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NYC: Clear garbage bags where to get?
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prephelpny2011
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jul 2 2011 22:00:41
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Does anyone know where to get clear garbage bags of various sizes in Manhattan?
I''ve checked several stores and hardware stores and seems they usually black, some white, not clear.
How do you know what's in the bags you packed away if can't see in?
The ziplock bags seem too small for the number of clothing and books I have.
Do the bags have to have the air forced out and can I use a twist tie rather than knotting it?
The PCO hasn't said how long I have to keep it in, but I don't think they believe in the 18 months, maybe just until the second treatment?
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Posted 1 year ago
Sat Jul 2 2011 23:35:23
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You should be able to get large clear recycling bags all over in NYC because recycling laws require recyclable paper to be placed in them, as far as I know.
Even though cheaper and thinner bags may be available in most grocery stores, I'd recommend larger and stronger bags (2 mil or 3 mil). Hardware stores, Home Depot, Costco, should all be possibilities. Though they're a bit more costly, buying in bulk can make them comparable in cost to the cheaper ones in small quantity.
As for tying, I wish I had a picture, but you're aiming for "airtight" so I would recommend tying into a knot that loops upon itself. (I will try to get a photo in a day or two.) Think about how you would tie a bag if you did not want air to seep out. I would twist the end of the bag into one long twisted rope and then knot it on itself. (Rather than making two separate "ropes" of bag and knotting those, which would not be as airtight in my opinion.)
Some people use cable ties (we have some linked to from the Useful Stuff page if you need a visual). Unlike twist-ties, they allow a very tight seal, and are easy to close.
Cleaned, dried clothing (or anything you're sure is bug free) should probably remain bagged until your bed bugs are all gone.
Did your PCO also ask you to bag other stuff (which may contain bed bugs?) If so, this should not remain bagged, and you need to ask him/her what the plan is so you can be aware. This FAQ goes into some of the ins and outs of different PCOs' ideas about bagging.
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prephelpny2011
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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jul 3 2011 0:15:20
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Please redescribe the knot, I don't understand, I was planning on using twist ties. I begin my washing tomorrow morning so would love to understand the best knot to keep air tight.
I can only wash so much at a time and was planning on adding to the bag when I got back home (using a fresh bag to transport back). Does that make sense or is letting air in a bad idea?Why do people say you can't reuse bad to take to laundry, can't I transport the clothes to be washed in the same bag, they all have the same likelihood/unlikelihood of having bedbug in them.
Thanks very much!I asked my super and my landlord for plastic bags and they said no. they wouldn't even sell them to me. I assume it's okay to use blackbags since that is all I have.
Yes PCO asked me to bag everything on my shelves--or at least that's what I thought--at least to remove everything, so going to bag all my books, papers, food supplies, etc. Please see my other forum entry about whether safe to use Nuvan strip inside apartment, very close to where I sleep, in 10 bags.
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prephelpny2011
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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jul 3 2011 0:20:40
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I'm confused now--what else is new--do bags with washed clean clothes-- have to be airtight in terms of the seal OR air tight in sense of trying to push excess air out od the bag???
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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jul 3 2011 0:26:07
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I'm sorry I am having a hard time describing the knot in words. I will post some photos when I am with someone to take the photo. That may take a day or so.
I would recommend cable ties as noted above over twist ties because in my experience, twist ties do not have a very tight hold and the closing will not be airtight. (I absolutely would not use twist ties with DDVP, but the PCO would be doing whatever it is they do with the bags so that is not an issue, I think.) Please read the FAQ I linked to above also.
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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jul 3 2011 0:27:05
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prephelpny2011 - 5 minutes ago »
I'm confused now--what else is new--do bags with washed clean clothes-- have to be airtight in terms of the seal OR air tight in sense of trying to push excess air out od the bag???It's fine if air is in the bag. I am talking about an airtight seal in terms of keeping bed bugs from reinfesting items.
(Note: I don't think a truly airtight seal is possible, but you can do pretty well.)
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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jul 3 2011 0:29:15
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Also, I don't know what comments you're referring to about reusing laundry bags.
If you use a bag for dirty (possibly bug infested laundry) then most people probably want to discard it because it might have bed bugs in it. You would not want to put clean, dried clothing in it (which is probably what the person was referring to.)
You might be able to keep putting dirty items in it, but only if it stays sealed, otherwise you may be spreading bed bugs around.
I hope this clarifies things.
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prephelpny2011
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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jul 3 2011 0:34:25
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Thank you for all your help in this trying time!!!!
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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jul 3 2011 0:57:27
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You're welcome!
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