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You've heard it already.. but it doesn't make me wan to cry any less...
(3 posts)-
AaahhRealBedBugs
newbite
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 2
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jan 23 2009 1:22:26
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Oh wow... This forum has already become very useful. Mostly in the fact that I now have a place to go where people will understand what I am going through. I know you all probably read a lot of stories, but I feel compelled to share mine. In the very least it will help get things off my chest.
Actually, I don't even know where to start. I rent, I'm fairly certain my new roommate brought them with her from the last place she lived, and my landlord is being a big jerk about the whole situation.
As I understand it, in Nebraska, the landlord is responsible for eradicating bbs.
I am fed up with my landlord and I am fed up with my roommate and I don't know what to do. I am going to try to legally get out of my lease and move to a new apartment... I know I'll have to get rid of 95% of my things, but that is ok with me.
I just really don't know where to go from here. I have been reading information about them all day, and there is so much conflicting information out there!
My roommate is lazy and I know she will not go through any of the precautions or methods of getting rid of them. My landlord is trying to counteract my request of exterminating the bbs by sending us a letter stating that our apartment was "dirty" (which it wasn't at all) and that we needed to remedy that within 14 days.
I just want away from it all, but I am so worried I will take them with me.
Actually... my biggest fear is that my parents have them (my daughter goes with them about twice a week) or that my boyfriend has them at his apartment (he is probably over here daily).
I'm completely ready to throw out mostly everything of mine, but there are a few things I would like to keep and I need help and suggestions of what process I should go through.
Would it be better to stay here and try to ride it out and see if we can get rid of them here even though my roommate is no help in keeping the place uncluttered and will not go through the precautions... or should I get out while I probably legally can and try to get a new place?
Here are the things I would like to keep:
Electronics like my computer, camera, record player, speaker, and iPod.
The clothes that I can wash and dry at hot temperatures.
Books.
A few toys that can be easily cleaned (maybe by putting them in boiling water?).
Art work/important papers.
Art supplies.It is winter and my plan of action was to wash clothing at my apartment and after drying them immediately put them in ziploc baggies, and then, placing them in a new, clean plastic tub and sealing it with tape. Right after sealing the tubs I am going to store them in my boyfriend's garage. It is winter here, so hopefully if the bbs somehow travel along with they will freeze several times over the next month.
I am not sure exactly how to make sure my electronics including my camera will be safe.. I guess I should do more research on that... or could someone point me to a quick link? I've been reading about vacuuming them (?) or am I just becoming delusional after all that I have read for the last twelve hours straight?
I will personally inspect all of the books and place them in a tub and seal them with tape. I plan on not opening this tub for 18 months, unless there is a surefire way anyone can point me to to get rid of the eggs that may be on/in books. I guess my daughter's art work/photo albums/scrap books would fall into this area... what do I do here?
I will boil, or run through the washer/dryer the toys and stuffed animals we plan on taking to our new apartment, seal them in a tub, and store them in the garage until going to the new apartment.
I guess I could live without my art supplies if necessary, but I have hundreds of dollars invested in them, and I don't think they can be frozen and still retain their integrity. Any suggestions here?
So when I am done cleaning my possessions, they will be stored in a garage in hopefully freezing weather for a week. (I wish we were in the thick of winter, but unfortunately we've been having some pretty warm days).
When I get to my new apartment, what preventative measures should I use right away before even moving in one item? Should I have a PCO come in and do a pre-treatment? Any ideas how much that would cost? (I know I would need to talk to one of them... just looking for round about figure.. being a single mother in college, it is important to budget) We won't have any furniture and will probably be sleeping on the floor. My mom has a twin size bed she can give my daughter, but I need to make sure they aren't infested first.
ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED! Am I down the right road? Any advice you can give me on the landlord situation?
And just for my sake.. OH WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?! I WANT TO CRY! MOVING INTO THIS APARTMENT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE! I AM SICK OF MY ASS HOLE LANDLORD AND MY LAZY ROOMMATE... ok, I think I am done now.
I am looking forward to joining this support network.
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AaahhRealBedBugs
newbite
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 2
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jan 23 2009 1:43:45
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Oh, I should mention..
1. Sorry this is so long.
2. I would like to take my cat too :D... I'm planning on giving him a bath with flea treatment before we move to the new place and them bathing him frequently at the new apartment. -
your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,547
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jan 23 2009 13:24:51
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If you are moving away from bed bugs, you should look into getting a truck full of stuff gassed with vikane.
Someone who does the service can inform you about whether all the things you mention can be included.
I have tagged this post with "vikane" and "electronics" so you can see other discussions on these issues.
Done properly, it should get rid of all bed bugs. It is not cheap, but for most of us, probably cheaper than throwing away/replacing all your stuff or storing it for 18 months.
Bed bugs are not invisible and the cat should not be a huge problem. I'd be more worried about stuff and cars (if applicable).
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