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PCA says Protest-a-bed not safe
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countmeout
newbite
Joined: Apr '08
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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 21 2008 18:56:25
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I have recently purchased the "Protect-a-bed with AllerZip" bed covers for both my mattress and box spring. I had two treatments for BBSs in April, but now they have come back and my PCA is trying to tell me that my mattress covers are no good because they aren't plastic. I am very confused by this because I did extensive research online before buying the covers and believe that I have good ones. He is coming tomorrow and wishes to take off the covers to spray the bed.
Is there something in writing that I can give him to read before he takes this drastic step? Your page on the ESA does not specifically have info on the actual material used and whether it is safe - it only discusses the zippers.
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countmeout
newbite
Joined: Apr '08
Posts: 19offline
Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 21 2008 19:02:03
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Sorry...I meant PCO!
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prayforamiracle
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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 21 2008 19:51:32
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http://bedbugger.com/2008/04/20/new-mattress-encasement-test-data/
There are some videos on this page with all the reserch about mattress encasements.
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countmeout
newbite
Joined: Apr '08
Posts: 19offline
Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 21 2008 22:03:36
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This video only talks about the zipper.
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countmeout
newbite
Joined: Apr '08
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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 21 2008 22:04:10
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Thanks, but this video only talks about the zipper and the end-stop. I am looking for something on the actual material.
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prayforamiracle
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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 21 2008 22:16:06
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I am sure that the fabic is so tightly woven that bbugs can not get in or out. Yes, they can probbaly lay eggs on any surface. They are not soppose to be able to get in or out of the fabric this is made of, on the encasements that are reserched in this video. The zipper area is a possible entry and place a bug can get in or out. Except in the one they state is better sealed. That is why they reccomend to seal the zipper with tape.
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old timer
Joined: Apr '07
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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 21 2008 22:36:11
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This is the data from http://www.mattresssafe.com/
http://mattresssafe.accountsupport.com/Penetration-Escape_Test.pdf
I also have the data showing they cannot bite through Mattress Safe covers either.
Sean
Entomologist/Pest Professional
http://www.thebedbugresource.com -
buggedinva
newbite
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 5offline
Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jul 22 2008 0:20:16
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Have you tried contacting the Protect-A-Bed company for more information?
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parakeets
oldtimer
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jul 22 2008 15:28:34
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I got a laugh at the title of your post when you called it "Protest-a-Bed"
What helped me trust my mattress cover (a high-quality, non-plastic one from National Allergy) was that it was mite-proof and I know mites are much smaller than bedbugs. There are good posts on the links people provided above, but you can tell your PCO that not only do the Protect-a-bed type high quailty bedbug mattress covers not let bedbugs in, but they are far less likely to tear than the plastic ones. Vinyl tears so easily. Once a mattress cover tears, it is useless. I had a vinyl cover on my box spring. What a mistake! It tore while I was putting it on the box spring.
The problem of zippers exists whether you use a vinly or cloth cover.
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bugsy bunny
newbite
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 15offline
Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jul 22 2008 16:47:25
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i just research encasemenst and purchased protect-a-bed ones. the website said that theres a 'miracle membrane' (basically some polyeurethane) on the inside of the encasements thats bugs cant bite or get through.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jul 22 2008 18:59:32
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I would personally trust Protect-a-Bed.
Cooper's comparison test also found that as far as the zipper penetration, or zipper-when-closed, National Allergy Elegance (specifically the Elegance line) and Mattress Safe did as well as Protect-a-Bed.
When it came to the zipper having the extra assurance of the BugLock Zip, which keeps bed bugs in or out even when the zipper is accidentally opened, that was where the Protect-a-Bed stood out.
It is true that bed bugs can harbor on the outside of any encasement. The idea behind encasements is that bed bugs are being kept from hiding in or on the mattress and box springs, where they are much harder to detect and eliminate.
Hopefully you're getting good professional treatment and the bed bugs will be gone soon.
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your host
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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 23 2008 22:54:13
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countmeout,
I sent you a PM. You can go here to get it:
http://bedbugger.com/forum/pm -
mangycur
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Posted 4 years ago
Sun Jul 27 2008 19:23:58
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countmeout,
I know from my experience, most pcos think encasements are good, but some have slightly different opinions. As prayforamiracle noted, the non-vinyl encasements are fabric, so bed bugs may go ahead and lay eggs on the encasements. However, I still think that's better than directly on the mattress, and it's ok to steam any bed bugs and eggs right off the fabric cover. So maybe your PCO is saying they're "no good" but what s/he means is, it can still get bug eggs on it?
The research has been done and it sounds to me like you got a good product.
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lieutenantdan
oldtimer
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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 28 2008 10:45:51
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This PCO's statement about encasements is a foolish one to put it mildly. I would look for a different PCO ASAP.
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