What did the exterminator just use? How should I deal with all this dust?

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What did the exterminator just use? How should I deal with all this dust?

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bugggz

newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 7

Posted 10 months ago
Sun May 10 2009 7:53:31
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Hi all,
I live in Queens, NY. After reporting my bed bug problem to my landord, she called an exterminator in (I'm pretty sure he's not a licensed PCO). The only preparation I was told was to put all of my clothing in air tight bags, and no mention of food. After I did that, the guy came in and started spraying a dust in all rooms of the house. Unlike the "light applications" that are recommended here on the forums, he continued to apply so much that the whole house became foggy/cloudy. I was of course outside the apartment in the hallway and witnessed the fog of dust when he exited through the door (bringing a hugh cloud with him) after he was done. He spent a total of 10 minutes in the apartment. When he came out I asked what he used and he didn't tell me the name of the product, but said it was a "somewhat toxic but organic substance" that I should try to leave in place for at least a week if possible. I'm staying with a friend for now (no worries. I didn't bring any clothes/belongings to his place) and will be moving out of my apartment next month, so I have no problem leaving the dust just sitting everywhere for a couple weeks, but when I do return to move out, i'll eventually have to deal with it all the residual dust all over my belongings (CDs, books, computer, etc). I guess this is a hard question since I don't even know exactly what he used, but I'd appreciate any tips in terms of how well I should be wiping/cleaning all my stuff. I'm concerned mostly of its toxicity.

p.s. I'm not too concerned about how well this product will work in terms of killing the bedbugs, since I have to move out of this apartment next month. I don't have any furniture--just clothes, books, electronics, CDs, etc. I'm hoping that if I'm careful enough (washing/bagging clothes, wiping books, etc) I can move to the new apartment without transferring the bugs with me. Am I being overly optimistic?
bedbugdude

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Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 121

Posted 10 months ago
Sun May 10 2009 11:09:06
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Oh my the stories of treatments like this are appauling. All I can say is take pictures or video and explain everything you see, smell and are concerned about. It can be usful if you need it later for court. And if this guy is unlicenced then he could very well wind up facing major fines and possible jail time if he's doing it for a living. I wouldn't let him back in your place at all. Specially if he refuses to tell you what he used. Your health could be at risk. This is just insane.
buggyinsocal

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Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,259

Posted 10 months ago
Sun May 10 2009 12:07:52
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buggz,

I can't say anything thoughtful about the way chemical pesticides were applied to your place, but I can say this.

If you're moving and concerned about taking bed bugs with you, and you're in New York where I know it's available, have you considered using Vikane on a moving truck of your belongings?

I almost hesitate to suggest it given what you just went through with a PCO, but moving without taking bugs with you can be tricky, and Vikane can be a very effective treatment, and a lot of people here have had success with using it during a move.

It is, in fact, one of the very rare treatments that can take all the bed bugs out in a single treatment, and moving is one of the only times that we apartment dwellers can use it.

Vikane a the chemical gas usually used to get rid of dry wood termites--i.e. when a house is "tented" for termites. Used at higher concentrations, it can kill bed bugs. It can, however, only be used on a whole structure, not an individual unit, and landlords are loathe to use it because it's expensive, not only in terms of treatment, but in terms of having to pay to put all tenants up while the building is being treated.

However, some renters have had their belongings treated in a moving truck with it between apartments, and if done right, it can kill all bugs and their eggs. Strangely enough, since the gas itself is highly toxic, it's the one chemical pesticide fumigation treatment that means you really don't have to worry about residue since it has to be completely outgassed before you get your stuff back. It can't penetrate plastic, so I believe there are special packing rules you need to follow to help make sure it's effective, like not packing in plastic bags or bins, and some people have had treatments that didn't work, as with any treatment. And like I said, I know after having that happen in your apartment, you may be skeptical about any treatment involving chemical anything.

But I mention it because if it's successful, you can take care of this problem now before you get to the new place and then you can avoid having to play PCO roulette at the new apartment again. Once you're in the new place, unless you're moving into a single family house, you won't have Vikane as an option, and even if you were moving into a single family home, Vikane for a home would be more expensive than for a truck.
spideyjg

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Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,614

Posted 10 months ago
Sun May 10 2009 12:14:44
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Read this thread and work under the assumption it is DE (diatomaceous Earth) or similar. Spread like that, you NEED to take precautions when going in there.

http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/de-hazards

Get a respirator such as described along with goggles, and gloves for the time you gather your stuff. If needed get a HEPA equipped vacuum cleaner. Taking precautions you can get your stuff out safely.

Just an FYI some claim that DE which really can be an organic substance is 100% harmless but the CDC and NIOSH gorverning worker safety say there are hazards.

Good luck and as bedbugdude say get evidence and bust this schmoe!

Jim
bugggz

newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 7

Posted 10 months ago
Mon May 11 2009 16:48:00
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I'm glad I posted this. I need to pick some stuff up from my apartment tonight and I never thought about bringing goggles and a mask. I'll definitely do that.

RE: Buggyinsocal,
The gas-truck idea sounds like a good idea. Does the vicane gas leave no residues? If the truck is aired out sufficiently afterward, will I not need any further cleanup of my belongings? Where can I purchase vicane gas?

Thank you all for your advice.
bugggz

newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 7

Posted 10 months ago
Mon May 11 2009 17:21:33
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BTW, it is safe to say that my books will be completely covered in this dust. What would be a safe way to clean them? Dust sitting on the cover of a book would be rather easy to wipe, but on the top edge (edge of pages), it would be hard to clean.
Nobugsonme

your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 6,173

Posted 10 months ago
Mon May 11 2009 17:22:04
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bugggz - 1 day ago »
When he came out I asked what he used and he didn't tell me the name of the product, but said it was a "somewhat toxic but organic substance" that I should try to leave in place for at least a week if possible.

In addition to what others have said, I would suggest asking the PCO for a list of the substances and amounts used.

In NYC it is your right to get this when treated and if it was not given to you, it should have been given to your landlord, who should be able to provide it.