Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » General Topics
Vacuum infested by BBs?
(9 posts)-
bedbugsenigma
junior member
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 99offline
Posted 5 years ago
Thu Feb 7 2008 20:24:32
#
Login to Send PM
Hello,
I am reading the newly printed Bed Bug Handbook and I found that bugs and eggs can get caught in the ridges of the vacuum hose so a vacuum can easily become infested (p. 143). It also says that some technicians end the job vacuuming a small amount of diatomaceous earth or other kind of insecticide "to kill bed bugs in the vacuum," but it does not specify if this would kill any bugs and eggs that may have gotten caught in the ridges of the hose. Any idea?
Thanks,
Anna -
lieutenantdan
oldtimer
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1,222offline
Posted 5 years ago
Fri Feb 8 2008 11:22:43
#
Login to Send PM
It has been said that about bags but that is the first I have heard about a hose.
Dr.Pollack from Harvard told me that with a good vacuum eggs and bugs will die from the trauma of the impact of being sucked-up. On my hepa bags I would duct tape the hole when not in use but at first I threw out many a bag. I have sucked-up DE after using but I think that stuff may eventually harm the vacuum or maybe not. I think anything is possible with these bugs. -
bedbugsenigma
junior member
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 99offline
Posted 5 years ago
Fri Feb 8 2008 23:29:28
#
Login to Send PM
Thanks, Dan. I bought a really expensive and powerful Miele vacuum before reading about the hose problem and now I don't know what to do.. I am obsessed with damaging it but I know that vacuuming is essential. My old vacuum is a canister model and the part that serves the purpose of the bag in my new vacuum is way too expensive to be replaced every time ($35). Should I use my Miele vacuum but no DE and throw away the bag every time?
-
lil_bit_obsessed
senior member
Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 493offline
Posted 5 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 3:19:26
#
Login to Send PM
i'm having the same problem, do i use the 20 dollar hepa bags (good to protect my lungs from DE dustyness), but not throw them out each time? or do i use the cheaper bags and dispose with each vacuuming session? i opted to use the cheaper ones and chuck them each time, as a precaution.
as for the hose, i hesitate even giving this advice... but here goes:
after every vacuuming session i remove the bag, seal it in a plastic garbage bag and immediately throw it out. i then inspect the inside of the vacuum, to make sure nothing escaped the bag. i then remove the hose and floor attachment and put them in the tub filled with steaming hot water. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT do this if your hose has wiring, or the floor attachment is an electric vacuum beater. my vacuum is canister style, with just the hardwood floor suction attachment, and it has NO wiring on the hose or floor attachment. it is safe for me to get the hose and attachment wet, as long as i allow it to thoroughly dry before using it again. if however the vacuum has any wiring or electrical parts on the hose attachments, you wouldn't have that option since you could potentially electrocute yourself by wetting those parts.
i would definitely throw out the bag every time. and if your vacuum has decent suction i'm not sure how likely it is that the bugs would get trapped in the hose... unless of course there are things blocking the hose, which is a whole other matter.
-
bedbugsenigma
junior member
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 99offline
Posted 5 years ago
Sun Feb 10 2008 16:35:28
#
Login to Send PM
Thanks lil. My hose has no wiring but I wonder if steaming water would be enough. I think that hot water from the tap is 120 F instead of 175 F, which is the temp to kill bbs. Plus it should be 175 F for 5 minutes and I imagine it would be hard to keep the hose and floor attachment immersed in hot water at that constant temperature. I got this information (175 F x 5 min) from the Bed Bug Handbook (Pinto & Associates, 2007, p. 162). Any ideas? How do you measure the temperature of hot water from the tap?
-
Anonymous
Unregistered
Posts: 1,455offline
Posted 5 years ago
Thu Feb 14 2008 11:55:12
#
Login to Send PM
BBE, I believe you are mistaken about the temperatures.
If you are referring to the 175dF dryer test done by Michael Potter, it is reasonable that the higher the temperature, the faster an organism dies. It does not mean that it must be 175dF or bedbugs won't die.
The thermal death point of bedbugs is 45dC/113dF. Boiling water is 100dC/212dF.
Another dryer experiment in England showed that at 45dC for at least a half hour, all life stages died.
See the FAQ: http://bedbugger.com/2007/05/18/dryer/
-
bedbugsenigma
junior member
Joined: Feb '08
Posts: 99offline
Posted 5 years ago
Thu Feb 14 2008 22:33:47
#
Login to Send PM
Great 'nomo. Thank you so much! It does get confusing with all these numbers.. So to recap:
175dF x 5 min
113dF x 30 min
The question then would be how to maintain the temperature level for a long time in the tub. Adding boiling water perhaps and monitoring every 5 minutes.. What a nightmare though!
-
prayforamiracle
member
Joined: Apr '08
Posts: 242offline
Posted 5 years ago
Sat May 24 2008 19:43:03
#
Login to Send PM
I am afraid to use my vacuum. Canister with bag after I know have not had a bite in 32 days, and moving to a new apt in a week. Afraid to bring it with me. I put some bb spray in a big and limestone and it is sealed up. I put it in the hose to. Now, I am paranoid to open the bag and use it, and I will need one in my new apt, or can I just mop the floors with Murphy's oil soap every day...
If i buy a new one is it okay to have a bag less type. That way you can check the dirt before you dump it in the toilet and save money on bags.
-
bugbiteblues
newbite
Joined: May '08
Posts: 7offline
Posted 5 years ago
Sat May 24 2008 21:38:11
#
Login to Send PM
Hifellow misery-ites,
I am a bit befuddled by this site and the blog/thread instructions, so, i will share my story here and hope that i can get some good insight and not feel so lonely.
I first came up with bbites last tues night (that I noticed, anyway), thought it was mosquitoes, since they love me too... bought a ton of DEET, etc...bites swelled, itched.. tummy looks like it has been scalded by hot water... like most of you...deep in my brain,.the thought,, bed bugs.
Got on the internet.. & found loads of info and hopefully new friends. Went to the doc, told her what i thought it was... she disagreed & was careful not to touch me. not a nice feeling..gave me 3 prescriptions for the allergic reaction & a ref. to dermatologist. Then i Called junk guys to come get mattress/rug/bags of stuff(well wrapped) I have started vacuuming/bagging & then called a pest company i read about in the Washington Post.they could not see me for over wk & 1/2. They have so many calls they now have a full time team.They follow up in three weeks after first treatment.. I am CONCERNED about that, bcuz most of what you have here on site says two weeks.. i am so very tired and feel so alone & i can't figure out my way out of this maze..i really feel like giving up on life.. it's all too big. someone mentioned a bed bug handbook... is it on line.. is there a definitive way to proceed... clean/don't clean? plastic bags sealed/not? Okay to use sterifab on sheets before the CO guys come? I don't have any. just wondered what worked? Where do you buy DE? Should i use it or anything else b4 the PCO arrives? i keep walking in circles.. what to do? what to do? will i be able to hug anyone again? info:multi unit dwelling.. much coming and going.. sublets etc.. i am hearing vacuuming in other units late at night. i am postng notices on every floor and on the business office door. I hope i have done this post correctly.. i am so tired and sad and confused.. life was so good 14 days ago
Reply
You must log in to post.
