Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Tools/ideas for fighting bed bugs
New feature: Bedbugger's USEFUL STUFF page
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Sun Sep 23 2007 4:54:55
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This link on the bedbugger.com main site Useful Stuff page now links to a number of products people mention at bedbugger.com. There are links to purchasing mattress covers, ziploc XL bags, food grade DE, and so on. This was recommended by a reader, and I hope it helps you.
The Amazon.com links there direct you to the types of products and provide a photo which you might find useful if you're looking in stores. Plus, any purchases you make, amazon will give Bedbugger a small commission, which helps keep the site going. Even if you're buying a blender or a book, you can help Bedbugger (at no additional cost to you) by sarting from one of those Amazon.com links on the Useful Stuff page.
The National Allergy link (for mattress and pillow covers) right here, on the Useful Stuff page and via the National Allergy logos elsewhere on the site gets you a discount too.
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Blue_Ox
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Posted 5 years ago
Sun Sep 23 2007 9:09:24
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thanks! this is helpful.
other things I have seen recommended on here that are not on your list are:
caulk
caulking gun
dust mask for DE
murphy's oil citrus spray for cleaning wood furniture
storage bins
vacuum/vacuum bags
bed risers
mineral oil
doublesided carpet tape (doublesided is important! somehow I ended up with carpet 'seaming' tape which is sticky only on one side)
blankets that can be washed and dried on hot (as opposed to down comforters)I know that you probably don't want to put *everything* on the stuff page (especially because putting too much stuff might confuse people), but just thought I would mention these things.
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Sun Sep 23 2007 9:17:56
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Thanks--I will work on that!
(Have you found blankets you can wash and dry on hot? I found a few you could wash and dry on hot a few times, and then...)
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parakeets
oldtimer
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Sep 24 2007 10:55:16
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Thanks. This is a great idea and will really help people here. I would like to add one item, and I found a link to it on Amazon.com.
For Itching--CortiCool. It's the strongest hydrocortisone level in over-the counter gel that you can buy. I tried many anti-itch creams for bites and I favor this one since it is clear and seems to work quicker. The manufacturer claims their product is more "bioavailable" than other hydrocortisone creams.
This product is also available in drug stores where poison ivy products are sold.
I'd like to tell people whose bedbug bites are itching to not "tough it out" like I tried to do. I didn't want to be a wimp and give in and use an anti-itch cream for my bites. Bad decision. I'd scratch more and that would make the bites itchier. They'd scab over, I'd pull off the scab; a bigger scab would form and more itchiness.... Don't scratch, use CortiCool.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Sep 24 2007 11:08:44
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I added it there, Keets, thanks!
Found one that was a dollar cheaper too
If anyone wants to add further suggestions to the useful stuff page comments, I will then edit the page.
I also added murphy's oil soap, & aero beds. It really reminds you how very many discoveries our readers have made.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,740offline
Posted 5 years ago
Mon Sep 24 2007 11:14:37
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Blue_Ox,
Re:
caulk
caulking gun
dust mask for DE
storage bins
vacuum/vacuum bags
bed risers
mineral oil
doublesided carpet tape (doublesided is important! somehow I ended up with carpet 'seaming' tape which is sticky only on one side)
blankets that can be washed and dried on hot (as opposed to down comforters)Great!
I added vacuums and murphy's, though some of these I have not got to yet. Will work on it. Have you found a good washable blanket? i went through two which lasted a few washings and then developed a bad burnt nylon smell. Would love recommendations I could pass on. Also if you have specific caulking gun/dust mask recs, I hate to link to something I have not tried. (I did so with a disclaimer re: the rose duster, so if anyone has tried that model, please let us know.)
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Blue_Ox
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Posts: 171offline
Posted 5 years ago
Mon Sep 24 2007 17:18:19
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This is the duster I tried (model "D") http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page350.html
but it's pretty expensive! I think I paid $30 for mine; this one I linked to is $35. However, I think it is quite an amazing duster and I'm glad I shelled out the money. With the long extension wand I can even reach up and dust the tops of the doorways without a ladder.Regarding the blanket - I only recently threw away my duvets and bought fleece blankets so have only washed once. (I am still only doing preventative measures as my bldg has bedbugs but so far I don't.) So I don't have a rec. for a blanket. However, it would make sense that blankets made for hospitals would have to stand up to being able to being washed and dried all the time, so maybe a search for hospital blanket would yield results. Also, National Allergy sells blankets so maybe those are better in terms of washing and drying that the run of the mill blanket as well.
In terms of the caulk - I just bought a standard caulking gun at Home depot - nothing fancy, but it works. I am no caulking expert, but I am having decent luck caulking under my wood molding with a product called DAP "alex plus", acrylic latex caulk plus silicone. Sometimes I use white and sometimes clear, depends on the area I'm handling. I bought a different kind of caulk to use in the bathroom around the heating pipe, as I don't think the acrylic caulk is intended for that use. But haven't tried that yet so can't recommend.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Sep 24 2007 19:18:47
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Thanks Blue_Ox! I willwork on the additions.
Fleece blankets: yes, unfortunately, they don't hold up to the heat over time. In time, I gave up and decided to sleep in a warmer room with just sheets. Easier not to launder a blanket every time, etc. I am open to recommendations to pass, on though!
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rom
newbite
Joined: Aug '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Sep 24 2007 23:10:51
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As a different opinion, I've tried the DAP "alex plus" also but on my wooden bed frame and it has cracked in some areas (not shrunk as mentioned in the post at http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/866?replies=7). It probably has something to do with the material it's used on and (lack of) caulking skill but I thought I'd mention it. I can't tell if the caulk crack has gone all the way through to the place I was trying to fill in, though. I've tried GE Silicone II in the bathroom around normal pipes and along the tile floor and it seems to be okay. They also have a variety for baseboards and trimming but I haven't had it long enough to say anything about that. For heating pipes, I've tried both a fire block sealant
and alatex expanding foam`. Smoothing the latex expanding foam before it finished curing seemed to keep it from forming holes and crevices when it was dried. Both seem to be okay as far as filling in holes (the latex expanding foam was easier to fill big holes) but I am completely unqualified to comment on the appropriateness of their use around heating pipes. I thought I'd just use them and figure it out before it gets cold. -
your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Sep 25 2007 2:40:26
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Thanks rom! I hope others will comment.
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wantmyskinback
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Sep 25 2007 8:57:46
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Hey Nobugs. You asked about the Borax. I was using it with my laundry because it has properties that work as an incecticide. Here is an article: http://c5.zedo.com/jsc/c5/ff2.html?n=305;c=250/193/1;s=123;d=17;w=720;h=300
It dies have lots of other useful purposes so it's a good thing to have. -
your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Sep 25 2007 12:15:32
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Hey WMSB,
That link just took me to an ad. I waited, and nothing else happened :-p.
However, I did read the link for the article you placed on the Useful Stuff page, and I appreciated it. Borax does sound interesting and useful in general. Since we're told that the wash/dry process alone will kill bed bugs (and in fact, Michael Potter seems to be moving towards less, rather than more as far as washing/drying on hot goes), I am wary of recommending one more thing people need to buy, when it is something that doesn't really add to your arsenal. I know a lot of things on the list don't apply to everyone, but this seems like something that is not a necessity. I did leave your comment up, though, so if anyone is reading that page, they will see it. -
wantmyskinback
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Sep 25 2007 12:41:28
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ok.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Sep 25 2007 14:18:01
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I appreciate the idea, though, WMSB!
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bugalew
junior member
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 54offline
Posted 5 years ago
Wed Sep 26 2007 16:56:39
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I found my bugs on 8/6 and it's begun to get cooler here in Brooklyn near the Park so I went to K-mart and found a cream poly not so hideous full/queen blanket for $11.00!
Also making me happy during all this is deodorizing the bags- clothing in ziplocs for 6 weeks has been...uh... challenging-lavendar/cedar etc in the ziplocs of clean clothes and baking soda in the dirty laundry bag.
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mrbill0626
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Joined: Oct '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Sun Oct 14 2007 23:55:04
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Can I get XXL Zip-Loc bags in stores, like K-Mart or Wal-Mart?
Bill
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mrbill0626
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Joined: Oct '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Oct 15 2007 0:35:31
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Parakeets:
Another thing you might try is using Bactine on the bites. It seems to help me.
Bill
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Oct 15 2007 3:29:26
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bugalew, those are good tips!
mrbill, yes--they are in lots of stores. I started buying them online when I found Target consistently had only 3-4 boxes on the shelf. I have seen them at home depot, Target, and I am sure they are in lots of stores.
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mrbill0626
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Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 177offline
Posted 5 years ago
Mon Oct 15 2007 21:03:29
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Once I find XXL Ziploc bags what do I do with them? Put clothes in them?
Thanks
Bill
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Oct 16 2007 1:00:04
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MrBill,
The idea is that you wash all your clothing, linens, towels, sheets, whatever, on HOT and dry on HOT, then place immediately in the ziplocs. Do not put them down before bagging them. Do not take the clothing out of bags until ready to wear.
Have a second bag for used clothing, to be sealed and opened when you wash them.
What this does is make sure bed bugs are not living or laying eggs in your clothing.
PLEASE read the faqs ("faqs" button below). Mrbill, the FAQs are "frequently asked questions" and they cover this area as well as many others. I think you will find them useful. If you have questions based on what's in the FAQS, leave a comment under the FAQ itself and we will answer it there, so others can benefit too.
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