http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#abe0c379-a6af-4a83-840c-18bcbe807096 I emailed County Vector Control, and got an email back. He said to bring some specimens to the office (dead, of course), and they'll put them under the microscope and positively identify them. I did that, they called me and said that they are positive bedbugs. They're going to email me the report for my records. I also filed a complaint with Housing Code Enforcement, and mailed it today. They'll get a copy of the report and notify the owner. The owner will not be happy, but oh well, it's a legal matter according to the county. Code Enforcement works pretty fast, so I expect by the end of next week, the "shit will hit the fan." If nothing is done, I notify them again, they take care of the problem(s) and send the owner a bill. There are other problems included in my complaint, also. I was told that alcohol messes with their central nervous system and it kills them. So I stocked up. They also told me that bedbugs are on the rise everywhere! Sat, 26 Jan 2008 01:59:39 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#abe0c379-a6af-4a83-840c-18bcbe807096 Tahiyya 2008-01-26T01:59:39Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#1787b377-508a-443b-9b10-57ebb6114354 I'm going to email the county tonight. I'm starting with vector control for the bedbugs. I'll ask them for the email/phone number of the proper health department office. I've been spraying the bedbugs with alcohol, and it seems to dry them up, plus I put down diamateceous earth all over the place. Plus, when I get my paycheck, I'm going to order some Kleen Green enzyme concentrate and start spraying everything, too. Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:35:54 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#1787b377-508a-443b-9b10-57ebb6114354 Tahiyya 2008-01-24T02:35:54Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#638a12f8-d313-45e8-b923-a31523597d56 Lysol has worked for me. My condo has many small places they've been known to enter, and I've a patio unit, so it's more prone. Hope you're contacting the health department... Had a landlord like that but about other stuff and I had to go there. Eventually, the leaking roof, which gushed a huge downpour of rain into the living room, cracking the fireplace mantel, was fixed, but a report had to happen for him to make that happen. It's obvious when the property is but an investment. Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:24:44 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#638a12f8-d313-45e8-b923-a31523597d56 Trish 2008-01-24T02:24:44Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#db652ce9-8309-4f8e-9fe9-32b4ea1f65eb I killed about 20 in the hallway by spraying alcohol on them. Straight bleach doesn't phase them in the least, though. Yes, I need to catch some and put them under the manager's door, so he can get "eaten." What I plan to do is contact the county next week, but after I pay my rent. I'm going to ask the manager what kind of contract the pest control company is on, and how often he's supposed to come out. That way I can let the county know. I'm moving this summer (can't do it any earlier), and I don't want them going with me. Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:38:25 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#db652ce9-8309-4f8e-9fe9-32b4ea1f65eb Tahiyya 2008-01-24T00:38:25Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#7cd08e07-8e66-40de-a0dc-ad88c22caaff Why don't you catch them in a jar and stick them in the manager's pants??? That will lern him... Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:49:12 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#7cd08e07-8e66-40de-a0dc-ad88c22caaff Băd-Dăwg 2008-01-23T23:49:12Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#f4bd946a-c641-4947-985c-57f03de75742 Update: They're now in the crawling the walls of the hallway. I said something to the manager about it, and his nonchalant reply was: "oh well, it's a problem." They still haven't gotten to me, but I've done my research and know who to contact about it to take action. I guess if the manager had them, he'd do something about it, but he could care less about the tenants. Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:21:38 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#f4bd946a-c641-4947-985c-57f03de75742 Tahiyya 2008-01-23T23:21:38Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#42175b2a-196b-40b0-9e2b-cb1c18bc0aec Well, the pest control guy came on January 3, and my neighbors are still complaining that they have them. The manager doesn't want to hear anything about it, but I can guarantee you if HE had them, he'd take some sort of action. Luckily, they haven't found me yet, and hope they don't. Because if they DO, I"LL take some action, and the manager (and out of town owner) won't be very happy about it. Pest control isn't due back to do another dose until March. Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:54:57 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#42175b2a-196b-40b0-9e2b-cb1c18bc0aec Tahiyya 2008-01-16T21:54:57Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#6cdec794-2dcf-4733-9a1b-2ff1823b0982 Two of my neighbors are still complaing that they have them, but I don't as of yet. And I sure hope that I don't. because I'll declare individual war on them. The spray that the pest control guy used is time released, and he's supposed to come back in two weeks to do another dose. Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:35:02 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#6cdec794-2dcf-4733-9a1b-2ff1823b0982 Tahiyya 2008-01-08T14:35:02Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#0c3cc2e4-da36-4e69-9cb6-85dda50ac6ca Some things that no one's brought up: Not everyone is allergic to bed bugs, so some people may be getting bit and show NO SYMPTOMS. Sort of scary because you could be living with 1000s of bugs for years and not know. ew. After you're bit a certain number of times you may stop showing the symptoms.. This is worse in a way because even if you know you've had them, how can you EVER be sure if they're really gone? I told a friend who was severely allergic I wanted her to come test my home for bugs.. =) After you're bit, it can take a few days for the bite to actually show up or itch. Putting your clothes in the dryer for an hour or freezer for 24 hours will kill them. If you live in freezing weather putting everything outside for a couple days would do the trick. If you put a lot of clothes in black trash bags the sun will probably not kill them, even after days. They can live without air for a long time, and the sun is not going to heat every part of the content of the bag to the point of frying them. Even though they are likely to live longer and manifest in dirty motels or hostels, you could pick them up at a 5-star resort. Many people who travel a lot will stay in both nice places and dumps on occasion. If said traveler goes straight from bug-infested joint to nice hotel the bugs are likely to come along, and can live unnoticed for quite a while. While traveling in Italy/France years ago I broke out in tons of bumps all of a sudden, then slowly more and more came throughout my horrible day (while walking around the Louvre! I thought whatever had done it was still on me - a BAD feeling to have.) Because it can take days for the bites to appear, I don't know which hostel to blame. But the good news is that they don't live on you, which is a common misconception. Thus, no need for the lice treatment mentioned by someone above. They do often travel on your clothing and in your luggage, which made me really freaked out that I had brought them home with me. I did find one when I was back at home, but it's the only one I've ever seen to date. Another crazy thing about them is that they can give you a hundred bites without being caught in the act. I totally can relate to all of the stress you guys are suffering, try to relax and not let it drive you nuts. Nothing good will come from worrying, all you can do is try to make them leave. It may not seem like it right now, but there are worse things. Along with the stress in Europe, I thought I had brought them back to my parents' house for a good month while I tormented them over it. I forced them to tent for termites (which they were putting off anyway), though the company said it would take a double dose of poison (and twice the cost) to kill the bedbugs. My dad didn't go for that, and since no one else in the house has ever been bit to date they think I'm an insane person, and that they were never there at all. I hope they're right. I've got a giant bag of natural remedies that I unleashed upon the entire house. After a couple months of complete anxiety I decided I didn't care anymore. If they're not biting me or anyone else in my house, I can't be bothered by them anymore. That was years ago, and no one's complained. I still wonder if they're around, but no symptoms=no problem. Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:23:43 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#0c3cc2e4-da36-4e69-9cb6-85dda50ac6ca stacy 2008-01-08T06:23:43Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#31fc9c1f-53ac-44f4-a02b-cd0cfd6faf47 Where I live, the residents of the infested apartments have stopped complaining about being bitten, and luckily, they never got to me. But I did spread diatomaceous earth all around the baseboards, in front of the furniture, and the entry way. Maybe it stopped them in their tracks, because I sure don't want them. But if any problems reappear (old or new), the pest control guy will come right away. Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:02:58 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#31fc9c1f-53ac-44f4-a02b-cd0cfd6faf47 Tahiyya 2008-01-05T20:02:58Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#02ccb223-7bce-455c-a762-f56a3de58cbc Still no signs of the pests after fumigation and four weeks of vigilance. I change out the diatomaceous earth powder under the feet of the furniture (in those little rubber cups that also protect the floor from getting scratched) every week. I have some of the Kleen Green concentrate as well to spray on the boxspring, the baseboards, and the entry way to the apartment. Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:25:01 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#02ccb223-7bce-455c-a762-f56a3de58cbc Katri 2008-01-05T19:25:01Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#7cbc13f3-f253-4d0e-b270-bae9e62aa0e5 They only got as far as four apartments. I figured the diatomeceous earth plus the spraying should hopefully prevent them from finding me. I had to go to a nursery to get the earth, home depot doesn't carry it. But they do have a spray for bedbugs called "Good Nite." I refrained from buying it. Fri, 04 Jan 2008 03:18:28 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#7cbc13f3-f253-4d0e-b270-bae9e62aa0e5 Tahiyya 2008-01-04T03:18:28Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#e7759206-9ca3-429e-a93e-c66cfe0af6fa Prolly the best of all options. It's a pyrithin he's using and it's got a low toxicity for humans Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:13:44 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#e7759206-9ca3-429e-a93e-c66cfe0af6fa ALLAH God of all 2008-01-03T20:13:44Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#bd6eb2d0-ce3d-4678-894c-ccee7fa50daf The pest control guy came yesterday. He sprayed for adult bedbugs, and also sprayed a time release insecticde that is good for 30 days that will kill the eggs when they start hatching. He also will be coming every two months whether needed or not. Luckily they didnt invade my apartment. Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:38:28 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#bd6eb2d0-ce3d-4678-894c-ccee7fa50daf Tahiyya 2008-01-03T15:38:28Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#84656c26-4007-4600-a223-7edd07c3b65e Luckily, they're not in my apartment, and hopefully, they won't be. I went through a bedbug invasion at another residence and survived it, but I'm highly allergic to their bites. I was bitten so badly that I had to have a prescription antihistimine, and also a prescription creme to treat them. This is what I've done in preparation so far: 1. Moved all the clothes that I'm not wearing to my storage unit. 2. Taken everything out of my dresser drawers, put them in plastic grocery bags, and hung them on a clothes rack. There's not enough room in the closet for everything, but I'm still paring down. My shoes are on the closet floor. My closet is actually a wardrobe, and the floor is raised up about three inches. 3. After I do my laundry this weekend, I'll pare down some more. 4. I've started removing all clutter, sweeping all the dust and dirt out of the cracks on the floor, and moving the furniture out from the walls. I'm especially worried about my computer, but the CPU isn't on the floor, it's on a desk. 5. I'm now taking my clothes to the laundromat, instead of washing them where I live. 6. All books are now in storage, but my CDs are in a plastic container on the floor. 7. After I wash my bedding, I'll try to find cans to put the legs of my bed in. 8. Last, but not least, I'm going to Home Depot to see if they have Diatomaceus Earth today. Any other recommendations/advice would be greatly appreciated. Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:00:19 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#84656c26-4007-4600-a223-7edd07c3b65e Tahiyya 2007-12-21T18:00:19Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#1f3b9a0a-3f27-4d0a-b997-42491e020282 1. HEAT: Put all your clothes in black plastic bags (such as garbage bags) and/or sealable plastic bins such as tupperware bins. If you leave the black plastic bags in the sun, the heat of the sun will kill the bedbugs. Hair dryers also generate enough heat to kill bedbugs if you point them right in the cracks and crevices but this is pretty labor intensive. 2. COLD: Bedbugs are also killed by extreme freezing cold, so you can put some items in the freezer. This has to be for a twenty-four hour period at least. The extreme cold method works well for larger items if you have a garage or non-heated storage place. 3. CRACKS: Bedbugs love to live, hide and travel in cracks along the walls and floorboards. Try and seal these cracks off with caulking or fill them with diamecteous earth (boric acid). This stuff is non-toxic to mammals, avarians and reptiles but kills all insects. 4. DOORSWEEP: Get a door sweep for your door to seal off that crack between the door and the floor. This is one area they like to come in. Two sided carpet tape will also work in a pinch. 5. CLOTHES: Bedbugs like to jump onto people's clothes and piggyback a ride into their living quarters. They especially like the cuffs of your pants and sometimes your sleeves. Keeping your outside clothes in a sealed-off closet would be a great help in preventing a bedbug infestation, especially if you put some insecticide along the walls and floor of your closet. 6. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS hang your clothes up and NEVER NEVER NEVER leave them on the floor. Even shoes should be kept off the ground if possible. Bedbugs hide and breed in clothing, mattresses, and anything soft. A laundry hamper is like a five-star hotel to bedbugs so keep your dirty clothes in sealed plastic bags or sealed containers. 7. Try to wash all your clothes in water as hot as possible, since this will also kill the bedbugs. 8. Vacuum regularly, especially carpets, corners and upholstery. Pay particular attention to the area where the walls and the floor meet. This is the bedbug highway. Place a plastic bag over the opening(s) of the vacuum as soon as you are finished. Wear rubber gloves and ake the whole vacuum outside when you have to dump the bag. Dump the bag as far away from the house as you can, such as a garbage can on the street and not a garbage receptacle close to the house. 9. A mosquito net around the bed has been proven to eliminate bedbugs in all but the most heavily infested areas, especially when the bottom part is treated with insecticide. Bedbugs like to crawl up the legs of the bed and the blankets to feed from their host at night, so make sure that the skirt of the netting surrounds the bed. Leave no openings in the netting to allow the bedbugs to slip inside without having to cross over the insecticide permeated netting first. 10. You can also put the legs of your bed in something slippery like plastic cups or tin cans. 11. Pull all your furniture a couple of inches away from the walls. 12. Protect your books, records and magazines from a possible bedbug invasion by placing them in sealed plastic containers. Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:47:43 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#1f3b9a0a-3f27-4d0a-b997-42491e020282 James 2007-12-21T13:47:43Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#1a7fb658-d28f-44d0-a706-d5c9c32c3ac9 what kind of small items? Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:14:57 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#1a7fb658-d28f-44d0-a706-d5c9c32c3ac9 Tahiyya 2007-12-20T14:14:57Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#4336711e-da80-4c63-8df6-ba21c45e7ccd small items can be boiled for 10 minutes. this will surely do the trick Thu, 20 Dec 2007 04:51:22 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#4336711e-da80-4c63-8df6-ba21c45e7ccd $item.owner.firstName 2007-12-20T04:51:22Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#02ba794e-cf59-482f-9cf1-861b4872ba13 That's a good idea, but I don't think the owner of my building would do it. Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:04:46 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#02ba794e-cf59-482f-9cf1-861b4872ba13 Tahiyya 2007-12-18T15:04:46Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#17d327bc-112f-49d7-9b71-86aaec4cc02e fire. Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:49:26 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#17d327bc-112f-49d7-9b71-86aaec4cc02e ALLAH God of all 2007-12-18T14:49:26Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#207fbe0c-0a9d-484d-bbee-7a7d395d1d88 Are there any bedbug updates? They've now arrived in the building where I live. They haven't gotten to my apartment yet, luckily, but I'm hoping to stop them in their tracks before they do! Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:57:54 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#207fbe0c-0a9d-484d-bbee-7a7d395d1d88 Tahiyya 2007-12-18T12:57:54Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#185042a6-7211-446d-beb0-655cd91ea5b3 <,mattress encasements>> They sound good - thanks ! Sun, 09 Dec 2007 13:12:47 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#185042a6-7211-446d-beb0-655cd91ea5b3 Bloke. Trivia Pimp 2007-12-09T13:12:47Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#05dc4503-8b09-4404-a193-d5781246d1c0 <<Apparently they are crawling insects, so they can't fly but they can crawl up to the ceiling and drop onto their hosts. >> they can jump about three inches, too. Sat, 08 Dec 2007 20:17:37 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#05dc4503-8b09-4404-a193-d5781246d1c0 James 2007-12-08T20:17:37Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#4df18fec-d066-482f-90db-3b159871670a The mattress encasements are manufactured by Protect-A-Bed, and the exterminator told me they are the best. The zipper coils are extremely fine gauge and there's a casing at the zipper stop so there isn't a hole above the pull where they can get in. I had to order one for the mattress and one for the boxspring, and they came with some self-adhesive felt to cover the heads of the bolts and any other rough edges/friction points on the bedframe so the encasement wouldn't tear and compromise the integrity of the barrier method. Sat, 08 Dec 2007 18:46:50 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#4df18fec-d066-482f-90db-3b159871670a Katri 2007-12-08T18:46:50Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#4756e8a3-cd56-4db2-9f92-44a280ed170e Thanks James. That's one of the products I found in my online searches. The exterminator came in to treat the apartment, and he told me that he unwittingly introduced them into his own apartment a couple of years ago, so he's lived through the whole process and was really supportive. I'm sure I'll have to be vigilant about maintenance as I know they're in at least one other unit in the building. God, what a drama. I've been hypervigilant and jumpy from all the stress. They can hide and lay eggs in any crevice the thickness of a credit card. I told him how I"ve been constantly triggered for weeks and suffering from sleep deprivation, had to quit eating bagels because if I saw a sesame seed I'd just about jump out of my skin. "That'll make you crazy fo'ril, know what I'm sayin?" was his response. The stuff I got online has pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide mixed with silicone dioxide. The product is labeled Results Indoor Insect Killer, and it's advertised to have a Pleasant Citrus Scent (accounting in part for the 16.8% inert ingredients, I imagine). I hate orange soda anyway so I"m fine with it reminding me of something I don't want to ingest. I'll be using it to fill the plastic cups I got at the hardware store for the feet of the furniture and then wrapping the legs of the bed and the dresser in doublestick tape so the critters will have to cross the No Man's Land of insecticide and get hung up on the stickytape on their forays to feed. I also bought a sprayer so I can dust the heat registers and the back of the dresser, the mattress encasements and the wall outlets. We're planning on filling all the holes in the walls and sealing the crevice around the light fixture with caulk. Apparently they are crawling insects, so they can't fly but they can crawl up to the ceiling and drop onto their hosts. I felt one land on my neck and wake me up to a pungent smell, sort of like peanut butter, and I remember reading on some website that they will emit a musky, pungent odor when they are active. Ugh. The product labeling advises weekly treatments so I will post periodically and let y'all know how it's going. Thanks again for the input. Sat, 08 Dec 2007 18:33:31 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#4756e8a3-cd56-4db2-9f92-44a280ed170e Katri 2007-12-08T18:33:31Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#9abd0015-8d32-4519-bc81-756c352f3c9f 'Klean Green'. That's the enzyme that I bought and never ended up using. Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:44:09 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#9abd0015-8d32-4519-bc81-756c352f3c9f James 2007-12-08T01:44:09Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#4e6e21a5-d9fb-4c5f-b708-38658d647b3c I'd like to give you my support. Its amazing what slimey environments can cost! The Bed Bug is an actual harmful insect. You could look it up on the net and figure out tendencies of its species. Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:30:55 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#4e6e21a5-d9fb-4c5f-b708-38658d647b3c John 2007-12-03T21:30:55Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#87a74f5b-75f8-478d-926e-cf46f0107f82 That's great....that knot in my shorts needed to be tightened anyway. Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:08:18 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#87a74f5b-75f8-478d-926e-cf46f0107f82 Gobo Joe 2007-12-02T20:08:18Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#a5f5d459-9232-474e-b7d5-f725ced59b8d here's a peversely fascinating tidbit: click on this link and scroll to "Research Data" http://www.naturalginesis.com/info_bedbugs.html there's a time lapse video of a bug feeding on human skin. makes me itch to watch it, (even in freshly laundered clothes) but I love time lapse photography. as i said, peversely fascinating. Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:57:28 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#a5f5d459-9232-474e-b7d5-f725ced59b8d Katri 2007-12-02T19:57:28Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#193da199-7085-4d32-bfad-9f090d89fb04 Thanks for all the input and support. I carefully inspected everything in the room, am laundering the bedding and as I was still moving in I had to go through every box , inspecting the edges of the corrugated cardboard as well as the contents, then reseal the boxes at EVERY edge. I found only one live bug; it was a juvenile hiding in the crack of a picture frame. Pulled off the switchplates in the room and found no signs in the outlets, which was encouraging. I'll share my results as they unfold. I'm wrapping double sided tape around each leg of the bed and got 2"square rubber skids that I can put under the feet after removing the casters and adding a layer of insecticide at the bottom so they'd have to crawl through it and over the adhesive to get up the bed. Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:30:42 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#193da199-7085-4d32-bfad-9f090d89fb04 Katri 2007-12-02T19:30:42Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#82465ffe-dadd-48ba-b62a-422d49f5ab59 Please keep us informed what works and what doesn't. This is a problem that has been gaining traction all over the country. Sun, 02 Dec 2007 18:14:08 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#82465ffe-dadd-48ba-b62a-422d49f5ab59 ALLAH God of all 2007-12-02T18:14:08Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#a1d10577-16e4-4d3f-bfce-56eda8e98040 I want to hear about this roommate. Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:10:13 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#a1d10577-16e4-4d3f-bfce-56eda8e98040 grouchosuave 2007-12-02T14:10:13Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#086dec3b-c8ac-4f1d-b796-108c676ed600 I know many people in Toronto that have had problems with bedbugs. Extreme cold will also kill them if you have a way to store your furniture in an unheated place for a while, such as two weeks. One interesting DIY method that I found to control bedbugs is a floor to ceiling mosquito netting treated with a pesticide known to get rid of bedbugs. This method has been shown to virtually eradicate bedbugs in some places. Put the legs of your bed into glass jars as well, so that they can't climb them. Also, you could try some two-sided carpet tape around the wainscoting of the walls where they like to live and breed. The diatomic earth/ boric acid that you might have put into the crevices is an OK way of controlling their population. This stuff kills bugs by filling up their breathing holes with sharp dust that dries them out as well as cuts them up. It's good because it is not toxic to people or animals. However, you might also want to vacuum them out. If you vacuum them out, be really careful with the dust bag. Wrap the whole vacuum in a plastic garbage bag, and take it outside into the freezing cold to empty it away from your house. I bought a big bottle of 'bed bug juice' that is supposed to be quite revolutionary. It works on lice as well, essentially it is lice shampoo. This stuff is not a poison, but actually an insect hormone that induces the bedbugs and lice to molt their skins. Since the bedbugs are molting their skins too early, this stuff basically induces them to kill themselves by pulling their own skins off. For this reason, this stuff is totally non-toxic. The manufacturer suggests pulling all your furniture away from the wall and putting it into the center of the room, then spraying this stuff along the baseboards. You should also wash your bedsheets and your clothes with this non-toxic stuff. Any time bedbugs (or lice) make contact with it, they end up pulling their own skins off and dying. I never ended up using this stuff. I thought I had bedbugs, but what I actually had was a psychotic roommate that was catching bedbugs and tossing them into my bed. I might have a gallon jug of this stuff (which cost me $150) at my parent's place still. Sun, 02 Dec 2007 10:11:44 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#086dec3b-c8ac-4f1d-b796-108c676ed600 James 2007-12-02T10:11:44Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#56c2e246-425d-46fc-aeb0-fdb2ab5f7096 What Gobo said. They had a piece on NPR about bedbugs. The experts pretty much said the same thing. That's why it's such a problem. Now when I spend the night in any Hotel/Motel, I'm very careful not to let my suitcase come too close to the bed or any stuffed furniture. I have no problem with most living things, but them and roaches freak me out. Eeek. Sat, 01 Dec 2007 23:06:01 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#56c2e246-425d-46fc-aeb0-fdb2ab5f7096 MdJGutie 2007-12-01T23:06:01Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#434550eb-ebbd-4529-a412-6f8ec18abd37 If the infestation is at critical mass, anything that provides a home for the critters should be gotten rid of. i.e. furniture, beds, rugs etc... It's tragic, but sometimes necessary. The little critters are extremely hardy. Otherwise extermination could very well be your second job. Sat, 01 Dec 2007 19:38:44 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#434550eb-ebbd-4529-a412-6f8ec18abd37 Gobo Joe 2007-12-01T19:38:44Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#4dc2d136-c395-4623-be93-b88b27032b50 go back a couple of pages on this tribe...there are a few threads about it. Sat, 01 Dec 2007 19:33:50 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#4dc2d136-c395-4623-be93-b88b27032b50 Dhoa 2007-12-01T19:33:50Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#288c8c83-f203-4cfe-8660-37d491e91b5f if your clothes have it you need to put them in a bag for like 2 months cause the bugs can live without air for at least amonth and if you let them out too quick they are very hungry and not dead. You can do some body treatment with lice shampoo to set some limits for now. You should be good if oyu are getting a new bed. saving a bed is a nightmare. but I never got them when I lived in NY. ;) Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:42:38 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#288c8c83-f203-4cfe-8660-37d491e91b5f VIDA 2007-12-01T18:42:38Z http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#ccdf64e1-9023-4c9b-8b5a-dd4669b44838 So I've recently moved into an apartment and althoiugh I had it fumigated before I moved in, it seems that now I have a number of teeny roommates. I used to think it was a bummer to have an univited guest who drank all my beer and wouldn't chip in on the rent, but this has certainly pushed the meter. Here's what I've done to address the problem: **Contacted the building super who arrange a second fumigation **Ordered mattress encasements for my new bed and boxspring, to trap any bugs that are inside and prevent further infestation **Purchased some DIY natural pesticides in a powdered form to sprinkle into the cracks in the hardwood flooring and a sprayer to get it into crevices and behind the switchplates **Purchased rubbing alcohol to spray on any eggs or live bugs I find The testimonials on the website where I found the powdered stuff were convincing and I'm hoping that with several weeks of vigilance I can eradicate them in all stages. Has anyone here had to deal with bedbugs, and if so what worked for you? Any information/support is appreciated. Thanks. Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:29:22 GMT http://do-it-yourself.tribe.net/thread/b0ddc6ad-edcb-48d1-b44d-b4c1793b8acf#ccdf64e1-9023-4c9b-8b5a-dd4669b44838 Katri 2007-12-01T17:29:22Z