Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
Saw two beg bug on my mom's pillow-have some question, please help!
(5 posts)-
saw two of them
newbite
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 19offline
Posted 3 years ago
Tue Feb 23 2010 22:41:44
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Yesterday my brother and I went to do laundry. so I packed all the clothes that was needed to be washed into the bag and took my pillow case to wash too. I decided to wash my mom's pillow case too, but as soon as I pulled off the pillow case, i saw two bugs that was crawling wanting to escape. i stepped on them and a lot of blood came out. Out of fear that it might be bed bugs i googled it and saw pictures of it and it looked the same as the bugs I saw. I'm sure its bed bugs!
About two-three months ago, i got these bumps on my legs and it was very itchy, soon my mom got some bumps on her as well. Our beds are right next to each others (i have a bunkbed), I got a new bedsheet, because the old one ripped, and after I replaced it with the new one, I haven't gotten any more bumps so I thought it was some skin allergies problems. But then my mom still get these bumps. since yesterday i saw the bugs with my own two eyes, i looked it up online and read a lot about them.
I tried to look for signs for bed bugs on the mattress, as directed from what I read, I pulled the sheets off to check for fecal or blood stain on the mattress, i did not find any, it is hard to spot since the mattress itself is reddish color, but i did find some blood stain oh the blankets and some on the sheets.
I am very scared of bugs in general and now i found out that theres blood sucking bugs in my apartment I am terrified.Since the room is small but its very cramped. The beds in here is very old so we want to throw it out but I have a few question
1. If we do throw out the beds would the BBs spread to other places in the apartment since my brothers bunkbed is right outside of the bedroom or spread to other places such as on the drawers or closet? (should I buy some BBs sprays and spray it everywhere first and on the bed then bring it out to dispose? or should i just directly throw it out them use those sprays on the corners etc?)
Any good recommendations of ones u guys used and it worked?
2. so if we decided to throw things out (mostly fabrics and old clothes and books) should we used some BBs spray on it first to kill it or just bag it up and throw it out?
3. I've read that washing all the clothes and bedding materials, especially drying them will kill the BBs but would it kill its eggs? I don't have a washer and dryer at home so if I bring it to a laundry mat, do you think majority of the dryers are hot enough to kill them?
4. Also, I've read that after the clothes are dried, it should be left in the clean plastic bag, but if i need to get some clean clothes and open the bag, to get something, will the clean clothes get contaminated again?
5. I've read that things exposed in the room should be bagged but how will that help to get rid of BBS? especially since I'm a student will need to use my textbooks and those must be bagged too =(
I know we should call professionals for the best results but I don't think we can afford paying because it can be very pricey( does anyone know whats the price range for an apartment with one bedroom?)
I'm sorry for writing so much but I don't know what should i do, I'm so scared that I'm afraid to sleep in my own bed I've been staying up ever since I discovered this. I sprayed rubbing alcohol on the side of the beds but i can't on the other sides since both beds are against the walls corner to corner.I'm so worried, It would be great if someone can give me some advice on what should I do or any products I can use for cleaning or to get ride of the BBS, please any advice Thank You in advance!
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cilecto
oldtimer
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 3,869offline
Posted 3 years ago
Wed Feb 24 2010 9:51:28
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Saw Two. Welcome. This is a lousy experience for anyone. Please read the FAQ and resource pages for basic info. Get some air and a good cup of coffee and treat yourself nice while you plan your attack. Do not throw out your things yet. They may well be saveable (and precautions need to be taken to keep from spreading the problem when you take things down your hallways). If you live in an apartment, then you probably need to work with your building. This is all terrifying, but everyone here has Bern through this and has your back.
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saw two of them
newbite
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 19offline
Posted 3 years ago
Wed Feb 24 2010 23:46:32
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Cilento: Thank You, I've been wondering since it is one on my concerns, like what you said, don't want to spread it while taking it down the hallway. I saw this Protect-A-Bed Mattress Disposal Bag [url=http://www.usbedbugs.com/Protect-A-Bed-Mattress-Disposal-Bag_p_11.html][/url]
Do you think this will work or is it an good idea of doing this? Because I have two bed in my mom, I share with my mom. Her bed is really old and wanted to get rid of it for a while, but now the problem got worst, we found BB on it so we cant just bring it out to the street to dispose. And do you think I should spray down the whole bed before putting those mattress disposal bag on? -
cilecto
oldtimer
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 3,869offline
Posted 3 years ago
Thu Feb 25 2010 0:22:06
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Hi, Saw Two:
I'm at a "real" computer now and will take a crack at better answers to your questions. First things first. I'm not a pro and I don't know everything. Second, everyone else, chime in if you have ideas.
1. BB do not just infest beds, they harbor anywhere they can hide. They may be in your walls, in your other furniture, etc. Tossing your beds does not necessarily solve your problems, especially if you can treat your frame and encase your mattress. Your beds may be old, but were you really planning on replacing them right now? Perhaps get your treatment plan in order then decide what you do with your bed.
2. If your're tossing things and you want to keep them from infesting others, you could run your stuff thru a dryer for 30 minutes or so then bag and/or destroy the stuff to make it unattractive. While this is nice, IMHO, focus on your needs first. Anecdotes in the forum is that some people will take stuff no matter how obvious the warnings are. I've been told that you can wrap items (like couches) with "pallet wrap" (from Staples) to protect your hallways as you go. As noted elsewhere, I'd focus on tossing the things that you truly don't want and/or are in your way. Hang on to the beds. They could well be saved. Example. If you have a standard metal frame, you can scrub it down with soap and hot water (make sure to get in all cracks crevices and hollows) and you MAY have saved it. If your frame is wood and you extract as many bugs and eggs from it, plus, sealed any/all cracks and painted over, again, you may have saved it.
3. Yes (bugs and eggs). BB begin to die at 113F and die instantly at about 125. Most dryers on medium will get there eventually. You can check with an instant-read meat thermometer. Bear in mind that you things have nooks and crannies and that they all need to reach temperature. If your clothes are clean, about 30 minutes in the dryer alone (no wash) should do. You can even do shoes and accessories, if you're careful and you tie them up in a pillowcase (else you will smudge up the dryer)
If your clothes are dirty or smelly, wash them to prevent locking in dirt and odors, then dry thoroughly (expecially if you're bagging, to prevent mildew). Theres a device called packtite that also heat treats them without the drama of drying or for things that would not do well in a dryer (like books).4. Be careful of what's on and around your bags when you open them. You can use a variety of bags, like trash bags knotted shut for things you won't use for a long time. The large ziplocks for things you will use often. You can also get yourself some bags that you will use once (I like produce bags from the fruit aisle), with a days clothes in them, tear open and toss after use. People bag for several reasons: Your things need to live somewhere while your dresser is treated. Prevent bugs from taking refuge in your stuff after treatment. Prevent treated things from getting re-infested. Or for isolating things that you can't treat until the bugs die (the last is risky, as you need to make sure the bags do not tear).
5. Anything that's in your home is a potential harborage for bugs. That means you need to take care where you take it. Understood that you need your books, so you need to use some discretion, e.g., you might take them to class, but not to a friend's house. You could pack-tite your books and book bag, then only use them outside the house. You could post for tips on how to inspect books (I'd suggest that bugs are more likely to hide in the binding of hardcovers than paperbacks). Note that if your home is treated and you have an infested but untreated item (like a computer, for example), many pros believe that the bugs will eventually exit the item to feed and meet their death when they "cross poison" on their way to feed (on you).
I PMed you earlier with some of my pricing history. Note that these were NYC price quotes (before bargaining) for "high-end" treatments. Simple applications and outside NYC are likely to be significantly cheaper. If your landlord pays (as is the law in may locales), cheaper still.
You've found a great self-help community here. BB are relatively new to all of us and we're all doing our part to advocate and advance the practice of BB control. Innovations are coming really quickly. Tools are available today that did not exist just 2 years ago (packtite, climb-up, various detectors, bed bug saunas, thermal treatments, etc.) More to come. Check out the resources and surf/search the forum for a while and it'll hopefully start making sense. If you're itching, get some topical relief. Learn how to protect visitors and the places you visit. And treat yourself nicely. Make sure to get some air, good food and (hopefully) sleep and love. Hope this helps.
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saw two of them
newbite
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 19offline
Posted 3 years ago
Thu Feb 25 2010 1:36:17
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Thank You so much cilecto! U explained stuff very well! yea, I will think about getting the pack-tite, I think it would be very useful and effective. Thank you for your advice, it is very useful, I really appreciate it, i really do!
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