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Moving after failed treatment help

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ninjames

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Posted 9 months ago
Thu Aug 16 2012 0:27:09
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Hey guys. Obviously, I'm not thrilled to be here. This site is a reminder of the last three months, which have been absolute hell. But I need to ask some questions. We had a bedbug infestation all over a three bedroom house. We went through four treatments with the liquid - always taking all cloth out of the house, washing and drying on high heat. Less-than three days after the fourth treatment, we found some bed bugs.

Now, at this point, I'm personally $2000 in the hole. My fiancee and I share a place with three roommates. We don't have the money to cover another treatment and, frankly, my fiancee and I don't have the willpower. So the two of us are moving out on our own.

Signed a lease today. They sprayed for pests yesterday. Ordered a new mattress and box spring which will be delivered to the new place on Friday and will not be touched by us until we're good and ready to sleep on it and be done with this. Now, my question relates to what we have. We don't own a lot of stuff, but I wanted to ask some questions about what goes, and what doesn't.

We have one computer desk, one big, solid wood dresser, one vanity, one shelf we stored food on that sat on the dresser, one mini-fridge, and two metal shelves that sat on the ground. As far as items go, we have a TV, couple laptops, a bunch of makeup, about 20 pairs of headphones, miscellaneous electronics and things of that nature.

We threw out our old mattress and have been sleeping on a mound of blankets that were bagged up the whole time during treatment and were probably clean when we took them out of the bag. Well, we've seen one or two bed bugs on those so either they weren't clean or they're in the house enough that getting rid of the bed didn't do much, so that's a factor considering all the aforementioned furniture/items are in the same room.

Now, we're going to be packing up all the clothes in bags, going to the laundromat and washing everything and then using high heat, and then putting them in different, new bags. The clothes we have on are going to be washed and bagged the night before and changed into in the morning before we head out. My question is to the other stuff. We do not have any money whatsoever to have anything else professionally treated, but we do have some of the chemicals that one of the guys left. Said he wasn't supposed to, but he did anyway. Got your standard spray bottle full.

What about the smaller things like electronics? Headphones, Xbox, games, controllers, remotes, TVs, laptops? We're getting plastic bins to move everything in. Do I just look them over, maybe wipe them down with some of these lens wipes we have? What about two oscillating fans we have?

Beyond that, what about the mini fridge, vanity, dresser and desk? Of those, the mini fridge and the vanity would be nicest to have. What are the signs to look for? Should we wipe everything down, or maybe use the chemicals? If so, how should we use them, and where/in what stage of the move? Once we get out of this house we don't plan on coming back in.

Sorry for the long message, just trying to be thorough, which apparently is key with these monstrosities.
ninjames

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Posted 9 months ago
Thu Aug 16 2012 0:47:03
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Oh, and also, there's two power strips. Pretty expensive. Problem is, they were both on the ground right below the bed. Should those just be left? The pest control people mentioned that they could get into outlets and around them - does the same apply for power strips?

Really, in the end, we don't have to do any of the big furniture. I'm just worried about the smaller electronics, some fans, maybe her books.
buggyinsyracuse

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Posted 9 months ago
Thu Aug 16 2012 9:20:52
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I hope that someone responds to your questions as I am interested to know as well. Either way, hang in there.
bugsinbrooklyn13

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Posted 9 months ago
Thu Aug 16 2012 11:12:33
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Can you heat treat your things in the move? Or Vikane? I found with my move, I wanted near certainty that I would be BB free, so we vikaned all of our stuff. It was expensive, but spending more on replacing things or the stress...let's just say I'd rather eat PBJ for months than go through it after 7+ months of it. Our guys offer a 90 day guarantee...and most people say if you make it 55-60 days with no live activity, you are clear. So we are covered...

Where do you live?
cilecto

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Posted 9 months ago
Thu Aug 16 2012 12:19:19
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I'm not an expert and don't know your situation intimately. Here's my "take", based on what I've seen others discuss here:

In light infestations, where the bugs have not overrun their habitats or have been disturbed by extermination attempts, most of the bugs will be on or very close to the bed (or couch, etc.). As the infestation grows, or when the bugs are disturbed, bugs will scatter to additional places and objects.

As you have a 3-month+ old infestation and several treatment attempts, there's risk of stray bugs in the various objects you listed. There are ways to eliminate bed bugs in most items other than the bed. Our FAQ discusses them. http://bedbugger.com/faqs/stuff/ If you take them to your new place, it's likely that you will need to continue treatment there.