Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed Bug Success Stories
We moved!
(5 posts)-
Obother
junior member
Joined: May '08
Posts: 35
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Aug 4 2008 22:36:19
#
Login to Send PM
Wow, what an incredible experience this has been! When I was told I had lymphoma a year ago, the doctor explained it wasn't contagious. Even though I knew it was going to be hard on me, I was able to hug and kiss my hubby and kids without worrying about transmitting anything. I could be around my friends and family and enjoy their support. It was a great relief. Not so with BBs!!! I'd say about 75% of my stress has related to concerns over propagating, spreading and affecting others. Only someone who has faced BBs head on could possibly understand how much is involved in a BB infestation. If ours was considered "light", I can only imagine (and shudder) over a "heavy" infestation. This has affected us in ways we could never foresee.
We have been sleeping in our new place for six glorious nights. We are sleeping on blow up beds, with no furniture, with possessions swabbed, wrapped, bagged and sealed in plastic containers. Except for our clothes. I splurged and hung them up. I could no longer take having three kids come to me every morning to remove their clothing from their sealed state.
So, here is what we did.
1)We had a company preemptively treat this new home. Though I am not sure about their methods as I've heard some conflicting things since they came out and sprayed. However, what's done is done.2)We threw away our furniture. Everything except two coffee tables made of metal and glass. Everything means even the dining room table (upholstered chairs), piano (no one could treat with assurance), desks, end tables, bookcases, sofas, office chairs....everything. Throwing it out gave me the feeling that if our efforts failed, at least we did everything we could.
3)All our clothing was hot laundered at a mat.
4)I bought the kids new clothes (for entering the new house) and shoes and treated hubby's and mine with Sterifab, alcohol, steam and washer (on the athletic ones). (A bit neurotic, but oh well).
5)Everything that had been in our kids' rooms (the for-sure infested rooms) was thrown out, except watches and jewelry which were cleaned with alcohol a piece at a time. I threw away all the books, etc. (I could have wrapped and stored for 18 months, but I did not have it in me to risk one getting out.)
6)I doused everything that I could with alcohol and left it to dry in sterilized bins in the sun. Then I bagged and sealed in Rubbermaids.
7)When we got into the new house (it took a few trips), we called ahead, had the kids open the washing machine and leave two towels near the garage door. We stripped in the garage, dropped everything in the wash and ran to the showers. When we got out, we added the towels we were wrapped in with the rest of the laundry.
8)We took the car "apart" and vacuumed, sprayed alcohol on the rugs and used Murphy's oil spray on the leather.
9)We wrapped my expensive books in stretch wrap, then double-bagged and sealed in Rubbermaids. We sealed photos in ziplocks, then did the same as with the books.
10)We talked with a few lawyers. Still deciding which course we will take. Our losses have been huge (LL paid for first PCO and encasements, but our losses were HUGE beyond that).
11)We resolved that we have fought hard (3 professional treatments with our full compliance, one preemptive treatment, countless tense exchanges between family members about sticking to protocol and sharing my neurosis....if you are still reading this post then you know what I am talking about). We haven't been to church, to visit friends or family, permitted visitors, or otherwise lived a "normal" life since this all started.
12)We are now working on getting a dog in to check us out. They are $300 per hour which is a burden for us, but it would be nice to get "cleared" to invite others back into our space.
13)We now pray and believe for God's best and say "thank you" to everyone who saw us through this ordeal.
I started this post out discussing what it was like being told I was sick, and I know this might sound offensive to some (indulge me, I've inhaled lots of chemical fumes lately), I think dealing with BBs was more difficult. I apologize if that offends anyone. Like I said earlier, the whole battle of trying to protect friends, family and even strangers is very taxing. In the end, I know I can at least say I did my best through the entire process. I will be in touch with anything exciting.
-
Good luck in your new home. I hope you can put this whole thing behind you soon.
-
Obother
junior member
Joined: May '08
Posts: 35
Posted 1 year ago
Wed Aug 6 2008 17:19:14
#
Login to Send PM
Thank you so much! I am still treading carefully, but it has felt so good to be in a new place. I wish everyone here VICTORY over BBs! In strange ways I am grateful for the experience because it creates empathy, understanding, insight, etc. which will serve me well when I start practicing law (and of course in all life phases). I will have a much clearer understanding of both tenant and legal system issues, not to mention everything else that goes with this. I am hopeful that our negotiations will go well, but if they don't, I think getting some time before the bench can only help raise awarness of BB issues.
-
Obother--
Good luck from me too. I hope you and your family have peace and joy in your new environment.
-
Obother
junior member
Joined: May '08
Posts: 35
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Aug 7 2008 0:54:48
#
Login to Send PM
Thank you Nobugs! Honestly, I don't know how we would have gotten through this without this amazing forum. You have had a great impact, and we are beneficiaries of your efforts. I imagine I will continue to post and keep you all updated on our next steps and any new developments.
Reply
You must log in to post.
