PackTite closet, questions please :) « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » General Topics

PackTite closet, questions please :)

(13 posts)

Tags:

edtt

member
Joined: Apr '12
Posts: 147
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Tue Apr 24 2012 0:57:35
#

Login to Send PM

Hello,
So we are still waiting to see if we have bb's.
The past few weeks have been horrible, and I would like to prevent ever feeling this way again.
I was wondering about the closet pack tite, ( we live in Canada, so the smaller version in not an option, sadly)
How much does it cost to run the closet?
As a preventative measure, such as backpacks from school and my office items, we should heat them everyday, yes?
If only a few items are in the closet, will they get hotter quicker, such as fewer items in a dryer?
Thoughts?
Thx a lot
theyareoutthere

oldtimer
Joined: Sep '11
Posts: 2,051
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Tue Apr 24 2012 1:19:21
#

Login to Send PM

Evening:

I'm in the US and have a packtite closet. Running it is nominal. I actually noticed my utilities go down $5 or so because I don't run in and throw things in the dryer for 45 minutes. I use it almost every day. I've found that I like Hefty One Zips more than Ziplocs and so every now and then I'll put a Hefty One zip with a book or a few things I didn't feel like packtiting before I go to bed. I just do that to keep the bugs in the bag until I'm ready to packtite.

It heats up faster with fewer things. I hang my backpack on a clip (can't think of the name of it..REI..cliffs) and take books out and put them on shelf. Whether it's a suitcase or a book, it heats up faster if you take things out.

Couple of things impacted my decison:

1. Big enough for big coats
2. hanging bar
3. white inside
4. heater is on the outside
5. quicker

The quicker was a major concern. David Cain uses them in his decontamination center so he can probably give you an idea of how much quicker.

Good luck..hope you don't have them..it really helped me feel better about transit, movies, gym, etc. because I just come home and throw things in...very easy..

TAOT
edtt

member
Joined: Apr '12
Posts: 147
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Tue Apr 24 2012 1:27:22
#

Login to Send PM

Thx theyroutthere!
I appreciate your post!
My hubby needs major convincing, so as much ammunition I can gather is best!
I am a social worker, so home visits and my office are high risk.
Not to mention the school system and having 2 girls.
I have not seen the hefty one zips.....why do u prefer them?

Thanks, we have a dog inspection in a week, cross fingers
theyareoutthere

oldtimer
Joined: Sep '11
Posts: 2,051
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Tue Apr 24 2012 1:34:46
#

Login to Send PM

Edtt,

I prefer the Hefty 11 gallon one zip because the Ziplocs (the XL) sometimes pop open on me. That said, the Hefty One is a big zipper mechanism so I assume something very, very small could get out. I think the cheapest thing is a garbage bag and ties.

With both the ziploc and Hefty One zip, you can packtite and reuse.

I am moderate risk with some of my business actitities high risk. I finally broke down and bought one. Social workers are at a higher risk. Thanks for doing what you do..we need folks like you out there helping.
edtt

member
Joined: Apr '12
Posts: 147
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Tue Apr 24 2012 21:38:07
#

Login to Send PM

What a nice comment! Thx Theyareoutthere

I enjoy my wrk, I took precautions before, now I want to be more vigilant.

The cost of the closet is quite high, which I can deal with (the hubby, not so much....)
He will come around, I do want it to be cost effective to use on a regular basis.

Anyone else have opinions?
endless_nightmare

member
Joined: Apr '12
Posts: 168
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Tue Apr 24 2012 22:18:21
#

Login to Send PM

just my 2 cents, I'm in Canada as well, but I'm thinking of getting the small packtite to get ready for a move. I have an old friend in the USA she can get one for me and ship it to me, I think if you know someone in the States you could get one
BedBugMutts

junior member
Joined: Apr '11
Posts: 119
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Thu Apr 26 2012 10:05:24
#

Login to Send PM

hi edtt,

We are in Vancouver andour PackTite closet is essential for us. No noticeable increase in hydro bill. I would recommend the closet over the smaller original version - the extra room is handy most of the time. Do keep in mind, you can not run this in a garage in winter...needs to be inside where the starting temperature is reasonable to ensure the kill temperature is reached and maintained. We usually have it on a portable table (the 4 ft kind with folding legs from Costco) and this allows storage under the table. With your line of business passive monitors would be a good tool. Ken.
theyareoutthere

oldtimer
Joined: Sep '11
Posts: 2,051
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Fri Apr 27 2012 1:10:23
#

Login to Send PM

I was waiting for an expert to weigh in..

I like the Closet..it's faster..I have it on the floor (a table is a good idea) and for me...it's worth it...

I think the Packtite + Passive Monitors are a great idea...I'm always worried that "one" got away and the passives will monitor it. Good luck! Hope you get good news like Killdienow...
Nobugsonme

your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 14,066
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Fri Apr 27 2012 2:26:53
#

Login to Send PM

I have a Packtite Closet and I love it too. I learned the hard way that it is better to space things out and bake less at a time as others noted. If you do this, it is lightning fast. A couple of winter coats on hangers got to 120F in 20 minutes or so. Then you leave them for an hour to be safe.

Always use the probe in what you think is the thickest item.

Some with the traditional Packtite talk about baking ziplocs full of stuff. When I just got the machine, I tried this with three full XL ziplocs in the Closet and it went forever. (Seriously, I mean I gave up when it hadn't hit 120 in 8 hours...)

I called David James who reminded me it's not designed to be used like that. The rod means you can hang things and get the air circulating around them much faster. So some jackets on hangers, clothing, a medium sized empty suitcase, some books and shoes all can be done at once. You can get a lot in there, but spreading things out works best. And very quckly. It is more powerful than the original Packtite, so it can get the job done faster.

It works great after a trip -- we just do the empty suitcase and the clothes on hangers or items placed on the rack. Keep things in sealed plastic bags until you are ready for that batch.

It would be ideal for someone using it as you would after work -- you can put coats on hangers, shoes on the rack, and a purse or other bag inside. Keep items which can't be heat treated in a small zipper plastic bag in your purse or bag so you can pop that out before Packtiting.

Here are some helpful videos on the Packtite Closet and a FAQ.
theyareoutthere

oldtimer
Joined: Sep '11
Posts: 2,051
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Fri Apr 27 2012 2:43:08
#

Login to Send PM

Thanks, NoBugs...wow..we knew you were a powerful woman...but you can CALL David James?? Do you have David Cain's cell phone number?

Wow...I'm in awe He's great about emails and called me to walk me through some information, too.

I keep reading that some people keep their cell phone and some other items in a little ziploc in their purse (makeup)...

I sometimes overload or stack things and it can take a long time....that's why I like to hang my backpack/purse. It just feels natural to me.. rather than throwing things in the coat closet..i place them in the closet...it's pricy but I use it at least 5 times a week. And, you know it's been tested and tested and then tested some more by buggers.

Great info..
edtt

member
Joined: Apr '12
Posts: 147
offline

Posted 1 year ago
Fri Apr 27 2012 11:44:28
#

Login to Send PM

Thank you everyone!
Will be saving up for one
cross-fingers, as it looks like we have fleas, not bb's

see here:
http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/looking-and-searching-everywhere-am-i-missing-something-or-is-it-not-there
bedbugartist

newbite
Joined: Jun '12
Posts: 15
offline

Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jul 29 2012 13:17:19
#

Login to Send PM

Adding to the long list of people who have the packtite closet and adore it. Aside from the obvious heat treating benefits and the amazing speed that the closet heats up at, I have found that if I get creative I can stick almost everything in this closet. One thing I have experienced in my bed bug war is the sudden feeling of being helpless and unable to control what was happening to me. For someone who has battled OCD tendencies my entire life, this was slowly driving me insane. Now, if I start to have a panic attack that something might still have bed bugs all I have to do is stuff it in the closet for a couple hours while I'm reading or working, and I feel a lot better. I imagine that when my bugs are all gone, and I start to feel safer again, I will use the packtite less, but it will still be there when I go on trips or bring home used clothing or things, which will greatly add to my peace of mind.
djames1921

senior member
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 636
offline

Posted 10 months ago
Mon Jul 30 2012 10:10:43
#

Login to Send PM

A big reason the Closet is so quick is because of the extra room for hanging stuff up and the strong air circulation, this means hot air can penetrate items a lot easier. When we were designing the Closet we knew the one thing people would appreciate more than anything is quicker treatment times. Even a half hour or hour quicker may not sound like much, but if you are doing a house full of stuff, they add up quickly.

Disclaimer: I make the Packtite Closet