Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed Bug Success Stories
Pre-Success Story & Re-Cap
(1 post)-
This probably isn't going to be the most encouraging brand of success story, but it is (hopefully) a success story anyway.
Re-Cap:
Late last summer I discovered that I had bedbugs in my apartment. It was apparent once discovered that I had them for around 3 months. It also seemed obvious that they came from my downstairs neighbor. This theory was further supported much later on when I learned that these guys used to live on the 1st floor (total of 4 ppl). 2 of them moved into the unit below mine, with their bugs. It was confirmed that the 1st floor apartment had these bugs before the 2 guys moved below me. After I started complaining, it was discovered that half of my twelve unit building had confirmed infestations (I was the only tenant complaining). The building had been infested for over a year & by the time I discovered the problem & forced action, the building was/is pretty heavily infested. My landlord had an exterminator come to my unit but refused to treat others & sold the building the next day. The new landlord had the building treated by a bargain basement PCO who was not familiar w/ bedbugs. They treated 3 times before they learned that they weren't using the right chemicals. Therefore they made the problem worse. My son was pretty severely allergic to the bb bites, so we had to move out until the bugs were gone. After three months, it was apparent the bugs wouldn't gone any time soon & since homelessness isn't really my cup of tea I paid one more months rent along w/ a letter of my intention to break my lease.
During the 3 months, I did a fat lot of throwing things away, inspecting things, washing things, heating things, sealing things in plastic. This was by far the most stressful experience of my life (and for the record, my life has been pretty crappy thus far anyway - lol). In the end, I threw everything away. Bugs were still in my unit & therefore potentially in my stuff. My mementos are sealed up in plastic being stored in my shed (I bought a house! so there is a bright side - I think) . I kept my tv and notebook pc. Part of me knows that these things were not infested, part of me is terrified of them. I have four outfits I saved (my son had to get all new clothes) and 2 pairs of shoes. Everything else is gone. It's a weird feeling for sure and yet it beats the hell out of what life was when I had the bugs. I didn't see bugs or evidence of them while staying in my mother's guest room (that was for 4 mnths) & so far so good in the house here (but it's only been a couple of weeks so it's too early to call) I'm thinking it's over, only because I really didn't bring anything with me. Maybe the shed has them, ewww!! I hope not. Even though they are probably gone, I'm not free yet in the sense that I am still afraid. I still crawl around inspecting every spot, every bit of chipped paint, every crumb or piece of lint. It's really bizarre what these things have done to my head and to my life. I will certainly never get to be the girl I was before. Still I find comfort in the idea that things are getting better, more slowly than I would have like, but better no less.
I wish everyone here the best of luck with their own battles. Hopefully all that remains of mine will be fought with a lawyer and not a PCO (different story for a different day). You all should also know, that if things do get to point where you have to cut & run (I think my sitch was a little extreme) it will be okay. Not that I don't miss some of my stuff (I totally do), but it's not as bad as I was afraid of & the chance for a fresh chance at a life not overwhelmed w piles and boxes of things is very refreshing. (I'm even asking that ppl not give me Christmas presents. I don't want to muddy up my fresh start w/ funky candle holders & ugly picture frames). :)
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