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some toronto resources

(8 posts)

  1. twitchyscratchy

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    Posted 3 years ago
    Fri Jan 15 2010 16:10:24
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    Hi Torontonians,

    Here is a list of where to get certain items in Toronto for those dealing with bedbugs. I had a hell of a time finding certain items, so i hope this is helpful to Torontonians.

    • DDVP strips- Canadian Tire, Bay & Dundas location. Ortho "Home Defense" brand. Red and yellow packaging. Please use extreme caution when using DDVP and read up on methods on this site before using it. Don't use it in your home, only in enclosed bags outside or in a shed, garage, basement, etc.

    • Wilson PRO Aerosol insecticide spray- Home Hardware. It is listed for use on bedbugs and contains permethrin and piperonyl butoxide. For use on beds and mattresses, especially tufts, seams, piping, etc. I wouldn't use it anywhere there's a risk of blowing bedbugs further into cracks- it comes out quite forcefully and if used on cracks between baseboards, could push BBs further in to their insidious little hidey-holes. It also stinks to high heaven, which dissipates in about 24 hours.

    • Diatomaceous Earth (DE)- Fiesta Garden Centre, Christie St, between Dupont and Bloor. Green Earth brand. Listed for use on bedbugs. Comes in a white and green bottle with a green tip. Please research how to safely apply DE on this site, it is non-toxic, but does not come free of health risks.

    • Dry Ice for homemade monitor- Ice Man, 782 Adelaide St W. Comes in various forms, including pellets.

    • Mattress Encasements- Various Sleep Country, Zeller's, Walmart locations. I haven't bought one yet, so I can't personally attest to their usefulness. However, many BBers have found them very useful. I haven't bought one yet because I needed to buy a new mattress/boxspring anyway. When I can afford to do that, I will also purchase encasements.

    • 99% alcohol- yes that's right. Not even 91%... a whole other 8% of goodness. I found these in a tiny pharmacy called Rostecki's on Roncesvalles. I had been using 70% before, I couldn't find a higher percentage anywhere. That said, I know some hydroponics stores (I think there might be one on Pharmacy Ave? I might be wrong though. Also one at Church & Wellesley) carry 91% alcohol.

    • Steamer. Personally, I purchased mine online (Amazon.ca), but there is a company called "Reliable" that sells dry steamers in TO.

    http://www.reliablecorporation.com/Contact-Us

    • Carpet Tape- Home Depot, Keele & St Clair. I know you can get double-sided carpet tape anywhere, but I found the absolute stickiest, strongest double-sided tape known to humanity here. "Robert's" brand. Mad sticky!

    • Humongous Ziplocks- Walmart, Zeller's, Home Hardware, etc. all carry these in L, XL and XXL.

    • Packtite- Just kidding! Stupid Canadian laws... grumble grumble...

    So, I think that's about it. Other things are pretty easy to come by. Home Hardware has triple-packs of silicone caulk that are cheap.. I can't think of anything else off the top off my weary head.

    Thanks to wchicago for the inspiration to compile a list of local resources.

    Cheers.

  2. wchicago

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    Posted 3 years ago
    Sat Jan 16 2010 1:06:59
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    Wow twitchy this is awesome! its scary how much new specialized knowledge of our respective cities we have now, isn't it? the secret society of bedbugs
    anyway, this rocks. i'm sure other bedbugged torontonians will be so grateful.
    nobugs was saying that she ultimately wanted to have city pages in the FAQs for city specific resources outside of NYC, glad we've got the ball rolling!
    and btw, i'm so gonna see if we have that "mad sticky" roberts brand tape stateside. my new nefarious plan for my sofa problem involves 6 mil vapor barrier sheeting, sticky tape, and ddvp. mysterious no? if it works, i'll update the board.

  3. twitchyscratchy

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    Posted 3 years ago
    Sat Jan 16 2010 15:53:47
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    wchicago... very intrigued by your couch plans!

    here's link to the tape company. i didn't see the carpet tape listed in its products, though. but they may only be advertising what they sell direct to contractors.

    http://www.robertsconsolidated.com/?q

    good luck!

  4. marigold

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    Posted 3 years ago
    Sat Jan 16 2010 23:18:59
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    Wow great post! My dad is joking about becomming a Packtite distributor in Canada when they are legal - the border guard suggested it to him. He was familiar with the product.

    Anyway, the only thing I can add for the moment is 99% alcohol in a vaporizing spray bottle is available in the pharmacy at Walmart on Dufferin. I usually avoid that store due to their labour practices but the $2 from this item won't be making or breaking them.

    I have a Reliable steamer and it drips water but their customer service reps were good and being located in Toronto helps since they offered that I could bring it in. Unfortunately I didn't find the time and just use a towel under the nozzel to catch the drips. If you were constanlty steaming the mattress this would be a bigger problem since it could lead to mould.

    Edit: One more resource is Toronto Public Health. So far no inspectors in my home have thought I had bedbugs but Toronto Public Health allows you to bring bedbugs in for identification by an inspector or etomologist. I did this the moment I finally caught something and they ID'd it as a bedbug. Unfortunately aside from their very useful website they don't offer much assistance. They were very friendly and non judgemental though. The website says you need an appointment but this is only because during the day inspectors are often out checking out resteraunts or emergencies. When I called they were confused, I don't think many people use this service and they do not actually book appointments. Inspectors are always in first thing in the morning (8:30-9:30) several were there when I arrived, after the first one ID'd they showed it to a few others who maybe don't see this often.

  5. Stevie

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    Posted 3 years ago
    Mon Mar 1 2010 15:05:06
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    twitchyscratchy, thanks so much for this list. I definitely need the DDVP strips and DE and didn't know where to look / am pressed for time. Thank you.

  6. Bite me

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    Posted 2 years ago
    Fri Aug 20 2010 2:47:37
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    Thanks Twitchy,
    I've been trying to figure out where to find DDVP strips, as I couldn't remember what they were called. Was about to drive to Buffalo to pick up all this stuff! Thanks for saving me the trouble!

  7. Bite me

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    Posted 2 years ago
    Mon Oct 11 2010 12:49:47
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    I have also found another resource.

    For those of us who are brand specific about mattress encasements, I found Mattress Safe from an Orkin PCO office in Scarborough. Very well priced and they were super nice there.

    I found that some of the other brands mentioned here are very expensive in Canada, and didn't get any better reviews than Mattress Safe.

  8. Newbie

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    Posted 1 year ago
    Thu Jun 23 2011 16:53:19
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    Wow, TwitchyScratchy thanks very much for the list.

    E


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