Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Introductions
Just Found Out I have bb
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bitesincanada
newbite
Joined: Jun '11
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 13:49:08
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Hello. I just found out I have bed bugs and am so afraid that I'll be told I have to get rid of all my things. I have 28 years of memories accumulated in my apartment where I've lived since 1983. I have two couches and a recliner, all I've had since I moved in and no money to pay for all the things I've read I'm going to need to get rid of them. The building is a seven storey complex with ten units per floor. About a month ago, we received a pamphlet through the dood explainging things. My guess is they've had issues with them in another building since my mother lives in another and received the same thing.
As I said, I'm sick at heart at the prospect of having to get rid of my precious things. I have file boxes with all my writing material and other things I just cannot and will not part with. I haven't slept properly in the past few days and have no idea what to do. I'm afraid to contact my landlord due to what they might tell my I have to do to get rid of this problem.
I need some help. I'm completely worn out.
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MoreThanOnceBitten
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 14:09:04
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How did you find out you had BBs? Did you see a BB or evidence? Did a pest control officer come look in your apartment?
Just making sure you truly have them before you panic.
Even then, don't panic. I am not expert, trust me, but from what I've heard on here if you are in an apartment the landlord is supposed to treat for you. Many things can be treated where you don't have to get rid of them.
From what I've heard you don't have to throw out all your things.
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bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 14:45:40
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My partner got bites a while ago but we couldn't find anything. We went to the doctor and she was told it was scabies. Fine. This went on for a couple of weeks where she was still getting bitten. Then I started getting bitten starting a week ago. When we were in our living room watching TV, we started seeing them crawling around the floor. This was just the other day. There are a lot of them and my partner and I did a blitz on them. After doing some searching online about bites and bugs, I found out they were indeed bed bugs. I've ID'd them and consulted a Google image search then found this site. So know they are.
If I had to throw out my files, books, DVDs and CDs I might as well slit my throat. I should also say, I've lived here for 28 years and have accumulated a lot of stuff, but I'm so fearful I'm going to be told to get rid of my bedding and other things. As I said, I'm on a fixed income and cannot replace anything. The couches I have, have been here since I moved in 28 years ago.
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MoreThanOnceBitten
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 15:12:35
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I know what its like to have lots of stuff. I've lived in my house 10 years and we have more books than some libraries.
I know you said money was an issue, but if it wasn't, thermal would be the way to go if you have that many books and papers. Still with that, clutter needs to be minimized because the heat must get into all the cracks and places.
I feel for you. I don't have confirmed bugs, so I haven't been where you are.
I have papers and stories I wrote when I was a girl and my mom's she wrote when she was a girl. If I had to get rid of those, I would be upset too. If you dont' have to get to them right away, you could pack them in big ziplocs and keep them isolated for 18 months. They say on here that the bugs will die in that time. Or you could get a packtite. That is a little heated chamber where you could put your books, papers and shoes to heat them up. Cheaper than doing a thermal for the whole place and it would save you throwing out your books and papers.
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bitesincanada
newbite
Joined: Jun '11
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 15:30:37
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MoreThanOnceBitten - 17 minutes ago »
I know what its like to have lots of stuff. I've lived in my house 10 years and we have more books than some libraries.
I know you said money was an issue, but if it wasn't, thermal would be the way to go if you have that many books and papers. Still with that, clutter needs to be minimized because the heat must get into all the cracks and places.
I feel for you. I don't have confirmed bugs, so I haven't been where you are.
I have papers and stories I wrote when I was a girl and my mom's she wrote when she was a girl. If I had to get rid of those, I would be upset too. If you dont' have to get to them right away, you could pack them in big ziplocs and keep them isolated for 18 months. They say on here that the bugs will die in that time. Or you could get a packtite. That is a little heated chamber where you could put your books, papers and shoes to heat them up. Cheaper than doing a thermal for the whole place and it would save you throwing out your books and papers.Is this Packtite expensive and who pays for it if I live in an apartment since it IS their issue...not mine.
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bitesincanada
newbite
Joined: Jun '11
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 15:31:56
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Who pays for this heat treatment? Since it's the landlord's issue, I shouldn't have to pay for it. And who pays for this packtite thing?
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Louise
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 15:47:18
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The packtite isn't currently available in Canada, although it's supposed to be soon.
I think the question of "who pays" depends on your local laws, so you'd have to check into those.
Finally, just to be sure, I would really recommend that you post a picture of the bugs you found (you could use your computer scanner to scan them) so that the experts here can confirm the ID before you go any further with this.
You stated, "When we were in our living room watching TV, we started seeing them crawling around the floor. This was just the other day. There are a lot of them..."
That's unusual behavior for bed bugs, and so it makes me wonder if those aren't some look-alike pest...
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MoreThanOnceBitten
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 16:12:21
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I agree with Louise. Pics would be good.
There are a lot of really gifted people on here that do this for a living. There are many bugs that look very similar to a BB to the laymans eye.
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bitesincanada
newbite
Joined: Jun '11
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 16:32:04
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What I meant about them 'walking across the floor'. My partner and I do not use the bedroom. I have a bad back and other health problems that mean I can't sleep in a bed. So we both predominately hang out in the living room. We have carpeting and there were a cluster of them that were crawling over the bedding we have on the floor as our bed.
About what the look like, they look like the bugs that are displayed here on this website. That's how I know their BBs. I have a photo of the bites I got last night.
Here is the photo of the bites I got: http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y263/nowordneeded/untitled.png
The bodies are round when full of blood. When I squish them, they bleed red blood. When not engorged they're longer. And the babies also have blood in them. I don't have any photos of them as each time I've found one I've hit it with isopropyl alcohol and cleaned them up with toilet paper and flushed them.
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your host
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 16:33:36
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bitesincanada - 1 hour ago »
Is this Packtite expensive and who pays for it if I live in an apartment since it IS their issue...not mine.Unfortunately, you can't buy a Packtite in Canada, yet. They're working on it.
Even if your landlord is responsible for treatment, this would not necessarily include items like Packtites or laundry or bags or other materials for doing the prep end of treatment. (It might cover them if the landlord's PCO required them, but then most landlords would probably choose services which didn't have added expenses.)
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your host
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 16:36:37
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I am not an expert, but a pack of bed bugs walking across the floor together sounds suspicious. It might be another pest.
Or it might be bed bugs, perhaps if someone did something like set off a bomb, or use other methods which caused them to disperse? I would defer to the experts on this one.
See if you can post a photo of the bugs. Photos of skin reactions really don't help as you can't diagnose bed bugs from the bite reactions.
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bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 16:39:10
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^^^
Which means not necessarily a good result in getting rid of them. Correct?
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buggyinsocal
oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 16:43:39
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1. If you are feeling suicidal, please take a look at these resources. Some people use a comment like something about slitting their throat as a metaphor; others do not, and we on the boards cannot always tell which is which.
2. Contact your local tenants' rights organization. Laws about bed bugs are generally city-based, not even province-based (let alone nation-wide), so you'll need to contact someone locally. (For obvious reasons, you need not post your city here. In fact, I would encourage you not to post your specific city here.)
3. Once you find out who is financially responsible for treating the residence, see if you can find a PCO who has a lot of experience and success with bed bugs. Have that person come out and inspect to confirm the diagnosis. There are many look alike pests that get confused for bed bugs. You may be stressing out over a pest you don't have. Just about any pest is easier to get rid of than bed bugs.
4. While many of us do have to do some amount of decluttering as part of treatment, treatment does not generally mean getting rid of DVDs or papers entirely. Most good PCOs will not only not require that you get rid of bedding, they will discourage you from getting rid of it until after treatment.
5. Unfortunately, if you rent, you are often less in control of your choice of PCO than if you own property. It also means that in most places, the landlord does not pay for prep. If Packtites become available in Canada, it will almost certainly be your responsibility to pay for it. Just as you'll be required to shoulder the burden of any laundering required for prep, plus the sweat equity of any other prep.
However, it's also often the case that the flip side of things is that the landlord is often required to pay for pest control.
6. Thermal treatment is not widely available; the equipment is expensive and Canada doesn't generally have a big problem with the pest that encouraged many PCOs to invest in it before the bed bug resurgence. (Thermal is also used for drywood termites, which are common in warm climates. A lot of thermal providers use thermal for termites at least as often as for bed bugs.)
Chemical pesticide treatment can effectively eliminate bugs from papers and DVDs and beds and most other materials, if applied correctly by a PCO who knows his or her stuff. You may need to rearrange your stuff; it might need to get stored in new kinds of containers (plastic, for example, is less bed bug friendly than cardboard--ditto with roaches). But that doesn't generally mean getting rid of everything or even most everything.
I did use the bed bug scare as an opportunity to really cull my DVD and VHS collection (basically I scrapped VHS of anything I had or could get on DVD), but that's not always or even usually necessary.
If your apartment is especially cluttered--and by especially cluttered I mean that there are only narrow walkways amid the stuff that are just big enough for a person to navigate carefully through--then, unfortunately, yes, you're likely going to have to be selective as you cull through your stuff.
Short of that, though, chances are you'll be able to keep most of your stuff (I still have FAR too many books crammed into my very small apartment. I've not only not gotten rid of DVDs but added to the collection, and added video games for the PS3 to the clutter) with good professional treatment.
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your host
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 16:47:28
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bitesincanada - 6 minutes ago »
^^^
Which means not necessarily a good result in getting rid of them. Correct?If they're bed bugs, then yes, could be.
Bombs and foggers are not a good idea. Did your partner use one? Or other products, which can also repel?
Could be within the home or from another unit.
Certain products and modes of treatment might cause bed bugs to come out or move around.
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your host
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 16:51:12
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buggyinsocal - 4 minutes ago »
1. If you are feeling suicidal, please take a look at these resources. Some people use a comment like something about slitting their throat as a metaphor; others do not, and we on the boards cannot always tell which is which.Thanks, buggyinsocal, for catching that.
Yes, just to add: if you are ever feeling like you might harm yourself, please go to an emergency room (or otherwise see a doctor) immediately. The resources buggyinsocal linked to are helpful if you need someone to talk to.
Bed bugs are difficult but you can survive them. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, this can make the problem worse. Those conditions are treatable, however, and people here have had positive experiences with seeing counselors or doctors about those issues while dealing with bed bugs.
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bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 16:56:46
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It's not that I'm suicidal, it's just I've had issues with having to toss my stuff that I've wanted to keep for reasons I don't want to post here. Everything I have, except for the excessive clutter, IS dear to me. Even papers I haven't looked at for 10 years....but the point is I just don't want to have to get rid of anything I KNOW I don't want to.
As for where I live, it's in the province of Ontario, Canada. I won't mention the city. But I know it's bed bugs. There was a pamphlet the owners of the complex put through the doors of each unit in all nine buildings in the complex. How I know this is my mom who lives in another building also got one. So there had to be some other unit or building that had them. I don't think these were handed around just for the heck of it. It was almost the same situation that happened in that apartment in Detroit of the video you have here. So that's how I know it's them.
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bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 16:59:25
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Nobugsonme - 6 minutes ago »
buggyinsocal - 4 minutes ago »
1. If you are feeling suicidal, please take a look at these resources. Some people use a comment like something about slitting their throat as a metaphor; others do not, and we on the boards cannot always tell which is which.Thanks, buggyinsocal, for catching that.
Yes, just to add: if you are ever feeling like you might harm yourself, please go to an emergency room (or otherwise see a doctor) immediately. The resources buggyinsocal linked to are helpful if you need someone to talk to.
Bed bugs are difficult but you can survive them. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, this can make the problem worse. Those conditions are treatable, however, and people here have had positive experiences with seeing counselors or doctors about those issues while dealing with bed bugs.I think what it is that getting me is the task of having to do this when I know I didn't bring them in. It's the having to do what I know I shouldn't have to do that is making me anxious. And I know it's anxiety.
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your host
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 17:06:26
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bitesincanada - 7 minutes ago »
As for where I live, it's in the province of Ontario, Canada. I won't mention the city. But I know it's bed bugs. There was a pamphlet the owners of the complex put through the doors of each unit in all nine buildings in the complex. How I know this is my mom who lives in another building also got one. So there had to be some other unit or building that had them. I don't think these were handed around just for the heck of it. It was almost the same situation that happened in that apartment in Detroit of the video you have here. So that's how I know it's them.
If they put the pamphlet through every door in nine buildings, it probably means some tenants have bed bugs, but it is unlikely everyone does.
It is fully possible those are bed bugs, but because of the unusual behavior, and because it seems like at least half the people who think they have bed bugs, don't, I would encourage you to post a photo so you can be sure.
It is not easy to treat your stuff and it can be expensive to store it longterm. However, it is not a done deal that you have to throw away all of your stuff. In most cases things can be saved.
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your host
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 17:08:45
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bitesincanada - 7 minutes ago »
I think what it is that getting me is the task of having to do this when I know I didn't bring them in. It's the having to do what I know I shouldn't have to do that is making me anxious. And I know it's anxiety.I can understand that.
It's important to realize that bed bugs are a pest of exposure. Anyone who leaves their home can "bring them in." If they come from a neighbor, it may feel like you're being subjected to their problems.
But their problems might have started after they did something innocent like sitting on a public bus, or riding in a taxi. They probably had no idea they were exposed, and on that level, they were victims too. It's an epidemic.
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bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 17:52:59
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I'll see if I can get a photo tonight. They mostly come out at night, mostly. If I get some in a kleenex, I'll take a snappie before I toss them.
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buggyinsocal
oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 18:34:43
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Rather than tossing them, you might want to hold onto them. (I found it easy enough to store them by using clear tape to attach them to a piece of paper and putting that into a ziplock I kept in the freezer.)
In many places, PCOs are hesitant to treat without proof of bugs. If you have a landlord who tries to avoid treating by claiming that there isn't a problem, having the samples on hand can be very important.
I know it's kind of gross, but many people have had a hard time even finding the bugs, so if you can get your hands on some, it's best to hold onto them.
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bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 19:39:52
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Oh no, There is no problem finding them. My recliner seems to be their stomping ground.
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bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 24 2011 21:13:57
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Follow up......
The little buggers won't be out till after midnight, but I want to ask a question. Why don't you think I have BBs? What is it about the behaviour that I described makes you think they aren't?
Thanks in advance.
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your host
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jun 25 2011 0:37:19
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There are two reasons I think you need to get a positive ID:
The first is that everyone needs one. It's extremely common for people to think they have bed bugs when they have another issue.
The second reason I explained already. See below:
Nobugsonme - 7 hours ago »
I am not an expert, but a pack of bed bugs walking across the floor together sounds suspicious. It might be another pest.
Or it might be bed bugs, perhaps if someone did something like set off a bomb, or use other methods which caused them to disperse? I would defer to the experts on this one.
See if you can post a photo of the bugs. Photos of skin reactions really don't help as you can't diagnose bed bugs from the bite reactions. -
bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jun 25 2011 0:39:21
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They finally came out to play. I have some photos for you to look at. I believe they are BBs:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y263/nowordneeded/2011-06-25000810.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y263/nowordneeded/2011-06-25001215.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y263/nowordneeded/2011-06-25001244.jpg
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Louise
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jun 25 2011 0:45:25
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I'm not an expert, but yes, those sure do look like bed bugs to me.
Ugh. Sorry. I was hoping it was something far more innocuous.
In terms of your books, etc., you can seal them in airtight containers for 18 months, thereby starving the little buggers to death; you don't need to toss all of your really important things.
DVVP strips with certain items in sealed plastic bags (although said bags should NOT be stored anywhere that people live and breathe) for 2-3 weeks is another option.
Hopefully someday (hopefully someday SOON) the packtite will be an option for those of us in Canada. Right now the first version sells for around $300.00 U.S. I'm not sure how much the new version (the one which will be approved for sale and use in Canada) will be, but I imagine it will be a little more due to its larger size.
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your host
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jun 25 2011 0:47:12
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Yes, sorry, it does look like bed bugs.
Can you tell me what kind of treatment your partner used in the home already?
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bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jun 25 2011 0:48:06
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Louise - 36 seconds ago »
I'm not an expert, but yes, those sure do look like bed bugs to me.
Ugh. Sorry. I was hoping it was something far more innocuous.No, I had a feeling that's what they were. I was hoping perhaps they might be something else, but ......
Okay for now, what do I do? What can I do overnight to make sure they keep under control? I have some RAID for bedbugs, do I use it on them or isopropyl alcohol? The alcohol is what I use to stun them befor picking them up in the toilet paper to put them down the toilet. I hear the little buggers can't swim. Too bad.
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bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jun 25 2011 0:50:00
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Nobugsonme - 1 minute ago »
Yes, sorry, it does look like bed bugs.
Can you tell me what kind of treatment your partner used in the home already?No, there was no treatment. They just started coming out all on their own. I found out online that one can use isopropyl alcohol on them to stun them. That's what I've been using to take them out as they've come out.
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bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jun 25 2011 0:52:01
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What happens if you 'drop a bomb' on them?
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bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jun 25 2011 0:54:09
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Louise - 7 minutes ago »
I'm not an expert, but yes, those sure do look like bed bugs to me.
Ugh. Sorry. I was hoping it was something far more innocuous.
In terms of your books, etc., you can seal them in airtight containers for 18 months, thereby starving the little buggers to death; you don't need to toss all of your really important things.
DVVP strips with certain items in sealed plastic bags (although said bags should NOT be stored anywhere that people live and breathe) for 2-3 weeks is another option.
Hopefully someday (hopefully someday SOON) the packtite will be an option for those of us in Canada. Right now the first version sells for around $300.00 U.S. I'm not sure how much the new version (the one which will be approved for sale and use in Canada) will be, but I imagine it will be a little more due to its larger size.What if I don't want to throw anything out? And if I need the books for my research materials (I'm a writer) what do I do then? This is what is so depressing me. I don't want to be without my things for that long. That's what I meant by 'slit my throat', not in the litteral sense, but in the proverbial sense. I don't want to have to be without them for too long. I'm sick already at that thought.
Can I take Lysol wipes and wipe the books and stuff to make sure they're okay?
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your host
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jun 25 2011 0:57:16
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It's okay to use rubbing alcohol to kill them on contact if you see them.
I would recommend keeping every bug in a zipper bag or similar, if you can, because it may help make your case as to how many bugs you have. The PCO and the management may be very interested. (Some people have even had occasion to produce such a bag of "evidence" for management offices or city officials to show the extent of their problems. You never know.)
I would personally not try treating with a spray like RAID because it's possible to make things worse. Get the management's pest control people in ASAP. Meanwhile, kill the ones you see with alcohol and save them.
(Be sure to use alcohol safely, it's flammable & has fumes, don't overapply or smoke around it, etc.)
Do not bomb.
Read this FAQ on bombs and foggers. They can make bed bugs spread, making them harder to treat. They also won't get rid of them. Please do not do this.
Then read our other FAQs.
Wiping books is unlikely to be sufficient. They hide in crevices, like the binding.
The FAQs should give you some ideas. DDVP strips mentioned by Louise may be an option. If you want a Packtite you might be able to get one via someone in the US (I cannot speak to the legal aspects of doing so).
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bitesincanada
newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jun 25 2011 14:34:34
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Well, I got some good news. I called a pest control specialist and was on the phone with him for about a half an hour and asked a lot of questions. Most of them really helped in what is about to start happening. But here's what he told me that really makes me happy. He told me I WON'T have to throw out any of my books, papers or personal effects...or the furniture. He said that any one who would tell anyone that kind of thing, is not a reputable company. H said that if the company can't garantee a good result, shoudn't be in the buiness. He also told me that it sounds like my proplem is centrally located. He said that was good. He also said that if anyone told me I had to throw anyhting out that I could give them his personal number and hed' talk to them. He said his methods include a three-step program.
1) Deep steam cleaning on furniture, bed frame, matress/box spings, headboard, footboard and after he would put on matress covers and box springs covers.
2) Spreading Diatamaceous Earth. He said that it is effective for the problem.
3) Lastly, and only if needed, would he spray, but he said that using the DE, it shouldn't be necessary.
But that was the good news for the day. Thought I'd share. I'm off to have a nap. I really need one badly.
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