On reclaiming my normal life « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

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On reclaiming my normal life

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nycbedbug

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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Nov 18 2009 22:41:07
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My apartment was inspected and cleared by a certified bedbug dog in September and my belongings that were bagged up pre-treatment have now been bagged for over 3 months. I am ready to return to normal life, even though I am still hypervigilant and my skin is still very sensitive and often I have random itches (no clear bites like I had for the two weeks that I had bedbugs, though).

I have begun Packtiting everything and am slowly unpacking, essentially moving back into my apartment. While I'm feeling pretty good, I would really like my apartment and the two on either side of mine to be inspected (theirs never were, which was upsetting although I'm 99% sure that I brought them back with me from a trip and caught them within about 10 days, so chances are fairly low that they spread). My PCO has tried calling my landlords to suggest these inspections and they have not responded. They are the type of people that are willing to do just enough to keep them from being sued, but wouldn't go out of their way because of the kindness in their hearts. Does anyone have suggestions about how to get them to pay for the dog inspection of the three apartments? It seems like such a small price to pay in order to have peace of mind and know for sure that the building is clear. If they say no, should I just pay? While I had thought about moving, I'm leaning towards staying now. My lease is up at the end of June. By then it will have been nearly a year since my bedbug experience. If the apartments were not inspected by then, would it be safe to say that if my neighbors have not noticed anything, we're all clear?
nycbedbug

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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Nov 19 2009 18:50:21
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Can any experts weigh in on the likelihood that, assuming I brought the bugs in and did not get them from a pre-existing problem in my building, they were contained only to my apartment? My apartment was treated within about 2 weeks of coming back from the trip where I picked them up. I was not sleeping in my apartment for 5 nights during the first week back from the trip because I didn't know I had them.
BBcoukHome

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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Nov 19 2009 19:08:30
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Hi,

From the number of cases of adjoining infestations that we deal with in London it does not sound like you case is an obvious pattern of one. Where the source is "local" i.e. either an adjoining property or something that you come into semi regular contact with the pattern displayed often appears like a low treatment efficiency, the bed bugs die back and then seem to resurface again. I am aware of many cases where people have used multiple PCO's only to realise this at a later stage.

Now if your source was the hotel exposure or any other "single" source event then a good thorough treatment by someone with experience will often deal with the problem very efficiently and it will remain eradicated.

Certainly if you feel the source was the hotel and that you caught it quickly and have had no activity since the last treatment and the K9 team have given you the all clear then the chances are high that the issue is dealt with.

I would actually suggest that the first port of call with regards your adjoining neighbours is to ensure that they know what to look for both at home and when they travel. Outside of education monitors might be a good solution either ClimbUp insect interceptors or passive monitors but ideally both as they work in different ways.

I have to be honest and say if asked for a professional opinion I would most likely rule with the landlord on this one. With no signs of activity assessing the neighbours may just be a peace of mind for you rather than a logical next step. If you want to do it then I think in fairness the expense is yours to take.

Like with all these requests for comment though its not gospel unless I have visited the site and inspected at the level of detail I need to work these things out from the other cases I have seen.
Hope that helps.

David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited
nycbedbug

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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Nov 20 2009 16:52:31
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Thanks so much for your thoughtful response, David. I suppose it's what I expected to hear, and it helps a little -- just looking for that complete peace of mind that has seemed so elusive ever since the beginning of this horrible experience with bedbugs!