Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed Bug Treatment
No choice left but to self treat... seeking guidance on products to use
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MixedFeelings
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Apr 7 2008 14:53:04
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Hi there,
I've been here a few months. We've had 3 PCOs and 6 "professional" treatments. Most recently had a canine inspection that yielded positive results in 3 rooms. Meanwhile, the bites continue.
I have also thoroughly interviewed multiple other local PCOs. The ones in my area are just not very experienced with this pest. They won't do the detail work required, like vacuuming, steaming, dusting outlets and baseboards, etc.
So, unless we want to continue living with this problem, we feel we have no choice but to treat ourselves. DISCLAIMER: I KNOW THIS IS NOT A RECOMMENDED APPROACH AND WE WOULDN'T BE DOING IT IF WE COULD GET PROPER SERVICE IN OUR CITY. WE WOULDN'T MIND TO PAY SOMEONE QUALIFIED BUT WE CANNOT FIND A COMPANY WE BELIEVE KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
I was inspired by an earlier poster's "Art of War" post back in Dec or Jan. We are ready to take a day off work and thoroughly clean, inspect and treat our apartment. I've ordered a White Wing dry steamer.
My plan is to dry-steam furniture and structures (walls, trim, etc), dust switches and outlets, and finally spray some sort of residual.
Here's where I need help - the pesticides. Of the following, what is best? I am willing to buy a mix of products - I just don't want them to clash with each other.
Dusts:
- DE (have it already)
- Drione dust
- Delta dust
- Other?Sprays:
- Cyonara 9.7
- Demand CS
- Tempo SC
- Phantom
- Bedlam
- Other?Thanks for any advice or tips.
MF
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Apr 7 2008 17:33:36
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Do not steam outlets or electrical equipment for fear of the possibility of frying yourself.
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freaked out in brooklyn
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Apr 7 2008 19:34:33
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That Limestone posting seems pretty interesting....
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Apr 7 2008 19:51:00
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Everyone,
With the caveat that I do not recommend anyone self-treating, ever, given Mixed's circumstances, I want to make a request that ONLY licensed PCOs answer this question (at least as far as recommending what substances should be used and how).
Thank you!
Mixed, my one additional question would be: can you please remind us what city are you in and also are you in a multi-unit dwelling? If you are, then your problem may well be that the neighbors have them and they will keep coming.
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MixedFeelings
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Apr 8 2008 8:49:34
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Thanks Nobugs,
We are in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Yes, a large city, but full of PCOs who know very little about bed bugs! All I've found are the spray and pray variety - and we're tired of paying for service that is ineffective.
Yes, we are in a multi-unit dwelling (14 apts). However, we know we are the ones who brought them (from a hotel in NYC in Dec). We knew we had been exposed and were actively watching for signs, so when we noticed activity, we caught it early. I have interviewed all adjoining neighbors a few times and no one is reporting anything (I know, that is not definitive). The landlord is aware, but doing nothing, and won't inspect other units.
My best well-informed guess is that our quick detection of the issue and prompt measures have contained the issue to our apartment. I know it's possible I'm wrong, but this is my best guess and I am operating under that assumption.
If no one posts here with any good suggestions about which specific pesticide(s) I should try, I will probably follow the Art of War poster's approach. Our own PCOs have used Tempo, Catalyst and Demand respectively (without full success of course).
Our dry steamer has been delayed due to shipping issues, I'm starting to get stressed.
Wish us luck!
MF
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Apr 8 2008 10:44:26
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I am surprised that you had a bed bug dog alert but can't find a good PCO who can do the job. I'd ask the k9 inspector who surely must have some idea who's good in Montreal?!?
I know you feel you brought the bed bugs in from NYC, but even if you saw them in a NYC hotel and brought them home, it does not mean some neighbors don't also have them. They may have had them before December, or they may have them now. In any case, when I hear someone has had 6 professional treatments (at, I assume, 2 week intervals?) with no improvement, then I always look to the neighbors or other possible sources of reinfestation
Is it "no improvement", "some improvement" or "much improvement"?
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MixedFeelings
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Apr 8 2008 11:26:46
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Yes, I did ask the canine inspector (the only one I could find in my area, btw). However, he's new to BBs too (only recently trained). He said he can't recommend anyone in particular (I was hoping he could based on his travels in the field). Although he said I could try Orkin. I did call their franchise in my area, they seem to use an approach similar to the others in my city (ie: not rigorous enough, IMO). Of course, PCOs in my city *must* be having at some success with at least some of their BB clients, but for whatever reason it's just not working for us.
Yes, it's true my neighbors could have BBs. But I've analyzed our particular situation and factors every which way and my current opinion is that it is more likely they do not have them than that they do. We advised them back in December of our issue, so hopefully they would be alert to any signs (I know, this is not a guarantee). They are all professionals and from what I've seen thus far, responsible people. Even if they do have BBs (and either don't know it or are lying), I feel it can't be all bad to self-treat (at the very least, as a minimization effort); and it can't be worse than paying other PCOs to do the same thing ineffectively (or worse, not treating at all).
As far as improvement... initially I would have said no improvement because the bite patterns/frequency have remained virtually unchanged throughout. However, they are not increasing, which must mean something. I imagine that if the treatments were totally ineffective, the population would keep growing and growing and we'd have more bites to show for it. All along it's been pretty constant - 2-3 bites every day or two.
Hope this helps. Thanks for listening.
MF
PS - I cannot emphasize enough how lame the PCO treatments have been. They show up, don't even inspect (!) and spray a little. Barely move furniture. This is why I no longer trust them. I trust myself more to be motivated and thorough.
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MixedFeelings
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Apr 14 2008 10:05:22
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Okay, last call to anyone out there willing to advise on what particular pesticide brands to order... If I don't hear anything soon, I will make my own best guesses, probably will buy several to choose from and/or rotate. Fun! Wish me luck!
MF
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Apr 14 2008 11:07:52
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I recently spoke with Dr. Kells at the University of Minnesota and one subject was pesticides. If I got this correct and I believe that I do the Doctor said that the bed bug resistance is mostly to Pyrethrin based products. Recommended products that may have better success with would be Phantom or Demand SC.
I did have a personal experience with DE. Make sure that you get as many cracks with DE as possible, I found eggs in a screw hole that I had missed with DE. Were the eggs there before the DE or after? I cannot ever know. Also do not steam electric outlets or anything electrical. In order to check how hot steam is use a Infared thermometer (Raytech). Surface temp should be 150 or 160 degrees F. Best of luck with the War. -
MixedFeelings
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Apr 14 2008 11:42:38
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Thanks lieutenant.
MF
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Apr 14 2008 11:47:23
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MF, You are welcome. The one thing that I ask of you is
could you please keep us informed of your war? -
MixedFeelings
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Apr 14 2008 13:39:00
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I most definitely will, for better or for worse, so that others may learn from my experiences.
MF
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MixedFeelings
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Apr 28 2008 11:50:07
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Just in case anyone finds this thread in the future, I am documenting how our self-treatment goes here:
http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/documenting-our-self-treatment-journey?replies=1#post-22578
MF
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