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Stop Bugging Me! Spray, also Indiana PCOs
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BedBugMurderer
newbite
Joined: Aug '12
Posts: 21offline
Posted 10 months ago
Thu Aug 2 2012 19:00:36
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Does anyone know of any reliable reviews for this product? I can only find a few reviews done by individual consumers. The Stop Bugging Me website claims it's proven to be "100% effective by independent laboratories" at killing and repelling bed bugs and their eggs. Does anyone know any published entomology studies or anything out there that confirms this company's claims?
Terminix will be coming in a few days to rid my home of these basturdly creatures, although they say they only need to do three rooms (living room, and bedrooms) with a combination of methods, and say one treatment is probably enough. I am not so certain. I plan on moving once they are finished, and even though they say there is no need to toss my couch and loveseat (where they found a couple), I am too afraid to take them to my new residence, and plan to toss them anyway, for my own peace of mind. In addition to washing everything in hot water and/or tossing in dryer for 30 minutes, would it be helpful to spray down the remaining furniture and belongings with this product, before moving it to the new place, i.e. everything in the dining room, which they won't be treating? -
cilecto
oldtimer
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 3,869offline
Posted 10 months ago
Thu Aug 2 2012 19:36:14
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There are 3 SBM products:
Spray: Based on material safety data sheet (below), it's a mix of essential oils and detergents. This sounds like a contact killer: This means that bugs you spray directly will be killed on contact, but that the product will not kill bugs who are in hiding and come out to walk over the sprayed surface once it's dry.
They claim that it kills eggs. It's beyond my expertise to discuss this particular product, but experts on the forum and in the literature have repeatedly said that few chemicals in current use will reliably kill eggs. Experts also advise that most "essential oils" are not particularly effective beyond serving as contact killers.
Max: This is a pyrethroid (ie, conventional "pesticide" spray). Its active ingredient - Esfenvalerate - is used in the "pro" product "Onslaught.
Laundry additive: The most important thing you can do to kill BB and eggs in the laundry is to run them through the dryer. Experts on the forum regularly advise that no additives are needed in the wash. (Clean, dry clothes, even dry-cleanables, can be loaded directly in the dryer and run through with less stress and minimal damage.)
Your preparations should be in concert with your pro's instructions. Spraying some products could result in scattering your problem. If you need immediate relief, I'd vacuum (toss the bag or wash the cup in hot, soapy water) and/or use a non-pesticide spray: You can fashion one from dish liquid and water. or 91% alcohol (careful about fire) or, if you're in the mood for it, a "green, designer" product, like the oneyou asked about.
Our FAQ can provide you with an excellent introduction to what you need to know about bed bugs.
For more information, "Stop Bugging Me's" website is here. Warning: Turn down your audio.
http://stopbuggingme.com/ -
BedBugMurderer
newbite
Joined: Aug '12
Posts: 21offline
Posted 10 months ago
Thu Aug 2 2012 19:46:59
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Thanks, Cilecto, for your advice. I was considering the laundry additive, too, in addition to the commercial-grade spray, so I will just save what little money I will have left after the Terminix bill!
I'm so thrilled to have found this site, and experts like you, to give of your time to help those of us burdened with this horrendous problem! Thank you! I've learned more than I ever planned on knowing about the little buggers.
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cilecto
oldtimer
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 3,869offline
Posted 10 months ago
Thu Aug 2 2012 19:54:53
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Reading a little deeper into your first post, I'd see how well the PCOs do before determining what you need to do before moving. If they solve your infestation, then little or no action would be needed on your "things", while if they do not appear to be effective, spraying contact killers, or even "pesticides" may well not be enough. (There are techniques for insuring a bug-free move.)
Regarding laundry: If you are moving (and suspect or know there's an ongoing infestation), running things through the dryer (or a PackTite or the like) is a smart step. If you are treating "in place", it's less important, and to be done only to the extent mandated by the PCOs (not all require it, here's why).
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BedBugMurderer
newbite
Joined: Aug '12
Posts: 21offline
Posted 10 months ago
Thu Aug 2 2012 21:10:47
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To be honest, my review of Terminix is mixed, at this point. Yesterday I had it inspected by Arab Pest Control. Today, Terminix came out and confirmed that there are bedbugs. On the plus side, the Terminix tech who came out seemed well-informed (to someone like me with limited knowledge), and was a little more thorough in his inspection than Arab. ( I live in the greater Indianapolis area.) He said it would cost only $800 to treat my problem, and I could feel secure after one treatment, compared to the $1200 Arab said it would cost for 3 separate treatments. Local reviews of this company on Angie's List give an overall B score, although not a single review had anything to do with bedbugs, so I have no idea what their local success is with this problem. He also said they have a 90 day guarantee on their work, and I can call them anytime between 14 days after initial treatment, up to 90 days, and they would come and treat my NEW place, at no extra charge, and treat it as well, at not extra charge, even if I don't see any evidence of a problem. (I am a renter, and my current dwelling will have no new tenants to treat, as the landlord plans to sell it.) They said it's in the contract. That makes me feel tremendously better about using them.
However, I haven't seen any reviews of this branch in relation to bedbugs. I see lots of negative reviews about other Terminix branches about their bedbug treatment in other states, though, and I know I shouldn't go by those reviews, as they are all managed by different persons, but do they not use the same formula nation-wide to treat bedbugs? I don't know. My inspector said they use a combination attack.. it included chemicals, freezing? and I forget what else. But he claims they have much success. YET, he won't treat ALL rooms!. Only the bedrooms, and the living room, the only room he, or the Arab guy, found to have live bedbugs.. they both found them in the couch. That is really scary to me, that they won't treat the entire home, but just the "hotspots". It also worries me that he didn't do a THOROUGH inspection..like taking off wallplates, looking inside the boxsprings, etc.. He looked for direct evidence only.. as there are no obvious bloodstains, etc.. but once he found a live bug, in the couch, he spent little time in the other rooms.
I don't feel completely secure in moving my stuff now, and will toss the living room stuff, regardless. They said they will provide mattress encasements, but I am worried about them not treating the entire house. I am currently doing the never-ending washing/drying/bagging of everything, in preparation for his return, and plan on thoroughly vacuuming every crack and crevice tomorrow, after buying new vacuum bags and seeing if I can find some DE to add to the bag. But I worry it won't be enough, even if they agree to treat my new place.
Bed bugs must the most exhausting and emotionally traumatic "bug issue" I think must exist! out there! It's like a frickin' Biblical plague on us, or so it seems to those of us in the midst of it. I take back every bad thing I ever said about head lice.
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