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Packtite Update
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junior member
Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 88
Posted 4 months ago
Thu Jul 16 2009 7:27:26
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I know there continues to be talk about the packtite unit on the site. There was some talk about placing fully packed suitcases in the unit and still achieving lethal temperatures throughout the belongings. I had some concern about this recommendation with all the work I've done with heat and filmed a quick study on the topic and put it up as a Packtite Update.
http://tv.bedbugcentral.com/index.php/2009/07/bbctv-32-update-packtite-heating-unit/
For those that are in a rush, the last two minutes sum up the video in a very concise fashion. The bottom line is that if you have a good way to handle clothes (laundering them) so why would you set yourself up to fail and possibly use the unit, not kill some bugs due to heat not penetrating the items and then introduce them into your home. The study shows that one of the sensors only achieved over 120 for 10-15 minutes which makes you question if there were eggs there, would they have died? Why question the results when you could have just laundered them.
I understand the approach of seeing if you could be lazy and save some time and just treat a full suitcase and avoid all of the work that goes with unpacking, laundering, etc... but bed bugs aren't something to be lazy with. Why set yourself up to fail when you don't have to.
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DrFrank
junior member
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 122
Posted 4 months ago
Fri Jul 17 2009 12:01:07
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Thanks Jeff, that's very informative! I really appreciate the thoroughness of your measurements.
Your recommendation makes sense, but at the same time, it seems like the cycle could be extended for another hour or so to ensure the sterilization.
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Adele
senior member
Joined: May '08
Posts: 556
Posted 4 months ago
Fri Jul 17 2009 12:28:12
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DrFrank - I think jeff did let the unit run for 4 hours and according to the manufacturer you should not run the unit for more than 4 hours at a time - in fact my unit is equiped with a sensor to automatically shut it off after 4 hours
so Jeff is simply saying don't overstuff the Packtite as all your belongings may not heat up high enough and long enough to achieve sufficient thermal death. I've had the same experience as well - the more you stuff it the longer the interior takes to heat and you really want everything to heat up high enough and long enough to ensure thermal death
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