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Preventative Bed Bug Treatment?
(5 posts)-
junior member
Joined: May '09
Posts: 40
Posted 3 weeks ago
Fri Oct 30 2009 10:48:06
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I'm curious if anyone has addressed "behind the walls" type of solutions for preventative treatments. Can Alpine dust be added to insulation and blown in between walls? I have heard of TAP insulation that is pre-treated with Boric Acid. As long as the dust is not exposed to airflow... would its residual life be extended?
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There is no such thing as a preventative treatment for bed bugs.
The only thing people can do is help prevent themselves for getting exposed away from the home. Inspect their home to identify the issue before it becomes a significant and is harder to deal with and finally to communicate with adjoining units so they also know what steps they can take.
Whats in your wall cavities has little or no bearing on what you could get exposed to at a friends house or hotel room.
This was one of the few clear messages from PestWorld.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
junior member
Joined: May '09
Posts: 40
Posted 3 weeks ago
Fri Oct 30 2009 11:25:19
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David,
I should have positioned my question better as i completely agree with your above statement. The real issue I'm dealing with is a row home in Pa. My customer has been plagued by an infestation next door. The home next door is a known "crack" house and treating a bed bug infestation is the last thing they are focused on. You would think with the generous proceeds gained by selling drugs that they would throw down some cash to clean up the infestation.
While in the attic, i could look down between the houses and literally see the backside of the drywall... no insulation whatsoever! My customer is organising to have insulation installed and i want to mix in some TriDye or Alpine.... I know its not 100%... but it would seem to have some effect in maybe curbing the bed bugs from creeping over.
It may fall under, "better than nothing"?
Todd-
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Hi Todd,
Thanks for the clarification of the situation I have seen a few similar situation myself in the past although our version of "row" is victorian terraced or socialised apartment complexes.
The ultimate solution comes from engaging the public health department and requesting an inspection. If the property is occupied by someone then the official interest can help to move the problem on and although it is not a good solution it is sometimes the best you can do. If the property is void and used as a crack house then it can be better sealed to avoid undesirable ingress.
Either way its a slow process admittedly but it does result in the solution which is to remove the source of the bed bugs.
They may get some relief by mixing the insulation with DE as a physical killer although I suspect they would need the co-operation of the nighbour in that they should most likely be out of their property when it is applied if it is to be blown into the cavity.
Its a tough situation but is one of those where houses like this thrive on a lack of official attention and once it starts they tend to move on quickly.
it can be a deeply frustrating situation though.
David
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spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,405
Posted 3 weeks ago
Fri Oct 30 2009 14:26:38
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Wow! That Alpine is some spendy dust!
Jim
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