Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug science, "experiments," etc.
Need help! Where are they?
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nightmare
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Joined: Dec '08
Posts: 37
Posted 10 months ago
Sat Jan 24 2009 12:29:30
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Hi,
After my room was sprayed for bb a second time (last Tuesday), I still have bites. I saw no clear signs of reduction in the number of bites I receive every nights, which is about two. To make sure that they were not in my bed, and therefore not responding to the treatment, I proceded to a temporary isolation. Even if I did it very carefully, I still have bites! And blood spots on my clean sheets and encasements! How can it be possible, and where can they be hiding? I have a new mattress in a National Allergy Classic encasement and a new box spring in a National Allergy Vinyl encasement and a pillow also encased. Zippers are duct taped. Sheets are clean and stayed for an extra 40 minutes in the dryer once they where dried. I put my thin conforter in the dryer for 70 minutes. The legs of my bed are in bowls of mineral oil and have double sided tape around them. No signs of bugs in the bowls or on the tapes. the metal bedframe has been spayed and I washed it with bleach. I am completly puzzled, where can they be hiding ? I checked the vinyl encasement and saw a few very small holes, I put duct tape on it, but I only got my new mattress about one week and a half ago, and I can not believe that they already infested it, even with the encasement. Does anybody has any clue ? I really do not know what to do next but to get a third treatment, which will not help if the bb are hiding in the bed. Thanks! -
You may have inadvertantly reinfested the isolated bed. Did you sit on a chair in your night clothes prior to going to bed?
It can be very easy to reinfest an isolated bed.... setting something on the bed...a blanket that touches the floor...setting clean sheets on an affected surface...I think you can see my point. Remember that nymphs are very small & translucent.
Continue to heat treat your bedding in the dryer.... be persistent.
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spideyjg
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Posted 10 months ago
Sat Jan 24 2009 14:59:10
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nightmare - 2 hours ago »
Hi,
the metal bedframe has been spayed and I washed it with bleach.Ummmm, did you wash it after spraying? You may have removed the residual products the PCO used and shot yourself in the foot.
Jim
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nightmare
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Joined: Dec '08
Posts: 37
Posted 10 months ago
Sat Jan 24 2009 15:28:50
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Hi,
Thanks for your replies! I was very careful not to touch anything with my nightclothes, or to put something on my bed while it was isolated. I walked from the bathroom to my room, and that is all. Next time, I could try putting on my clean nightclothes directly in my bed! As for the bedframe, I washed it before it was sprayed, but I will definitly call back my PCO to have everything sprayed once more.
I did a little more research and I guess that they could also be in my conforter or in my mattress pad, even if I put them in the dryer for a long time. I guess that my vinyl encasement is probably also not the best for a new boxspring... If I can not fix this on the next days, I will purchase a better one, probably from protect a bed. For now, I will be gradually eliminating items that are on my bed (conforter, mattress pad, pillow) until I see no more signs of bugs. I will wash my sheets and nightclothes daily. What do you think? Also, is mineral oil such a good contact killer or can they still survive after "touching" it? Maybe that my temporary isolation is not so good after all. Oh! and an other thing, I know that freezing is not so good, but well, Maine is pretty cold, so do you think bugs could survive if a leave things outside for the rest of the winter?
Thank you again for your advices! I really need to feel that I am not alone. I am a international grad student in the US and home feels really far away in this situation! -
notsleepingeveragain
newbite
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 17
Posted 10 months ago
Sat Jan 24 2009 22:44:30
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Hi Nightmare,
Is is possible that they are dopping from the ceiling? I'v read that the bugs get clever and drop from the ceiling onto isolated beds. Look up! If you think this might be happening try creating a rectangle of double sided tape on the ceiling above your bed the size of your bed (just the outline, no need to fill it in). Can someone else confirm this? This is just what I've heard.
Hang in there!!!!
blessings -
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Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 596
Posted 10 months ago
Sat Jan 24 2009 22:59:44
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notsleepingeveragain - 12 minutes ago »
Hi Nightmare,
Is is possible that they are dopping from the ceiling? I'v read that the bugs get clever and drop from the ceiling onto isolated beds. Look up! If you think this might be happening try creating a rectangle of double sided tape on the ceiling above your bed the size of your bed (just the outline, no need to fill it in). Can someone else confirm this? This is just what I've heard.
Hang in there!!!!
blessingsThat is just a myth. They may fall off a ceiling while crawling across the surface but they are not strategically doing it. It's a bed bug .. not a Navy Seal
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IKILLEDTHEM
newbite
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 13
Posted 10 months ago
Sat Jan 24 2009 23:33:07
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I concur with Queen, I havent seen any drop from ceilings strategically, but they d like to hide in picture frames on walls!
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BugBoy911
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Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jan 25 2009 0:29:01
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Hello to all and let me tell you I know deeply about what you all are soooo going threw. Let me just start off by saying that I myself as a Licensed Pesticide Applicator have seen a dramatic increase in Bedbug problems most of which don't get reported due to the shame involved with such a topic. Roach's is one thing, mice, even rats for that matter but these freak'n things are just totally unexpected and like your name states a "Nightmare." I have developed a serious personal interest in the war on these pests and threw practice and education have developed true ways in completely ridding these pests and preventing Bedbugs from a structure or room/rooms. Do you even know what chemical the exterminator used or more likely "chemicals," for if not he/she wasn't doing their job. Coming in with a tank sprayer and just spraying down everything with something like a synthetic pyrithroid or growth regulator by which have shown to increase numbers of young in bedbugs if used just doesn't cut it. Did you see him use a flashlight and intensely inspect the prmesis or room that caused the complaint? Do you have a copy of the lable or know what he used in your house? I'd be interested in your answer. Most companies don't give the Technicians enough time to complete such a task thoroughly enough to truely rid a structure of the problem. Most exterminators in general really don't specialize in bedbugs nor understand them. Bedbugs are "new school," pest control of a different enemy which seems to be staying a while and require highly skilled educated Technicians to combat this problem efficiently with results.
You really need to know what to look for and honestly I seriously recommend that you call somebody private instead of using the Landlords guy. Most landlords choose the cheapest pest control company yet expect the world out of them. They don't understand that it costs money when you have a bedbug infestation depending on how severe it is. Sometimes you have to paint, othertimes you have to replace things, spackle, replace the mattress and box spring(most of the time you don't have to), don't forget follow up visits from the Exterminator to inspect and re apply if neccessary. Depending upon the infestation from a few in one room to multiple rooms, the pest control company will have to make at least 2 visits but some take many more visits to fully ensure a complete kill. I wish I could help all you going threw with this problem and will if necessary for this is what I do. Makes a man feel good when you save a family from these things and know their not comin back. Always hire a private company unless you really feel that the exterminator your using is very knowledable, is polite and looks like he knows what he's doing. Make sure he's using a flashlight cause you can't do bedbug work without one. If he just has a spray tank with a long hose he's not using the correct most effective pesticides and if he's charging you a lot for which bedbug jobs range from $2-$300 up too $10,000+. Make sure your getting the real deal before your invest a big chunk of money to rid these pests. I know its an emergency but just make sure that the guy your using is legit. Ask what pesticide he's using and how does it work. What does it do? If he can't answer then well, I'd say make a phone call and request somebody else immediately. Most companies don't have good exterminators and most people throughout new york 5 boro's are fed up with exterminators cause they don't do anything. Walking into an apartment that has roach's and spraying the floors or baseboards with a pesticide isn't gona do anything except make your floors wet!! Sorry to ramble, but this topic as become a big part of my life and I'd love to help anybody who is going threw such a "nightmare." -
killthesebugs
newbite
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 9
Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jan 25 2009 2:22:01
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hi all i just found bugbugs on my couch two days ago and i got some jt eaton kills bedbugs 2 i have sprayed it on my couch and all over the rest of my home and i have a pco coming on wensday. but so far the jt eaton has allowed me to be able to sit on my couch again without being bit. now i have only seen 4 of these bugs one was big and one was med size and two were almost unseeable. but am woundering if there is anything else i can do to get them gone. i have a termally ill child who has no immune system (the boy in the plastic bubble disease)so i had to send her to her grandparents home until i get this under control after reading the post on here i am in fear that i will never be able to bring her home. so any help would be apprated. am please dont say to throw out my things i dont have much money due to the fact i can't work because of having to stay home with her all the time. i am really in a pickle here. i am still trying to figure out how i got these. i never go anywhere really and i have never traveled. i dont have anything new in the house every thing i own i got 7 years ago.Except my kids bed i got it 3 years ago. so this is confusing me. i do live in a town home and the lady 3 homes down from me i heard had them but would they travel that far and through concreat walls. i know for sure its bed bugs because i seen an killed them. the landlord is paying for the pco but am not sure who they have coming someone please help.
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senior member
Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 596
Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jan 25 2009 2:32:07
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where are you from killthesebugs?
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killthesebugs
newbite
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 9
Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jan 25 2009 2:53:06
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i am in kentucky
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nightmare
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Joined: Dec '08
Posts: 37
Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jan 25 2009 9:36:29
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Hi!
To answer your question, Bugboy911, my PCO told me he was using a mix of contact killer and growth inhibitor. He told me the name of the chemicals, but I just can not remember. I met my LL yesterday, and eventually, we might change PCO if we see no results after the next treatments. I saw my PCO using a flashlight when he came to inspect the room the first time. After that, I did not see him using it again. For now, my "isolated" bed has almost nothing on it, I put another layer of vaseline on the legs but still, I discovered a fresh bite this morning. I think I am going to buy a new boxspring encasement today, if a can find one. My guess, though, is that they are still on the metal bedframe or that my traps are not good enough. Oh, and again, can anybody tell me if mineral oil is really a good contact killer?
Thanks, and good luck killthisbugs! I understand your situation. -
What kind of encasement are you using? Rick Cooper has perfomed some field tests on encasements, and has found the only one to keep 100% of the bed bugs "locked" in is the Protect-A-Bed encasements. There is actually a video at You Tube that shows the research and the results. Have your encasements been compromised/torn? Just the slightest rip or tear, and the bugs will find their way out. We recommend using duct tape to place over the bolts on the bed frames in order to prevent the sharp edges from tearing the encasements. Is your bed away from the wall, have skirts been removed from the bed? Once you have nothing touching the bed or anything on the bed touching the floor, try "dusting" the area beneath the bed and around the bed with diatamaceous earth. The key word is "dust". Vacuum the dust up weekly and reapply it. After you vacuum, apply some corn starch on flooring and vacuum it up, also. If you vacuumed any bugs up, the corn starch will be sucked up into your vacuum, cover the outside of any bug in the vaccum, and smother them. And don't forget to throw the bag away immediately. You could also use Bedlam to perform your own crack and crevice treatments to the bed frame, headboard, footboard, and night stands. Be sure to treat ALL the areas where the bugs could be hiding, including any hardward (screws, bolts). It's best to do this once weekly, too. You could expand your treatment to behind baseboards, behind window and door frames, inside of wall voids, beneath carpeting (especially the tack strips). Look for any cracks in the walls, especially near the ceiling...they love to hang out in those areas. Good luck.
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BugsInTO
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Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 197
Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jan 25 2009 11:22:08
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Hi - No, I don't think Mineral Oil is a contact killer. (I'm not a PCO.) I think it is a mechanical barrier, like vaseline, two-sided tape or sticky glue traps.
Alcohol (91%)is a contact killer (so I have read, I haven't actually sprayed a bedbug with it) but you can't use alcohol in basins; it has fumes (flammable/don't want to breath a lot of it) and it evaporates.
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spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,405
Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jan 25 2009 14:51:46
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Mineral oil doesn't evaporate so it is a better barrier substance in a moat.
Jim
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nightmare
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Joined: Dec '08
Posts: 37
Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jan 25 2009 15:43:14
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Thanks for your answers! I inspected carefully and taped my vinyl encasement and sprayed my metal bedframe. As the mattress and boxpspring are new, the point is not to keep them in but to keep them out. No, nothing is touching the floor! I am still really puzzled and hope the PCO will do a good spraying and find what is the matter. I really can not find the source. Oh, and another question. I am wearing socks during day and also wear clean socks when I sleep. However, it seems like I have new bites on my ankles. I am suprised. I also wear stretch yoga pants to sleep, but get bites on my thights. How can they reach them? If only I could understand what those little bugs are doing!
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killthesebugs
newbite
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 9
Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jan 25 2009 16:54:32
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i tossed my bed out to the trash today when i went to put the encasements on the bed i foond that the box spring hand matress had bugs on them. i am hoping that i can save my daughter bed. she has a wooden bed an from what i hear bedbugs like to nest in would so i am woundering is there anything i can use that will clean the wood an keep the bugs out of it? i saved for almost to years to buy her that bed i dont want to toss it. i did get a air matress to day my new bed until i get rid of these bugs lol.i have so far sprayed everything down, washed all the walls and base borads with bleach my house smells like a hospital lol. i also noticed that i got a few bites last night after i went to bed from my couch so i guess it will be the next thing i will have to toss. the pco will be here on wedensay but when i talked to him he told me that i didnt need to do any prep to kill the bugs that all he was going to do was spray around the beds does this sound normal? i talked to my landlord an was told that if i sprayed anything of my own she would evict me because the stuff i spray will interfer with what the pco uses dose that sound right to you? i wouldnt think that my spraying my couch or beds would hurt anything but now i dont know. has any one heard of this happening before. sorry to ask so many questions i just feel lost.
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BugsInTO
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Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 197
Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jan 25 2009 17:24:35
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Hi KillTheseBugs:
Read the FAQ's as much as you can and then post with stuff you need more info or more explanation about.
Bleach doesn't do anything for bedbugs.
Don't use any pesticides without checking with the PCO.
Talk to the PCO and tell them you want the names of the chemicals and the Material Safety Handling sheets. If he doesn't have them, you'll be able to find them on the internet if you get the exact names of the chemicals.
It doesn't sound right to me that the PCO would just spray around beds. PCO should inspect and spray where the bugs are.
I saved up for my child's wooden bed too. Only decent real piece of furniture we own. We got lucky and the bugs never went to his room. We encased his mattress. It's the kind that doesn't have a box spring. I checked the bedframe all over and vacuumed it and then we put basins under the legs and pulled it away from the wall.
Be careful about how stuff moves around the home. In the early days, we wouldn't leave the bedroom without changing out of our nightclothes. We put all the sheets & blankets in plastic bags before removing them from the room and taking them to be washed etc.
Good luck.
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killthesebugs
newbite
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 9
Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jan 25 2009 18:00:29
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i looked for the answer to this question but didnt find it what is good to use on the walls if bleach doesnt work and i cant paint the walls the landlord wont allow it
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nightmare
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Joined: Dec '08
Posts: 37
Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jan 25 2009 18:05:32
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As somebody indicated earlier on this forum, you can try 90% rubbing alcohol,or murphys soap. There are also a few chemicals you can buy over the internet (bedlam, sterifab) but your LL might not like it.
Good luck!!!! -
notsleepingeveragain
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Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 17
Posted 9 months ago
Mon Jan 26 2009 15:26:49
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It is rediculous that the exterminatior is only going to spray around the beds. If they're in your couch they have to spray there too at the very least. Our PCO is spraying the whole house and we've only seen them in three rooms. Our PCO is only charging $300.00 for this and $35.00 for each additional visit. Give the FaQs sheets to your LL. Tell him/her that the bugs are in more than one area in the house. Use the Murphy's oil soap and the alcohol. They wont interfere with what the PCO puts down. They are just household cleaners. If you can see them spray they alcohol on them. At least those adults can't lay any more eggs if they're dead!! Carry it with you around the house if need be.
Hang in there. Where in Kentucky are you?
Blessings
notsleepingeveragain. -
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Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 596
Posted 9 months ago
Mon Jan 26 2009 17:45:09
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notsleepingeveragain - 2 hours ago »
It is rediculous that the exterminatior is only going to spray around the beds. If they're in your couch they have to spray there too at the very least. Our PCO is spraying the whole house and we've only seen them in three rooms. Our PCO is only charging $300.00 for this and $35.00 for each additional visit. Give the FaQs sheets to your LL. Tell him/her that the bugs are in more than one area in the house. Use the Murphy's oil soap and the alcohol. They wont interfere with what the PCO puts down. They are just household cleaners. If you can see them spray they alcohol on them. At least those adults can't lay any more eggs if they're dead!! Carry it with you around the house if need be.
Hang in there. Where in Kentucky are you?
Blessings
notsleepingeveragain.I did not read the entire post... But please take caution on how you advise people to clean. If they use "household cleaners" over chemicals the residual from the products used prior will not be effective... but rather cleaned up. I'll go back and read more to make sure this is not what you meant.
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