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PCO wants me to buy new bed
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unluckyinbugs
newbite
Joined: Jul '08
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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 21:46:06
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I called several exterminators this morning after finding a live bedbug on top of my duvet cover last night.
Several seemed nice and competent but I went to visit M&M in Chinatown on the way into work. They seem like they know what they're doing, but they asked for something that contradicted what I've read here:
Namely that I must get rid of my mattress, box spring, and all fabric furniture in order for the warranty to not be voided.
And buy a new mattress and sofa (which of course then must be immediately encased). Also, the woman I talked to said to just leave the old mattress out on the street without having it sprayed first.
Is this a red flag? Should I use them but just not take the warranty and keep my bed? Or should I call one of the other PCOs on my list???
Also if another PCO quoted $200 more than M&M, but is including Protect-a-Bed encasements with that quote, is that a good deal?
Thanks for your input!
Steph
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 14,072offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 22:40:30
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Protect-a-bed encasements for a mattress and box spring and pillows, would likely be nearly as good a deal. (Not throwing away your sofa and bed, if you don't need to, and replacing them, would save a lot.)
I am concerned: how do you completely encase a new sofa?
If you are using P-A-B encasements, you do not need a new mattress or box spring, since they are tested to completely keep bed bugs in. Now, if you use P-A-B encasements, a new mattress and box would also be kept safe.
But I can't say that for the sofa. I am not aware of any way to encase one. I know back in the day you could get them sealed completely in scary clear rubbery or vinyl stuff. Really thick. But the only people who have those that I know of got them in the 50s or 60s. Don't think anyone still does that!
So if you don't completely encase that new sofa, you are sacrificing your new sofa to the bed bugs. Meanwhile, some sucka in the building thinks your old mattress and sofa look just fine, and they're moving them back in...
Now, I am not going to say a PCO should never recommend tossing stuff. I am sure there are cases where you need to. It just isn't the norm.
Did the PCOs see the sofa and bed before making this determination? Did the OTHER PCOs see them and decide you did not need to toss them?
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 22:44:33
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Oh, and assuming you live in a building, are your neighbors being inspected? That will be an important factor ...
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unluckyinbugs
newbite
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 4offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 23:09:27
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No they didn't see my place or the mattress, which is, by all outward appearances, spotless. I went in with a bedbug smashed onto the postit I killed it with and they gave me their "Treatment Agreement" which asks residents to do pretty much all the things the FAQs suggest--vacuuming, washing and bagging clothes--in addition to other things to prepare for the first treatment. #7 in "Pre-Treatment Preparations" is as follows:
"If the infestation is greater than 2-3 weeks, all mattresses, box spring and fabric furniture must be discarded but make sure to wrap the fabric furniture in plastics so that it doesn't contaminate the common areas" (although the woman also told me not to encase my discarded mattress, so I just don't know)
I did really like the first guy I talked to, which is why I don't write them off completely.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 23:27:07
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We know neighbors will salvage things (and in doing so, may reintroduce bed bugs). We also know mattress encasements can work (if you get the right one and use it right). We also know a new sofa can't be encased, so what you'd need to do is wait until you're bed bug free for a few months before replacing it.
I can understand it making the PCO's job easier, but it is not standard advice. It is true that a sofa takes aggressive repeated treatment. But I would not say the same about a mattress.
If you do decide to go with them and toss your stuff, then please destroy them before sealing in plastic and removing (all three in that order).
Do not drag an unsealed mattress or sofa through the building.
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oldtimer
Joined: Mar '08
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Posted 4 years ago
Thu Jul 3 2008 3:45:27
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Newest study in Pest Management magazine. Out of 15 rooms infested with Bed Bugs, 48% of them had only problems in the beds. I think that is what I read. I never finished or had full attention while I was reading it. I was busy with other things. But this company wants to increase their odds solving your problem. Theoretically they increase their odds by 50% for success. It costs you money and them as well, but I would find another company to interview. Everywhere I turn on this site.. It’s depressing.
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unluckyinbugs
newbite
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 4offline
Posted 4 years ago
Thu Jul 3 2008 8:21:02
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I'm going to call that other PCO that seemed good, because providing the PAB encasements is also very convenient, especially with the holiday weekend, I'm not sure the retail locations in NY will be open.
However, with M&M, it's not that they won't provide service if I keep my mattress, it's just that the guarantee is voided. And I live in a multiunit apartment building, and I read here that few places even offer any guarantee for such apartments. So I am tempted to use them and just keep my bed, but I'll call the other guy too.
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