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Need Advice: PCO refuses to visually verify bugs

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SteelerGal

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue May 3 2011 12:17:52
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Yesterday, Broadway Exterminating came with the dog. It found around 7 sites in my bedroom, living room, and hallway. I probably have bugs. I was seriously bitten up on Sunday.

However, to date, I have not seen any bugs or fecal matter. I've had catchmaster alerts in place for 3 weeks, and they're all still bare. All the dog alerts were along the floor - no furniture or beds.

The PCO told me today the dogs are 99% accurate, and they're refusing to visually verify. They want to come in and use 2 chemicals - one contact and one residual. We're discussing this because I am disabled and already have extensive neuro damage. They also said they intend to treat only my apartment.

My building super believes this problem is between me and the PCO. I'm too sick to do extensive prep, and I told the PCO I know it needs to be done, but they will have to get someone else to do it.

The PCO has not yet spoken to the building management. I encouraged them to do so.

What do people think about this set-up? Should I insist on visual verification?

I'm also highly ticked off at my building super. Why, I don't know, this is SOP for him. I've been trying to move for more than a year because of other serious maintenance problems, and now this happens.

I'm in New York City, FYI. Thanks.
bed-bugscouk

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue May 3 2011 12:31:02
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Hi,

If you don't get visual confirmation how do they know they are treating for the right thing?

I appreciate that dogs can be great tools but the fact is that all the serious people who are professional in the industry stick to the mantra "show me the bedbugs".

Its for a very good reason, to avoid unnecessary treatments.

You can always advise your building super has a good look at http://www.bedbugbeware.com to see all the facts.

David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited
spideyjg

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue May 3 2011 13:18:08
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Doesn't matter the pest unless hard evidence is found, no treatment should occur.

Jim
SteelerGal

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Posted 2 years ago
Thu May 5 2011 12:06:22
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I want to thank everyone for their comments. They gave me the courage to contact the building's offsite manager about the problem.

To my surprise, he agreed that he wanted a visual confirmation. At first. Now, he wants to go forward with treatment (PCO suggested: cryonite and diametaceous earth). I emphasized it would be better to have visual confirmation first, but he is having the PCO contact me to arrange treatment.

I also mentioned that NYC law requires the landlord to provide assistance, if necessary, for the site preparation. He said no, then backed off when I reminded him I am a cripple.

At this point, the potential disruption for prep, and the record of stupidity by the landlord, are bothering me more than the bugs.

I am not happy about this. I am thinking about hiring an independent inspection, but many don't want to do one if they are not getting the extermination job.

Should I try and get a different PCO to do visual ID?
Nobugsonme

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Posted 2 years ago
Fri May 6 2011 2:08:21
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SteelerGal - 13 hours ago »
To my surprise, he agreed that he wanted a visual confirmation. At first. Now, he wants to go forward with treatment (PCO suggested: cryonite and diametaceous earth). I emphasized it would be better to have visual confirmation first, but he is having the PCO contact me to arrange treatment.

As David and Jim note above, it's essential to verify you have bed bugs before treatment occurs. The landlord is wasting money on the treatment if you don't have them; and if you have a different problem (pest or otherwise), then it's important to know this so it can be properly addressed.

If you're worried about health hazards of pesticides, they've chosen two products which should not be problematic for you, assuming the DE is applied correctly (overapplication and misapplication can cause lung problems, but a professional applicator should know how to place it so you won't breathe it in). Cryonite is basically freezing C02. It can work but often takes multiple applications before eliminating the problem.

I also mentioned that NYC law requires the landlord to provide assistance, if necessary, for the site preparation.

Can you share more information about this? I am not sure about that.
SteelerGal

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Posted 2 years ago
Fri May 6 2011 14:29:45
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Nobugsonme:

re: the landlord must help busted-up tenants prepare for extermination - I was quoting from the NYC.gov DOH bedbug website, under Information for Landlords and Building Management, which lists LL obligations, including "Help tenants if they cannot move furniture themselves or need help getting rid of clutter."

I don't know if this is a law, or a city regulation. I tried Met Council's tenant hotline, but unusually, it's not open today. The city's 311 was a pointless maze. I'll try Met Council again on Monday to verify this, and the LL's obligation to inspect adjoining units. He has not scheduled any.

I also visited a different PCO to verify samples of debris I had taken from all over my apt, including furniture & bed. They were all negative, no bug of any kind.

I have some kind of bug giving me a severe reaction; I just don't know which one. My bites do look something like the carpet beetle "bite" picture on D. Cain's website.

I want to take care of this, but am feeling a bit railroaded. I have not heard from the LL's PCO.

How quickly do Climb-ups or the BB Passive Alert show results? Does it depend on the stage of the problem? I don't have them, should I get them?