Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Uncategorized
Is it possible to have a small infestation? I dunno what to do
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theevilgumby
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Joined: Nov '08
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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Nov 17 2008 13:01:17
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Ok Im moving in now 2 weeks but here is my story
I live in a very small room at a friend's house. About 3 months ago my friend had bedbugs downstairs..and about 2 months ago I got them..I am not home much and didnt get bit cept for one time. I had had a matress cover on my bed and then once i had the one bite I noticed my matress had gotten a bit bad with the black marks but I sprayed the crap outta it and got rid of it right away
anway for the background of my story--- the mattress I had used to sit on the floor with no box spring (im young and cheap ::shrugs::) I then noticed the side boards of the wall had a bit of the black marks. Ok so I tossed the mattress and all the bedding got new pillows and am on a airbed. Ive had ever only one bite and not one more, i feel itchy at times but ive been like that since i was a kid, but still no marks on me. And ive seen at the most only one bed bug when I had the mattress(though it had the marks on the sides quite a bit). Then 3 weeks ago I saw one on my pillow case (threw that out). And one the other night on the floor. I dont have much furniture in my room cept for a computer, a tv, a mini fridge, one record player made outta compressed crappy wood, and one book case (which will not come with me) holding my clothes and countless DVD's and video games nothing else. I am quite clean but I do have a lot of scattered paperwork around. Only stuff i have a lot of is shoes and clothes..
But ok what my dumbass landlord (friends mother) did in the meantime was when her son had bed bugs she bombed the crap outta his room. which she thought fixed things (obviously not) then when I got em she came in twice to my room to bomb though i told her thats bad...I am hardly ever home so i didnt know what she was doing. So of course today she tells me we have an epidemic and is getting a professional, and wants me to leave early (which is fine I was planning to leave in a month) she claims now they are in the bathroom and in the floorboards? is that possible? did the bombing move them outta my room? did i have a small infestation? can my friend feel the bites and I do not. I also used to scrub the crap outta my floor (cept around the cabinet, fridge and tv i couldnt move. She doesnt even own a vaccuum, doesnt like me much anyway, and im happy to move but...
any advise on how not to bring them to my new place?...
what shall i do wash and dry the crap outta everything? spray my dvds? what about shoes can they hide in there?Im scared to hell imma bring them to my mom's place in FL where im moving too, Im reading horror stories of people being so itchy and seeing so many bugs. Ive seen 3. And im not itchy at all. But im getting so fricking paranoid.
Yipe
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Marixpress
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Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 305
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Nov 17 2008 13:15:21
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Yikes. Keep reading the FAQ's and search "moving," "laundry, "heat" and "drying." Since you're young and cheap :D leave as much as you can behind. Can you get away with just taking your clothing?
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Wash, dry (high heat) & bag your clothing.
You can place your other contents in sealed garbage bags with five mothballs for a couple of weeks. Shoes can be treated with heat in a dryer or with mothballs.
Good luck. let us know how your situation progresses.
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theevilgumby
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Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 14
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Nov 17 2008 14:24:38
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Hi thanks for the help
I guess I was being lazy in thinking since i have no bites or marks i wouldnt have to go through all the procautions when I move but I will. I could get away with just my clothes but could the bugs really be in DVD cases? or a computer? im not bringing any furnitures save for electronic things... -
theevilgumby
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Nov 21 2008 13:23:17
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Ok so update, My friends mother aka my landlord is getting the treatment after I leave. Have only seen one more bug but it was dying, still no bites. I inspect my bed and floor every night
BUt i did the research and have a question.
I cant pack anywhere else besides my room. should I do my laundry and put it in baggies and then put directly plastic bins into car?. Can they stay high up on shelf in room?
Like I said I have no furniture coming with me. just computer, tv and record player.
another thing. Now I read reg bug bombs dont work in a home/apt , but i was curious. I havent seen them in my car, which I rarely use anyway. Is it worth regular bombing the car though. As a preventative? or would they just hide somwhere in the car if they are there?
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Marixpress
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Nov 21 2008 13:25:32
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I don't recommend using a fogger or bomb in your car - ever
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theevilgumby
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Nov 21 2008 13:59:38
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alright cool thank you.
But since im moving with not-confirmed clothes with BBs in them is there a preventative for the car?
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losingit
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Nov 21 2008 14:16:26
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"should I do my laundry and put it in baggies and then put directly plastic bins into car?."
I think that's the best thing to do - putting it back in your room - even in baggies or containers is taking a bit of a chance that something could stick to the bottom and tag along for the ride. Do the laundry the day you move and go straight from the laundry room (in the fresh, clean bags) to your car. Do you have a balcony you could leave them on if you can't do it the same day as the move? I really wouldn't bring anything back into the room if possible.
When I moved I did just that - took all clothes to laundromat, with huge brand new ziplocs and then transferred from the nice hot dryer to the bag to the car to the new apt. Go through each DVD, record separately (I washed my CD covers in hot soapy water)
hell, I spent 3 full weekends checking each and every one of my 300 books before I packed them all up, they're now in storage...I'd even suggest putting the electronic stuff in ziplocs (assuming they'll fit). Though if you need to use them you're in a bit of a bind as they'll just come out once you open the bags...
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theevilgumby
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Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 14
Posted 1 year ago
Fri Nov 21 2008 14:59:21
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Thanks for the info.
I dunno only electronic stuff i have is a tv comp and record player. They wouldnt fit..But ill do all the stuff you said for the clothes...I ask too many questions..
what about shoes?
and I see what you did with your books, I have lots of paperwork I should just bag them up and take them out if I need it correct?Im still worried for my car though. No bugs seen but im a nervous ill bring em in.
Oh well hopefully i keep with not having any bites and only very rarely seeing a bug.
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losingit
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Posts: 292
Posted 1 year ago
Fri Nov 21 2008 15:06:58
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The problem is they're not treating until after you leave which does not help you at all. So if they're in your shoes for example there's not a lot you can do, besides bagging it all up and then inspecting thoroughly when you get to FL. I suppose you could try spraying the crap out of it individually with some kind of canned pesticide.
Honestly, I'm no expert, if they are in your shoes, electronics then you'll bring them with you. All you can do is probably contain them in bags if possible. Could you leave the big electronic stuff in mom's garage or balcony??
maybe someone else here has a few ideas.
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Marixpress
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Nov 21 2008 15:42:45
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Look into Vikane or thermal treatment for your car. I haven't had to treat a car since I don't have one but after searching the forums, it seems those are your best bet.
When I say I wouldn't use a fogger in a car, I mean the store-bought "bomb" made by Raid etc
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If, like Marixpress said, you get your car treated with vikane, you scould put your shoes electronics etc. in there so they can be treated as well.
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theevilgumby
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Joined: Nov '08
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Nov 21 2008 23:41:45
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Oh boy vikane? I just looked that up and.. wow I have no money at all to spare, I can barely afford moving...Like I said I dunno if they are in my shoes or electronics (havent seen them in shoes or clothes still no bites) oh boy I hope i im not screwed..
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gumby: love the name. You're right vikane is waaayyy to expensive, especially for someone that is just starting out. (or for those of us that have been desperately treading water for years - lol)
I can't make you any promises, but this is what I would do: definitely do the laundry - all of it, even if it seems excessive. Trust me, safe is better than sorry.
I sealed my laundry in plastic bags, washed it at the laundromat (dry extra on hot) & then sealed it in different plastic bags.
Inspect closely with a flashlight your electronics and such. I have left pretty much everything, but can't make myself part with one tv. It was in a room where I never saw activity and yet I am still nervous about it. I have inpseted it with a flashlight (but I didn't take it apart, I'm sure I'd break it) I looked in all the vents, etc. Then I thoroughly cleaned it & blew it out w/ compressed air.
This of course is not a guarantee that you won't take them, but my understanding is that electronics are not their prefferred hang out and it sounds like your infestation was not super-bad. (Although please keep in mind that bites are not necessarily an indicator as you may have stopped reacting to them.)
Do, take special care with the laundry though. They like the laundry.
Also - I don't think you should be too worried about the car. I know there have been people whose cars were infested, but it doesn't seem that common. Take the car up to the carwash, clean it out, look for signs of bugs.
I hope that helps. You're not screwed. Don't get discouraged. People get through this & we will too :)
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aballen
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Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 177
Posted 1 year ago
Sat Nov 22 2008 11:26:32
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This may seem harsh, but it does not seem like you have enough stuff to Vikane. If you do, get it done. On the other hand, if the cost of Vikane will be about the same as buying new stuff, throw it away!!!!!!!!! Don't risk months or years of expensive, unhealthy, mentally destructive, treatment for BB. Seal your clothes in contractor bags with zip ties and take directly to the laundry. If you have something small like the record player, who needs those anymore???, but you could simply seal it in a contractor bag for 18 months, I would use two in case of a tear, especially since it is wooden. Pitch your bedding. Take all your CD's out of the cases and pitch them too. I had bugs in the area of my CD's, I just put them in a CD holder and put that in a big ziplock to keep them cleam, OH, I did clean them all first by dipping in a strong solution of soapy water ( I used Murphy's but don't knwo if that will do anything to BB) and then dried them. If you don't have time or inclination, seal them for 18 months. I have spent probably at this point about $25,000 or more over the past eleven months. It is not worth bringing BB for what you have. Sorry to sound so harsh, but that is my humble opinion. If you were my son or daughter, I would simply have you walk out with CD's sealed, and clothing on the way to the laundry or drycleaner.
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You want him to throw out his CD cases? That sounds way, way, waaay too excessive.
How common are bed bugs in books? I mean, how would they even get in them?
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theevilgumby
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Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 14
Posted 1 year ago
Sat Nov 22 2008 23:52:57
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Thanks for the help guys...really i mean it im poor and very young (sucks to be laid off 3 times in one yr from good jobs), and my parents are elderly and poor (awesome right :( ). As for the electronics good thing is the tv and comp will probably stay in the garage my parents have both. The record player though i love way to much to be rid of I will inspect the crap outta it if it does have bugs thats a different story but i love that thing. So its basically clothes shoes and movies and stuff. I will inspect my DVD's I dunno if i see something ill toss em or ill just seal em and bring in the DVD's. Im inspecting paperwork now and putting them in ziploc bags. Dont have too many books. Im not that worried about my car, I love for now in NYC and my car i used probably once a week so that may be good. I do know that no bites doesnt mean much of anything but when i was bit i did react so at least i wasnt one of the ones that initially had no reaction. But ive been on an airmatress for a while and inspect my bed everynight and spray my floor all the time. That may be helping a little. I will do all the laundry necessaities. I am happy I am the type that kep tmy clothes up way high in closets and shelves. I usually never let stuff touch the floor. I know that means nothing but it could have helped. It sucks the only place I have to pack is my room but at least I will bring the clothes directly to laundry then put in car . other stuff is being sealed.
any other reccommendations?
thanks again
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aballen
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Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 177
Posted 1 year ago
Sun Nov 23 2008 22:05:26
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You can put anything in the oven as long as the heat won't melt it, like your CD covers, and books, on at least 140 for a couple hours. We treated alot of stuff like this, or simply seal it off in heavy duty ziplocks and duct tape the zippers for 18 months. And it is not overkill to address the CD's and books, they get everywhere and you can't be too excessive in your preparation for moving from a BB infested place. Anyone who thinks so hasn't spent enough money on treatment yet.
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theevilgumby
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Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 14
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Nov 24 2008 0:56:14
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One thing i forgot to mention is that there has been no new blood stains/black dots smudges on sheets floorboards/ or sideboards. Does that mean anything?
ALso no new left over BB shells or feces. I clean the floor and sideboards every night too see if new stuff would appear and none does.is this good or means not much
just double checking sorry :)
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theevilgumby
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Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 14
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Nov 25 2008 0:15:33
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OK saw another bed bug on my sheet killed the f_ _ker, he wasnt as big as former ones though, brings that up to 4 bedbugs in 3 months, about 2 weeks apart . SO bed clothes and air bed will be tossed upon move this weekend. That made me mad tonight, I have no money for a PCO and wont in florida either im f_ _Ked....damn damn damn. Still havent gotten a new bite havent seen any new spots appear on sheets and floorboards, still spraying with JT eaton spray. I had inspected the floors yesterday and cleaned as much as possible saw nothing. I think they are coming from the frame by my door. Cant wait to go through my closet ..yuck electronics will be put in tubs and bags, (only thing that will enter house is record player). clothes will be heavily laundried. Cd cases will be stored, Damn ill keep all my stuff in the garage i dont give a f_ _ k
arggggggggggh I hate being pathetic poor and young.
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awwwww :( evilgumby, I'm so sorry.
Please don't let this sitch damage your self-esteem. What happened is not the result of poverty or youth. You are not pathetic. I'm old (sort of, I guess - grrr) & I get by. My story ended the same as yours. Chuck it all or store it.
I know this is hard. Three weeks ago I stood in your shoes, thinking I could handle this. Thinking they were probably gone. Thinking I could get out with my stuff before it got crazy and then..... I saw one more bug. I was broken. Three weeks later I have to really think about what I lost to grieve it, the fresh start is refreshing. When I drug in my 3 boxes of what was left that felt safe (mostly just pots), I didn't even want to look at them. They were scars of an old life. You'll see it gets better and faster than you might think.
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