Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed Bug Treatment
One and Done?
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diebbdie
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Joined: Jun '09
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jul 29 2010 11:23:23
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I've been reading this site now off and on for a year, and you guys have been a source of support and knowledge! It's unfortunate so many other people are going through this, but a comfort to know I'm not alone.
I have a question. My apartment was treated on Tuesday. There were bed bugs found in the unit directly above me (a 2 story apartment), so my unit, and all units adjacent to the unit above mine were treated with a mix of chemical liquids on the carpets and around the baseboards and holes drilled in the voids between units and powder placed in those and sealed. Residual dusts were also left in the light outlets, cable outlets, phone outlets and electrical outlets.
From reading this site, I went over everything with a fine toothed comb, vacuumed like a mad woman, washed everything I could and dry cleaned things that are dry clean only, caulked every imaginable crack I could reach and got some interceptors. Thankfully, nothing has ever been found in my unit.
My question is, is one treatment really enough? I've had 2 conversations with the pest control company and they said they've dealt with bed bugs before and with their method of treatment, they only have to treat once (and they aren't using heat or Vikane, I think they used Demand CS and another chemical I haven't gotten the name of yet).
I talked to the company Tuesday, the day of treatment. They told me I should be good to unwrap everything and go back to living as normal. They said they'd come back in 10 days and reinspect, but do not expect to find anything as this was a mild infestation. They will then come back 20 days later to reinspect. If they find something though in a unit that isn't mine, they can't tell me and will only re-treat that unit.
Does this sound feasible? One treatment and start unpacking? I don't want to start unbagging things and rehanging clothes knowing this may not be laid to rest yet. I put in a request to move to a new unit, since no bed bugs were ever found in mine, but they want me to wait it out til the inspections are totally complete. That could be about a month (or more if they find more live ones in the unit above mine, which they won't tell me about) and my lease is up in October as it is...
Thanks!
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Jenn28
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Joined: Mar '10
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jul 29 2010 12:09:58
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diebbdie,
Get treated the same number of times that the other suites are being treated and make sure it's on the same day too. If everyone is not being treated at the same time then you could end up with them in your suite. Better to be safe then sorry.
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WGarrow
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Joined: Jul '10
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jul 29 2010 14:55:11
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I have read books by experts and read many accounts of treatments. I also went through your situation where the exterminator thought one treatment was sufficient. It wasn't. With chemicals, it is impossible. Maybe "one and done" works for a costly thermal treatment or fumigation. But that isn't the case you are going through. I'm not sure, however, if multiple treatments are needed for adjacent apartments that never had bed bug sightings. The infected apartment definitely needs multiple treatments. If nothing else, one treatment can't reach or kill all the eggs which are often safely tucked away in a safe harbarage area.
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diebbdie
newbite
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 26offline
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jul 29 2010 16:00:39
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WGarrow, my thoughts exactly! When I talked to the company that did the extermination Tuesday they said once would be enough as the residuals would kill any eggs that hatch in a few days. I was like, well, if they hatch, get out, bite, mate, and lay eggs, then die, that's not really doing any good. She didn't really say much back.
I was unsure if my unit (or the other 2 adjacent units) needed to be treated again Jenn28. I woke up July 4 with a bite (I know them as my mom brought bed bugs to her home from the hospital a year ago, so I know this battle and I know my body's reaction well). Of course, I proceeded to rip my room apart, and found nothing. Not a thing. No spots on my mattress encasement, sheets, no bugs, fecal stains, nothing. I wrote it off as a mosquito bite from being outside late (in jeans though...) the night before. They said they'd treat his again if he still is seeing/finding bed bugs in 10 days, but not mine. I don't want them getting miffed in his space though and any survivors moving down to mine since it was only treated once. :/
I guess I'll have to see what they do. I can't really force their hand. They say this is a pretty mild case, but still...one treatment doesn't sit well with me at all. I want to just move to a new building, unpack in a new unit, and be done with it all. I don't want to leave the apartment complex, it's a nice place and the management has been pretty decent, but the way their pest control company is handling this leaves much to be desired, in my humble opinion.
I'm not unpacking though. Sticking with the bare necessities for now I suppose
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ClutterFree
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Joined: Jun '10
Posts: 52offline
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jul 29 2010 17:29:29
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I'm not sure I'm going to be any help: We definitely were the infested suite, and our PCO had us unbag right after the 1st treatment, perhaps because ours is also a fairly mild case. However, despite our mild infestation, they came back for a 2nd and a 3rd treatment. Maybe, as WGarrow mentioned, you don't need an additional treatment because you're not the infested but I'd be concerned since you did find a bite. I'm presuming you got bit post-treatment? If you opt to be treated, do you have to pay for it or is it handled by your landlord/building owner?
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diebbdie
newbite
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 26offline
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Jul 29 2010 20:27:51
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Hey ClutterFree--I actually found the bite earlier this month, July 4 actually. The exterminator came just this past Tuesday, the 27th. Thankfully, I haven't seen anything at all. After my bite on the 4th, I ripped my apartment up from head to toe looking for any little thing and saw nothing. On Friday, the 16th I was told the neighbor had suspected bed bugs and the inspection took place the following Monday.
Since the 4th I've not been bitten, thank God...
Not sure how it would work if I would like to be treated again if the upstairs neighbor needs to be as well...I need to investigate that.
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bugnut
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Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 528offline
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Jul 30 2010 9:29:57
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Wait a LEAST 30 days before unpacking, I would think 60 days is better -
Find out what kind of residual they used - Phantom lasts the longest and is a non-repellant - they will not shy away from it.
I would be wary of a PCO that told me that it was "one and done" Sometimes that does happen, but you can't tell from the beginning - only after the wait and see period.
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diebbdie
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Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 26offline
Posted 2 years ago
Fri Jul 30 2010 23:03:09
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I totally agree bugnut! When she said they've treated situations far worse with just one treatment, I was instantly leery. The leasing manager has dealt with bed bugs at another property she used to manage and used the same company (Eradico) and it was one and done and that infestation was much worse. Still, I don't trust it.
I will wait until at least the 10 day inspection has passed, but more than likely the 30 day inspection. So, wait til late August to unpack-and if I can, September. The trouble is, the pest control company can't (or won't?) tell me what their findings are from the inspection of the unit above mine in 6 days when they re-inspect (the first treatment was Tuesday of this week) so I have to count on the leasing office being honest when I ask next week what the findings were.
No matter what, I'll wait til late August to unpack. For now, I may, stress may, unpack my bathroom and my computer printer. Then again, I don't know, I want to switch units and just get away from this mess, but would it be smarter to stay if the situation really is under control since this unit now has residual chemicals everywhere??? Or move based on the concern that just because I think it may be done, doesn't mean it really is. I've read so many horror stories on the boards about people thinking things are ok, then 6 months later, they reappear and basically having to adopt a scorched earth senario to be free of them. I don't want that, especially since no bugs have ever been verified in my unit! Any advice on that would be very welcome!
The one positive I have is that I was only bitten once nearly a month ago, and nothing has ever actually been found in my apartment, so that may have very well been a mosquito bite. Though, right now, my right knee is itching like crazy! Phantom itching I pray...we'll see, if by morning it's swollen up to the size of a quarter...I know i have a problem here :/
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oldtimer
Joined: Mar '08
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Posted 2 years ago
Fri Jul 30 2010 23:19:31
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Guys .. You can't say it's not possible with chemical. You can say its not likely, or its more common to need 2 or 3 treatments.
But I will tell you I clear just about 97% of my cases on the first visit. And I have 98% of people unpack bags right after my follow up inspection/treatment. None of this is common .. but it is possible.
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bugnut
senior member
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 528offline
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Jul 31 2010 11:06:31
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KQ -
that it because you are YOU! If all other companies operated as you do it would not be an issue!
BTW - I have been sleuthing for bb evidence - mirrors to check under heavy items, flashlights and magnifying glass crawling inside of the couch (and ripping off that stupid fabric) under the beds and all of furniture - you would be proud! I have not figured out how to check the TVs or computer. That will be tricky. I may end up wrecking them.
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Beth
account closed
Joined: Jan '10
Posts: 612offline
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Jul 31 2010 12:28:16
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KQ,
Thank you, this gives me hope! My pco is warrantied for two sprays. I think it is possible for one or two sprays done well, with the tenant doing their part and reducing clutter also, to work. It is good to know you have such success like this. You say it is not common, yet you have a 97% rate at doing it. What is your secret?!
I have read it is less than 10% of infestations that are cleared in one treatment, an additional 26% in two. It seems the majority need at least 3. Those pco's who can't get them in at most 4 treatments are, in my opinion, not very good or not treating the whole premises or the tenants aren't cooperating.
I would say demand your place be treated at least one more time diebbdie, explain to them you understand their life cycle.
peace-
Amy -
diebbdie
newbite
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 26offline
Posted 2 years ago
Sat Jul 31 2010 14:25:23
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Wow KQ, I need to know your secret as well! I am used to hearing that it typically takes 2, typically three treatments.
I'm trying to do all I can do. I vacuumed again this morning and emptied the canister on a paper towel, saw nothing, then disposed of it immediately. I haven't hung anything back on the walls yet, all that kind of thing. I'm still isolating all my clothes and have a ziploc strictly for bedroom clothes and clothes I wear out. Keep my computer bag and purse bagged time I get home...I did ease things a bit in the bathroom, since functioning in there every morning with everything bagged was really slowing me down, but otherwise, I'm staying bagged up for now. Hopefully the other residents are following all the precautions as well.
Monday I plan to call the leasing office and see where things stand with the tenants above. I think that since I'm being impacted by this as well, even if it's not my unit, I should be able to know what the status is. I mean, if they alerted me the first time about this, why not again? Obviously, if I hear they are still being bitten or I see any other random activity by them (they were putting their bedding outside, suitcases, etc on their balcony, it's what tipped me off that that's where the situation was) I'll know they still have a problem.
I also plan to call the pest control company to check exactly what chemicals they used. I know they used Demand CS, but not sure about the other one(s). Thankfully, they did say the infestation was contained to their unit. Hopefully, that's true. And what's the likelihood of them spreading to other adjacent units after the first treatment?
Oh KQ, if all PCOs could be as knowledgeable and diligent in their work as you and the other PCOs on this board are...
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oldtimer
Joined: Mar '08
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 2 2010 0:12:58
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Guys,
There are others out there that get the job done in 1 or 2 treatments, I'm not the only one. Keep in mind that most people that have "one and done" or two for that matter, may not write about their experience. And there for, we all hear about the bad more then the good.
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DeedleBeetle
oldtimer
Joined: May '10
Posts: 1,232offline
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 2 2010 0:25:25
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i only had one treatment and it's going on August 17 it will be 90 days without a bedbug sighting or a skin reaction related to bed bugs (did have a skin reaction related to carpetbeetle larvae hairs that were still on the sofa)...so i think it can be done in one treatment.
(i hope i didn't just jinx myself!)
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bugnut
senior member
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 528offline
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 2 2010 8:23:57
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Deedle & KQ
I had one treatment last year and it worked - so I know it can. I also know that they are tricky and I would be wary of someone who tells you ahead of time that one treatment is all you need. Last year my PCO said he would come back and treat after the first time, but I had a dog in who gave me the all clear and also no bites or evidence.
This time I am not so sure - I have not really seen anything (and trust me I am looking - found one dead nymph (I think) in about a month of searching). We had 3 treatment and we still have the occasional bites (but not really BLD) but cannot seem to discern them from mosquito bites. I think the ones that hubby and I have are mosquito bites, but not so sure on my son. He is a bit oblivious - may have gotten them at the beach at dusk or sitting on his gaming chair in his room playing with his xbox.
I guess we are living out of bags for 60 days after the last mosquito dies.
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