Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed Bug Treatment
Moving & Freezing
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skbedbugs
newbite
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 2offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Sep 10 2008 13:07:05
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I'm planning to store the majority of my stuff in unheated storage over the winter. I live in Saskatchewan Canada so at least 3 months will be -20c/-4f or colder. Will this kill them? Or will they slow their metabolism to survice this kind of cold. Furniture will not be bagged. All my books, photo ablums, cds, dvds etc are in rubbermaid tubs.
Please tell me this will work. It's been 2 years off and on. Although I am new to the site and this is my first post. I've lurked for 2 years now
I've only ever found 2 of these suckers. I'm moving in 2 weeks and am only taking my clothes (washed dried on hot & stored in ziplock bags) and my tv, computer tower and monitor (undecided how i will treat these) and my dishes (after washing in hot water and straight to dishwasher when unpacked). Everything else will be stored or thrown out.
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oldtimer
Joined: Jan '08
Posts: 1,170offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Sep 10 2008 18:18:53
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Hi,
The point with any type of decon is that you need to get 100%. In order to do that you need 100% control of the environment. The only way to achieve this is to used controlled environments and unless you are going to take steps to ensure that the middle of all the items gets to the temperatures you have indicated for all that time you can’t be certain.
I would however say that with only ever finding 2 bed bugs unless you are receiving a lot more signs or symptoms I personally feel that the steps you are doing to are a little extreme.
As the problem of Bed Bugs spreads we all experience a greater chance of picking one up at random. The fact remains that you have that risk regardless of what you do and that home inspection and deep cleaning combined with isolation of infected materials would usually be the first steps in a low level infestation.
I would certainly not be disposing of anything without first inspecting it and being sure it had an infestation.
David
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skbedbugs
newbite
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 2offline
Posted 4 years ago
Thu Sep 11 2008 15:01:11
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Thanks for the repsonse David. i'm glad you think it's not a big infestation
I think the problem is that we have a very old house with lots of very good hidng places. There are gaps in the hardwood, gaps where the hardwood meets the wall, gabs in the window ledges, etc . I have repeatedly checked the boxsrping and mattrress (although they are in bags now.) As well I've checked the headboard when I threw it out. I've checked the couch and chair (close proximity to the bed room.) I know I have them - at one point this summer I had over 20 bites. I can't find them. And honestly we can't afford to have someone to come in and treat the place. Getting quotes of $600 ish - and when I told them it was an old house they didn't think it would work anyways. Not very helpful to say the least.
Maybe it would be better to store the stuff in the new place and then give them the cold treatment for a couple of days. As it really stays -20 to -35c (-4 to -30f) for at least 3 weeks in the winter. Would vacumming my bookshelves be enough before I move? So overwhelmed
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oldtimer
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 6,760offline
Posted 4 years ago
Thu Sep 11 2008 15:44:31
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Hi,
Inspection is the best thing you can do. Look over every items for signs of bed bug activity, cast skins and fecal traces.
Seal everything with signs in cling film or saran wrap and decide if you want to keep it. If you don't want to keep it then out it goes. Once you have a definitive list of what you want to keep let me know via PM and I will advise as best I can.
I get a regular stream of bags and possessions to my facility in London where they are turned around and set out decontaminated so we have worked out methods for most things.
David
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