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Pre-treatment prep questions

1. 

   Delilah
   

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   Joined: Aug '11
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   Posted 1 year ago
   Tue Aug 23 2011 17:06:42
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   Just had my inspection, they agreed that my samples were definitely BBs, but they didn't find any live BBs. Possibly to heighten my already acute anxiety, they said it's unlikely that my LL will deny treatment, but it's possible given that they didn't find any live BBs. Anyway they handed me a treatment preparation sheet and said they'd be back if I got LL approval. Now I have some questions:

   1. Anyone have recommendations on a good vacuum cleaner? I had a crappy Dirt Devil that broke in my cleaning frenzy this weekend, so I need to get a new one. Looking for decent price, good suction, easy to manuver with attachments to get under things and to vacuum furniture, easy to deal with the post-vacuum BB clean-up...

   2. Packtite v. a steam cleaner...I probably could afford to get one, but not both. I would love some advice on which people found most beneficial, pros/cons of each.

   3. The directions they left were to take everything off shelves/book cases and put them in plastic bags. Assuming that I did get a Packtite (or could find one to borrow), should I use it with the stuff on the shelfs (books, knick-knacks) before treatment or after?

   4. Any advice how to prepare electronics? There is nothing on this sheet for TV or computer, etc.

   Thanks!

2. 

   cilecto
   

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   Joined: Aug '08
   Posts: 3,852

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Tue Aug 23 2011 17:22:36
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   For BB, it's best to use the hard tools only, no brushes, as BB/eggs could get caught. Several approaches for keeping BB out of the vacuum. A. seal and dispose of the bag. B. wash the bagless cup with very hot, soapy water. C. Use a knee-hi stocking as a "bed bug condom" in the hose assembly, described in this guide http://www.michigan.gov/documents/emergingdiseases/Bed_Bug_Manual_v1_full_reduce_326605_7.pdf I like the Eurika "Mity Mite" canisters, as they're cheap and basic, bags are readily available (it's a type that's been around for years).

   Not sure on PT vs. Steam, but you can't really treat books and other things like that with a steamer.

   Jeff White explains why some PCOs have you bag things http://www.bedbugcentral.com/tv/index.php/2010/07/bed-bug-preparations/ Please get clarification of how long they expect you to keep the items bagged (and be ready to push back if they're just doing it to cover their asses or the LL's). It seems that for non fabrics, it's mostly to give the PCO access to areas to treat and the items are to be unbagged post-treatment. In a properly treated home, bugs will need to come out to feed and cross poison. For this reason, many PCOs leave electronics alone for treatment.

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