Purchased home, not bed bugs! « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » General Topics

Purchased home, not bed bugs!

(11 posts)

Tags:

1231

junior member
Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 38
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Tue Oct 28 2008 16:22:24
#

Login to Send PM

Hello all, I am brand new, this is my first post. My husband and I purchased a home, we closed on 9/30. We put in lots of hard work, and were set to move in on 10/16. On 10/15 we were painting, and a friend who was helping noticed a bug, and said she would have her friend come look the following day. He did, and sure enough, bed bugs. He came and treated 3x. On 10/16, 10/18, and 10/21. We moved in on 10/23. On 10/25, I spotted 5 of them. I killed them all. On 10/26 I woke with bites. I have since isolated my bed, done tons of laundry, and vasalined the bed legs. I have matress covers on (they went on the day we moved in) and also I have boz spring covers on the way. I have also treated with Sprayway Good Nite spray, and steamed the floor. Please help, let me know if there is more I can be doing. This is my first home, it is very traumatizing, and I need all of the help I can get.
Crowinator

newbite
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 19
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Tue Oct 28 2008 17:09:22
#

Login to Send PM

Wow, you and I are in the same situation, only it took us one month of living here before we got them. We are still unsure if they were in the house dormant (the house had been empty for several months) or if we somehow brought them in, but it was/is a pretty light infestation. Still, it feels terrible to purchase your first home and be all excited about it and then . . . this. I know exactly how that feels. Especially if you KNOW the bugs were already there and the sellers didn't include that information. Our house is great but we are stuck here -- we can't move as if we were renting an apartment. (However, if you have a single family home, you also don't have to worry about bugs moving in from neighboring apartments, which is a blessing.)

Definitely get a reputable PCO to come and do an inspection and make sure your contract has repeat treatments. (Alas, mine only had three, so I had to re-sign.) Your friend who treated 3x a few days apart each time didn't do enough and doesn't sound like a PCO; most PCOs wait two or three weeks between treatments because that's how long it takes the eggs to hatch. I'm using DE and Good Night as well but having the PCO treat is probably the most important step.

Good luck!
MyWorstFear

senior member
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 610
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Tue Oct 28 2008 17:42:00
#

Login to Send PM

Crowinator - 30 minutes ago »
Especially if you KNOW the bugs were already there and the sellers didn't include that information.
Good luck!

I know each state has different laws, but the sellers and/or real estate agent could be liable if they knew about the bed bugs and didn't let you know.
parakeets

oldtimer
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 1,011
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Tue Oct 28 2008 18:10:08
#

Login to Send PM

I feel terrible for you. I think what happened to you will happen to more people (though you could have gotten bedbugs from the moving truck).

I think one of the reasons people won't get bedbug treatment is because they don't want the fact that the house has had bedbugs to lower the selling price of their home, or increase the amount of time their home is on the market, so sadly there might be no evidence of the house ever having treatment.

If I ever buy a house, I am going to require that part of the home inspection be inspection with a bedbug dog. I know a condo building where people sold and moved out rather than have bedbug treatment. The cost of treatment is one thing, but losing 10% or 20% of your sale price is something else. So sellers, not wanting to lose $30,000 on a $300,000 home (common in my area) don't treat. I personally would never buy a house that had revealed it had a recent history of bedbugs, and I'm sure many buyers would feel the same. Bedbugs are becoming much more common, and I think bedbug dog inspections will soon be part of the home inspection.
1231

junior member
Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 38
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Tue Oct 28 2008 19:13:40
#

Login to Send PM

The bugs came with the home. Seller says that he had no knowledge of it. It was a rental previously; he did not live here. And yes, it is a 1 family home. My friend actually is a PCO, he had said he would need to come back again. I just didn't know, being brand new to this that they don't just disappear. How long should I wait to have him come back again, it has been a week since the last treatment. Thanks for all of your responses.
MyWorstFear

senior member
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 610
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Tue Oct 28 2008 20:29:35
#

Login to Send PM

I would have the pco come back 10 - 14 days after your last treatment, preferably 10 days so he can get any eggs that might have hatched.
Seller can say that he had no knowledge of it, but I wouldn't believe him. You should try and get the seller to pay for your treatments and anything you have to buy to get rid of them, (like zip lock bags, mattress encasements, etc)
Good luck to you and hang around here as the people on this board are amazing and have saved my sanity!
DieBBS

junior member
Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 42
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Tue Oct 28 2008 20:33:09
#

Login to Send PM

I am so sorry that you are going through this. How horrible!
1231

junior member
Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 38
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Wed Oct 29 2008 13:14:02
#

Login to Send PM

Thanks for all of your responses. I never dreamed I would have an issue like this. We have been looking for a home for 4 years, and it just seems like we have a black cloud over our heads. I can't get any sleep, and I just want to cry!
parakeets

oldtimer
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 1,011
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Thu Oct 30 2008 11:37:10
#

Login to Send PM

I'm so sorry for you. You're doing your best and you will truly treasure your new home once the bedbugs are eradicated. Much better to be in a position where you are in control of the solution and you don't have to deal with people in the same building who don't treat or keep bringing bedbugs back in. You'll be on top of it.
Crowinator

newbite
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 19
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Fri Oct 31 2008 1:31:04
#

Login to Send PM

That's what I keep telling myself too, parakeets. It sucks to have saved and saved and dreamed and finally bought your first house and to have this happen (oh, believe me I know) . . . but I think being able to manage the treatment without dealing with landlords and other tenets is easier. It is demoralizing to not feel at home in our new house, but we're dealing with it as best we can, and succeeding so far. I hesitate to say we are bed bug free, but it's been almost two months for me now without a bite. 1231, you'll get through this too! I keep telling myself this place will feel like home once I can put my darn clothes away again.
jan

newbite
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 10
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Fri Oct 31 2008 2:06:31
#

Login to Send PM

1231
I feel so bad for you...but I think parakeets is right..your in a single family home & can at least take control..and that I think, is empowering. But boy, this will change your perspective regarding all things large and small. I won't go to auctions, flea markets or garage sales. all things I used to enjoy! I won't use coat checks and I will be very careful in hotel rooms. Stay with this site, the support is wonderful & the info is invaluable..you will learn so much. Follow the protocols you learn here & you will beat the bastards!
Peace