Hi, all.  Bonnie here with upsetting news.  I found out yesterday
that the couple in the apartment below mine just told the landlord
they now have bedbugs, too.  I live at the top of a brownstone in
Brooklyn Heights.  I found that I have bedbugs about a month and a
half ago (September 20) and immediately told all the tenants here and
the landlord too.  The couple downstairs from me and I both URGED the
landlord to please treat that apartment too for bedbugs (the landlord
refused to treat mine.  I went ahead and am paying for the
extermination of my own apartment).  Many weeks ago I copied off
information and sent it to the landlord saying that the landlord
could expect that the downstairs apartment will become infested and
then the bugs will continue to migrate.  No action was taken by
anyone, however (other than me; I've been working like a dog) and the
predictable happened.  I'm rather hysterical now because it's hard to
feel I've made any progress in my own apartment after a month and a
half of fighting (I'm still getting bites, after two treatments; I'd
been telling myself three would be the ticket!), now that I know the
downstairs neighbors have bedbugs, too.  How disspiriting!

Today the rent is due, and I'm going to include a letter to the
landlord explaining that soon the building will be uninhabitable and
that I and likely others will move, and urging aggressive treatment
of the problem.  Their position now is that perhaps they will pay to
have just the downstairs neighbors' bedroom treated!  They don't want
to pay to have that whole apartment treated.  I'm terrified that the
bedbugs will just migrate up to me and that this problem will go on
and on.  I know I've made progress, but it's hard to feel that way
right now.

Here's my question about Drione dust:  Does anyone know the best way
to apply it?  I got that "puffer" device that Do Your Own Pest
Control sells, and it came with no directions at all.  The people on
the phone at the company were only slightly helpful, and it took me
quite a while to figure out even in what direction to hold it.  I
must say that the day after using it I woke up with a sore on the top
of my mouth that hasn't healed yet -- that was two days ago.  I'm
assuming that despite my use of a mask, I inhaled some of the silica
particles.  I didn't realize that the stuff wasn't supposed to come
out in gusts.  Now I do have a tender lesion on the roof of my
mouth.  Scary!  Thoughts of silicosis!  Can one get silicosis from
Dione dust?  Lastly, I switched over to using diatomaceous earth,
which seems much healthier.  My sister in law sent it from a
gardening store down in Virginia.  The good news -- or is it good
news? -- is that I found a dried-out bedbug on my study table top
this morning.  So the dusting is working.  How do others disperse the
diatomaceous earth?  Do you like this hand puffer thing?  I find it
awkward to use.  The box says just to sprinkle the diatomaceous
earth.  Do you think they mean sprinkle it by hand?

Thanks for any feedback.  I really appreciate this group.


Bonnie

Hi All,
    I am having my 2nd treatment this week and have a few questions.  I
stopped vaccuming for the past week, which is when I found one
displaced live bug.  Is having another treatment the same process as
the 1st? Do I need to start vacuuming daily and spraying with the
Permacide again afterwards? Also since my first treatment I have one
new piece of furniture.  Do they need to spray this even though its
brand new?
   Also, since I found out about the bedbugs I sealed up my luggage in
trash bags, but am convinced that is how I had originally transported
the bugs in the first place from China.  Can I actually leave my
luggage out and have the exterminator spray it, or is that toxic?  I'm
nervous to take it out just in case there are any bugs, but don't want
to toss it either.  I suppose I could douse it in Steri-Fab.  Any
advice?  Thank you.

I am in training to be a producer at the Queens Public Access TV
station (QPTV) and I plan to do a TV show about bbs for my final
project.  (I had seen the posts about those of you doing something for
Manhattan Neighborhood Network
and thought the idea was good as well.) I really would like to get
some people from this site involved who'd like to participate.  I am
still working on the idea and what I would like to include in the
show; I plan to shoot in January.  If you live in the NYC metropolitan
area and would like to participate, please let me know.  I think that
this information needs to get to the masses and this is one way to do
it.

DJ

I have two questions for the group:

First, I found two blood stains yesterday, one on the pillow and the
other on the blanket. I don't know for sure when I got these but I
don't think I have been bitten recently. In fact I thought I had be
bite-free for almost two months before I saw these stains. I did get
tiny bumps occasionally but they were much smaller than the ones I used
to get and weren't itchy. I know the stains from bed bug excretions are
black, but these were red. Could bed bugs leave red blood stains as
well?

Second, I use cotton mattress cover instead of vinyl one. It's tight
and I don't think even nymphs can get through. But I know most people
use vinyl ones and some even use both. What's the disadvantage of the
cotton covers?

Thanks for any input.

Wow, Bev, you have been busy!

I'll try to chime in on a few things, but I'm no expert. Can just tell
you about my own experience. Here goes:

1. The suitcases- I traveled this weekend, and we used the elusive XL
Ziplocs. I got mine at Target. I wish I could suggest a source in New
York.

I will probably use these from now on when I travel. They have a
handle, they are super tough, and I found it was easy to hang them
from trouser hangers (the ones with the clips) and feel comfortable
that they wouldn't be invaded by anything. (We also went through the
hotel room with a flashlight and fine-tooth comb, but that's another
story.)

If I were to use a suitcase (dumped mine, it was probably the most
infested item in my home), I would still use ziplocs inside, but the
rest of your treatment routine looks reasonable to me. (If anything is
reasonable anymore once you have these things.)

2. I would hold out for Pestaway if I were you, unless you feel very
well prepared to do your own pest control. Having done it this
weekend, I feel pretty confident that we were super-thorough, and that
we took way more time and care than anyone else would. However, it was
exhausting and I did *not* enjoy it one bit. It is stressful working
with toxic chemicals.

3. Floors & Carpet- Wow, I don't know. Can you steam the carpet? I
don't know if the steam would just drive them in deeper. My guess on
the carpet cleaning is after the exterminators, and even after the
residual effect has worn off from your treatment.

4. I would wait until after treatment to caulk, myself, because they
can't get into the cracks to treat, otherwise.

5. I can only tell you that I am most comfortable with DE, because it
is a least toxic choice, as far as I understand. However, we used
Drione and Suspend this weekend. I want to get away from the big guns
asap. I don't have enough experience yet with the pesticide angle to
say for sure what will be the best strategy, but I think you're very
smart to have your own pesticides on hand.

6. I've heard of people using child-proofing plugs. Don't know if this
works.

7. I think it's important to wear eye protection and a dust mask when
applying DE. Have also used it on vegetables, and always used this
protection. It can be a real irritant if allowed to get into your lungs.

8. I think Dee had the lowdown on this?

9. Others have ziploc'd books, but I did not do that yet. I have
massive numbers of books in my home office, and until I have seen
evidence that our light infestation has spread to my office, I just
have removed books from the bottom shelves and sprayed the bottom
shelves and the floor beneath.

10. We haven't gone the vaseline route. I would wager that the stupid
things get stuck in it. Look forward to hearing from others.

Wow, Bev, you have been working so hard! I just want to say that it
was a supreme relief to get away from everything this weekend after we
sprayed. We had fun for the first time in weeks, really. It was
wonderful to just spend time relaxing and not worrying about BBs. Now
we shall see how things go before the next treatment in 2 weeks...

You are doing great! Be sure to give yourself a treat this Halloween!

Hi there,

I just want to say that it was very, very interesting to hear the
story of how and where they were nesting. Yuck. I'll have to go back
and look at your story again. If I recall you were not sure where they
came from? You are absolutely right to insist on a 2nd extermination,
and to try to either be there or somehow verify the thoroughness of
the work. (On another note, be sure to read the Suspend label
regarding mattress applications. I think it may only be labeled for
boxsprings. You may only have been referring to slat application, but
just thought I'd mention it if you don't mind.)

The nesting phenomenon is one of the areas where I think we need lots
more research. I am still very curious about their nesting habits, and
how far they will travel for a meal, and whether they will return back
to their original spot, or if they will find a new spot closer to
their host. Gives me the heebie jeebies thinking about it too much!

On your storage ponderings- I can only tell you that when I got stuff
into storage and got all those black plastic bags out of my living
room, my world began to open up again and I could see the light at the
end of the tunnel, since my entire space was no longer clogged up with
a bunch of black plastic "poops" (as we began to call them).

Sounds like you've made tremendous progress!

Congratulations! (Not that this is one of the great accomplishments
you may ever have hoped to achieve.) Honestly, I really feel that
effectively dealing with these buggers is truly heroic.




--- In bedbugger@yahoogroups.com, "jmerlie" <jmerlie@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everybody,
>
> Haven't posted anything since last week since I've been home fighting
> with the little meanies for several days.
>
> By Friday I had gotten everything from the main room of my studio and
> the two closets bagged and all three spaces vacumed and mopped with
> murphy's.
>
> On Friday I also got a new bed. Decided to go with one from Ikea even
> though it has wooden slats. The rest is metal and was very easy to
> seal with caulk. I did briefly consider putting the slats in plastic
> but I think a previous post here had pointed out that all that folded
> plastic under the mattress might just provide even more hiding places.
> So, I'll just remove the mattress regularly and check for bugs on the
> slats (plus treat with suspend when it comes in). Also, since the bed
> is in cups of mineral oil I'm hoping that the chances of bugs getting
> onto it in the first place should be pretty low.
>
> In that time I haven't been bitten and although I realize that feeding
> can be intermittant I'm hoping that that means the bed isolation is
> working since during the previous week I had been bitten pretty much
> every night.
>
> Also, Friday I discovered the location of the nest (the only one I
> hope but who knows). It was underneath a steamer trunk that I was
> using as my nightstand. Right next to the head of my old bed. The
> entire area of the hardwood floorunderneath the trunk was covered with
> bugs, dead bugs, shells, and poop. Pretty gross. I think I might have
> screamed outloud.
>
> Actually this is pretty important for anyone new on the board. Before
> this I had only found a few bug shells on the edges of my mattress and
> even these were not obviously from bed bugs. Otherwise there were no
> indications other than the bites that I might have BBs. So if you're
> getting bitten and the bites appear similar to what others have
> described for BB bites but you can't find any other evidence of them
> don't dismiss the possibility of BBs. It really doesn't hurt to do a
> thorough inspection of your living space.
>
> Anyway, since then I've spent the rest of the weekend on cleaning and
> BB mitigation. I'm hoping to get my building owners to get the
> exterminator back in for a second treatment. This time I'm going to be
> sure to be home when they come. I strongly suspect that the first time
> they only sprayed directly under the bed itself and did not do any
> crack or crevice treatments. Also hoping to convince them to treat the
> neighboring units since the walls and floors of my unit are by no
> means well sealed. I've also almost decided to put everything that's
> in bags into storage since it seems like having a ton of stuff in bags
> is not much better than just having a ton of stuff. Considering that
> the only nest I've found so far was between the floor and a black
> laminate trunk a whole bunch of black plastic bags sitting on the
> floor isn't too comforting.
>
> Finally, I emailed a PCO (one in NJ I think) that seems to have a lot
> of experience with BBs about how well heat and cold treatments work.
> Just thought people here would be interested in their reply.
>
> **********
> Dear Mr. Merlie,
>
>
> Bed bugs are much more susceptible to heat than to freezing.  To use
>
>
> cold you would need to maintain the items at zero degrees F for
> several
>
> weeks in order to be certain that the eggs were also destroyed.  Heat
> of
>
> 120 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes will destroy all states including
>
>
> eggs.  The key with either heat or cold is that the internal
> temperature
>
> of the items being heated or cooled needs to reach the lethal limits.
>
>
>
>
>
> Controlling bed bugs is not very difficult, but eliminating every last
>
>
> one (100% elimination of all eggs and bugs is quite a challenge).  You
>
>
> might want to visit our website and look at our bed bug web page
>
>
> (www.cooperpest.com).
>
>
>
>
>
> Just out of curiosity, how did you hear about us?
>
>
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
>
>
> Richard Cooper
> *********
>
> That's it. Sorry for the long post. Hope everyone is having good luck
> with their bugs.
>
> John
>

Hey all. Happy Halloween...couldn't even watch a kids' Disney vampire
movie with my daughter this weekend without cringing...and my stomach
is still tied in knots which is great for my diet. A brief recap and update
follows. But I really need specific opinions from you experts out there!

--FYI, I'm the person who lives several floors from a
(supposedly fixed) infestation in a NYC apt. (large bldg
with 20 apts. per floor, 14 floors)

--Never saw evidence of anything till I pulled a living adult
feeding off my shoulder (under my shirt) at 11am when sitting on
my couch.

--This happened in the living room last Wednesday, a few feet from
our terrace, from which we can't seem to exile the roosting pigeons,
and maybe 3 feet from our radiator and piles of old kid's toys (now gone).

--My husband and I sometimes sleep on the couch and we spend a lot
of time on it generally.

SO FAR, we started in the bedroom, which is furthest away from the
living room (small apt. though) and began sending out laundry and
baggingsummer stuff to be dealt with later. 1.1 mil. plastic bags in
plastic storage boxes that will then be duct taped and put away.
Later this winter, we can put them outside for the deep freeze
before reopening..

Stuff returning from the laundry is being put in those space bags because I
CAN'T FIND BIG ZIP LOCKS ANYWHERE. Been to BB&B and Home Depot.

We've been cleaning like mad in the bedroom and have found nothing so far
except for more mouse activity than we ever realized. We haven't turned over
the mattress yet because we're waiting for delivery of Kleenfree and DE,
along with mattress/boxspring covers that haven't arrived. (I'm nervous
aboutstirring the hornet's nest before I have my supplies. But lifting the
mattress and checking, plus under the bed when cleaning...nothing.

Today we started the terrrace and living room which are next to each other.
I pulled LOADS of old kid stuff out from the offending corner. Dust, dirt...
and I can't tell but maybe one nymph MAYBE. About 1/16th inch, shiny oval,
dead. I have it taped and in a plastic container so when I find the (buried) mag
glass, I can look closer. In the bedroom I found some hard roundish crusty
stuff that my husband then threw out by accident. They looked narly and kind
of nose bugger-like. PRE QUESTION: (Are the skins hollow or more solid
feeling?) But that's it.

We're going to continue bagging and cleaning tomorrow.

OK NOW TO THE QUESTIONS:

1: Has anyone sterilized a suitcase with Rid or some other kind of permethrin
product? (I have leftovers from lice problems.) I was thinking that I could
vacuum thoroughly, wash with Murphy's and our new steam cleaner,
blow it dry, then put it in a clear bag, close the bag over my hand and spray,
then
tie it up for a couple days. Would that be effective? I'M GOING TO STAY WITH MY
BROTHER'S FAMILY THIS WEEKEND AND HAVE TO BE SURE WE DON'T BRING
ANYTHING WITH US. All advice welcome to help accomplish this. That really is
my #1 issue this week.

***A THOUGHT: Why aren't people spraying their luggage with permethrin prior
to traveling generally? It seems like a good idea to me...it could work for
treating
car interiors too, no?

2: We have 3 exterminator options when we return next week:

--The bldg's exterminator, which I have no idea how good they are or what
they use, though my super said they really pour the stuff on, which is scary
in itself. I want them to do the terrace too.

--Pay $900 to do the apt. with Pest Away who I know has a great reputation.

--Try to do it ourselves diligently with every bit of effort we can.

Of course if we find an infestation of any kind, we'll go with the bldg's guys
1st and accept the poisons. But what if we don't? What's the best approach?

THE LIVINGROOM HAS WALL-TO-WALL CARPET AND BOOKSHELVES ALMOST
IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE (THOUGH NOT BUILT IN).

3. How do we deal with floors with carpet? (Luckily, we have linoleum
everywhere else.) Will carpet cleaning with Kleen Free kill any bugs in the
carpet?
Would it reach through wool carpet and foam under that?

3a: At what point in this process do we get the carpet cleaned? Before or after
exterminators?

4: Should we start caulking/creating barriers BEFORE we use anything?

5: What are the best insecticides you've used and what do you recommend? I
intend to do self treating on a constant basis whether we get professional
help or not.

6: How do you seal off electrical outlets to prevent them from coming through
them?

7: I know it isn't good to breathe DE. So if you're sprinkling it around
baseboards
etc., how do you prevent it from becoming airborne? What about city radiators?
Wouldn't that also create an airborne problem?

8: How strong does Murphy's need to be to kill? Is it immediate?

9: What do you do with books when they spray? Is it better to
expose them to the insecticides or get them out of the way?

10: How quickly does a steam cleaner kill the bugs? On contact? Hopefully?

11: Does vaseline only act as a deterrent or do the bbs get stuck in it?

Our place is so overstuffed and cramped, that I've been very paranoid
all weekend about muddying the waters as we pull stuff out and go through
it. I'm not sure how to prevent that, but thought that since the bedroom
was farthest away, we should try to secure items there first before this
spreads. Right now it FEELS like the safest place in the apt.

I have several bags of give away stuff (double sealed in clear 1.1 mil bags)
waiting in the car to donate to a shelter. I plan on giving them a note
explaining that there are bb's in the bldg. but that I don't have a confirmed
infestation, and they can do what they like with them.

I have the window open and just smooshed a mosquito on my computer
screen. So no, they are still around to confuse us...

Thanks in advance, Bev.

Oh my God..this says it all...HELP...we really need
intelligent help...not 'bedbug tea Parties"..Deb...the
Political pariah...

--- Ken Gray <Kgray2@...> wrote:

> Rhode Island protest
>
http://www.eyewitnessnewstv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5597594&nav=F2DO
>
>
>
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17393002&BRD=1719&PAG=461&dept_id=2527\
1&rfi=6
> Alton, Illinois.
>
> "An insurance investigator...asked me if I bathed
> every day," Aylor said, referring to the
> investigator's suspicions that the problem was lice
> and not bedbugs. "
>
>
> Reader letter response to that article talks about
> the "good old days."
>
> "You should have printed the name of the hotel in
> the paper as about the only way to get rid of the
> bugs is to burn everything because when I was a
> small kid about 70 some years ago we had them by the
> thousands as most people did in our area of the
> country . I am planning to be in the alton area on
> the next holiday and I sure don't want to stay in
> that hotel and it looks like the health department
> is passing the buck and I wonder what they really
> do. because this is really a serious matter of
> health and us people who has lived this well know
> it.
> BEEN THERE"
>
> Ken



________________________________________________________________________________\
____
We have the perfect Group for you. Check out the handy changes to Yahoo! Groups
(http://groups.yahoo.com)

Hi everybody,

Haven't posted anything since last week since I've been home fighting
with the little meanies for several days.

By Friday I had gotten everything from the main room of my studio and
the two closets bagged and all three spaces vacumed and mopped with
murphy's.

On Friday I also got a new bed. Decided to go with one from Ikea even
though it has wooden slats. The rest is metal and was very easy to
seal with caulk. I did briefly consider putting the slats in plastic
but I think a previous post here had pointed out that all that folded
plastic under the mattress might just provide even more hiding places.
So, I'll just remove the mattress regularly and check for bugs on the
slats (plus treat with suspend when it comes in). Also, since the bed
is in cups of mineral oil I'm hoping that the chances of bugs getting
onto it in the first place should be pretty low.

In that time I haven't been bitten and although I realize that feeding
can be intermittant I'm hoping that that means the bed isolation is
working since during the previous week I had been bitten pretty much
every night.

Also, Friday I discovered the location of the nest (the only one I
hope but who knows). It was underneath a steamer trunk that I was
using as my nightstand. Right next to the head of my old bed. The
entire area of the hardwood floorunderneath the trunk was covered with
bugs, dead bugs, shells, and poop. Pretty gross. I think I might have
screamed outloud.

Actually this is pretty important for anyone new on the board. Before
this I had only found a few bug shells on the edges of my mattress and
even these were not obviously from bed bugs. Otherwise there were no
indications other than the bites that I might have BBs. So if you're
getting bitten and the bites appear similar to what others have
described for BB bites but you can't find any other evidence of them
don't dismiss the possibility of BBs. It really doesn't hurt to do a
thorough inspection of your living space.

Anyway, since then I've spent the rest of the weekend on cleaning and
BB mitigation. I'm hoping to get my building owners to get the
exterminator back in for a second treatment. This time I'm going to be
sure to be home when they come. I strongly suspect that the first time
they only sprayed directly under the bed itself and did not do any
crack or crevice treatments. Also hoping to convince them to treat the
neighboring units since the walls and floors of my unit are by no
means well sealed. I've also almost decided to put everything that's
in bags into storage since it seems like having a ton of stuff in bags
is not much better than just having a ton of stuff. Considering that
the only nest I've found so far was between the floor and a black
laminate trunk a whole bunch of black plastic bags sitting on the
floor isn't too comforting.

Finally, I emailed a PCO (one in NJ I think) that seems to have a lot
of experience with BBs about how well heat and cold treatments work.
Just thought people here would be interested in their reply.

**********
Dear Mr. Merlie,


Bed bugs are much more susceptible to heat than to freezing.  To use


cold you would need to maintain the items at zero degrees F for
several

weeks in order to be certain that the eggs were also destroyed.  Heat
of

120 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes will destroy all states including


eggs.  The key with either heat or cold is that the internal
temperature

of the items being heated or cooled needs to reach the lethal limits.





Controlling bed bugs is not very difficult, but eliminating every last


one (100% elimination of all eggs and bugs is quite a challenge).  You


might want to visit our website and look at our bed bug web page


(www.cooperpest.com).





Just out of curiosity, how did you hear about us?





Best regards,





Richard Cooper
*********

That's it. Sorry for the long post. Hope everyone is having good luck
with their bugs.

John

BJ's sells mattresses completely encased in heavy plastic.  I think
this will catch on.

Even when a mattress leaves the factory pristine-clean, it can be
infested either on the delivery truck or in the building before it
gets into your place.  Even if a mattress comes into your bedroom
without bedbugs, if you have bedbugs in the building they can take
up delighted residence in your new mattress the first night you
sleep on it.


--- In bedbugger@yahoogroups.com, nobugs <nobugsonme@...> wrote:
>
> Are there any who refuse to take away used mattresses?  Most
companies provide this "service" (which helps spread bedbubgs to
otherwise uninfested brand new mattresses).  If there are any who
don't -- and who use their own trucks (se we can be certain they're
not hauling old mattresses for some other outfit) -- I'd love to
know.
>
> I'd also love to know if anyone has tips on checking a new
mattress.  I mean, my presumably-infested one looks just fine.  So
how do I know if and when I get a new one?  (I should add that I
won't be doing this for some time.)
>
> Thanks,
> Kate
>
>
> nobugsonme@...
>
> Read the Bedbugger blog!
>
> Bedbugger: your foxhole in the war against bed bugs!
> http://bedbugger.wordpress.com
>
> New to Bedbugger?  Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
about bedbugs:
> http://bedbugger.wordpress.com/faqs
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> We have the perfect Group for you. Check out the handy changes to
Yahoo! Groups.
>

I've been following this group for a few months and the information
that I've found has been extremely helpful.  I've also found hope in
others stories and can really empathize.

As far as extermination, I had difficulty finding a good one and had
spoken to Orkin and Terminex; I found them both inadequate just
based on phone conversations.  I did find one (Global Pest Control)
that I decided to go with, and I'm in the midst of treatments, and
so far, things are okay though I did get bit on the night after my
first treatment 12 days ago. They were the most thorough in terms of
their information and checklist of how to prepare and they seemed
knowledgeable.  Though, they are expensive, treatment for my 1 bdrm
is $750 + tax!

Since then, no bites, but I still am cautious. My last treatment is
this Tuesday.  Then I plan to have a guy that I know who is a
licensed exterminator drill holes into the walls and blow in Drione
Dust using a special machine.  He says that he used this technique
(in conjuction with spraying 3 times)to treat his early detected
infestation and it worked.  For me the drilling seems best since I
discovered my bugs firmly entrenched in gaps in my baseboards.  I
believe the problem is within my bldg. since, as I've discussed this
problem with the super and other neighbors, it seems that others
have had them. It's an old building and it appears the bbs are
traveling, so I hope this will help eradicate them.

If anyone wants more information about the `blowing Drione in walls'
guy, please feel free to e-mail me for details. He's a nice person
who understands the bb problem and is focused on providing quality
service.

DJ
djordan20@...


--- In bedbugger@yahoogroups.com, "Tiana Cornelius" <tiana.co@...>
wrote:
>
> What are the best exterminators in NYC?
>
> Good/Bad experiences?
>
> Is the Bedbug King as good as NY press says he is?
>
> We were going to use Pestaway, but they charge $515 and don't even
do a
> follow-up visit, which is ridiculous. So I'm exploring other
options.
>
> thanks!
>
> - Tiana
>
> --
> http://www.tianacornelius.net/
>

Everyone-

Thanks for all the info. and support. I bought the expensive covers
and duct taped the zippers.  I got the name of my landlord's
exterminator and plan to call him tomorrow to talk to him directly.
I vaccumed my entire apartment today.  I also threw out my desk
chair because it was black mesh and I couldn't see anything nor take
the cover off to clean it so I decided it had to go.  The rest of my
furniture is light colored and I hand vacuumed all of it today.  I
also bought the Corticool cream that was suggested to me on this
site (thanks!) and Benedryl pills (I took two today).  I am making a
dermatologist appt. tomorrow as I am hoping he can also give me some
insight.  My landlord thinks it's fleas but that doesn't make sense
to me because there are no pets in my portion of the building (there
is a dog in the apt. building that ajoins mine though) and I used to
have a dog so I know what fleas look like.  If it was fleas I'd
think I'd see them, you know?

-Kelly

--- In bedbugger@yahoogroups.com, nobugs <nobugsonme@...> wrote:
>
> Kelly,
> I have had this problem for 6 months and have seen lots of bugs
EXCEPT bed bugs but I am certain they're bed bugs that are biting me.
> You need your landlord to exterminate, as you know.
> Try and find out if Houston's city websites have information about
your rights to have the landlord exterminate.  Also see if they have
any other info on bed bugs (since some cities like Boston and San
Francisco and Lexington, KY do have information for tenants.)
> Deb is right--tossing your mattress is not a good idea--besides
being a waste of money, it will spread the problem to others.
> Make sure you get good mattress covers (vinyl or special cloth
ones designed to keep dust mites and bedbus out). Fully encase the
mattress, tape the seams, and follow the other instructions you'll
find by reading old messages on the list (you can do this via the
yahoo groups website).
> But you absolutely need an exterminator who knows what to do about
bedbugs.  Pressure yourt landlord to get one.  Neighbors should be
treated even if they do not see bugs or feel bites (lots of people
don't react to bedbug bites--I live with someone like that.)  They
may have them and if you're the only one treated, they can come back.
> Kate
>
> deborah november <deblynntshirt@...>
wrote:                                  K...If you email me
offline..I am willing to talk with
>  you..I will give you my phone number..email me at
>  deblynntshirt@...  I think you have bedbugs..I
>  will give you some advice..don't throw your mattress
>  away but you MUST cover it and the boxspring..that
>  will trap and kill any bugs inside..and SAVE any bugs
>  you find...you will need them for evidence..you can
>  kill them and put them into a sealed glass jar or
>  ziplock..I only saw one bug..and I had an
>  infestation..but you must take action quickly..so
>  email me....and I will be very willingly to help
>  you..Deb
>
>  --- Kelly <kellyscomedy@...> wrote:
>
>  > HERE'S THE OVERALL BIG QUESTION: Can a person have
>  > bed bugs and never
>  > see them in their bed or around their
>  > house/apartment?  If I can't see
>  > them, does that mean it has to be something else.
>  > Maybe little
>  > spiders?  I killed one little spider (it was really
>  > tiny) about a week
>  > before I started waking up with bites.  But again, I
>  > CAN'T SEE
>  > ANYTHING IN MY BED. It is driving me insane.
>  >
>  > OK, so here is the background info. in case you want
>  > to review it.  If
>  > not, that's fine, just give me advice on my question
>  > above...
>  >
>  > For two weeks I have been waking up in the morning
>  > with little bites
>  > that itch like crazy.  I went to the doc because I
>  > thought maybe they
>  > were hives (I've never had hives before) but she
>  > said they look like
>  > bites.  And I went out of town for a week and didn't
>  > get bitten so
>  > that's when I knew it wasn't hives and had to be
>  > bites from something
>  > in my apartment.
>  >
>  > The bites are usually on the back of my thighs and
>  > remind me of
>  > mosquito bites except they don't really go away
>  > (they get smaller and
>  > smaller and eventually disappear, only to wake up to
>  > new ones).  Right
>  > now I'd say I have 7 bites (4 on my back upper
>  > thighs, 2 on my back,
>  > and 1 on my lower stomach).  My doc gave me a cream
>  > but it doesn't
>  > help with the itching at all.  ANY ADVICE ON A
>  > TOPICAL CREAM THAT WILL
>  > RELIEVE THE ITCHING?
>  >
>  > Someone mentioned bed bugs and chiggers.  First I
>  > painted the bites
>  > with clear nail polish because I heard that killed
>  > chiggers.  Not
>  > surprisingly that didn't help (I doubted they were
>  > chiggers since I
>  > live in the city and only go outside to jog on the
>  > pavement... no
>  > camping or anything outdoorsy).  So, I turned up my
>  > mattress and I saw
>  > and killed one bug (can't be sure what it was
>  > because it didn't look
>  > exactly like the bed bug pics I saw on the net but
>  > it was close so I
>  > am thinking that it was a bed bug).  But I only say
>  > ONE bug.  That was
>  > a week ago and I am still waking up with new bites
>  > every morning.
>  >
>  > I've lived (and slept) alone in this one bedroom
>  > apt. (in Houston, TX)
>  > for 5 months and never had a problem like this until
>  > now.  My
>  > apartment building is small and older but very well
>  > kept and I
>  > consider myself a fairly "clean" woman (I keep
>  > things tidy).  I bought
>  > my mattress new about 5 years ago.
>  >
>  > I called my landlord 5 times and asked him to come
>  > exterminate but he
>  > hasn't called me back.  I want to call him and
>  > specifically tell him
>  > what to exterminate for (I think that's the info.
>  > that will get him
>  > off his ass and do something about it), but I have
>  > no idea what's
>  > biting me.  Should I talk to the neighbors and see
>  > if they are having
>  > the same problem?  What can I personally do to my
>  > apartment stop
>  > this?
>  >
>  > I don't want to throw away everything I own until I
>  > know what it is
>  > that is biting me.  Plus I am broke.  I can afford a
>  > new bed and
>  > bedding if necessary, and I can dry clean my
>  > business outfits and wash
>  > my everyday clothes but that's about it.  I heard
>  > that bed bugs can't
>  > live in one of those expensive Temperpedic
>  > mattresses but maybe that's
>  > untrue?
>  >
>  > PLEASE, ANY ADVICE FROM ANYONE WOULD BE HELPFUL.
>  > This problem is
>  > really affecting my life.
>  >
>  > Thanks,
>  > K
>  >
>  >
>  >
>
>  __________________________________________________________
>  Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited
>  (http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited)
>
>
>
>
>
>
> nobugsonme@...
>
> Read the Bedbugger blog!
>
> Bedbugger: your foxhole in the war against bed bugs!
> http://bedbugger.wordpress.com
>
> New to Bedbugger?  Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
about bedbugs:
> http://bedbugger.wordpress.com/faqs
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Want to start your own business? Learn how on  Yahoo! Small
Business.
>

• Asian lady beetles
• Confused flour beetles
• Darkling larva (yellow mealworm)
• Saw-tooth grain beetle
• Bark scorpions
• Bed bugs
• Boxelder bugs
• Centipedes
• European earwigs
• House crickets
• House flies
• Paper wasps
• Pillbugs
• Black widow spiders
• Cellar spiders
• Silverfish
   

• Acrobat ants
• Argentine ants
• Carpenter ants
• Odorous house ants
• Pavement ants
• Pharaoh ants
• Pyramid ants
• American cockroaches
• Asian cockroaches
• Brown-banded cockroaches
• German cockroaches
• Oriental cockroaches
• Smokeybrown cockroaches
   

I just thought everyone might like to know that a dermatologist family friend of
mine was
recently sent an article about how to identify bedbug bites and how to not
confuse them with
other bites or diseases.  I've asked her to send me a copy, and she's said that
she will, and
when she does, I'll post it here.

But dermatologists are being informed.  Progress?

Rebecca, sounds like you're doing well. One thing, & I hate to burst
your bubble, leaving the light on won't matter. All of the bites I
got after the bed became bite free were while the lights were on in
mostly the wee hours when I was cleaning or working at my desk. A few
happened during daylight. You might find, though, that leaving the
light on may help psychologically (it helped my husband).

Dee in CO

On Oct 28, 2006, at 2:22 AM, insert_clevername wrote:

> Hi Deb,
>
> I bought the appergen reducing mattress covers today, and will be
> putting them on
> tomorrow after a lengthy vaccuming session (the exterminator said
> not to vaccume for 2
> weeks after getting sprayed, 2 weeks is now up!). I've become DE-
> happy, and will be
> sprinkling DE along all baseboards. I've isolated my bed as best I
> can, and have put
> double sided sticky tape along all my bed legs, as well as a mound
> of DE at the base of my
> bed legs. Everything I own that can be washed has been washed, and
> I've thrown away
> quite a lot of my things. Tomorrow is going to be The Great Purge:
> Part II, and I'll be
> tossing everything I don't wear anymore, don't need anymore, etc.
> I also plan on throwing
> away all my older pillows, and the ratty duvet is going to go.
> That leaves my one duvet
> that needs to still be professionally laundered, but I haven't the
> money to do it yet, so it
> remains inside a sealed garbage bag (as do the pillows and the
> other duvet). I'm being as
> careful as I possibly can, and plan on buying large ziplock bags to
> store my clothing in.
>
> I've also started sleeping with the lights on, since I read they
> are less likely to come out if
> the lights are on, although once I finish with the mattress cover,
> etc, I plan on sleeping
> with the lights off again.
>
> I'm hoping the double-sided tape will remain empty and that I won't
> find anything on the
> tape in the morning. To date, the monitors have remained bb-free,
> and I didn't have any
> indications of an infestation when I was told about the apartment
> upstairs.
>
> Thanks,
> Rebecca
>
> --- In bedbugger@yahoogroups.com, deborah november
> <deblynntshirt@...> wrote:
>>
>> Rebecca..You need to buy zippered mattress and
>> boxspring covers..Ones made esp. for bedbugs..you can
>> purchase them in the States from a company online all
>> National Allergy @ www.nationalallergy.com or call
>> them in the states tollfree at 1 800 522-1448...You
>> must smear petroleum jelly ( vaseline) on all of your
>> bedlegs..so they can't climb up..and you have to
>> remove your bed away from the wall...and..are you
>> vacumning alot ?? you must vacumn alot..tell me what
>> steps you are taking..and then order the zippered
>> covers for your mattress and boxspring..please do
>> this..Deb
>>
>> --- insert_clevername <insert_clevername@...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Deb,
>>>
>>> The management company takes bedbugs very seriously,
>>> and they will continue to spray
>>> until the infestation has been destroyed. There are
>>> many people who moved out after a
>>> different infestation on another side of the
>>> building and they are being really careful about
>>> renting them out again, repeatedly spraying the
>>> suites to make absolutely certain that all
>>> the bedbugs are gone before moving anyone into them.
>>>
>>> I am continuing to be proactive, I just want to know
>>> everything that I can do. Aside from
>>> isolating my matress, you know?
>>>
>>> And yes, I've always had pimples before. Nothing
>>> new about them, except now I
>>> scruitinize them much more.
>>>
>>> Thanks for the information- by covering all my
>>> bedding, what do you mean? I should bag
>>> them when I get out of bed?
>>>
>>> -Rebecca
>>>
>>> --- In bedbugger@yahoogroups.com, deborah november
>>> <deblynntshirt@ wrote:
>>>>
>>>> You are not alone...bbs create mental health
>>>> issues..even though there is denail about
>>> this...it is
>>>> possible for your neighbors to have them and so
>>> far
>>>> they haven't traveled to your place..but you must
>>> keep
>>>> being proactive..because they do travel..and you
>>> must
>>>> insist that extermination go on at your neighbors
>>>> until they are gone..which can take several
>>>> months...of even longer...Did you have these
>>> pimples
>>>> before ?? Keep looking your mattress and cover
>>> all
>>>> you bedding ..boxspring and mattress with zippered
>>>> covers..there is info what to do on our blog.....I
>>>> will see if I can link it to you...Do you live in
>>>> NYC...Deb
>>>>
>>>> --- insert_clevername <insert_clevername@>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I cannot tell you all how glad I am to have
>>> found
>>>>> this. No one else seems to understand,
>>>>> everyone I know and rely has recently started
>>>>> rolling their eyes whenever I bring it up.
>>>>>
>>>>> I live in an apartment building with a wide mix
>>> of
>>>>> people. On my birthday, my caretaker
>>>>> knocked on my door and asked me if I had noticed
>>> any
>>>>> mysterious bites. I hadn't, but she
>>>>> explained that the apartment directly above mine
>>> had
>>>>> an infestation where the visible bugs
>>>>> numbered in the hundreds. I was given three
>>> days to
>>>>> prepare my apartment for
>>>>> preventative spraying (huzzah, at least the
>>>>> management company takes this seriously, and
>>>>> makes all adjacent apartments to those with
>>>>> infestations get sprayed). Three days later, I
>>>>> finished following their instructions, they came
>>> in
>>>>> and sprayed, left 'monitors' all over the
>>>>> place, and said they'd be back in 7-10 days to
>>> check
>>>>> the monitors in my apartment.
>>>>>
>>>>> Fastforward a few days after my place was
>>> sprayed
>>>>> and I had washed the majority of my
>>>>> clothing (the rest has since been washed, except
>>> for
>>>>> a few things I cannot afford to have
>>>>> cleaned right now, and they all lived in sealed
>>>>> garbage bags up until I washed them),
>>>>> paranoia struck.
>>>>>
>>>>> To date, I haven't had a single bite (that I'm
>>> aware
>>>>> of, although I do get pimples, and
>>>>> spend hours debating and staring at those red
>>> bumps
>>>>> wondering if they are pimples or
>>>>> bedbug bites, cheering and jumping around when I
>>>>> (sorry) pop them; I also haven't had
>>>>> anything itchy, although the literature does
>>> state
>>>>> that not all people react to the bites), I
>>>>> haven't found any evidence of bugs, all the
>>> monitors
>>>>> are completely bug free, except for a
>>>>> lowly fruit fly that when I found resulted in me
>>>>> running to the caretakers suite bawling.
>>>>> I've been looking in as many places as I can
>>> think
>>>>> of. I've purchased a diatomaceous earth
>>>>> based household product that I have been putting
>>>>> into all the places I can't reach, or
>>>>> dissasemble. The people who live in the suite
>>> above
>>>>> mine still have bugs, does the logic
>>>>> not follow that I can still get bedbugs from
>>> them?
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't know if I'm even asking anything right
>>> now.
>>>>> Well, I know it is possible to have an
>>>>> infestation and not find any evidence of the
>>> bugs.
>>>>> The monitors are glue traps placed
>>>>> next to the baseboards- if I don't find bugs in
>>>>> those glue traps, does that mean I don't
>>>>> have bedbugs for sure?
>>>>>
>>>>> This paranoia is what is killing me. I've put
>>> in
>>>>> for a transfer to another suite because I
>>>>> cannot live under the people who still have them
>>>>> anymore, but I'll still be in the same
>>>>> building. I kind of want to move to another
>>>>> building, but I'm paranoid I'll bring them with
>>>>> me.
>>>>>
>>>>> Can I do anything else? Am I doing everything
>>>>> right? I spend my time at home searching
>>>>> my apartment for the bugs, I wake up in the
>>> middle
>>>>> of the night convinced bugs are
>>>>> crawling all over me, I'm constantly on the
>>> brink of
>>>>> tears- and I haven't had a single bite.
>>>>>
>>>>> I apologize in advance to those for whom this
>>> will
>>>>> come across as whiny- after all I am not
>>>>> suffering as so many people are, and I feel so
>>> sorry
>>>>> for the people who have infestations
>>>>> and are having physical pain and problems. But
>>> I'm
>>>>> at my wit's end, I'm constantly
>>>>> wondering if they've reached my suite, and if
>>> they
>>>>> haven't, when will they arrive.
>>>>>
>>>>> Tell me I'm not alone, please.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> __________________________________________________
>>>> Do You Yahoo!?
>>>> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
>>> protection around
>>>> http://mail.yahoo.com
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> __________________________________________________________
>> _______________
>> Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited
>> (http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited)
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

K...If you email me offline..I am willing to talk with
you..I will give you my phone number..email me at
deblynntshirt@yahoo.com I think you have bedbugs..I
will give you some advice..don't throw your mattress
away but you MUST cover it and the boxspring..that
will trap and kill any bugs inside..and SAVE any bugs
you find...you will need them for evidence..you can
kill them and put them into a sealed glass jar or
ziplock..I only saw one bug..and I had an
infestation..but you must take action quickly..so
email me....and I will be very willingly to help
you..Deb

--- Kelly <kellyscomedy@yahoo.com> wrote:

> HERE'S THE OVERALL BIG QUESTION: Can a person have
> bed bugs and never
> see them in their bed or around their
> house/apartment? If I can't see
> them, does that mean it has to be something else.
> Maybe little
> spiders? I killed one little spider (it was really
> tiny) about a week
> before I started waking up with bites. But again, I
> CAN'T SEE
> ANYTHING IN MY BED. It is driving me insane.
>
> OK, so here is the background info. in case you want
> to review it. If
> not, that's fine, just give me advice on my question
> above...
>
> For two weeks I have been waking up in the morning
> with little bites
> that itch like crazy. I went to the doc because I
> thought maybe they
> were hives (I've never had hives before) but she
> said they look like
> bites. And I went out of town for a week and didn't
> get bitten so
> that's when I knew it wasn't hives and had to be
> bites from something
> in my apartment.
>
> The bites are usually on the back of my thighs and
> remind me of
> mosquito bites except they don't really go away
> (they get smaller and
> smaller and eventually disappear, only to wake up to
> new ones). Right
> now I'd say I have 7 bites (4 on my back upper
> thighs, 2 on my back,
> and 1 on my lower stomach). My doc gave me a cream
> but it doesn't
> help with the itching at all. ANY ADVICE ON A
> TOPICAL CREAM THAT WILL
> RELIEVE THE ITCHING?
>
> Someone mentioned bed bugs and chiggers. First I
> painted the bites
> with clear nail polish because I heard that killed
> chiggers. Not
> surprisingly that didn't help (I doubted they were
> chiggers since I
> live in the city and only go outside to jog on the
> pavement... no
> camping or anything outdoorsy). So, I turned up my
> mattress and I saw
> and killed one bug (can't be sure what it was
> because it didn't look
> exactly like the bed bug pics I saw on the net but
> it was close so I
> am thinking that it was a bed bug). But I only say
> ONE bug. That was
> a week ago and I am still waking up with new bites
> every morning.
>
> I've lived (and slept) alone in this one bedroom
> apt. (in Houston, TX)
> for 5 months and never had a problem like this until
> now. My
> apartment building is small and older but very well
> kept and I
> consider myself a fairly "clean" woman (I keep
> things tidy). I bought
> my mattress new about 5 years ago.
>
> I called my landlord 5 times and asked him to come
> exterminate but he
> hasn't called me back. I want to call him and
> specifically tell him
> what to exterminate for (I think that's the info.
> that will get him
> off his ass and do something about it), but I have
> no idea what's
> biting me. Should I talk to the neighbors and see
> if they are having
> the same problem? What can I personally do to my
> apartment stop
> this?
>
> I don't want to throw away everything I own until I
> know what it is
> that is biting me. Plus I am broke. I can afford a
> new bed and
> bedding if necessary, and I can dry clean my
> business outfits and wash
> my everyday clothes but that's about it. I heard
> that bed bugs can't
> live in one of those expensive Temperpedic
> mattresses but maybe that's
> untrue?
>
> PLEASE, ANY ADVICE FROM ANYONE WOULD BE HELPFUL.
> This problem is
> really affecting my life.
>
> Thanks,
> K
>
>
>

__________________________________________________________
Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited
(http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited)

Rebecca, sounds like you're doing well. One thing, & I hate to burst
your bubble, leaving the light on won't matter.  All of the bites I
got after the bed became bite free were while the lights were on in
mostly the wee hours when I was cleaning or working at my desk. A few
happened during daylight.  You might find, though, that leaving the
light on may help psychologically (it helped my husband).

Dee in CO


On Oct 28, 2006, at 2:22 AM, insert_clevername wrote:

> Hi Deb,
>
> I bought the appergen reducing mattress covers today, and will be
> putting them on
> tomorrow after a lengthy vaccuming session (the exterminator said
> not to vaccume for 2
> weeks after getting sprayed, 2 weeks is now up!).  I've become DE-
> happy, and will be
> sprinkling DE along all baseboards.  I've isolated my bed as best I
> can, and have put
> double sided sticky tape along all my bed legs, as well as a mound
> of DE at the base of my
> bed legs.  Everything I own that can be washed has been washed, and
> I've thrown away
> quite a lot of my things.  Tomorrow is going to be The Great Purge:
> Part II, and I'll be
> tossing everything I don't wear anymore, don't need anymore, etc.
> I also plan on throwing
> away all my older pillows, and the ratty duvet is going to go.
> That leaves my one duvet
> that needs to still be professionally laundered, but I haven't the
> money to do it yet, so it
> remains inside a sealed garbage bag (as do the pillows and the
> other duvet).  I'm being as
> careful as I possibly can, and plan on buying large ziplock bags to
> store my clothing in.
>
> I've also started sleeping with the lights on, since I read they
> are less likely to come out if
> the lights are on, although once I finish with the mattress cover,
> etc, I plan on sleeping
> with the lights off again.
>
> I'm hoping the double-sided tape will remain empty and that I won't
> find anything on the
> tape in the morning.  To date, the monitors have remained bb-free,
> and I didn't have any
> indications of an infestation when I was told about the apartment
> upstairs.
>
> Thanks,
> Rebecca
>
> --- In bedbugger@yahoogroups.com, deborah november
> <deblynntshirt@...> wrote:
>>
>> Rebecca..You need to buy  zippered mattress and
>> boxspring covers..Ones made esp. for bedbugs..you can
>> purchase them in the States from a company online all
>> National Allergy  @ www.nationalallergy.com or call
>> them in the states tollfree at 1 800 522-1448...You
>> must smear petroleum jelly ( vaseline) on all of your
>> bedlegs..so they can't climb up..and you have to
>> remove your bed away from the wall...and..are you
>> vacumning alot ?? you must vacumn alot..tell me what
>> steps you are taking..and then order the zippered
>> covers for your mattress and boxspring..please do
>> this..Deb
>>
>> --- insert_clevername <insert_clevername@...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Deb,
>>>
>>> The management company takes bedbugs very seriously,
>>> and they will continue to spray
>>> until the infestation has been destroyed.  There are
>>> many people who moved out after a
>>> different infestation on another side of the
>>> building and they are being really careful about
>>> renting them out again, repeatedly spraying the
>>> suites to make absolutely certain that all
>>> the bedbugs are gone before moving anyone into them.
>>>
>>> I am continuing to be proactive, I just want to know
>>> everything that I can do.  Aside from
>>> isolating my matress, you know?
>>>
>>> And yes, I've always had pimples before.  Nothing
>>> new about them, except now I
>>> scruitinize them much more.
>>>
>>> Thanks for the information- by covering all my
>>> bedding, what do you mean?  I should bag
>>> them when I get out of bed?
>>>
>>> -Rebecca
>>>
>>> --- In bedbugger@yahoogroups.com, deborah november
>>> <deblynntshirt@ wrote:
>>>>
>>>> You are not alone...bbs create mental health
>>>> issues..even though there is denail about
>>> this...it is
>>>> possible for your neighbors to have them and so
>>> far
>>>> they haven't traveled to your place..but you must
>>> keep
>>>> being proactive..because they do travel..and you
>>> must
>>>> insist that extermination go on at your neighbors
>>>> until they are gone..which can take several
>>>> months...of even longer...Did you have these
>>> pimples
>>>> before ??  Keep looking your mattress and cover
>>> all
>>>> you bedding ..boxspring and mattress with zippered
>>>> covers..there is info what to do on our blog.....I
>>>> will see if I can link it to you...Do you live in
>>>> NYC...Deb
>>>>
>>>> --- insert_clevername <insert_clevername@>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I cannot tell you all  how glad I am to have
>>> found
>>>>> this.  No one else seems to understand,
>>>>> everyone I know and rely has recently started
>>>>> rolling their eyes whenever I bring it up.
>>>>>
>>>>> I live in an apartment building with a wide mix
>>> of
>>>>> people.  On my birthday, my caretaker
>>>>> knocked on my door and asked me if I had noticed
>>> any
>>>>> mysterious bites.  I hadn't, but she
>>>>> explained that the apartment directly above mine
>>> had
>>>>> an infestation where the visible bugs
>>>>> numbered in the hundreds.  I was given three
>>> days to
>>>>> prepare my apartment for
>>>>> preventative spraying (huzzah, at least the
>>>>> management company takes this seriously, and
>>>>> makes all adjacent apartments to those with
>>>>> infestations get sprayed).  Three days later, I
>>>>> finished following their instructions, they came
>>> in
>>>>> and sprayed, left 'monitors' all over the
>>>>> place, and said they'd be back in 7-10 days to
>>> check
>>>>> the monitors in my apartment.
>>>>>
>>>>> Fastforward a few days after my place was
>>> sprayed
>>>>> and I had washed the majority of my
>>>>> clothing (the rest has since been washed, except
>>> for
>>>>> a few things I cannot afford to have
>>>>> cleaned right now, and they all lived in sealed
>>>>> garbage bags up until I washed them),
>>>>> paranoia struck.
>>>>>
>>>>> To date, I haven't had a single bite (that I'm
>>> aware
>>>>> of, although I do get pimples, and
>>>>> spend hours debating and staring at those red
>>> bumps
>>>>> wondering if they are pimples or
>>>>> bedbug bites, cheering and jumping around when I
>>>>> (sorry) pop them; I also haven't had
>>>>> anything itchy, although the literature does
>>> state
>>>>> that not all people react to the bites), I
>>>>> haven't found any evidence of bugs, all the
>>> monitors
>>>>> are completely bug free, except for a
>>>>> lowly fruit fly that when I found resulted in me
>>>>> running to the caretakers suite bawling.
>>>>> I've been looking in as many places as I can
>>> think
>>>>> of.  I've purchased a diatomaceous earth
>>>>> based household product that I have been putting
>>>>> into all the places I can't reach, or
>>>>> dissasemble.  The people who live in the suite
>>> above
>>>>> mine still have bugs, does the logic
>>>>> not follow that I can still get bedbugs from
>>> them?
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't know if I'm even asking anything right
>>> now.
>>>>> Well, I know it is possible to have an
>>>>> infestation and not find any evidence of the
>>> bugs.
>>>>> The monitors are glue traps placed
>>>>> next to the baseboards- if I don't find bugs in
>>>>> those glue traps, does that mean I don't
>>>>> have bedbugs for sure?
>>>>>
>>>>> This paranoia is what is killing me.  I've put
>>> in
>>>>> for a transfer to another suite because I
>>>>> cannot live under the people who still have them
>>>>> anymore, but I'll still be in the same
>>>>> building.  I kind of want to move to another
>>>>> building, but I'm paranoid I'll bring them with
>>>>> me.
>>>>>
>>>>> Can I do anything else?  Am I doing everything
>>>>> right?  I spend my time at home searching
>>>>> my apartment for the bugs, I wake up in the
>>> middle
>>>>> of the night convinced bugs are
>>>>> crawling all over me, I'm constantly on the
>>> brink of
>>>>> tears- and I haven't had a single bite.
>>>>>
>>>>> I apologize in advance to those for whom this
>>> will
>>>>> come across as whiny- after all I am not
>>>>> suffering as so many people are, and I feel so
>>> sorry
>>>>> for the people who have infestations
>>>>> and are having physical pain and problems.  But
>>> I'm
>>>>> at my wit's end, I'm constantly
>>>>> wondering if they've reached my suite, and if
>>> they
>>>>> haven't, when will they arrive.
>>>>>
>>>>> Tell me I'm not alone, please.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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Hi:

My toddler's mattress and my bassinett mattress for baby #2 (any day now) are
both lined
with vinyl. This means that bedbugs can't get in and I don't necessarily need a
vinyl cover
for them, correct?

Maria.

Yes please pass it on in the FAQ, I'm glad it's useful info. I've always
used that technique to determine whether my cats had fleas again.

> This is really helpful, Jody, can we quote you on the FAQ that's going up
> on bedbugger.wordpress.com?
> Thanks,
> Kate
>
> Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann <jlg23@cornell.edu> wrote:
> One way I use to tell if the black spots are insect feces from a
> blood
> feeder (fleas or bed bugs) is to take a wet piece of toilet tissue and
> soak
> the spot. What comes off onto the tissue will be brownish to reddish if
> it
> is blood. On a fabric surface, just adding water to the specks will
> cause
> them to run, and if this happens and you see brown to reddish runny
> colors,
> it's most likely fecal blood. If you have no other signs of fleas (bed
> bug
> specks adhere to things, flea feces look like a pile of dirt or black
> pepper) then it sounds like bed bug fecal drops.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> nobugsonme@yahoo.com
>
> Read the Bedbugger blog!
>
> Bedbugger: your foxhole in the war against bed bugs!
> http://bedbugger.wordpress.com
>
> New to Bedbugger? Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about
> bedbugs:
> http://bedbugger.wordpress.com/faqs
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.

Hi all. I posted here a few weeks ago when concerned that I might have
bed bugs after learning that a neighbor down the hall (and some other
apts in my building) had them.  We had Broadway exterminators come and
inspect and they did't find any sign of a problem.  So we are hopefull
that all is okay.  So you may ask why I am posting; well, the parents
of my son's good friend just found out that there are bugs in the
building and he is no longer allowed over. And I'm not even sure they
will allow the boys to play at their place.  My son is only 5 and will
not understand this. And I don't what to tell him the truth and alarm
him in any way. I realize this is a small thing compared to the
problems you have when actually dealing with bedbugs, but this
epidemic affects people is so many ways.  I am really surprised that
there hasn't been more political and business attention paid to this.
One would think that the chemical co that comes up with the right
combatant would do really well!

Hi everybody,

I have not been reading the posts to this discussion board for a few
weeks now, and I want to apologize. It has come to my attention that
things have started to get a bit out of hand, and after reading
through a few of the most recent posts, I have to admit that I agree.

For that reason, I have turned on moderation for posting. What that
means is that I will receive all messages and approve them before they
are posted to the board.

I ask you to please adhere to a few guidelines when posting and please
try to remember the spirit of this group. This group is to be a place
where people who have bedbugs can come to share their stories and get
the support and validation they need in order to gain the emotional
strength that is required to beat bedbugs.

I understand that there is a political angle involved with defeating
bedbugs, and a heated debate surrounding just what should be done on a
governmental level to protect the rights of people dealing with
infestations. I know also that people disagree about the best ways to
treat and handle an infestation. If you want to discuss these topics,
I invite you to start another group on Yahoo for that purpose. The
groups are free to start on your own. However, these types of
discussions do not fit the purpose of this site, which is the giving
and receiving of emotional support regarding bedbugs.
Politically-motivated and fear-driven advice will not be posted to
this group.

I also ask that people please refrain from the use of inappropriate
language or disparaging remarks. We are all adults and we need to
treat each other with the respect and decorum that we would expect
ourselves.

Lastly, I ask that if you have something you would like to say
directly to one or two members of the group, please send that
person(s) a private message via e-mail. Do not post your individual
messages to the whole group. It clutters the board and makes it very
difficult for others to get the information they are coming here to get.

I will do my best to read and approve messages as they come in. I
think this is a great group that just needs a few ground rules to keep
it going. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. As
always, if anyone has any further suggestions, please e-mail me
(Caitlinator-at-gmail-dot-com).

Caitlin

Hi Deb,

I don't think I would be doubted in this situation.  The caretaker is on my
side, and the
management company, despite all their other faults, are taking this very
seriously,
spraying all adjacent suites preventatively even if there are no signs of
infestation at all, as
well as helping the tenants with infested suites to determine what items should
be thrown
away, which should be kept, bagging and taping shut (with warning labels) all
furniture
thrown out and spraying the halls, elevator and stairs after the items have been
removed.

It looks like I am incredibly lucky to be in this building, if only because the
management
company is taking this infestation very seriously and are bending over backwards
to get all
suites clean.

I bought zipper covers for my pillows as well.

Also, I will stop mounding DE.

Thanks again for all your help, this has done wonders to help make me feel
empowered to
be able to DO something against this terrible bug.

--- In bedbugger@yahoogroups.com, deborah november <deblynntshirt@...> wrote:
>
> Rebecca.. I have you in my prayers...I forgot to
> mention the importance of getting  zipper cover for
> your pillows...Nat'l Allergy should sell them as
> well..or BedBath and Beyond...also..do NOT mound the
> DE..it must be put down in an even spray..that's why
> the hand bellow duster is an important tool..I made
> the mounding mistake and found out that they avoid
> mounds..but will walk thru..litely dusted areas...kill
> them all Rebecca...the only good bb is a dead
> one..Deb..but if you do find any..keep them (dead) for
> evidence...otherwise you will be doubted..
>
> --- insert_clevername <insert_clevername@...>
> wrote:
>
> > Hi Deb,
> >
> > I bought the appergen reducing mattress covers
> > today, and will be putting them on
> > tomorrow after a lengthy vaccuming session (the
> > exterminator said not to vaccume for 2
> > weeks after getting sprayed, 2 weeks is now up!).
> > I've become DE-happy, and will be
> > sprinkling DE along all baseboards.  I've isolated
> > my bed as best I can, and have put
> > double sided sticky tape along all my bed legs, as
> > well as a mound of DE at the base of my
> > bed legs.  Everything I own that can be washed has
> > been washed, and I've thrown away
> > quite a lot of my things.  Tomorrow is going to be
> > The Great Purge: Part II, and I'll be
> > tossing everything I don't wear anymore, don't need
> > anymore, etc.  I also plan on throwing
> > away all my older pillows, and the ratty duvet is
> > going to go.  That leaves my one duvet
> > that needs to still be professionally laundered, but
> > I haven't the money to do it yet, so it
> > remains inside a sealed garbage bag (as do the
> > pillows and the other duvet).  I'm being as
> > careful as I possibly can, and plan on buying large
> > ziplock bags to store my clothing in.
> >
> > I've also started sleeping with the lights on, since
> > I read they are less likely to come out if
> > the lights are on, although once I finish with the
> > mattress cover, etc, I plan on sleeping
> > with the lights off again.
> >
> > I'm hoping the double-sided tape will remain empty
> > and that I won't find anything on the
> > tape in the morning.  To date, the monitors have
> > remained bb-free, and I didn't have any
> > indications of an infestation when I was told about
> > the apartment upstairs.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Rebecca
> >
> > --- In bedbugger@yahoogroups.com, deborah november
> > <deblynntshirt@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Rebecca..You need to buy  zippered mattress and
> > > boxspring covers..Ones made esp. for bedbugs..you
> > can
> > > purchase them in the States from a company online
> > all
> > > National Allergy  @ www.nationalallergy.com or
> > call
> > > them in the states tollfree at 1 800
> > 522-1448...You
> > > must smear petroleum jelly ( vaseline) on all of
> > your
> > > bedlegs..so they can't climb up..and you have to
> > > remove your bed away from the wall...and..are you
> > > vacumning alot ?? you must vacumn alot..tell me
> > what
> > > steps you are taking..and then order the zippered
> > > covers for your mattress and boxspring..please do
> > > this..Deb
> > >
> > > --- insert_clevername <insert_clevername@>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi Deb,
> > > >
> > > > The management company takes bedbugs very
> > seriously,
> > > > and they will continue to spray
> > > > until the infestation has been destroyed.  There
> > are
> > > > many people who moved out after a
> > > > different infestation on another side of the
> > > > building and they are being really careful about
> >
> > > > renting them out again, repeatedly spraying the
> > > > suites to make absolutely certain that all
> > > > the bedbugs are gone before moving anyone into
> > them.
> > > >
> > > > I am continuing to be proactive, I just want to
> > know
> > > > everything that I can do.  Aside from
> > > > isolating my matress, you know?
> > > >
> > > > And yes, I've always had pimples before.
> > Nothing
> > > > new about them, except now I
> > > > scruitinize them much more.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for the information- by covering all my
> > > > bedding, what do you mean?  I should bag
> > > > them when I get out of bed?
> > > >
> > > > -Rebecca
> > > >
> > > > --- In bedbugger@yahoogroups.com, deborah
> > november
> > > > <deblynntshirt@ wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > You are not alone...bbs create mental health
> > > > > issues..even though there is denail about
> > > > this...it is
> > > > > possible for your neighbors to have them and
> > so
> > > > far
> > > > > they haven't traveled to your place..but you
> > must
> > > > keep
> > > > > being proactive..because they do travel..and
> > you
> > > > must
> > > > > insist that extermination go on at your
> > neighbors
> > > > > until they are gone..which can take several
> > > > > months...of even longer...Did you have these
> > > > pimples
> > > > > before ??  Keep looking your mattress and
> > cover
> > > > all
> > > > > you bedding ..boxspring and mattress with
> > zippered
> > > > > covers..there is info what to do on our
> > blog.....I
> > > > > will see if I can link it to you...Do you live
> > in
> > > > > NYC...Deb
> > > > >
> > > > > --- insert_clevername <insert_clevername@>
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > I cannot tell you all  how glad I am to have
> > > > found
> > > > > > this.  No one else seems to understand,
> > > > > > everyone I know and rely has recently
> > started
> > > > > > rolling their eyes whenever I bring it up.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I live in an apartment building with a wide
> > mix
> > > > of
> > > > > > people.  On my birthday, my caretaker
> > > > > > knocked on my door and asked me if I had
> > noticed
> > > > any
> > > > > > mysterious bites.  I hadn't, but she
> > > > > > explained that the apartment directly above
> > mine
> > > > had
> > > > > > an infestation where the visible bugs
> > > > > > numbered in the hundreds.  I was given three
> > > > days to
> > > > > > prepare my apartment for
> > > > > > preventative spraying (huzzah, at least the
> > > > > > management company takes this seriously, and
> >
> > > > > > makes all adjacent apartments to those with
> > > > > > infestations get sprayed).  Three days
> > later, I
> > > > > > finished following their instructions, they
> > came
> > > > in
> > > > > > and sprayed, left 'monitors' all over the
> > > > > > place, and said they'd be back in 7-10 days
> > to
> > > > check
> > > > > > the monitors in my apartment.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Fastforward a few days after my place was
> > > > sprayed
> > > > > > and I had washed the majority of my
> > > > > > clothing (the rest has since been washed,
> > except
> > > > for
> > > > > > a few things I cannot afford to have
> > > > > > cleaned right now, and they all lived in
> > sealed
> > > > > > garbage bags up until I washed them),
> > > > > > paranoia struck.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > To date, I haven't had a single bite (that
> > I'm
> > > > aware
> > > > > > of, although I do get pimples, and
> > > > > > spend hours debating and staring at those
> > red
> > > > bumps
> > > > > > wondering if they are pimples or
> > > > > > bedbug bites, cheering and jumping around
> > when I
> > > > > > (sorry) pop them; I also haven't had
> > > > > > anything itchy, although the literature does
> > > > state
> > > > > > that not all people react to the bites), I
> > > > > > haven't found any evidence of bugs, all the
> > > > monitors
> > > > > > are completely bug free, except for a
> >
> === message truncated ===
>
>
>
>
>
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