Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Tales of Bed Bug Woe
TRAVEL HORROR STORY
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ThanksForTheMemories
newbite
Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 2offline
Posted 5 years ago
Wed Oct 17 2007 23:28:17
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I spent a week in NYC. That was two weeks ago. I was ignorant, and ignored the red welts begining on the first night in the hotel. Since I came home, I've been ichy, finding red points on my body. Called a PCO in on Monday, he looked and didn't find anything, but said that from the bites it is BBs. I was skeptical, but booked an extermination (he will be using Tempo) for the following week. I called my mother, who laughed and said she had lived through my sister and I having nits, and the house having fleas, and that we would be alright. We casually started the prep-work... not leaving the house without a shower and clothes that had been in the dryer for 20 minutes. My purse is now not in use, and one pair of shoe's have been through the dryer in a pillow case.
I bagged linens while practically naked, then taking them to the laundry mat, shoving them immediately into washers, throwing away the bags, washing on high heat with soap and borax (and bleach where possible), drying them bone dry and more, and then packing them away in the big zippies.
Tonight I found two bugs siting on the bottom of my white metal bedframe. Needless to say, I am now freaking out. I have written the on-line agent I used to book the trip to inform them. I don't expect they will do anything for me personally, but I demanded they stop offering the hotel on their website.
I am snapping at my family... I've been reading this site for the past few days, and now I am frustrated with those I need to "educate" really quickly now that I have proof. No, we can't just do that... no, we can't do this... no, finding a few and getting rid of them doesn't mean everything's okay! You can't see germs, can you, but enough of them can kill you! No, you can't be too careful!
I even called my PCO tonight at 10 p.m. to say I had found one, and ask what should I do. He calmed me down and said we could move the extermination day up, but that there would be no difference between Saturday or Monday. He was very nice, and said I could call any time.
This is so costly... extermination is going to be $400-something (he gave me a one year guarantee. there will be two spraying to begin). I've ordered the mattress covers for all the beds. Last night's laundry cost over $50, and was maybe 1/3 of what I need to do. I bought a new HEPA vaccuum ($500)and the bags to do every nook and cranny. There are pillows, etc. The costs are momentary pains. I tell myself that it will mean a nice clean, clutter free place... When was the last time I read those books on my shelves anyways -- won't I be fine without them for a year and a half? I'm telling myself to treat it like a big happy refreshing spring (fall, actually) cleaning, and thank goodness I can currently afford it.
But I am afraid. I am afraid now to sleep. Waking up with ichy bites didn't stop me from going to bed, but seeing the bugs does. I am afraid I may have already inadvertantly infected friends and family... those who are not as easily in the position, financially or otherwise, to deal with it.. or those who have a bigger place than me, and with more stuff. I am afraid that if I can see them, it's much worse and will be harder. I am afraid when my PCO tells me the bites could get worse between the first and second spraying as they are drawn out. I am afraid when people say you can't get rid of them.
I have lots of questions, but I think I'll read up on the forums first before I post. I wanted to vent. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for this website.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,717offline
Posted 5 years ago
Wed Oct 17 2007 23:56:59
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Thanks,
So sorry for your trouble.
Please read the FAQs http://bedbugger.com/faqs and let us know if you have questions. (If they're about something on the FAQs, ask in the comments there, so it's kept together.)
You should leave a review of the hotel on tripadvisor.com so others will be warned.
Find out what your PCO will be using besides tempo--usually it takes a combination of substances to kill these monsters.
And take heart, it will be gone soon.
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nightshirt
senior member
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 454offline
Posted 5 years ago
Thu Oct 18 2007 16:12:33
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you absolutely can and do get rid of them. it is just a matter of how long it will take you. and that depends on many variables like how large an infestation, are you following protocol EXACTLY, is the pco coming every 12-14 days until you have no more bites for at least about maybe 3 weeks (the pco needs to do that) are you bagging clothes, changing the moment you get home, etc. all these things you need to do to get rid of them. diligence and hard work. i think everyone thinks that they will be living with them forever, and 99.9999999999999% of the time they dont.
so cheer up. and end will be in sight. it is a pain in the ass. and wallet but you will WIN THIS WAR. i promise. from a survivor living bb free!
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TorontoBugged
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Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 157offline
Posted 5 years ago
Fri Oct 19 2007 0:34:02
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ThanksForTheMemories,
Could you please advise which hotel you booked?
I was thinking of going to NY but these stories have me worried.
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ThanksForTheMemories
newbite
Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 2offline
Posted 5 years ago
Fri Oct 19 2007 1:18:05
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NBON - Thank you. I will ask about the combo approach when I speak with my PCO next. I know he will be using tempo in some areas, and something else for the couch I'd like to be able to keep. He expressed concern about the woodflooring in my place... old house, old flooring, lots of cracks. As I am in Canada, I don't know how our pesticide regulations differ from yours. I do have some questions.. (like, do you get more noticable bites from bugs that are further along in the 5 stage developmental process? And when exactly do they start to reproduce... only when they're full adults?) I'll go to the faq page and post them for answers/discussion... but time is precicious before exterminaton day. My visit here tonight is really procrastination before going to bed.
NS - You give me hope. I need to not forget about reading the success stories. My PCO has booked the two dates with me already. This Monday and then Thursday November 15. I will be speaking with him about moving it to November 12, which is the earliest by law that he can come back. Aparently where I am, and it was vouched by another PCO company, they can only treat a residecnce every 21 days. In the mean time I have been preparing in the evenings (You never realize just how much stuff you have, do you, until something like this!) but trying to live my regular daytime life. I'm very careful about what goes in and out of the house, and about my clothes and toiletry. I found a shedding (or what I'm pretty sure is one, kept it for the PCO) in my hair the other day, so I am now super fastidious about bathing before I leave. I'm also collecting the "poppy seeds" I'm finding in the mornings now that i changed to white sheets, and have had my first smear show up on the sheets.
TB - hello fellow canadian... yes, isn't a great time to go south while our dollar is so strong? I stayed at the Hotel Riverside Studios in the Upper West End. It is a rooming house gradually being converted into a hotel, or so I have read from trip advisor. I feel so stupid... When you wake up with strange marks, why not try and do something about it? My friend and I were just in such a hurry to get out and see the city. Why didn't we take pictures of the marks in addition to the Empire State Building???
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TorontoBugged
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Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 157offline
Posted 5 years ago
Fri Oct 19 2007 18:14:49
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ThanksfortheMemories,
Yeah, I can imagine it ruins your perception and memories of NYC when the aftermath is dealing with an infestation for months and months.
But at least you got to see NYC and it sounds like you had fun. Most people in the world aren't so lucky. And hindsight is 20/20. Plus at least you know where you got yours from. Its a little worse not knowing for sure because you're always worried it could happen again.
I think that the kindest thing anyone can do for friends and family who are planning to travel anywhere is to give them info package on how to look for and handle any infestations while they are on their trips. If they bring the bbs back home, it's too late. And ultimately, they could make the trip back from them to you - again!
Hopefully, all travellers will be informed enough down the road to see that bed bug precaution should be a natural preparatory step for travel.
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nomorebugs
junior member
Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 115offline
Posted 5 years ago
Fri Nov 2 2007 1:55:57
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ThanksForTheMemories,
Very well stated. We all know how you feel. Please post more if you have time.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,717offline
Posted 5 years ago
Sat Nov 3 2007 3:55:58
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Thanks, FWIW, the people who can't get rid of them are often (even usually) from multi-unit buildings where the bed bugs are coming from neighbors and keep coming because the neighbors are not (all) (properly) treated.
If you got them in NYC and are in a single family home or are the only person with them in the multi-unit building, then a GOOD PCO should be able to get rid of them pretty well and pretty quickly.
The possibility always exists that you had them at home and did not notice them until the trip. It is probably not the case, but does happen so is worth keeping in mind, and most cities in Canada have lots of bed bugs too.
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