Bed Bugs, how a little knowledge saved thousands.

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Have to mentioned anything to your grandmother, where you got them? How is your dad doing with his situation?

I have not but my dad is dancing around the subject without trying to offend her. He went fishing a few times and asked if she has a mosquito looking bites and she said no. He will get further into it soon. She was in the hospital at the time for unrelated issues.

Another bit of info is her daughter (my aunt) lives in a apartment complex, she gets depressed at times and doesn’t shower for a week at a time, apartment complexes are notorious for bed bugs so most likely that’s where they came from but who knows.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

What about upholstered furniture and carpets? I've read that sub zero temps for hours will also kill them. A new chest freezer might be a good investment that you could cycle clothing, boots, etc, through it every few days. Then you could either use or sell the freezer.

As far as furniture and carpets, those will have to be sprayed by the exterminator, I can put some bug intercepters under the legs and pull them away from walls and tables.

I just found 2 more bites from yesterday so I am still getting in contact with them. I suspect my couch or car, no evidence they were in the mattress, I have not tore the couch apart yet.

 

[Ford850]

I've also heard that services such as in home health care, meals on wheels, etc, are possible carriers since they go from home to home throughout the day.

 

[cqaigy2]

If that's true, a waterbed or memory foam mattress would stop their life cycle. :thumbsup:

Great! I don't have springs in my bed either.

 

[ultrarunner]

Around here it is heat treatment seen the most... the entire inside of the home is heated to 130+ and maintained at that temp for several hours.

Also, dogs are used to track bedbugs... sounds a little out there but some are that good.

 

[4570Man]

It shouldn't be hard to bring a vehicle to 130 degree even in the winter time. The house would be harder.

 

[MossRoad]

Around here it is heat treatment seen the most... the entire inside of the home is heated to 130+ and maintained at that temp for several hours.

Also, dogs are used to track bedbugs... sounds a little out there but some are that good.

Our local pest company has dogs that they bring in to apartments, colleges, jails, etc... to detect bedbugs.

 

[ultrarunner]

Here is a related comment to canine trained to find bugs...

Some of the Section 8 tenants have refused to allow canine entry... claiming dogs are unsanitary.

Well, about 4 months later the most vocal was the subject of a raid for drugs... guess the fuss about the dog wasn't about bugs but drugs.

Starting managing residential rentals in 1982 and have seen a lot over the years... Bed Bugs is just another chapter that reaffirms my gradual transition to commercial property... getting to the point where I want nothing to do with anything with beds... bugs or not.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Well another update, it’s been almost 2 weeks since I have been bit by a bed bug.

I have gotten into the habit of spraying everything down with concentrated rubbing alcohol (91% I think).

I just talked with the pest control owner yesterday, he was following up to see how things are going and I told him what I have been doing, what I have done and he says sounds like I may have gotten lucky and nipped it in the butt.

 

[teg]

Did your dad have any more problems with them? Any update on "The Talk"?