Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Tools/ideas for fighting bed bugs
Stubborn mother.
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Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 46
Posted 2 months ago
Thu Sep 10 2009 9:10:16
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So the basis of the infestation is her sofa bed, which her disgusting (physically unkempt, unclean) junkie ex would sleep on for a year, and then, since she came home from the hospital last November, she stayed on --- it sickens me when the LL came to help remove the mattress (we're being treated today) and I inspected, I saw the infestion is literally the entire freakin' mattress and prolly the bed too--I had to stop at the mattress. Just looking without a flashlight I saw moltings, dead bb's (all life stages), so much staining and fecal matter... I literally got sick a few seconds later in the bathroom. I'm still nauseated.
I need advice---how do I convince her to get rid of the couch AND the mattress asap? She doesn't let go of anything and hoards hoards hoards. I'm starting to realize this problem won't leave as she won't properly do her laundry or follow any steps I've told her of (or that the PCO's sheet said to do) and won't get rid of anything, either.
I'm at a loss, and to be honest, I can't bring myself to stay here while she's letting the infestation go on. I'm sickened by this, and it isn't like I have alternate housing, either...
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Sorry to hear your plight. Maybe if you can dust -diatomaceous earth- all over her place they may slowly die and she can keep the couch and the mattress because if you throw them out, the new stuff will be immediately infected.
You could pay to cover the mattress and then dust inside and out of the mattress. You could buy the $55 steam cleaner at bedbugger.com and offer to do her mattress and couch. I love this video of it in action.
[Editor's note: Bed Bug Powder video deleted. The methods described in part two utilize dust in an unsafe manner and in unsafe locations. See here for an explanation.]
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spideyjg
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Posted 2 months ago
Thu Sep 10 2009 17:07:49
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Tell her a heavily infested sofa bed is a hopeless case. It really isn't but unless you have an ace PCO, thermal, or Vikane, it is hopeless. Toss it.
A baseboard jockey PCO will never eradicate them from that thing.
Jim
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cilecto
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Posted 2 months ago
Thu Sep 10 2009 17:36:07
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Before replacing the sofa bed, consider that the new one will likely be re infested in short order. Also, please hold off buying stuff to treat your problem. There's a lot of sub standard stuff being sold to desperate people who feel the need to act. Do your home work before applying ANYTHING. I don't know what you can really do about your mom. Consider what you can do to protect yourself, physically and mentally. Best of luck.
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cilecto
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Posted 2 months ago
Thu Sep 10 2009 17:58:49
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AFAIK, the video above over simplifies the work it takes to eradicate BB using steam. I am also suspicious of the steamer featured being up to the task. The vendor also has in the past acted in a questionable manner, suggesting that people use DE when they travel. BTW, if the narrator has solved his BB problem, why does he keep scratching his arm?
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spideyjg
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Posted 2 months ago
Thu Sep 10 2009 18:16:10
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cilecto - 16 minutes ago »
BTW, if the narrator has solved his BB problem, why does he keep scratching his arm?HAHAHAHAHAHA! Can't see the video until later but is it the same itchy narrator that did the BedBug Powder video?
Jim
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cilecto
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Posted 2 months ago
Thu Sep 10 2009 19:00:23
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spideyjg - 42 minutes ago »
cilecto - 16 minutes ago »
BTW, if the narrator has solved his BB problem, why does he keep scratching his arm?HAHAHAHAHAHA! Can't see the video until later but is it the same itchy narrator that did the BedBug Powder video?
JimNever seen that one. Really.
I have to grudgingly admire his technique. -
spideyjg
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Posted 2 months ago
Thu Sep 10 2009 20:38:12
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cilecto - 1 hour ago »
Never seen that one. Really.
I have to grudgingly admire his technique.It is the same itchy guy. See his other video.
Had to leave comments. ;)
Amorphous Silica or Diatomaceous Earth is what that stuff is and is an inhalation hazard per the CDC and NIOSH. Wear a P-100 respirator and only put where it cannot get airborne. Cracks and crevices not on the mattress.
Do your homework itchy man. Might want to reinspect your dwelling if you itch that much. Might have missed a nest or two.
Awful itchy for someone without BBs. You sure you are free of them?
Jim
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cilecto
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Posted 2 months ago
Thu Sep 10 2009 21:31:32
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Wanna see what steam treatment is really like? Try Jeff White's video on Bedbug Central
http://tv.bedbugcentral.com/index.php/2008/10/bbctv-episode-8-steam-treatment-for-bed-bugs/Index to all videos: http://tv.bedbugcentral.com/index.php/category/all/
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spideyjg
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Posted 2 months ago
Thu Sep 10 2009 21:40:05
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cilecto - 6 minutes ago »
Wanna see what steam treatment is really like? Try Jeff White's video on Bedbug CentralYep Jeff and BB Central TV is the video reference folks should refer to.
Notice he isn't itchy. Sign of BB success. ;)
Jim
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,547
Posted 2 months ago
Thu Sep 10 2009 23:01:40
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[Editor's note on cfockee's post above: Bed Bug Powder video deleted. The methods described in part two utilize dust in an unsafe manner and in unsafe locations. See here for an explanation.]
cfockee,
You should spend some time in the FAQs, especially the one about DE. So far your two posts have both recommended self treatment with DE (in the case of your post above, you're endorsing unsafe practices.)
Note: the video you posted has been posted a number of times before, several of them by a spammer with a connection to the company. There are good resources on DE, this just is not one of them. Try this instead:
[+] Embed the video Get the Video Widget -
your host
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Posted 2 months ago
Thu Sep 10 2009 23:34:40
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ghostbitten,
I don't know your mother or her situation, so this may not be accurate. If so, please disregard.
If she is hoarding, this can be a psychological problem, and if so, can be treated. Your mother may need help for this problem. A psychologist, therapist, MD or social worker may be of help and may in fact be necessary to help get you both through this. Because if she has bed bugs, some of this stuff may have to go -- heavily infested things, maybe; clutter that is unneeded, definitely: not because items comprising this clutter can't be salvaged so much as because having clutter can make it hard to treat for bed bugs.
In addition to everything I said in response to cfockee's suggestions, my understanding is that self-treatment or professional treatment cannot take place around hoarded clutter. It won't work.
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Joined: Sep '09
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Posted 2 months ago
Fri Sep 11 2009 20:01:40
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I'm aware hoarding is a psychological problem---I was diagnosed OCD myself as well as depression and anxiety. I know all about it ;) She won't believe me it's an issue or a mental disorder as she's even indenial about her alcoholism, so I don't know.
She's going on the advice of the quack PCO we had and not giving anything up. So I don't know. She's unpacking all her things now and still sleeping on the same couch, won't get rid of it and despite my telling her clutter will not help with treatment, she doesn't care.
Of course I guess this doesn't matter as the PCO claimed he's not coming back as we won't need another treatment. Fml.
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cilecto
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Posted 2 months ago
Sun Sep 13 2009 7:48:45
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Good morning, Ghostbitten. I hope you treatment helps. I gather that you're young. Do you live with your mom or does she live with you? If the apartment is "her" space, then you don't have much leverage to set ground rules for her behavior. (It's also easier for the LL and the PCO to ignore your concerns.)
While whatever her condition is may be treatable, she's not likely to change overnight, if at all. From what I know about children of people with disorders, they work their asses off trying to fix situations that can often not be helped, at a cost to their physical and mental well being.
So, as you fight this thing, look out for yourself. Accept that your control over mom and her space is limited. Protect your small space, the stuff that really matters, and yourself.
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Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 46
Posted 2 months ago
Sun Sep 13 2009 14:04:25
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Cil: It's our apartment. We're both on the lease. I'm doing all I can for my room. Later, once I'm sure the bugs are gone--at least from my room, I'll be tearing up the carpet and working to isolate just my bedroom. I live in it anyway, so it won't be that big a deal.
Also, ty :]
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cilecto
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Posted 2 months ago
Mon Sep 14 2009 21:43:25
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you're welcome. Check on the board. I recall discussion of how BB tend to be on edge of carpet, not the whole thing. If so (big "if"), it might actually be part of your defense to keep it.
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cilecto,
If bed bugs are living on the edge of the carpet, why would you not want to get rid of it? I am confused!
ghostbitten,
Sounds like a difficult situation. cilecto had good advice:
While whatever her condition is may be treatable, she's not likely to change overnight, if at all. From what I know about children of people with disorders, they work their asses off trying to fix situations that can often not be helped, at a cost to their physical and mental well being.
So, as you fight this thing, look out for yourself. Accept that your control over mom and her space is limited. Protect your small space, the stuff that really matters, and yourself.
Good luck with treatment and with your living situation in general.
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