Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Reader questions (do not fit into other categories)
Steam Clean Car Interior
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kimesque
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Oct 22 2007 13:35:56
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Hi all! I've been fighting my bedbugs off for a month; lucky for me my apt. management has been AMAZING (exterminators were in asap)--but now I've noticed the only place I get bit is in my car....so what do you guys think about steam cleaning my car interior? I've talked to my PCO and he said that a No pest strip could handle whatever I've got left in the car--I've put one in (and drive with my windows down to air it out when I'm in here) and it's helped; but I want to make sure I've covered all my bases (and I don't want to reinfest my apartment after the treatment is over!
I've resorted to treating my interior with the Bayer Home Pest control (Tempo Ultra).Any tips?
Thanks! -
lieutenantdan
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Oct 22 2007 13:56:47
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kimesque,
I have steamed my car three times, only carpet and seats. I am not positive what a pest strip is but if it is what I think it is it will not work unless a bug happens to cross it. -
your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Oct 22 2007 15:04:52
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kim,
How do you know you are being bitten in your car? Is it from getting a feeling like a bite in the car? Because most people feel bites from several hours to a day or more after being bitten, not actually when it happens. -
kimesque
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Oct 22 2007 17:14:53
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I've definitely been in my car for long periods of time since this ordeal began (overnight; 2 hour road trips) and have noticed bites while away from my apartment; the bites have been localized to my driving hand (coincidence? paranoia? {maybe?}) --so I'm thinking it has to be my car.
I react quickly/immediately; I generally notice bites right away when I wake up; and later on the in the day after I've been in my car I haven't been bitten in my apartment in the last few days (knock on wood). I've definitely felt some sort of biting sensation in the car; but I've never caught a bug in the act. Sigh.
Lt. Dan: has steam cleaning your car worked for you? (peace of mind? less bites etc?)
No Pest strip: Smelly air-thingy that hangs; not sure if it's doing me any good other then giving me a headache
I trust my pco; so we'll see..! However I'm thinking the steamcleaning might give me peace of mind?!!!!!!! or mold. -
oldtimer
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Oct 22 2007 17:56:23
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At PestWorld a researcher said they are going to investigate the use of pest strips for use with bed bugs. Sounds like an interesting approach.
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Oct 22 2007 19:41:09
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Thanks Kim. It does sound like the car. Odd they would bite your hand which is moving. Cars do get infested and some PCOs will treat them. If yours won't, they can often tell you who will. It might be worth looking into. Some have self-treated, though this seems tricky to me.
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mrbill0626
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Oct 22 2007 23:58:03
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Kim:
If you'll google No-pest strip,(I think that's the Hot Shot No-pest strip you're talking about) you'll get a web page of the product with some detailed info and a toll-free number to call if you have questions, plus they give you a web site address to contact them by e-mail. Just click the Contact us button at the bottom of that page. I sent them an e-mail and asked if this strip will kill bed bugs and the eggs. So we'll see.
Bill
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Oct 23 2007 0:58:38
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It sounds from Doug's comment as if researchers are still working on developing the strips for bed bugs.
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oldtimer
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Oct 23 2007 8:47:55
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Nobugs
The researcher was responding to a question after his presentation. He was not endorsing the use of pest strips, just a statement that he was going to investigate the approach. Currently, this is not a labeled use for the product.Given that we do not have new products coming into the market, the identification of an existing product that may be useful is a positive development.
I am concerned that Kimesque is complaining of headaches that seem to be related to the presence of the pest strips.
Kimesque
Mold is a real possibility if excess moisture builds up in the vehicle. Care should be taken to limit the amount of water that is used & I would suggest the use of fans and/or dehumidifiers to dry out the vehicle as quickly & thoroughly as possible.If you decide to utilize steam, consider using a commercial grade steamer that utilizes "dry steam". Commercial steamers use a pressure chamber & higher temperatures to produce a hotter steam with less water content.
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Oct 23 2007 13:23:13
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I have been hearing for a long time now pest control people talking about steaming and mold. I have steamed many a time and I do not understand this mold talk. At times I wonder if they are discouraging people because being pro-active and steaming may eventually take money out of the pest control industries pockets, excuse for my skepticism but we all know how the world works these days. As for mold in cars a good precaution is that on a clear dry day take the car out for a good long spin with the windows down or put on the AC this should work unless you live in a swamp. Professional steamers cost allot of money, I use a SHARK steamer from Bed, Bath and it cost me $40.00.
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Oct 23 2007 15:13:37
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LtDan,
Doug does not make money from applying pesticides or other treatments, to my knowledge. So I don't think that's where he's coming from.
Mold is bad news and can cause serious health problems. Damp wood (in homes), damp floors or seats (in cars) can all be big trouble.
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Oct 23 2007 17:07:19
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nobugsonme,
I never mentioned Doug nor did I mean to include Doug and I do not believe that I did but one has to acknowledge that the Pest Control Industry is like many industries and the dollar amount is what counts. I never experienced this damp wood and mold that people mention. I would love to see more precise information on that. I guess that if a person has a very damp home to begin with then of course one should think more about it but would some occassional steaming in an average environment produce a serious mold problem I steamed and no I do not believe that I created a mold problem.Doug, I have read much of your writing and I believe that you know your stuff. I just wanted you to know that I was not including you in my opinion.
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oldtimer
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Oct 23 2007 23:24:16
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LtDan
Thank you for the compliment, I enjoy reading your posts & appreciate the information that you contribute to the forum.
In general it takes about 48-72 hours for significant mold growth to occur in wet building materials. Mold is almost always due to excess moisture. The key is to get the material completely dried out within 72 hours. Under low humidity conditions like an air conditioned indoor space the materials usually dry out quickly.
The problem would occur if the car was closed up while the interior is still wet. Use of fans on a low humidity day or running the car with the A/C on may be sufficient depending on how much water is utilized during the steam treatment. If the outdoor humidity is elevated, then a dehumidifier would be useful as well.
I suggested a commercial steamer only because it uses less water & produces hotter steam. The key variable is the amount of water that is applied.
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kimesque
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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Oct 24 2007 23:34:29
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Thanks all for your advice and info! I believe the No Pest Strip is helping in my car; though I'll probably get it steam cleaned by the end of this week--the headache was more hypothetical
I drive with my windows down to air out the vapors; and I'll definitely keep you guys updated on whether this helps or not.
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