pre-emptive action? « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

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pre-emptive action?

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taki

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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Mar 5 2008 3:53:06
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A friend came to stay recently, then just after returning home found bed bugs in his bed at home. They were adult bugs and I assume his infestation had been there a while, so I'm wondering if he spread them to my house. I haven't seen any or been bitten or anything, but is there anything I can do just in case? Or do I have to just wait and see if a problem develops?
completelybuggedout

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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Mar 5 2008 8:13:36
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I would be pro active in the situation and start to look around and see if you find anything. I have found that you can have bb and not get bitten for quite some time or you may not react to the bites. Check out the wonderful bb facts that they have listed on this site. Sometimes too the "evidence" in finding bedbugs is not easy like in our case where the things have taken up residency in walls and floorboards instead of the atypical mattress and boxspring scenario meaning we had an infestation for over 2 months before finding a bug, and now 4 months in we have not yet to find the harbourage point. These things can choose to be invisible if they want to be. Not trying to scare you, just pointing out that locating them may not be as cut and dry as some cases may be. Heres hoping that nothing comes of this at all, but in the meantime, read the facts and take what precautions you feel are necessary to prevent a full blown infestation from beginning. Good luck!
bed-bugscouk

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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Mar 5 2008 9:09:19
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Hi,

The best thing you can do is a good detailed check of the area looking for the classic signs of bed bugs.

If you cant find anything deep clean the area and check again in 2 weeks to 1 months time.

The only pre-emptive steps that are advisable for bed bugs is to check on a regular basis and be aware of the signs. You should never try a preventative spray or treatment as it only promotes increased resistance to products through overuse.

Regards,

David
fightorflight

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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Mar 5 2008 18:47:15
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Yes, educate yourself, inspect and be on the lookout for signs. I was in a similar situation, though in my case the odds of actually having them were much higher. I was oblivious initially to the bites, but one night after a very hot shower, I could see bite marks clearly on my body when looking in the mirror. A bit of a shock, but nothing new here.
Blue_Ox

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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Mar 5 2008 19:01:14
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I thought using DE would be an example of pre-emptive action? I am preparing to share my bb knowledge with some neighbors so that everyone is aware what might be coming their way (from an infestation that is in the bldg but not in my apt) and I don't want to be giving people incorrect info. I really thought DE was supposed to be good pre-emptively. Please, someone let me know if it isn't so I don't give out bad info!
BBcoukHome

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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Mar 5 2008 19:38:09
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If you don't have BB's then you don't need to do anything. If you don't check on a regular basis you will not detect a problem if it occurs.

If people are in a building that might have a bed bug problem then educating and vigilence is the best action you can take. If you incorporate a monthly check into your routine and infestigate a potential mark or bite rather than putting it off then you can do no better as a pre-emptive.

Just because someone in the building has a bed bug problem does not always mean the adjoining units will have a problem. If it did the bed bug problem would be 4 or 6 times greater than it currently is. Not that this is meant to belittle it but the fact is that that single rooms can be affected in a detatched property just as easily as a single apartment can. Early detection will ensure that a heavy and problematic infestation does not occur.

The best thing you can do is educate and help people to make sure that if they have a problem it is detected and dealt with before it takes hold.

Putting together a simple 1 page information sheet with web resources will help so they can read and learn as well. After all if they know what to look for then they will also be able to avoid other potential sources in the future.

Regards,

David
buggy

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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Mar 5 2008 19:52:12
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Hi all. I work in Cincinnati delivering mail. A high-rise (200+ units on 8 floors) I deliver to is infested with bedbugs. Not sure how bad it is, but they're selling Steri-fab in the office.

I've become extremely paranoid. The mailboxes are on the ground floor in a lobby. The dining area and offices are there--no apts. Am I in danger????? I used to bring large packages up to the residents doors--I no longer do that. Are there any other precautions I should be taking?

Also, there have been recent articles about local movie theater bed bugs. I love movies! But I might wait for DVDs from now on. Or can I spray the chairs?

Am I paranoid???????
BBcoukHome

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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Mar 5 2008 20:13:18
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Hi,

Thanks for posting this.

I think it is fair to say that most people would agree that the risk to you entering the lobby to deliver packages is minimal unless the packages themselves are infected and carrying bed bugs on the outside of the wrapping.

Bed bugs are a pest of exposure that can hitchhike on you or possessions from one location to another. Simple walking into a place is unlikely to get you infected unless the infestation is so great that you see them running all over the floor.

As a precaution you should avoid sitting down in the building as seats can become infested.

With regards the cinema no you should not spray anything. What you choose to do in your own home is your own business but when you are in a public place you have to consider everyone else around you. The overuse of insecticides and poor treatment methodologies have resulted in the development of resistance in bed bugs. It is similar to MRSA and the so called hospital super bugs spraying place that may have bugs rather than actually spending a few moments checking to see if it has is wrong on so many levels.

Bed bugs can be exterminated but in some cases it is a complex and difficult job for many reasons. They are a nasty pest that has as many psychological effects as it does physical symptoms but the fact remains they spread through exposure, if you don’t come into contact with them then they can’t hitchhike home with you.

Please relax and try to channel the paranoia into vigilance and sensibly educating others.

David
buggy

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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Mar 5 2008 22:26:30
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Thank you David!
I do feel a bit calmer--that's why I came here--for advice. I guess any package could potentially have bbs too. The only time I really worried was when a resident was returning a package that had been in their apt. In this case I put it in the collection box in the lobby where a truck driver picks it up later. They do not keep personal belongings in the back of those trucks, so I think those drivers wouldn't be exposed.

I don't sit down in this building! When it's cold, I used to take off my coat and put it on a chair or in a plastic mail tub on the floor. Now I leave it in my mail truck and just deal with being cold walking to the door.

In the Cincinnati area there is a feeling of near hysteria (it's not just me). Of course the media always likes to feed into that. But I know some of it's warranted. I've actually had a nightmare about bbs even tho I've never seen one...yet...
completelybuggedout

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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Mar 5 2008 22:35:51
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Hi Buggy, just wanted to take this opportunity to say hello to a fellow Cincinnatian! Glad to hear that at this point you are not affected as I am, but I think I was the only Cincinnatian on here until now!
buggy

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Posted 5 years ago
Thu Mar 6 2008 7:29:01
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Hi completelybugged!
I actually live in Lawrenceburg now, but grew up in Western Hills and work in Cinci every day. I'm so sorry you've been "bugged". It's amazing how fast they've spread!
6 months ago I moved to a smaller house and used a Cinci-based moving co. to move my stuff. I think I'd be reluctant to use a moving service now.