Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed Bug Success Stories
month and a half of treatment update
(4 posts)-
vampiremenionprey
member
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 144
Posted 11 months ago
Mon Dec 22 2008 3:01:56
#
Login to Send PM
We just had our third treatment 5 days ago. They've come out every two weeks like clock work. We've seen huge improvement over time but we know we're not in the clear yet. The number of visible bugs has dropped dramatically.
I inspect the walls, cracks and crevices daily still. Since our last treatment I've spotted and killed 3 nymphs. I generally keep stock of 91% rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and tape on hand while I search.
Since we threw our mattresses out (the night before our first treatment) I've only received 5 bites. I react to them horribly and they are usually around for a few weeks. I've been able to sleep better so my head is in a bit of a better state. I don't feel like I obsess over it as much, but it's always on my mind. I don't have crying fits like I use to which is good! Our children don't react to the bites fortunately. Unfortunately the larger infestation was in their room, so we are unsure of how often they are still being bitten. I check our toddlers wooden crib/bed frame weekly for any signs...so far no infestation in it or his plastic mattress.
Since my migraine battling and recent holiday chaos I've become quite lax on our typical daily routine of vacuuming, laundering, and zip locking but the medication I've been on and the rest I’ve been able to get has helped tremendously.
We have company coming to visit the day after our fourth treatment. He's well aware of our situation, but said that won't stop him from coming to see us. Makes me feel good knowing I'm not being treated as a leper by a good friend who lives out of state. I've prepped for him with extra zip locks!
I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We’re almost there and I'm sure we'll be bug free by the time we move if we stay vigilante. Now I’m just curious as to how to successfully heat treat all of my books and other belongings that I can't launder if I can't afford a packtite.
I just want to thank everyone for all of the support!
-
Overwhelmed
junior member
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 42
Posted 11 months ago
Mon Dec 22 2008 10:08:38
#
Login to Send PM
We’re almost there and I'm sure we'll be bug free by the time we move if we stay vigilante. Now I’m just curious as to how to successfully heat treat all of my books and other belongings that I can't launder if I can't afford a packtite.
It's so good to hear that things are going well for you!
How low can you set your oven? Mine doesn't go below 170 so it wasn't a great option for books, etc. but if yours goes down around 140 you could literally cook your books, papers, etc. (a terrible pun, I know, but it's been amusing me for weeks now) for a few hours. Failing that I think I would just inspect very closely.
If you have books that you keep because you love them but rarely open (I know I have a bunch of these) you could also put them in normal one gallon ziplocks and leave them there for 18 months. I know that must be hard though with younger children who you read to though.
-
vampiremenionprey
member
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 144
Posted 11 months ago
Mon Dec 22 2008 17:56:31
#
Login to Send PM
Thanks for the response overwhelmed.
I think my oven has a 150 setting. I'm guessing that would be ok?
we got rid of all of the books except for my husbands high school year books, our children's and the harry potter collection that was given to my husband two years ago from his deceased mother. aside from the children's books the rest can be stored.
Thanks
-
Overwhelmed
junior member
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 42
Posted 11 months ago
Mon Dec 22 2008 22:08:06
#
Login to Send PM
I think when people have thermal treatments it goes up to around 140 and the books are fine, right, so it makes sense that you could heat them up that high in your oven and have it be fine. Also, the packtite gets up around that and my books came through just fine.
Before I bought that I did try a few books in my oven, which doesn't go below 170. Nothing fell apart but it did make the dust jackets of the hardcovers bubble. I have a couple very funny looking books now. :) I also suspect that it's not so good for the binding. But if you store away the books that are precious to you like the year books and the Harry Potter collection, I imagine it would be OK to heat up the children's books to 150. You can always start out with one or two to test it out
Reply
You must log in to post.
