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How severe was this infestation
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Blue_Ox
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Joined: May '07
Posts: 144
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 4 2008 11:11:35
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I took some photos of a headboard and mattress/boxspring that were removed from my building. They are here http://www.flickr.com/photos/22259461@N00/
Can anyone take a guess and say how long this infestation was going on to produce this many bedbug feces?
Last spring there were two apartments in my bldg that were reported to have bedbugs. They were both in the same vertical line, one on the 2nd floor and one on the 5th or 6th. I heard through the grapevine that the infestation was caused by someone bringing in used furniture. I was upset at the time that the mattress that came out of one apt. was improperly wrapped and allowed to sit in the building's trash area for days before trash pickup. (at the same time I heard that at least one of the apartments was seriously following the PCO's protocol, so I had high hopes that it would be controlled.) At the time I tried to impress upon the board members that this had to be taken seriously, especially the protocol for removal of beds.
Anyway, I never heard any more about it, although I did spend some time trying to protect my own unit with caulk and DE etc.
Fast forward to about 8 months later. Now I see this totally disgusting bedbug-feces bed set being removed from the building, completely unwrapped. The super who removed it was not wearing any protective gear, nor did he even remove his gloves (regular winter gloves) after handling these items.
I found out that this set came out of yet another apt. on the same line, on the 4th floor. I am now wondering if this apartment was the source of the others' infestations, but no one knew because no one ever insepcted every apartment in the line.
Anyway, I flipped out a bit and demanded that the board take this newest event seriously. I think they are more concerned and telling the managment co. what needs to be done because I heard that inspections are now being done and calls are being made to at least the resident directly below the latest infestation.
I don't have the best relationship with my neighbors directly above me, but is it worth notifying them about the problem (the big infestation is directly across the hall from them) and letting them know they need to be vigilant about insepcting their own bed? It seems these things travel most up and down and I figured that if my upstairs neighbor knows about them and they do arrive at their apartment, at least I would have "early warning" and maybe they would too, and be able to control an infestation better if they get one.
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buggedmama
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 195
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 4 2008 22:07:48
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I'm not a professional pest expert, but from those pictures, I would say that infestation is about as bad as they come. There is no way that it was limited to just one room, and has most likely spread to other apartments. According to bed-bugscouk/David Cain's post about how his company grades infestations (link: http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-we-grade-infestations?replies=15), my infestation would've been about a 6, and my bed did not have even a fraction of that amount of fecal spotting. In my personal experience, I would say it would take at least several months, but probably longer, for an infestation to get bad enough to completely cover the mattress and head board in fecal spotting like that. But again, I am not a PCO or pest expert.
If I were you, I'd be caulk, caulk, caulking as much as possible, vacuuming often, washing bed linens often, and inspecting often, and finding out as much as possible about what is being done to treat the infestation. Find out if they are spraying the affected units, because if they are, you should demand preventative spraying or else the bugs might take refuge in neighbouring apartments, including yours, trying to escape the pesticide.
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"I don't have the best relationship with my neighbors directly above me, but is it worth notifying them about the problem (the big infestation is directly across the hall from them) and letting them know they need to be vigilant about insepcting their own bed?"
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I think it would be worthwhile. If the vibe isn't cool between you guys, I'd refrain from explicitly telling them what they "need" to do. I'd be thinking it, but I'd try to find a different way to phrase it. I mean, if you catch them on an off day and they feel like they're being dictated to, they might throw up a defensive wall and become unreceptive to what you have to say.
Hopefully, they'll be grateful that you're letting them know of the threat in the building. And if you both agree to an early-warning system, where you'd each alert the other to the presence of bedbugs, it would benefit you all. If you're up for it, it might be nice to have this conversation with all your adjoining neighbors. Build a cushion of awareness around your apt.
The way I approached my neighbors was, before asking anything of them, I promised to let them know if I ever got (re)infested with bedbugs. Then, I asked them if they'd agree to do the same for me. They all consented w/o reservation - even the ornery lady next door who yelled at me at once because the radiators were clanging too loud. (um ... not my fault, lady)
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Blue_Ox
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Joined: May '07
Posts: 144
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 4 2008 23:53:56
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I do have their email address, as our board regularly sends email announcements and the list is never bcc'd so everyone's address is visible. The only issue I've had with them is I complained about their dog barking all day, which actually they worked with me on so he now barks much less. But I don't think they were happy with my complaining.
I was thinking if I go the email approach just to say hey, I wanted to make sure you know what is going on in the building (esp. since they are directly across the hall from "ground zero") and just ask them to stop by to talk so we can discuss how best to keep our apartments safe. (I hesitate to say why I know so much about bedbugs - I have never actually suffered through an infestation but 8 months of reading these forums makes me more of an expert than anyone I know!) I know the upstairs neighbors recently spent alot of money refurnishing, plus they have a cleaning person twice a month for an entire day etc. so I would think they would be interested in the disucssion.
I have already had long conversations with my next door neighbor on my own floor. She knows exactly what to check for. She also has the keys to the apt. directly across the hall from me while the tenant is out of town, so she is the contact for the PCO when he comes to inspect (as this is the apt. directly below the major infestation). I asked her to let me know when he is coming and that I would like to be present just to see how thorough their inspection is.
The PCO has not yet called her to get into that other apt to inspect, and she has been asking the super why she hasn't been called, etc. because she is even more paranoid than I am.
The other day when I first saw the mattress I emailed another owner in the same vertical line of the infestations to ask if we could put our heads together to figure out how to make sure our board and management company really takes it seriously. I think that helped because that's what got the ball rolling and they do seem to be doing inspections at least.
It's a tough balancing act, especially since I don't actually have bedbugs. I don't want people to think I am crazy and alarmist and not to listen to me because of that. I have tried to impress on the people I have spoken to that I have done a tremendous amount of reading and am knowledgable (while at the same time trying not to have an "I am right, you are wrong/stupid" attitude!) I found with the board president that when he wasn't hearing me at first, that it helped to turn things into financial terms he could understand - mentioning the potential financial losses to the building and the people in it if this gets out of hand. Money talks!
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Hi,
I have had a look at the pictures and it looks like this one has been in place for 6 to 9 months although I would really need to inspect the area fully and check all of the rooms in the property before I could apply our scale to the infestation.
From the rest of your post it does sound like a building based infestation. You need to focus not only on dealing with your own infestation but making sure that all properties in the building are aware of the bed bug issue and that they start to take appropriate actions if they are infested.
It is worth noting that depending upon the layout and construction of the building you need to focus on the following areas:
1 All adjoining properties to you, above and below included
2 All properties along the path that the infested items were brought through the building along
The best advice I can give you s to use newsletters and information sheets to communicate as clearly and efficiently as possible.
Regards,
David
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Blue_ox,
You seem to have a good grasp on the severity of the problem,with your attitude I'd say they must take you seriously. I'm so glad to hear of someone like yourself getting pro active BEFORE they get them,you can do much to help your building.Keep pushing gracrfully ,of course, this attitude of prevention.I would encourage the neighbors to de and caulk even if they come out clean as far as the inspection.With these bugs a pound of prevention is priceless.Good for you and good luck. -
"I was thinking if I go the email approach just to say hey, I wanted to make sure you know what is going on in the building (esp. since they are directly across the hall from "ground zero") and just ask them to stop by to talk so we can discuss how best to keep our apartments safe. (I hesitate to say why I know so much about bedbugs - I have never actually suffered through an infestation but 8 months of reading these forums makes me more of an expert than anyone I know!)"
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That sounds like a good plan.
Don't fret too much about sounding alarmist. Fact is bedbugs are in this co-op building - and they've spread to multiple units. This isn't a hypothetical problem. Therefore, addressing it, learning about it, coming up with strategies to deal, raising awareness among your neighbors: these are reasonable and savvy responses to this situation.
This is your home and a major asset. Taking action against bedbugs is as sensible as repairing leaks in the walls or making sure common doors have proper locks or developing a subletting policy.
You don't have to let your neighbors know about all your research sources. All they need to know is that you're concerned and that you've been educating yourself. I think these forums are an incredible resource. But, regardless of the topic, presenting anything with the phrase "I read on some internet forum ..." might not be the best way to start off on a credible foot to someone unfamiliar with the topic. Not that you were planning to say that ... but for anyone else reading this thread ...
If you like, point them to "expert" primers on bedbugs like Harvard's bedbug page or Stephen L. Doggett's Code of Practices for Australia. Then, if they're thirsty for more info, you can't beat the FAQs on this blog.
Show them the picture of that bed & headboard covered in bedbug feces. That was sitting across the hall from them for months and months. I bet you won't have to sell the threat of bedbugs to them too hard.
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fightorflight
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Joined: Jan '08
Posts: 694
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Mar 5 2008 18:16:07
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Persona: "This is your home and a major asset. Taking action against bedbugs is as sensible as repairing leaks in the walls or making sure common doors have proper locks or developing a subletting policy."
This is excellent advice. Nice post.
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