Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Reader questions (do not fit into other categories)
Terrified - please help with first steps.
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cincybug
newbite
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 19offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 13:04:08
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Ok, my neighbors definitely have these bugs, and I believe I do as well, despite no bites thus far. I lifted up my mattress and saw a dead one and a live one - I'm pretty sure they were BBs. From the FAQs, I know I should wash all my clothes on hot, dry in dryer for 1-2 hrs, and put in zip loc bags. Other possessions are unbagged. I'm going to call the landlord ASAP. If I sleep over at my boyfriend's place, I won't take anything inside except a ziplock of clean clothes.
What other first steps should I take? I just want to get a PCO in here to get rid of this! Oh, someone said to get some of the bugs between two pieces of tape, so I'll do that.
Truly, I can NOT sleep there. I can't. I know, I know, I know, it's against the rules, and I could spread the bugs. I just can't sleep there until it's been treated. I am buying the mattress cover recommended here, but I just can't bring myself to go to sleep with these things. Does anyone have advice on learning to live with it? I know I can't sleep at bf's forever. Right now, I'm just shocked and scared.
On the upside, I have no carpet, and a bed and papasan chair are my only furniture items that have fabric. I have lawn chairs, and army trunk, a rocking chair, wooden tables, and a wooden desk. Wouldn't be the end of the world to replace them.
I have a couple big questions:
1) For Cincinnati, OH (yes, read the blog articles) does the landlord or the tenant pay for the exterminator? (ie: ok, they're vermin, now who pays?)
2) If I am bagging my clothes, do I have to throw out the bag after I take the clothes out of it (ie: wash clothes, put in bag, take out to wear - - then what do I do with the bag? Can I reuse them if I wash them?)
3) What vacuum should I get? I have only wood and linoleum floors, but I need something to vacuum the mattress and for everyday on the floors, since sweeping isn't going to do it anymore.Please, please help.
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lieutenantdan
oldtimer
Joined: Apr '07
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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 14:16:59
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I recommend buying a steamer. See this site for information about steaming. I have recently posted the type of steamer that I have. Battling the bugs take much work and determination and chemical treatments by a professional. Most people freak out about bed bugs this is normal. Do not replace furniture until you speak with a professional, in most cases most furniture does not need to be tossed. If you do toss furniture you drag the furniture throughout the house which may spread eggs and bugs plus if you replace furniture your new furniture runs a risk of infestation. Do throw out bags, of course, this is common sense. If you wash clothes and seal them them than maybe not. It all depends on and where you store the bags, try plastic bins that have a tight seal.
I cannot stress enough that you do need a professional exterminator if you in fact do have bed bugs. Best of luck. -
hatinglife
newbite
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 26offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 14:36:03
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thanks dan, can you please post the name of the steamer you used?
i read that plastic containers don't have a tight enough seal and am using bags. but they pose their own problems. very thick bag and it's hard to guarentee tight closure and too thin, they tend to rip easily.thanks again for any recommendations.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,720offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 15:56:36
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The Cincinnati city bed bug hotline is 591-6000 and they should be able to advise you on your rights as a tenant re: bed bugs. Honestly, they're very cryptic about this in their brochures, which is why we don't yet have info in our FAQs.
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cincybug
newbite
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 19offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 17:09:46
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Update - my landlord is going to exterminate the whole building next week. In the meantime, who can recommend a brand of plasticware to put all my clothes in? I'll try to find the brand of the steamer someone mentioned below. Thanks, and please keep the advice coming. I hope we can nip this in the bud (I know, fat chance
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cincybug
newbite
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 19offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 17:10:40
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Also - I called the Cincy health dept - landlords are responsible for paying. The hotline actually referred me to a secondary number, which confirmed.
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hatinglife
newbite
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 26offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 20:54:16
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?? Sorry, am not finding a particular brand of steam cleaner posted on this thread and couldn't find it listed in a previous post, either.
anyone know of a good one?
thanks! -
belle72
junior member
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 104offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 21:48:16
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In this thread lieutenantdan referenced this one:
I'm sure it's not the top of the line, but you have to have SOMETHING. I am not experienced in this, but I guess someone who was careful and diligent using the above steamer could do about as well as someone using a fancy one, only not being as careful and thorough. And I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
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belle72
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Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 104offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 21:50:13
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Edit to say, scroll down halfway...it's the Rowenta one.
OT - am I blind or is there no way to edit our own posts here????
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lieutenantdan
oldtimer
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1,222offline
Posted 4 years ago
Thu Jul 3 2008 11:58:48
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Steamer.
http://www.shoprowenta.com/detail/ROW+IS1430/Pro_Compact_Steamer
Yes, you can spend allot more money on a steamer and if you can you should but I found that this steamer works well and the price is good. Do not over-steam because it has been stated that one can create mold. After you steam if you put on an air conditioned this should help keep the humidity down and hopefully keep mold in check.
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