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The Lectos on Vacation, or, Thank you Bedbuggers!

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cilecto

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue May 31 2011 17:45:28
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Mrs. Lecto and I did a little traveling this past weekend. Checked into a mid-range national chain hotel in a small northeastern USA city. Inspected the bed. Peel back covers, check. Lift mattress, check. Peel back dust ruffle, bingo! 1 adult BB scurrying. Scoop up for evidence. Step back. Get more tissues, this time mixed with soapy water. Push mattress forward and check under headboard, three more BB. Take a breath. Check selves. Down to front desk. Explain to clerk. Courteous, apologetic. Gives us new room. Reinspect. Sheets, quilt, mattress, box spring, frame, headboard (with metrocard in the gap). Nightstands (drawers, behind, underneath), curtains. All clear. Felt filmy substance on surfaces, assume it's a pesticide, wash hands. Both relieved we left our gear in the tub. Go out for walk and dinner.

Thanks to all of you who helped make this moment possible.
spideyjg

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue May 31 2011 18:09:39
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Congrats on dodging the bullet.

I have to inspect in Ohio tomorrow. Will report in.

Jim
Nobugsonme

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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Jun 1 2011 2:08:05
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Wow, Ci.

I am so glad you caught that.

But I am curious why you kept going after you found bed bug #1!?!

Did you give the clerk the bug in a bag, or how did that pan out?
Nobugsonme

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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Jun 1 2011 2:14:37
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Oh, and good luck to you, Jim.
bed-bugscouk

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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Jun 1 2011 5:00:01
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Hi,

Great to hear and what a perfect illustration of the fact that it does not matter what research and investigation you do in advance its what you do when you get there that counts.

I would also say 1 bedbug found is enough to want to move rooms.

Well done though and its one of those posts that makes all the hard work and effort that so many put in well worthwhile.

David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited
cilecto

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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Jun 1 2011 9:14:51
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> But I am curious why you kept going after you found bed bug #1!?!

I don't get to catch BB every day, so I just kept going to practice my techniques.

> Did you give the clerk the bug in a bag, or how did that pan out?

I crushed the BB in wads of tissue and brought to the clerk. She acted courteous and empathetic. Said that the hotel has [big national PCO] check each room twice a month. Gave us keys to a second room and opportunity to inspect prior to moving.

It would have been smarter to do this with a baggie ready.

> Well done though and its one of those posts that makes all the hard work and effort that so many put in well worthwhile.

Amen.
Grateful for Help

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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Jun 1 2011 9:14:57
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YAY! That's great.

I have to say, I felt FABULOUS after inspecting my room in Chicago several weeks ago. While I did wish I had Mr. Cain's fashionable headgear, I think I did all right for a novice. I was hauling my mattresses around, feeling so empowered...

I'm thinking up a character for myself when I travel: 'Bed Bug Woman'...she will have a VERY amazing and effective costume including a mask with build in flashlight and two metallic acid green crossed bandoliers for holding such things a custom colored disposable gloves, flash light, custom ziplocs, tape dispenser, a spray bottle of lavender scented detergent water, and small business cards to hand to wondering bystanders before I zoom off. 'No, no, don't thank me, fellow hotel residents, it's all in a day's work! Remember, Good Night, Inspect Right, and don't let the Bed Bugs Bite!' Of course, this will be after I learn more about how to inspect correctly myself...

It's gonna be great, and I'll be sure to (never) send photos once the costume's done.

Cilecto, so glad you inspected. Very nicely done. Did you then list the hotel on the bed bug registry?

~Grateful for help
cilecto

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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Jun 1 2011 13:14:12
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Mrs. L was freaked and couldn't sleep. I slept like a rock (star). BB don't freak me out…just PCO prep instructions.

Grateful for Help - 3 hours ago » I'm thinking up a character for myself when I travel: 'Bed Bug Woman'...she will have a VERY amazing and effective costume including a mask with build in flashlight and two metallic acid green crossed bandoliers for holding such things a custom colored disposable gloves, flash light, custom ziplocs, tape dispenser, a spray bottle of lavender scented detergent water, and small business cards to hand to wondering bystanders before I zoom off. 'No, no, don't thank me, fellow hotel residents, it's all in a day's work! Remember, Good Night, Inspect Right, and don't let the Bed Bugs Bite!' Of course, this will be after I learn more about how to inspect correctly myself...
It's gonna be great, and I'll be sure to (never) send photos once the costume's done.
Cilecto, so glad you inspected. Very nicely done. Did you then list the hotel on the bed bug registry?
~Grateful for help

How about a "Terminator" style heads up display, scans the bug and reports......"Female, adult, impregnated, warning!", or "lady bug, sign of good fortune", with remote hookup to the usual suspects on the forum? And a Mark Sheperdigian vacuum snarfing device.

I have not posted to registry, yet. It raises some privacy concerns for my wife and me. Also, the hotel was very good about it and I'm unsure if a BB report, even with positive feedback, will be a "reward" that encourages "good citizenship" or a "ding" in spite of their having done the right thing.

spideyjg - 18 hours ago »
Congrats on dodging the bullet.
I have to inspect in Ohio tomorrow. Will report in.
Jim

May D-Force be with you
spideyjg

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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Jun 1 2011 13:56:40
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D,oh! Broght the P-5 flashlight and forgot the damn H-7 headlight I got specifically for inspections.

I am dumm sometimes.

Jim
bed-bugscouk

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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Jun 1 2011 16:08:14
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Do we need to make the brand of head torch I sport available online?

I use a wind up one because the last thing I want to do is run out of juice part way through an inspection, the hands free us also means that I can keep something to collect handy without needing to drop the light.

David
MyWorstFear

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Posted 2 years ago
Fri Jun 3 2011 13:53:39
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Wow that's impressive Cilecto! I also wondered why you kept looking after you found one. Tells Mrs. Cilecto she gets 5 stars for bravery, as I would have taken my bags and run out of there as fast as I could.
Thanks for the reminder about peeling back the dust ruffles, as I mistakenly figured if the bed passed the mattress and headboard "test", then it was all clear. Did you just kind of peek under the dust ruffle or did you have to remove the whole mattress to check? Usually when we are on a trip, Mr. MWF starts unpacking while I'm trying to inspect the darn bed because he refuses to feed into my paranoia. So I am unfortunately limited in what I can do all by myself.
Enjoy the rest of your trip!!!