Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed Bug Success Stories
success!
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arielh85
newbite
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 17
Posted 1 month ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 20:38:43
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Hey all,
I was so depressed when I first logged on here a few weeks ago, and all the tales of woe here convinced me that I would be stuck with bed bugs for many months, if not years. But less than a month after my bed bug saga began, I am (fingers crossed) bed bug-free. Disclaimer: I realize not everyone can just pick up, move, and ditch their furniture. I was fortunate enough to be able to.
My saga began about 3 and a half weeks ago. I was already planning to move to a new apartment when I discovered some strange bites. My landlord called Orkin (don't EVER call them), and sure enough, eggs were in my bed frame and bed bugs were in my mattress. So I panicked, cried, etc. and then got to the dirty work. I ordered tons of big zip locs, got a pack tite, and had Orkin spray my room, to no avail. So I started throwing out furniture in preparation for my move -- basically everything except a small lamp. I slept on the same mattress until the day I left.
I tried to get Orkin to come back for a follow-up 2 weeks later (I was still being bitten like crazy), but they kept missing appointments. I eventually just gave up since I was moving anyway, and about a week before my move, started methodically drying, bagging, and packtiting everything I owned. I moved in 2 stages, both times by stripping in front of the dryer, putting on fresh clothes, sticking my shoes in the packtite beforehand, throwing them out the door , and then putting them on outside. The day after I moved (Oct. 4), I had a Pestec bed bug dog come (great PCO here in the Bay Area) and got the all clear. I felt great...until a few days ago when I started getting bitten. But the bites somehow weren't the same as my previous bites. Still, I freaked out and called Pestec for a follow-up, and once again got the all clear from the dog. Turns out I have a spider infestation in the phone jack behind my bed! Now *that* I can deal with.
So yes, there is hope. And not just for those who can afford heat treatment or Vikane.
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soscared
newbite
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 113
Posted 1 month ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 21:19:10
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Congratulations! I am happy for you and jealous, as I sit and type on a folding chair after having thrown out my couch. :)
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stevebeast
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 32
Posted 1 month ago
Thu Oct 15 2009 21:22:45
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I dont know if i would call walking away from everything but a lamp a success.
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She has her life back. Who cares about furniture.
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arielh85
newbite
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 17
Posted 1 month ago
Fri Oct 16 2009 2:42:43
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It was a success for me...I mostly had old Salvation Army furniture, so it wasn't a big deal to toss it.
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you say dont call ORkin that is who I am having come out to my house and treat!!BUT, I live in the south where things are way differnt!! I have had several long talkes with them. they explained to me along with othershere in the forums that this process is long and tedias I actially have decided to go with Orkin!! I am also going to sign a year long lease with them I know I cant have them at my beck ancallBut I have confidence that i will get them to come back!! I will be paying monthly, what I have also found out is that they use differnt chemicals for the differnt bugs!! I would like to know more about you treatments with orkin!!how long after your treatment with Orkin did you start getting bites and seeing them again!! And how big was your infestation!!
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oh by the way do you know that the BB can go dormant for up to 18 months!!
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senior member
Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 596
Posted 1 month ago
Fri Oct 16 2009 9:16:46
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watkinsnewan - 1 hour ago »
oh by the way do you know that the BB can go dormant for up to 18 months!!They don't go "dormant" and they will not live for 18 months either.
In the home with a host... you would be very lucky (or unlucky) to see one live 10 months. When you hear about a bug living 18 months, this was done by a controlled study.
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spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,405
Posted 1 month ago
Fri Oct 16 2009 9:43:19
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watkinsnewan - 1 hour ago »
oh by the way do you know that the BB can go dormant for up to 18 months!!Just to add to what KQ said the lifespan under starvation conditions is very temperature dependent and the longest survival in that study, 484.9 days was at a constant 50F and at 99F the longest survival was only 37 days.
Most homes have climate control and will always be above 70 so 18 months is out. The longest survival at 64F was 277 days. 80F was 86 days.
Jim
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thanks for adding that!! I needed that info !!
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