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Next steps for possible infestation/prevention...

1. 

   chibbnewb
   

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   Posted 10 months ago
   Tue Jul 17 2012 10:03:12
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   Hello my fellow bedbuggers! I first posted about my dilemma here. To make a long story short, I moved into a new apartment on the July 1. On the second morning, found what we believed to be two bedbugs (identified them online), one on the wall above the bed, and one on a pillow. The next day I had to leave town for a couple weeks, so I haven't been home to take any steps to deal with the possible infestation yet. I'm returning to my new home tomorrow, and I'm getting more and more anxious/nervous to deal with the little buggers. I just wanted to run by all you experts the steps I'm planning to take, and see if anyone has any further suggestions. I really want to do this right the first time to avoid making it any worse...

   1. The all important bed! -- I love my bed, and have no intention of letting it get ruined. I already purchased an allerzip mattress encasement online, and plan to put it on the mattress first thing when I get home. I have a wooden platform bed, so no box springs. As of now, I haven't had a chance to put the bed all together, so the mattress is still sitting on the floor. I plan to seal it all up for protection as per bed-bugscouk's advice here, when I put it all together.

   2. Other furniture -- My old couch wouldn't fit through the door of my new apartment, so I'm actually going to be purchasing a new couch. Problem is, I'm really worried about having a brand new piece of furniture get infested. I'm thinking I should try to find a sofa with legs so that I could buy some of the climb-ups and use them to help prevent an infestation there. Also, I'm wondering if it would be practical to do this with other furniture, such as a bookcase and tv stand, to prevent the little buggers getting in there. Would it be helpful to put vaseline/tea tree oil/DE on or around the furniture legs? Thoughts?

   3. Clothes/other stuff -- I haven't had a chance to unpack yet, so most of my stuff is still sitting in boxes. I'm assuming that since I haven't been around really, the bedbugs probably haven't had much interest in climbing around in my stuff. Is this probably true? Also, most of my clothes have been sitting out, so when I get home I'm gonna wash/dry them all on hot hot hot. I bought some ziploc xl/xxl bags to bag everything up in before I put it away.

   4. Passive monitors -- I'm gonna buy some asap, but haven't decided which kind to get yet. I want to get some actual evidence of bed bugs before I call up my landlord, since I know he and any PCO will want evidence before treatment. Any suggestions?

   I also have it in mind to get some DE to try with the floorboards, electrical outlets, floor cracks, etc, since I'm 99% sure the infestation is seeping over from neighboring apartments. However, I've read that I should wait to do this until after a PCO comes out. So, for now, I might just purchase and not do any treatment with it.

   If I manage to find any of the actual bugs, I'm definitely gonna try to get a picture to post here to get an independent id. I have been reading through this site voraciously since I first suspected I might have a problem, and I can't emphasize how helpful it's been in educating me. I have no previous experience with bed bugs, and was understandably VERY freaked out at the thought of infestation.

   Any thoughts, suggestions, comforting words, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!!

2. 

   bugsbugsgoaway
   

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   Posted 10 months ago
   Tue Jul 17 2012 19:08:47
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   I hope you find those darn bed bugs and get rid of them ASAP.
   They are a huge pain and I think I might have an infestation at home but I can't confirm it yet as I haven't really got any evidence yet just my paranoia.

   Best of luck
   

3. 

   chibbnewb
   

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   Posted 10 months ago
   Wed Jul 18 2012 8:39:59
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   I know this is a rather long post, but I'd greatly appreciate any feedback/advice/suggestions that anyone with more experience than me could provide...

   Mostly, I want to know:
   1. Would it be worth it to use climb-ups or vaseline or something on my furniture (sofa, bookshelf, tv stand, etc) to prevent those items from becoming infested?

   2. Which passive monitor would be best for gathering evidence for my landlord/PCO?

   3. Should I really wait until after a possible visit from a PCO to start using DE to help with cross contamination from neighboring apartments?

   Please, please, please, let me know your thoughts!

4. 

   Bugsby
   

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   Posted 10 months ago
   Wed Jul 18 2012 8:57:55
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   Hi chibbnewb

   I wish I could be of more help but I'm hoping one of the experienced will see this and answer soon.

   I wouldn't use the DE until you talk to your LL and hopefully he can get a PCO out quickly for an inspection. Until then I would dry everything in a hot dryer even your boxed up clothes. I wouldn't take the chance they possibly could be in them.

   I don't know what to tell you about the climb ups or the passive monitor, hopefully David Cain will jump in here to help with that.

   Best of Luck

5. 

   chibbnewb
   

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   Posted 10 months ago
   Wed Jul 18 2012 16:46:08
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   Thanks for the support, even if neither of you are self-proclaimed "experts" I'm so glad I stumbled across this site, not only for the great information and education, but also because it seriously helps to know I'm not the only one feeling paranoid and crazy about the bugs.

   It would really be great to get some feedback from someone who might know if I'm going about things the right way or not, though... I'm so worried I'm gonna screw something up and just cause things to get worse or extend the process. Anyone feel free to jump in!

6. 

   P Bello
   

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   Posted 10 months ago
   Wed Jul 18 2012 17:47:31
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   Dear chibb,

   Although I am not "a se;f proclaimed expert" my intention is to provide you with some comments/suggestions for your review and consideration upon my return to the office.

   Question: Did you ever have any bed bug problems prior to moving to your new/current place?

   In the meanwhile, I'm sorry that you are dealing with this and hope to provide viable help ASAP.

   Sorry for the delay ! paul b.

7. 

   P Bello
   

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   Posted 10 months ago
   Wed Jul 18 2012 21:56:20
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   Dear chibb,

   That you moved into a new apartment and found bed bugs within 48 hours is of concern because this may indicate that bed bugs were present within the apartment prior to your arrival.

   There are various ways to protect your furniture, clothing, mattress & box spring (encasements) from bed bugs.

   You should check out the resources available on this site to become educated about bed bugs and better able to protect yourself.

   Let us know if any questions or concerns, hope this helps ! paul b.

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   chibbnewb
   

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   Posted 10 months ago
   Thu Jul 19 2012 8:21:18
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   Thanks for your response, P Bello. In answer to your question, No. I've definitely never had any problems or experiences with bedbugs prior to this.

   P Bello - 10 hours ago  » 
   Dear chibb,
   That you moved into a new apartment and found bed bugs within 48 hours is of concern because this may indicate that bed bugs were present within the apartment prior to your arrival.

   Exactly. I'm 99% sure I did not bring the bed bugs in (I only say 99% and not 100% because I know there is no way to be 100% sure about things things). It definitely concerns me, and makes me think that the surrounding apartments are likely infested and that the landlord may not be taking the correct steps to take care of the problem

9. 

   P Bello
   

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   Posted 10 months ago
   Thu Jul 19 2012 8:27:34
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   Dear chibb,

   Well, as they say;

   If it walks like a duck, swims like a duck and squaks like a duck, its probably a duck.

   Based on your past and what happened within 48 hours of taking residence in your new place it seems that you have all the information you need to have a serious discussion with your property manager. And, the sooner the better for you.

   I'm sure you are smart enough to identify and figure out how to connect all the dots for yourself.

   You will now need to advocate for yourself.

   Please advise if any questions or concerns.

   Hope this helps, good luck ! paul b.

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