Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Reader questions (do not fit into other categories)
In need of advice
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Downwithbugs
newbite
Joined: Aug '12
Posts: 7offline
Posted 9 months ago
Tue Aug 7 2012 14:35:13
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I live in Mexico and we just discovered bedbugs in the maids room. We had a PCO, from the most reputable company we could find, visit our house and he says that we seem to have caught it early and that he could only find bug traces around the bed area in that room. He said that it hadn't seemed to have spread to the cupboards or the bedside table...... However, I'm not sure that I entirely trust him after having read about how sneaky these little blighters are... Plus a lot of the clothes get ironed in that room so I'm worried that they may have made their way around the house already. We found around 20 in that room. In your experience do you think that what the PCO said sounds possible? Nobody has complained of being bitten, but then again afger having read everything I'm not sure if that means anything either. Opinions?
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Downwithbugs
newbite
Joined: Aug '12
Posts: 7offline
Posted 9 months ago
Tue Aug 7 2012 14:53:56
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Oh, I forgot to ask. I read about using silica gel and alcohol to kill bedbugs (as part of an overall treatment by a PCO), does anyone know if this works on the eggs or only when they hatch? Could this be a good way to treat delicate clothes or books? Are there any downsides?
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Anonymous
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Posts: 1offline
Posted 9 months ago
Tue Aug 7 2012 15:50:52
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Hi
Sorry to hear you have a bed bug problem .
Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) – It must me a minimum 91% pure will kill bugs on contact, however it will not kill the eggs, to kill the eggs you need to expose them to temperatures of 80°C or 176°F, this will kill all life stages of the bed bug. Steam can be effective at depths up to 20mm or 3/4” in fabric surfaces and 65mm or 2 1/2” into cracks and crevices.
Not sure about silica but diatomaceous earth works in the same way, when it comes in contact with the bugs, the sharp edges lacerate the bugs waxy exoskeleton and then the powdery diatomaceous earth absorbs the body fluids causing death from dehydration, death is not immediate and can take several days, but they will die, its a very effective way of controlling/eradicating bed bugs. -
Downwithbugs
newbite
Joined: Aug '12
Posts: 7offline
Posted 9 months ago
Tue Aug 7 2012 16:11:32
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Thanks, I really appreciate the info. I'll have to investigate where we can get the diatomaceous earth from. We've ordered a steamer and are awaiting its arrival. I plan to attack the whole house and hope that we did catch it early!
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oldtimer
Joined: Mar '08
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Posted 9 months ago
Tue Aug 7 2012 18:44:02
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A few corrections are needed for above. I can't go into detail because I'm on a phone but I'll make a few points.
1. The temp. mentioned above to kill eggs is incorrect. Bed bugs start to die at 113*F - 120*F is the number we use in the field to ensure 100% kill temps. A minute or two is all that is needed to kill bugs - I hear 11 minutes for eggs.
2. You can't state time and depth results for steam without knowing the material/substrate being treated. You would also have to know how much PSI is being used and what temps the machine is running at. The machine I use runs probably 125 degrees hotter then most others. I can run my machine at 397*F and it has more PSI then most other machines as well. So, my point is there are to many factors that can't be fit into a single box with regard to steaming.
3. DE does in fact work by dehydration but it doesn't "lacerate".
Not picking on you, just trying to keep the facts where they are.
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Downwithbugs
newbite
Joined: Aug '12
Posts: 7offline
Posted 9 months ago
Thu Aug 9 2012 13:52:49
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Thank you all very much for your swift replies. It's really great to have support and advice. Any ideas on how to treat books and electronics? We've invested in a steamer, but the food grade DE is proving hard to come by here and suppliers don't seem to be able to ship to Mex.... I imagine that shipping large amounts of whiteish powder accross borders is generally not something that anyone wants to do!
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Downwithbugs
newbite
Joined: Aug '12
Posts: 7offline
Posted 9 months ago
Thu Aug 9 2012 21:15:42
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Just found a little one in my bedroom..... I guess the hope that they were just in one room is dead
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