 30 days for complete cessation.
I have been working on a scale of infestations the text of which I will try and post the text part of it when I am next in the office.
On a side note in the EU we have a new set of rules to follow called the biocide directive. A few insecticides have and are being removed from the market as a result of its introduction. The most interesting item on the list of soon to be not available is DE. The reason for this is that there is not really any way of showing that it has an effect on the biochemistry of the bed bugs or any other insect.
Hopefully the next stage will be to get the government to tighten the controls on the sale of amateur use insecticides to ensure that they are used appropriately and more importantly handled, stored and disposed of correctly.
With regards health issues I generally only have a concern if they are asthmatic in which case extra time spent out of the treated area is advisable and to ensure that they do not use any aerosol products. I have had a few people who asked to sniff or smell the insecticide prior to a treatment but as it only has a faint floral smell when diluted. I was also comforted by the fact that I heard back from my supplier that they also had heard of any illness or reactions to this product and that the only suspected case turned out to be the early onset of the noro virus that has had 25% of the UK in sniffles since mid December.
I think the take home message from this thread for me and I hope a lot of others is that early detection is the only solution to rapid eradication. The only solution to early detection is regular personal inspections and better public education on the subject. At least we are no starting to see some of that happen.
Isn’t it great to be an early adopter of new technologies and pests?
David
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I have to say that a number of traditional PCOs (who always relied on sprays) are beginning to use steam more, as well as focusing on removing insects as David describes in his work. It's very intensive and time-consuming, and takes knowledge, but it is possible.
Re: Bedlam, Michael Potter has studied it and said it had 77% mortality against bed bug eggs. You can read about it here. Potter is, of course, an ento from the U of Kentucky, and can be considered an unbiased source.
I am still skeptical, since I assume they have to be sprayed directly, however, Bedlam does appear to kill them.
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buggedinbrooklyn
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Posts: 120
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Jan 18 2008 16:30:31
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hey thanks nobugs for the link, at least it says something about the product for bedlam. I do wish we had some data on the product as well...but that might be wishfull thinking.
buggedinbrooklyn
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Posts: 544
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Jan 18 2008 22:29:58
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Hi all, I'm confused. If heat will kill bb eggs,how would a blow dryer not work? I use blow dryers a lot and they get hot enough to burn skin,so it should work? I don't have any plans to use one for this,but for someone that found a eggs,it would be better than trying to vacuum them up,or pourng boiling water on them.You couldn't blow them away if they are stuck to whatever,wood or wall,right? I hadn't thought of it,but it seems it should work.Let me know..
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I'm very surprised that no one commented on this part of the OP's message:
We lived with bags of clothes in our apartment for almost two months and kept the bedroom (where the bugs were found) sealed and closed. Everything in there was removed and cleaned and prepped for Mitebuster's. At night (initially) my husband would even tape around the bedroom door. And we tossed out our bed frame.
Mitebuster's sprayed and powdered the entire apartment.
The bedroom was sealed (holes were plugged up).
Just before the holidays we brought a new bed frame and moved back in and clothes went back into the closets.
I'm puzzled by this technique. The moving out of the bedroom for two months. Not the bagging of clothes; we have heard rumors about that somewhere. :)
How can this type of exclusion have any hope of succeeding? In the real world.
Is this part of Mitebuster's protocol?
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buggedinbrooklyn
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Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 120
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Jan 19 2008 7:16:03
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hopeless,
quote " How can this type of exclusion have any hope of succeeding? In the real world.
Is this part of Mitebuster's protocol? "
clearly, no, it is not part of thier protocol.
since they are trying to contact kill the bugs, it would seem to be better to keep sleeping in your bed so when they come back it would be easyer to just respray your bed again and kill off as many as posable.then again, for long turm eradication, contact killing makes no sence.
buggedinbrooklyn
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jan 21 2008 11:34:14
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BBcoukHome,
I am sending you a PM about DE. -
lieutenantdan
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jan 21 2008 11:39:05
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I do not understand the skepticism some have about bedlam. Why is it so hard to believe that Bedlam can kill eggs?
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Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 544
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jan 21 2008 12:05:33
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Lt Dan, I think the reason is that all the "professional" insectacides don't kill eggs.But I think maybe Bedlam has alcohol in it whereas the residual professional stuff I would bet does not.Antway,best guess? I seems that alcohol alone will kill eggs,no?Anyway I believe it,if that helps.If you find that Bedlam doesn't contain alcohol,it would be worth finding out why it kills the eggs.Then maybe they could develop an insecticide specifically for BB that would kill eggs as well as having a signiicant residual action,because of course both are neccessary.
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jan 21 2008 13:34:32
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Hi bugbasher,
I never heard that alcohol will kill bb eggs. Bedlem contains a petroleum base that some say penetrates some eggs if directly sprayed. -
Dr. Michael Potter, one of the foremost bed bug entomologists, tested Bedlam's effectiveness in killing bed bug eggs, under university research conditions. No one can dispute this. (It is not a miracle cure, because they apparently have to be sprayed directly.)
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jan 21 2008 14:37:29
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At one time not too long ago we had no pesticide that could kill a bed bug egg and now it seems that we do.
I think that is a big step in killing bed bugs. Kill a bed bug before it can hatch, feast and hide and develop into a leg laying adult is a big part of the battle. Even if you brought the percentages down to 45 or 50% that is huge. Let us not forget that BEDLAM has a lasting effect of about 2 to 6 weeks with a total of approx 90% kill on bugs not directly sprayed.
I am sorry but am I the only person excited by this data? -
DeathToBBs
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jan 21 2008 15:07:24
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LtDan.: where do you spray bedlam and how often? Also, is it very toxic as I have kids and don't wanna poison them. Thanx.
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jan 21 2008 16:46:34
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DeathToBBs,
Be careful with any pesticides with children, you will have to research that on your own. I believe that if you do not overspray and let bedlam dry and air your place out it can be safe. I was told with bedlam, suspend and gentrol that you should not go back into your place for four hours. When I use bedlam I use it to a minimum. I spray base boards, crown molding, window areas, bed slats crevices, closet keyholes, an inch under edges of area rugs, under furniture and inside drawers and into some crevices in wood floors. When you spray it appears as a yellowish foam like substance which turns clear and disappears as it dries. Bedlam comes with a straw that you can insert into the nozzle tip like a dust-off or wd-40 lube, this is for getting to cracks and crevices.
Smells a little but not too bad. Again, you do not need to overspray any pesticide. I believe that a little common sense goes a long way. If you have had treatments and your infestation is somewhat under control than spray once every week or so. I steam before I spray. Wear a mask and rubber gloves when you even spray roach spray, it can only help.
My PCO did three treatments, two with Suspend SC and Gentrol mix and the third and final with Whitmire BP-300 which is not labled for bed bugs but it does have a petroleum base like Bedlam. I thought that his final approach was showing creativity.
My guarantee ran out and he would not come back again unless I found a live bed bug so I felt that I had to take matters into my own hands because I was not sure that the bbs were totally gone due to knowing how hard bbs are to treat and mystery skin reactions that I was having. That is another story. I decided to continue treatments myself. I also used DE in outlets and steam.
Everyone seems so paranoid these days about spraying some pesticide. Back in the sixties it was common practice for people to buy bug spray which I guess was much stronger than the stuff that we see now, and do some spraying themselves. People did not have the money to pay exterminators back then and you were able to buy chemicals with great ease.Hope this helped and Best of luck.
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