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Likelihood of me having bed bugs?

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djmer

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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Feb 25 2009 16:48:14
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So... here's the story.

As I was leaving my apartment the other day, I see my next-door neighbor struggling with a mattress that is infested with bed bugs. She is literally blocking the stairs with the thing. Me, hearing horror stories about bed bugs, is EXTREMELY hesitant in helping. I ended up helping her get it to the clearing of the stairs (literally... 5 stairs), and then check my clothes for any signs... see nothing. I go back into my apartment, immediately go to the dryer, strip down, and toss everything in it for 20 minutes. I have not seen any signs of bed bugs, and have not gotten any bites.

What is the likelihood that my place is infested? My neighbor had an exterminator come over yesterday, which is a good thing. But, I'm afraid that if only her place was treated, the bugs are just going to move into my place or throughout the building. I have not signed the lease (I moved in 2 weeks ago... but for whatever reason have not signed the lease) and I am wondering if I should get the heck out of here before I do run into any problems.
nightshirt

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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Feb 25 2009 17:12:06
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if you are in and infested too late to move out. i would suggest like 2 hours in the dryer on very hot, not 20 minutes.

CAULK - that is my favorite advise. you can really make a dent in isolating your apartment from the building by caulking each and every and i mean each and every crack, crevass, holw, etc.
djmer

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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Feb 25 2009 17:27:03
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nightshirt - 9 minutes ago »
if you are in and infested too late to move out. i would suggest like 2 hours in the dryer on very hot, not 20 minutes.
CAULK - that is my favorite advise. you can really make a dent in isolating your apartment from the building by caulking each and every and i mean each and every crack, crevass, holw, etc.

Well, my next door neighbor is the only one who has the problem, but I don't know for how long. I think she took a family member's mattress or something and realized shortly thereafter that it had bugs. I don't think the complex is completely infested, and I think she caught it early. I just don't want to get caught up in this mess if it's possible to avoid it.
bitten123

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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Feb 25 2009 18:02:30
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djmer, I think it is probably a good thing you saw her moving the mattress, as now you are aware there is a bed bug problem. If it is directly next door, they absolutely will try and spread to your place unless precautions are taken. It is good they are treating her place, but typically the apts beside and above below need to be examined to make sure they are not infested. Often they need to be treated simultaneously so that they don't chase the bugs from one aprt to the next. Have you talked with the landlord about spryaing your apt? You should ask at least to have your apt inspected. I would highly recommend that you read the FAQ on this site, it will take you some time to absorb it all.
As far as you helping carry out the mattress, you might be all right but if eggs and nymphs were falling off in the hall, she has basically exposed everyone to them. It is hard for me to imagine that she did not seal it up in plastic before dragging it around the hallway. Again, I think you need to let the apt owner/manager know so that the hallway could be treated.
I agree with thoroughly caulking your apartment, there are directions on here somewhere. Also, I would go ahead and incase my mattress and box springs to protect them. Given you don't have them in your bed/furniture you might look into those new passive bed bug monitors that prevent them from crawling up onto your bed, etc. Or you could go ahead and put vaseline on your bed legs to prevent any from climbing up to your mattress. I think you are in danger because you have an infected neighbor, but hopefully you can take precautions and be able to minimize them bothering you.
JimmyChanga

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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Feb 25 2009 18:08:24
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I haven't tried this, but you might want to look into applying a VERY thin layer of DE in strategic areas... like doorways and entrances from the outside world into your apartment. You'll have to read more about DE first in the FAQs though, apparently it's very tricky to apply it correctly.