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I am losing my mind- Terminix has been here- NO RESULTS!!
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cryingallthetime
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 8
Posted 3 months ago
Sat Aug 1 2009 2:04:13
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Hello Everyone,
I first started noticing my bites in early May. I had no idea what they were and assumed I had uncovered a spider nest or something (or a spider's nest had uncovered me). The reaction/bites were huge! When I am bitten on my arms they swell like a muscle and itch uncontrollably. I knew I wasn't having an allergic reaction to anything because my son was being bitten as well. My husband has never shown any signs of being bitten. I started to research and found that bedbugs could be the culprit. I proceeded to do everything I could to identify them. I never saw any fecal stains or blood stains (blood stains I did eventually see)and in this continuing ordeal I have only seen 3 live bed bugs on a blanket my husband was sleeping with on the couch. I did however see a few cast skins on my mattress which has been discarded along with the couch and other furniture. Once we figured out what they were, we decided to have TERMINIX come and and do their freeze treatment. I have thrown so many things away, clothes, furniture, toys etc. We bagged everything, laundered/cleaned everything and prepared for the extermination. It took several weeks for us to get everything together. The PCO came and said that we had very minimal activity. He froze/treated the furniture and carpet edges in the bedrooms and living room and said we shouldn't have anymore problems. The day he came I had at least 60 Large swollen bumps on my arms, legs and feet. (I will have to post my pictures on here one day soon). Well I had about 3 nights bite free after the initial treatment and then the nightmare started all over again. I am terrified of any bugs and simply mortified to know that they crawl on me and my son at night and just feast. I started to get bumps again after the treatment and at this time I am hysterical because I am at my wits end. I feel like I've done everything I'm supposed to do and they are still here. Terminix only provides one follow up visit (something I should have investigated more) but the salesperson was so convincing about how unique their process was and she made me feel like they had the bed bug market cornered. Well they have come out the second time. Right afterwards I went out of town, bought new luggage which I didn't bring into my house I laundered and bagged everything and basically packed outside with the clothes in the bags and placed them inside the luggage. I wanted to be sure I didn't take anything with me when I spent the night with my aunt. I slept well on vacation (3 days) and I came home tonight. I haven't been home 20 minutes and I have 4 new bites on me (wasn't even sleep). OMG. I didn't see any bugs. I only started to itch while sitting here. I have started to cry again because terminix is basically out of my life now and BB's are here to stay apparently. These scars stay on me forever (I can still see all of them that were on me in May!)and itch like crazy. I am a teacher and choir director and I use my arms to do my job. I look and feel terrible. Its so embarrassing to try and explain what is going on to my students. I itch all the time and I am sad all the time. I don't even feel comfortable in my own home. This has just taken over my life. I don't know what else to do. My son is going to the 1st grade and will no doubt be talking about it at school, which may make people treat him differently. (I know I will have to talk to him but at the same time I am sure he is just anxious to talk about what is going on in his life. For example, when getting off the train today he sees a red spot on our pillow and proclaims " I think that's a bed bug on our pillow (new). It was just a red lint from the new red blanket I had just purchased. Why on earth would he mention that on the train?) I am just so worried. I feel like this is more than I can bear. Right now I am off work for the summer and have been able to devote a lot of time to cleaning/ extermination etc. I think I am going to lose my mind when I go back to work because my schedule is so very busy with the day to day requirements of my job and family needs. I don't know if the PCO just thought it wasn't a big deal because he didn't see any while he was here. I haven't seen any in about a month but I have seen blood stains on my pillow and the bites are relentless!! My son isn't having as many bites but mine have not ceased one bit. I am so lost and discouraged.
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DrFrank
junior member
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 122
Posted 3 months ago
Sat Aug 1 2009 11:06:44
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Remind yourself that it is possible to first control, then eliminate an infestation.
Sterilize and isolate your beds. (Read the FAQs.) That will stop, or drastically reduce the bites, and (it sounds like in your case) give you some feeling that you have some control over the situation.
If your infestation hasn't been resolved by Terminix, tell them about your dissatisfaction: Explain calmly that you were assured of a result which has not been delivered, and express your intention to publicize that fact on the internet. If they don't fix it, publish the name of the franchise and the name of the technician so others can avoid wasting their money.
Tell the board which city you live in, and you might get a recommendation for a good exterminator. Failing that, educate yourself so that you can better identify competent exterminators in your area by asking questions.
Demand that your husband educate himself. Even if he's not showing bites, make sure he understands how important this is to you. If you don't, you'll feel alone through a very stressful, very protracted experience.
You're in for a lot of work and/or a lot of money. The sooner you and your husband accept that fact, the sooner your worry will turn into determination.
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Aris
junior member
Joined: Apr '08
Posts: 62
Posted 3 months ago
Sat Aug 1 2009 11:40:08
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Cryingallthetime, as bad as it sounds, you're not alone.
Many of us have been or are going through similar experiences.Do be sure to read the FAQs and to read through some of the forum posts. Many have said that completely eradicating an infestation with a single treatment may be too optimistic.
Do you live in a free-standing house, an attached house, or an apartment building, etc?
A visit (or a few visits) to a dermatologist may help you with the skin reaction you (and your son) are experiencing, which should help reduce some of the stress you've been suffering, especially as your appearance affects your job.
Also, DrFrank's advice for dealing with Terminix sounds on target. Another participant on this board has posted elsewhere that it took a letter to the pest control company's regional manager to get acceptable performance from the local branch office. (I don't recall whether that was a Terminix case, however.)
By the way, how much did Terminix charge you for the single treatment with one follow-up visit?
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cantstandbedbugs
junior member
Joined: May '09
Posts: 80
Posted 3 months ago
Sat Aug 1 2009 12:00:49
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cryingallthetime,
I'm sorry you are going through this and like aris said you are not alone. We have all been through similar experience. I also have very bad reactions to there bites. I still have scars left from bites and rashes I got from them back in January '09. I apply bleaching cream and they have faded dramatically, you can get a strong one from your derm a precription is required so the scars will fade twice as fast as the over the counter bleaching creams. As for being questioned at work, I just say that the laundry detergent is the culprit...you would think that would stop the questioning but no they continue to ask well why are you still using it blah, blah, blah. But since you work with children questions are invitable and you really can't get nasty with them. So maybe the derm can give you something to minimize the redness / swelling, itching from the bites.
Maybe you can start referring to bedbugs as bbs so if your son mentions it no one will really know what he's talking about. Thats what I do with my nephew. Kids have a way of saying the most embarassing things no explaining why they do that they just do.
As far as terminex goes did the treatment come with a guarantee in writing? Maybe you can look over the contract you signed and perhaps take some legal action if they guarantee there work and haven't lived up to there word. Good Luck with everything. You have about a month to go before school starts again. I hope you get this issue resolved before then, it sure would make life a whole lot easier. Good Luck again.
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I am shocked Terminix offers only one Cryonite follow-up, since we have heard from people who used other companies' Cryonite treatments and needed up to 3 or 4 treatments to solve their problem. I'd persist with the company as others have suggested.
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cryingallthetime
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 8
Posted 3 months ago
Mon Aug 3 2009 1:45:34
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Thank you all for replying. It is so encouraging to hear real advice from people who have been through this. It can begin to feel so hopeless. I do believe that I need to be more agressive with Terminix and camly demand better results. It doesn't make sense to just let it go and begin looking for another company, without them at least trying different methods. The initial inspection was not that thorough. The PCO never identified any harborages or anything and said she saw only one BB. The PCO that treated my home has said that he never even saw any at all. Is that a very important step? Identifying without any doubt where they are hiding? Or is it customary to just take the customer's word for it? I notice that on the second/final visit the PCO wrote on my service report/receipt that he did not discover any evidence of activity and advised that I fix paint that was pealing in my bedroom and seal all cracks and crevices. I will do those things, but I think it was advised moreso to cover the the company. Anyway, I thank you all again for the advice! I have to figure out how to start new threads and also determine when it is appropriate. I am so grateful for this site.
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cryingallthetime
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 8
Posted 3 months ago
Mon Aug 3 2009 2:04:28
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Aris, thank you for your advice. Its so nice to talk to people who understand what you are going through. I will definitely follow up with Terminix. They charged $600.00 for the initial treat and follow up visit. I read that it was a 30 day 100% guarantee. However, the PCO told me that they don't guarantee bed bugs and said that I must have misunderstood. As I have not been more than one day bite free, whatever they have done has not been good enough. Its frustrating not to find the BB's and trap any... that seems like a loophole for the company. "No evidence of activity" was written on my sheet. Well sir did you see the 45 new bites I received last night? Sorry... that was an imaginary conversation. Anyway, I think I will have to go to the dermatologist as you suggested. That is wonderful advice, I don't know what I am waiting for. Oh yes the house is a free standing single home.
Aris - 1 day ago »
Cryingallthetime, as bad as it sounds, you're not alone.
Many of us have been or are going through similar experiences.
Do be sure to read the FAQs and to read through some of the forum posts. Many have said that completely eradicating an infestation with a single treatment may be too optimistic.
Do you live in a free-standing house, an attached house, or an apartment building, etc?
A visit (or a few visits) to a dermatologist may help you with the skin reaction you (and your son) are experiencing, which should help reduce some of the stress you've been suffering, especially as your appearance affects your job.
Also, DrFrank's advice for dealing with Terminix sounds on target. Another participant on this board has posted elsewhere that it took a letter to the pest control company's regional manager to get acceptable performance from the local branch office. (I don't recall whether that was a Terminix case, however.)
By the way, how much did Terminix charge you for the single treatment with one follow-up visit? -
cryingallthetime
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 8
Posted 3 months ago
Mon Aug 3 2009 2:15:45
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Yes, I wish I had read more about the cryonite treatment before I decided to go with it. I was just so anxious to get it done and it sounded like it would work. I was also shocked at all the work that had to be done to prepare for the (any) treatment. I am almost ready to try another company but I know I need to follow up with them and at least reach some level of success one day before I sign on for another $600.00 job. I asked this question above on a general reply on this topic but should the PCO be able to actually see any bedbugs before they treat or is it customary to treat without any physical evidence that they have seen for themselves? That's got to be the main problem. They haven't found any. I only have one bed left (in protective covers) and no furniture left in the living room so they must be hiding in some ridiculously obscure hiding place. What do you think? lockquote>Nobugsonme - 14 hours ago »
I am shocked Terminix offers only one Cryonite follow-up, since we have heard from people who used other companies' Cryonite treatments and needed up to 3 or 4 treatments to solve their problem. I'd persist with the company as others have suggested. -
cryingallthetime
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 8
Posted 3 months ago
Tue Aug 4 2009 11:27:55
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Hey all,
I am really discouraged here. I have called the company who treated my home and told them how dissatisfied I am. They have been out only twice. I was told that that was the limit of our contract. All they are willing to do is send an "inspector" out again and discuss future "discounted" treatments. I don't think she spent enough time searching when she first came. I am going to have to look into other options. I really came on to post how sad I am right now. I was on this forum reading and trying to be encouraged. As a was sitting at my computer at 12:15 in the afternoon, a BB comes up and bites me on the leg!!! I am at a loss. I did place the bug in a bag, its the only live one I've seen in a while, but as I said before, I have serious reactions to the bites, so I knew they were still here. OMG. Please help me. I live in Detroit, MI. Is there anyone here that knows of a reputable PCO or company that has had success in this area. It seems like people are sufferring in silence or I am the only one! I am so distraught! Tears are flowing again.
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cryingallthetime
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 8
Posted 3 months ago
Tue Aug 4 2009 11:35:39
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I am afraid to take this chair down the stairs. I just sprayed it with Rest Easy BB killer. I don't want any live bed bugs to drop while I'm on my way downstairs. I think I'm going to drop it from upstairs. I am so distraught. This has totally taken over my life and my peace of mind.
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stricken
junior member
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 75
Posted 3 months ago
Tue Aug 4 2009 15:28:14
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Deep breaths, Crying. We have all been through it. It ends. You can research this site and also the pages linked to under "resources." I have cried a lot too. Many of us have. So just hang in there. I saw that you've posted several times today, so just wanted you to know that someone is reading and feeling your pain. My mother's cousin said her mother had bb's in the '30s and that "she was crying all the time." For some reason it can make you do that.
I'm in the middle of a second round of treatment myself. I paid my landlord's regular exterminator $200 but after some research hired someone else to start all over again because the first guy didn't do the trick and I didn't want to throw good money after bad.
One of the most useful things I read when I first started this process in the beginning of June (that is, after two months of bites that had been diagnosed as hives, so it's really since end of March) is that it's a long, tedious process that requires patience. We have a habit, especially in our culture in the U.S., of expecting immediate gratification, and for problems to disappear immediately. This is one that does not. It's more akin to an illness. I tell myself (and others) that my apartment has the flu. It takes time to get over.
So hang in there and keep heart. Remember that although the bites are uncomfortable, they don't pass on disease or hurt you in other ways.
It totally sucks, there's no question. But you'll get through it.
In solidarity,
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