Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed Bug Treatment
Someone in my building has them, and I am moving...HELP PLEASE!
(7 posts)-
sarahbm
newbite
Joined: Jun '11
Posts: 7offline
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Jun 20 2011 12:59:11
#
Login to Send PM
So about a month to a month and a half ago i was going to do laundry, and I found a ton of dead bed bugs in the lint filter of my bulding's dryers. I called the management company and they shut off the laundry room, inspected our apartments, and confirmed that someone in the apartment has an infestation. They did a preventative treatment of my apartment (they used Terminix, although I'm not sure what pesticide they used). The next day or two, I found one live bed bug on my dining room wall. I killed and bagged it, and they treated the wall again. No bed bugs were seen for about 2 weeks.
In the meantime, I bagged most of my clothes and put them in my car (my car has a black interior, and it's summer. It gets VERY hot in there and my mom suggested that this would kill any that were present). Then I saw a dead bed bug in my entry way. Called the landlord, but they didn't respond to the call. I figured at this point they were getting annoyed.
I have had many other issues with this apartment (plumbing, termites ,etc) so I requested to move in to a new building. I'm doing so in about a month.
BUT I found a dead bed bug in my hallway (in a cobweb) about a week ago and then last night and this morning found two live ones in my bathroom (of all places!) Now that I am finding live ones, I'm even more afraid to move and take some of the bugs with me. If the bed bugs were the only issue I might stay and save myself the hassle of moving. But I have constant plumbing issues, so for me there is not a lot of other options.
So, my question is how do I keep from getting bed bugs in my new apartment? I plan on inspecting small things like board games, knick knacks, and then putting them in my car for several hot days. But the main thing that concerns me is my furniture (couch, dining room, lazy boy, etc). I am going to buy encasements for my mattress and boxsprings and consult maintenance when they get here tomorrow.
Please help!!!!!
PS: I have not seen any in my bed nor have I gotten bit. I am very thankful for that!
-
your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,693offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jun 23 2011 13:06:02
#
Login to Send PM
Putting stuff in your car is not a reliable method. It's not just that the internal temperature has to get really hot and stay there, but the core temperature at the center of every item you place it would need to reach and maintain the high temperatures at its core.
If you want to heat treat small items, a Packtite is a really useful investment. (See this FAQ on the Packtite.)
-
your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,693offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jun 23 2011 13:07:58
#
Login to Send PM
As for furniture, this is even more difficult. Companies will treat a pod or truck of your stuff with heat or Vikane gas. People often do this en route. It is very pricey but can make sense if you would have to buy new items instead.
-
sarahbm
newbite
Joined: Jun '11
Posts: 7offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jun 23 2011 14:01:13
#
Login to Send PM
I have a thermometer in my car right now to see what the internal temp. gets. I also have a "remote" verson of the same thermometer in my trunk. Right now I am just using this to store my clothes so that the bedbugs don't get in them, or any that might have been in the clothes would die. When I called Orkin for advice, they said this was reliable, but I will use the thermometer to check!
Unfortunately, I can't afford a Packtite. But Terminix is coming to do a full spray of my apartment on Monday (today is Thursday) and last night I drenched my apartment in rubbing alcohol to try and kill any remaining bugs or eggs. I know that before they treat, I'm going to have to wash and dry all of my clothes, sheets, etc. and then I can store them in a Pod that my parents are paying for (I'm hoping that the internal temp. of this gets hot enough! Again I will be checking)
My plan is to spray every individual item and check it thoroughly, and then put it in my car for a day or two before moving it to the Pod. Hopefully all of these things will give me peace of mind. I'm also going to get encasements for my mattress and boxsprings, although I'm afraid they might rip in the move (I'm going to put them on while the items are in the pod). I am just a teacher who does not make enough money to spend a fortune. Thankfully my landlord is paying for treatments, but they will not pay for the encasements and I doubt they will pay for a heat treatment for the Pod. I can get a quote on this from Terminix, but I honestly can't afford it
-
sarahbm
newbite
Joined: Jun '11
Posts: 7offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jun 23 2011 15:48:28
#
Login to Send PM
Ok, so after reading all of the info on car treatment, this has me afraid that I have them in my car! I have been using this because I thought it was reliable....so I guess tomorrow when I get my Pod I'm going to start the "wash on hot and dry" process and then vaccuum my car, completely clean it, and spray it like crazy with Hot Shot. I hope this will kill off anything (I haven't seen any signs of them, but reading the threads has made me paranoid...even more than I already am). I am so TIRED of this!!!! More money, more time, and more anxiety. Thankfully I'm on summer vacay!
-
little bugger
newbite
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 18offline
Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 26 2011 16:18:58
#
Login to Send PM
You say you have not gotten bitten but you see bed bugs everywhere in your apartment and block?
Some people are not allergic to the bed bugs saliva. So maybe you are getting bitten but not having an allergic reaction?
Then the big problem is nearly over, if you have no itch and no bites, what is the problem?
Second keep checking all your furniture and possessions.
If you are vigilante you can stop the one or two bugs getting into your home from breading and creating an infestation.
I think your bed bug problem is coming from your neighbor you found one in the bathroom, must have crawled through a hole in the bathroom wall where there is a pipe. Go to your neighbors up stairs and down stairs and next to them.
Ask them if they have a problem.Look to see if the neighbors apartment is dirty of it an old person stays there.
They may have the source of the bugs.The best method is to search, clean, discard furniture, seal many items in plastic bags after heating them with water or air.
Then to remain ever vigilante.
This must be done in all the neighboring apartments.Pesticide is a secondary thing, it must be sprayed every two weeks for three times in all the apartments at the same time.
Yes buy your bed and couch encasement. do not take it off for two years.
all apartments should have encasement.
If the landlord is unhelpful, maybe you should move and discard 90% of your non fabric possessions. Or store for two years.
william
-
your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,693offline
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Jun 27 2011 1:25:11
#
Login to Send PM
little bugger - 9 hours ago »
You say you have not gotten bitten but you see bed bugs everywhere in your apartment and block?
Some people are not allergic to the bed bugs saliva. So maybe you are getting bitten but not having an allergic reaction?
Then the big problem is nearly over, if you have no itch and no bites, what is the problem?Little bugger,
If someone has bed bugs and does not react to bites, they still have a serious problem that needs to be dealt with.
Reply
You must log in to post.
