Which is easier for bed bugs to climb: metal vs PVC pipe? dog bed question

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Which is easier for bed bugs to climb: metal vs PVC pipe? dog bed question

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wchicago

newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 29

Posted 3 weeks ago
Thu Oct 29 2009 12:00:04
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Hello
Sorry, I feel like I may be in the running for most annoying newbite of all time, given all of my questions. I have read FAQs and searched forums but can't find this info and wondering if anyone knew about bed bug climbing abilities on metal vs PVC. My dog is getting bitten. Thus, I will buy her a raised dog cot (as per recommended on a prior forum). There are two types - one with metal legs, one with PVC plastic legs. Both would presumably be smooth, but is one harder for BBs to climb? My dog is a very small pug and very playful -she would lick vaseline off legs, play with sticky tape and i worry, if there were bowls under the legs, play with those too. SO ideally the bed would be bed bug deterrent (difficult to climb legs) all by itself. here are my options, price is no object (she is a very well loved little dog, and her bites swell and take longer to heal than mine -they are all on her face and stomach, or maybe thats just where i can see them because thats where fur is sparse. seeing bites on her enrages me)

metal option
http://www.stacksandstacks.com/pet-cot?id=176&sku=4517&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase

pvc option
http://www.jbpet.com/displaygroup.aspx?displayid=549&ns_md=CSE&ns_sc=Google&ns_cn=Google-Base&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=CSE&CAWELAID=397374922

input, opinions please? i'd like to order one as soon as possible, but don't know which would be better.
THANKS AGAIN
persona-non-bugga

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Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 315

Posted 3 weeks ago
Thu Oct 29 2009 14:14:52
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Oh, your poor puppy.

I think bedbugs might be able to walk up metal and plastic if it takes them to the most accessible food source. I've never experienced PVC, but bedbugs had no problem going up my friend's plastic bed frame last year.

Which ever one you go with, maybe you could try placing the bed legs in small, narrow cups of water (as opposed to bowls). Hopefully, the cups will be too narrow for your pug to get into. Bedbugs may be able to maneuver in water, but it'll be an extra barrier they'll have to move through. And water won't hurt your pug.

I picked up some tiny metal plant pots about 2.5 inches high the other day. Something like that might be sturdy enough to work.
wchicago

newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 29

Posted 3 weeks ago
Thu Oct 29 2009 18:17:42
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thanks persona!
does anyone know -- did someone once say they could not climb up a teflon coating (am i misremembering?)
if so, what about if i seated the legs in these? heck, if they can't climb well on teflon, these would also be good to put bedlegs in if you aren't going to get interceptors. looks like the bowls are coated in teflon inside AND out. rubber bit at bottom, but if they can't get past the rubber, it is still all win.

http://www.alphadogtoys.com/dog_pet_bowl_teflon_coat_stainless_steel.html
persona-non-bugga

member
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 315

Posted 2 weeks ago
Sat Oct 31 2009 16:46:41
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A teflon product to apply on pet bowls was mentioned in this thread.

I salute your resourcefulness, dude. Hope the pet bowls work, and your pug is more comfortable.
hathead

junior member
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 46

Posted 2 weeks ago
Sat Oct 31 2009 18:56:23
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if you have some time (i did this for my dog)

i bought a square coffee table (low to the ground)
i bought natural rubber latex foam (but synthetic foam will work as well)

you wrap the foam in cotton batting (can buy at an upholstery store)
then sew a linen or muslim cover for it.
then make a washable cover with a zipper or buttons
or you can improvise a temporary thing, wrapped and pinned in blankets....
(if you are not a big sewer) - but important to not let the wrap drape to the floor
i sewed "ties" to tie them to the legs so that the "mattress" does not slip around
worked great!

then put the legs of the bed in climbups - voila!
you have a dog bed which your dog can enjoy
and not get into trouble with the climbups,
as they are empty and not tempting
and as long as the coffee table was clear of bugs and the materials you used
were not contaminated, no bugs can bite your sweetheart

hope this helps!

our cats sleep on this too occasionally!
wchicago

newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 29

Posted 2 weeks ago
Sun Nov 1 2009 15:42:02
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Thanks for all the ideas!
i bought this (because all my fabirc and craft supplies are in ziplocs or rubbermaid tubs awaiting my pactite) instead, which seems to have a similar idea (washable bed over foam, legs). i salute your DIY craftiness though!

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=958883

and i will try her on the climbups on the legs. worst case -she licks them and i have to retalc them every night. there are worse things than retalcing every night. . .for example, these evil little monsters biting her.