I am on a two year odyssey myself and agree that these guys probably go deep within the walls and then come out again when the repellent chemical residues subside. I was working with Kingway on a "maintenance plan" wherein they come every two months, but have found bugs still appearing (in specific places) despite using the chemicals.

I have far more expertise than I would like, and know that there are lot of scams out there. I have also done very thorough job sealing/caulking every crevice, but I live in a wood frame house attached on both sides, and I fear that I may have gotten the infestation from one neighbor who does not know they have a problem, or do not have the resources to respond. I own my home, and have spent many $K on this issue. If you have found a really good exterminator, please share their information. Thank you!

Posted by: Brooklyn_Lou at April 6, 2009 1:21 PM in response to Bed Bugs, Doesn't Anyone in Windsor Terrace have them?????

Bed bugs are insideous, and it is very likely that there is no way to completely eliminate them without the use of chemicals. If you are dealing with a good exterminator, there are typically three that are used. The first is a excitant, which specifically draws bugs out of crevices where they hide *and can live in hibernation up to 18 months without feeding* so that they get exposed to the poisons being used. The second is a growth cycle regulator, which essentially renders the bugs sterile. Any time a single bug feeds, they can lay up to 100 eggs PER DAY for up to seven days. It is easy to get infested quickly. The growth cycle regulator also prevents current bugs from developing to the next stage (there are four stages of development, see: http://www.pest-control-management.com/articles/bed-bugs/bed-bug-life-cycle/). The last is a residue poison, that is usually mixed with water. Once bed bugs come out to find a host, they carry the poison on their legs, ingest it when the clean themselves, and then die once the poison is ingested. This allows for an ongoing process, as it is very rare (and no exterminator will guarantee) that the bugs can be eliminated in one - or even several - primary treatments.

I am not an exterminator, and you should consult an expert. But I have learned a lot through resolving this problem in my own home - and note - how clean you are does not make a difference. Unfortunately there is no "green" way to resolve this. Bed bugs are back precisely because DDT (and other things like karosene) are no longer legal to use. Chemicals are the only way to get rid of the problem, but most are very diluted and hence no real danger to pets or people.

If you need a recommendation for someone, respond and I can give you two good names.

Posted by: Brooklyn_Lou at April 6, 2009 1:10 PM in response to non-toxic BED BUG extermination?

If you can see direct evidence of an infestation, you may have a fairly serious problem, and you should call an exterminator. Caulking damaged sites probably does fairly little, as termites work internally for the most part, only making "mud tunnels" (a composite of digested wood and a liquid compound the bugs secrete) to move from one place to another above ground.

It is also possible that what you are experiencing with the dead bugs is what is commonly referred to as a "bloom", wherein a colony - often in April or early spring - launches thousands of its "breeders" above ground, which, in turn, try to find new places to establish colonies. When the place they land is your basement floor, they often die off quickly, not finding new soil to borrow down into. But a bloom is a sure sign of an infestation, regardless of severity.

I am not an exterminator, but did a lot of research on this when I had a mild infestation several years ago. You might contact Kingsway Exterminators, a firm that successfully resolved our problem, but bear in mind that you need to hire someone that offers a guarantee of their services - and at least for 5 years in terms of termites. This is especially important since most of the damage these bugs can do will never be visible outside your walls.

Good luck.

Posted by: Brooklyn_Lou at April 6, 2009 12:58 PM in response to Termites! Help

I scheduled for Terminix to come in tomorrow. If anyone know someone better, please post.

Posted by: zuffy at April 6, 2009 1:55 PM in response to Termites! Help

i would use a local guy instead of a chain like terminex...ask your neighbors who they used...and right away

Posted by: eman1234 at April 6, 2009 7:33 PM in response to Termites! Help

First, STOP! Cancel the Terminex appointment if you can. Don't rush into anything. Time is on your side. Termites wreak damage, but slowly, over the course of years. You would do better to spend a few weeks on research, because choosing a good exterminator may be the most important factor.

As a disclaimer, I'll say that my experience with termites is in another state--but much of this is probably applicable here. There are two main types of termites. I think the distinction is that one is subterranean, and one flies (in the south, I think). My experience is with subterranean.

1. Personally, I would not use Terminex or Orkin (except possibly for a comparative estimate). I have a poor impression of both. As Eman suggested, I would look for a smaller local place. I see nothing wrong with calling 10-15 places for information, and getting 5, or at least 3, estimates. Beware of any markedly lower estimate, as it may mean that they're skimping in some way.

2. Ask every question you can think of. Ask what they do, and see how straightforwardly they answer you. If they drill, ask how and where. Ask what products they use. Ask about their guarantees, which are crucial.

3. The single best chemical is generally considered to be Termidor, with Premise running a good second. Personally, I would not hire any place that used bait stations.

4. Do all possible research beforehand, including checking up on the companies.

Good luck.

Posted by: FishieFishie at April 7, 2009 9:07 AM in response to Termites! Help

Terminix came this morning. They wanted about $1300 (including tax) to install bait stations around the property.

Scheduled an appointment with Kingsway Exterminator this sat.

Anymore recommendations? I am in the Bensonhurst area.

Posted by: zuffy at April 7, 2009 2:23 PM in response to Termites! Help

argh.

okay, brooklyn lou, i'd love your recommendations...

thanks much.

Posted by: buggy at April 7, 2009 5:06 PM in response to non-toxic BED BUG extermination?

I've delt with termites in several properties. The most logical and environmentally friendly way to eliminate them is to go with the bait station. The subterranean termites constantly scavange for wood in and around your house. The juicy wood bait is placed around your house in bait stations. These are checked monthly. Once the termites are actively eating the bait and forming trails back to the Queen, the bait is switched for the insecticide laced bait-wood. The insecticide is only present in the bait wood so there is no leaching into the environement or into the water table. The insecticide is taken back to the Queen like a Trojan horse and is consumed at the center of the hive. Once the Queen is dead, the colony is wiped out. Monitoring is continued on a regular basis thereafter because termites are always around and looking to establish new colonies.
This method works. I've seen the results. It's expensive though.Terminix and the other big name exterminators charge big bucks for the treatment.
For do-it-yourselfers, the bait stations and all the materials are available on line for about $200-300 dollars.

Posted by: Legion at April 7, 2009 7:44 PM in response to Termites! Help

Since I am infested already, shouldn't I get a treatment? I would think the bait stations would be a very slow process and it will be hit and miss. Also, I don't get a barrier protection.

Posted by: zuffy at April 8, 2009 10:53 AM in response to Termites! Help

I currently have bait stations. I pay about 200-300 a year for maintenance with terminix and paid about a startup of about 1800. The barrier method is only effective if they do a complete barrier around your house which I think is impossible. My research has provided that bait stations are the better way to go.

Here's the deal. It's impossible to know the damage the termites have already done unless you start opening up walls and ceilings. If your basement has an open ceiling I would start there. Look at all the floor joists and start poking at them with a sharp screwdriver. Believe me, you'll know when the screwdriver goes through the wood if there is damage or not. Then start poking on the sill plate of your house, and look for the damage. Is your house brick or wood frame? The damage could be extensive or minor, it all depends how many termites have been eating and for how long.

Stopping the damage now makes sense. But you also need to access how much damage has already occurred. Don't forget they eat from the inside of the wood. You won't see the damage just by looking you have to poke.

I had a 4x6 wall stud in my house that looked intact. When I grabbed it with my hand it was completely hollow and literally was pulverized.

Posted by: GabeS at April 8, 2009 1:01 PM in response to Termites! Help

It a brick rowhouse. Since it's a finished basement, pretty much everything is covered up.

Posted by: zuffy at April 8, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Termites! Help

brooklyn lou:

could you please share your two recommendations for professional bed bug exterminators? much obliged.

mdneville930@yahoo.com

Posted by: mdnev at April 9, 2009 7:31 AM in response to non-toxic BED BUG extermination?