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Need guidance about DDVP strips/hot shot strips
(2 posts)-
tiredinithaca
newbite
Joined: Dec '08
Posts: 28
Posted 3 months ago
Sat Aug 8 2009 19:16:20
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OK, so I just moved into a new apartment. I had a K9 inspection, and the dog alerted to two (and only two!) bags I brought with me. The contents of those bags were stacks of files that had been sitting near my computer desk (one of the areas the bugs apparently got to). I put them through the packtite, but I"m not completely surprised that they didn't heat all the way through. In any case, I'm using hot shot strips in those bags, perhaps heat treating one more time, and if nothing else, I'll stick them in the freezer for a month! LOL The dog handler suggested putting one file at a time in the microwave. Not sure if that's a bright idea or not.
But here's my real problem and real question: The dog, tired as it was, then came to my office. My office is pretty small -- about 8 feet wide and maybe 15 feet long, but it's full of books and files. The dog went through 4 times and did not alert, and just as the handler was telling me he thought my office was clear, the dog alerted to one box. We unpacked that box, and put the files into a ziploc bag I had handy. We inspecte along the way, and saw no signs of fecal matter, no eggs, no critters. The handler then carefully collapsed the box, which we put into another ziploc bag. We put the bag in one corner of the room, and the dog alerted once again to the box in the bag. And THEN the dog alerted yet again to another cardboard box in the office.
SO, here's my quandry: If I want to be thorough, I should bag those boxes, plus the others (about 3 more), and perhaps also bag all of my books on the book shelves -- easily 1,000 books. And then there is my chair, all the files in the file cabinets, etc. If I bagged and put hot shot strips (or 1/4 of a hot shot strip) and left them for 10-14 days, I'm told that should do the job. But then, there is still the carpet, the base boards, and all the other places where bugs might possibly be hiding.
Instead, if I closed up my office for 10-14 days, could i put one hot shot strip into the room and let it work that way? I could guarantee that nobody else would go into my office during the duration of the treatment. Would that have the same efficacy as sealing everything in bags and treating each bag?
Thanks!
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I would not microwave papers or books, but you might use a Packtite to heat treat them. This is probably easier to monitor than a freezer and faster too.
DDVP is controversial and potentially dangerous -- especially for non-professionals. As you know, there have been previous discussions here. People who do recommend DDVP strips seem to suggest using them only in closed bags. I would strongly recommend you do not take just anyone's advice about whether it's safe to use them in an indoor office.
Entomologist Jeff White (JWhiteBBCTV on the forums) is a fan of DDVP strips and I would address any questions to him.
(You can PM JWhiteBBCTV or other users by going to Private Messages, clicking new message, and then using the drop down menu to choose a recipient for a PM -- it takes a bit of time to load.)
This is one of Jeff's BBCTV videos about using DDVP strips. It does not cover the usage you suggest, but again, I would suggest going to an expert on this one.
[+] Embed the video Get the Video Plugins
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