The Worlds of Katherine Kurtz

Off Topic => Tid Bits => Topic started by: Elkhound on November 29, 2018, 11:17:37 AM

Title: Bedbugs
Post by: Elkhound on November 29, 2018, 11:17:37 AM
I have been battling bedbugs for weeks.  I've tried using diatomacious earth, spraying alcohol, using catnip and rosemary (which the Native Americans used against them), and while there are fewer, they are not gone.  I've been suspended from work until I get this resolved.  I'm leery of using chemical pesticides because of Roberta.

Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: DesertRose on November 29, 2018, 11:34:28 AM
If you can possibly take Roberta to be boarded for a day or so, you can spray 91% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol, but a higher strength than what is normally used for medical purposes, although you can buy the 91% stuff over the counter) on the bugs themselves.  It will kill them more or less on contact.

Also, if it's possible, get bedbug bags for your bed (mattress and box springs) and encase the pieces in the bags (the bags generally have a zip closure with a zipper that tucks into a small pocket); they will trap any bedbugs and eggs that are on your bed pieces themselves so that the bugs can't get out and the eggs either won't hatch or will not be able to go anywhere if they do hatch.  There are also trays you can put under the feet of your bed frame to keep them from moving around your home.

Any textiles (bed linens, clothing, towels, furniture covers) that can be washed, wash in the hottest water they can take and dry on the hottest heat setting; pillows and things of that nature can be tossed into the dryer on the hottest heat setting for half an hour and that should kill any bugs or eggs.

Sympathy.  My books are still in boxes wrapped in industrial plastic wrap for another year because of a bedbug infestation last fall.  (Bedbugs sometimes lay eggs in the bindings of books.)
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: Elkhound on November 29, 2018, 12:43:11 PM
I've tried most of those.  I just talked to an exterminator, and it would cost $1,400.00 to do the apartment.
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: revanne on November 29, 2018, 02:35:24 PM
You have my deepest sympathy. We had them when we moved here. Sadly, because I prefer not to, I think chemicals are the only solution.
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: Elkhound on December 01, 2018, 12:41:10 PM
Yes, I think so.  I got an estimate.  $1,400.00 (US); for those across the pound, that's  L. 10,976.07 or E. 12,369,14 or CAN$ 18604.17.  I'm going to have to dip into my IRA, alas.  When I get them taken care of, I'll start a Gofundme to replenish.
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: revanne on December 01, 2018, 02:27:05 PM
Is it worth getting another estimate?  We paid about £350 - approx $500 for four bedrooms so it seems very high to me given that our prices tend to be higher than yours generally.
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: Elkhound on December 01, 2018, 08:59:33 PM
 Yes, I asked around.  That seems to be the going rate around here.  In some parts of the US it may be less, but we are a big country; and, because we are a Federal Union rather than a Unitary State, the laws and regulations vary more from place to plae.
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: HoundMistress on December 02, 2018, 09:30:16 AM
Wow! Sorry to hear about the bb infestation. I think it's safer to board the Kitty-baby and do the chemical one. So sorry you have to do that, but then you will know they are all gone. Some exterminators give you mattress & springs covers.
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: Elkhound on December 07, 2018, 05:04:29 PM
Thanks.  I talked to the exterminator--he's scheduled to come on Tuesday morning, and he says that it should be safe to bring Roberta back by afternoon.  My vet's office confirms it.  I'm going to take Roberta n her kitty-stroller with my tablet down to the vet's office and hang out in their waiting room.  (The office is less than a quarter mile away, so I always use the stroller.  That way she gets exposure to new sights and smells and sounds on the way--makes it a bit of an adventure.)

The things I can't launder, I've been packing in black plastic bags and putting in the deep freee; the cold should kill the bugs and the eggs.  The books and my washable clothes I'm putting in the unheated garage; fortunately, it is cold enough here that most nights it drops well below freezing, so that should put paid to the critters.
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: Jerusha on December 07, 2018, 06:28:51 PM
Good news, Elkhound.  Hope all goes well.
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: Elkhound on December 10, 2018, 01:00:26 PM
Wrapping the books is taking longer than I thought it would, and running up and down the stairs to the garage and baement is hard on both my knees and back.  Hope I can finish before this afternoon!
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: Elkhound on December 13, 2018, 04:31:46 PM
I've had to delay him a couple of times, but he's coming tomorrow afternoon.  I'm going to have to work late tonight and probably get up at an insane hour tomorrow to get everything ready for him.  Thanks to whoever invented Ibuprofin!
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: Elkhound on December 17, 2018, 12:07:07 PM
 He ame and sprayed.  I ordered some matress covers from Amazon, which came yeterday.  I''m going to hae to put them on, then vaccum, then put my apartmet back together.  He'll come again Friday, and then Friday week, to follow up.

I've started a Gofundme; if you can give even a token amount, I'd appreciate it. 

https://www.gofundme.com/r2aa2-bedbugs&rcid=r01-154506999132-0ca96f526b0e4744&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_m
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: Elkhound on December 20, 2018, 10:02:08 PM
I've got almost all my clothes, bedding, towels, etc back.  Most of my books are still down in the garage--getting them up will be a pain, both figuratively and literally given my bad back and bad knee.

I haven't seen any live bedbugs, but lots of dead ones.

I hope to go back to work Boxing Day.
Title: Re: Bedbugs
Post by: Elkhound on January 22, 2019, 04:56:24 PM
He's been here four times and they're still not gone.   He's told me to get rid of my box springs.  I've sent for a new one on Amazon--all steel, no wood for the little you-know-whats to get into--and as soon as it comes and I've set it up, I'll call him for one more  spray.

There are a lot fewer; I only see an occasional one and neither Roberta or I have been bitten in the longest time; her ears have healed up nicel.

I've set up a GoFundMe to try to recoup my losses.  https://www.gofundme.com/r2aa2-bedbugs&rcid=r01-154819752336-6a68bfa4e04244bf&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_m