Bed Bug Question
I have an important question related to bedbugs. First, I’ve never had bedbugs in my life. Never seen one, never had a bite. The other day I found a very small bug crawling on my couch and caught it. Took it to an exterminator because it looked suspicious and it turns out that it is…
I have an important question related to bedbugs. First, I’ve never had bedbugs in my life. Never seen one, never had a bite. The other day I found a very small bug crawling on my couch and caught it. Took it to an exterminator because it looked suspicious and it turns out that it is indeed a bedbug. I’ve thoroughly searched the couch and surrounding area and not seen anymore bugs, or any of the other signs of them (blood stains, shedded skins, etc.). Also no one that lives in my apartment has any bites, or has ever had any bites. We found the bug last week and have been on alert for any new signs, but nothing.
So my question is this. Should I go ahead and do the treatment anyway, or risk it and not do anything? The treatment is very thorough and time consuming (not to mention expensive) and involves basically ripping apart my whole apartment, spending hours and hours cleaning, doing laundry, etc. If I don’t have anymore bugs, it seems crazy to do all that. But then, I also definitely do not want to end up with an infestation.
I searched alot online, but can’t seem to find any information about what to do if you find a bug, but no bites. Usually it’s the other way around. The exterminator had no opinion either way, he said it’s up to us. Thoughts?
I recommend Liberty Pest Control… Speak to Juan or Greg. They have handled an 8 Family bldg in Park Slope for me and have done a superb job, make sure they send you Dominick, he seems to be the best of the exterminators working for them. The Fogging and spreading of what they call “The Dust” into the walls every few feet did the trick…
We went thru 5 other exterminators over 2 years before liberty fixed the issue…
Liberty Pest Control
8220 17th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11214-2116
(718) 837-9030
http://www.libertypestnyc.com
after months of using a professional exterminator, someone I know finally used a product like Results and her bedbugs are finally gone. Results contains diatomaceous earth (silica dioxide) which is non-toxic. It does not poison the bedbugs. Instead, it causes their exoskeletons to break down (I think it takes about a week). Results also contains a poison which works much faster. If you are worried about children or pets, you might want to use straight diatomaceous earth. The only danger is if you breathe too much of it in — it’s a fine powder. You have to place it in all the cracks of your floorboards, baseboards, electrical outlets, etc. wherever the bedbugs might be hiding. You should place it around the bed posts, if that is how the bugs crawl into your bed. Once they come into contact with the powder, it will kill them.
I say this whenever the mention of BedBugs come up – if you want to get make sure your house stays Bed Bug free get your home a few House Centipedes. House centipedes feed on spiders, bedbugs, termites, cockroaches, silverfish, ants and other household arthropods. Many homes have them – they are very very fast and creep out of cracks in the walls and floors. If you see them, turn a blind eye for a second, they will be gone before you know it…but whatever you do, DON’T KILL THEM! They are your friends. Ever since I heard this I just smile when I see them knowing they are helping me out…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutigera
Don’t use the sprays. I had a neighbor who didn’t report the problem to the Landlord (they’re rent control and didn’t think the Landlord would do anything) they sprayed for 6 months untill the bedbugs spread in the building. Now after weeks of 2 different exterminators coming (1 specializing in eco-friend treatments complete with a dog but not Bell Environmental) and throwing stuff out and getting mattress covers, the bulding is bedbug free. The only way to go is with an extrerminator and to follow their instructions.
And yes, the landlord is responsible for treating bedbugs regardless of who brought them in.
There’s also a product available online, manufactured by RESULTS Indoor, which contains;
pyrethrins
butyronyl
silicone dioxide
It’s in powder form, the product is aimed at bedbugs. It seems to be very effective since it is picked up while they crawl around and kills them by several methods including dessication.
I think that manufacturers are responding to the recent explosion of these once common bugs.Widespread use of DDT had virtually eliminated them. The newer products are targeting these pests specifically without the need for DDT of course.
Remember, all cracks must be dusted and sealed.
I’ve also heard that a portable steamer is good for those hard to get or treat places. at least 150 degrees.
it might have come from your babysitter since you said she found it. i would ask her to please vigorously shake herself off before entering the apartment from now on.
*rob*
A related question. Assuming OP is in a rental apartment -where is the line between what the tenant & what the landlord is responsible to deal with?
It’s in the tenant’s self interest to avoid getting eaten by bedbugs, but LL doesn’t want a problem that could spread between apartments. What’s NYC law say?
I used Bell Environmental (who i mentioned). I would not recomend them. They are very expensive and in my opinon not worth it. again, relied too much on Krylon Spray, which i’ve found is not effective. I have a baby and a toddler, so I was attracted to it because it’s more ‘green” but the truth is it just doesn’t work and it costs a ton.
when factoring in treatments and replaced furniture and countless loads of laundry, we’re approaching 10k. it’s insane.
I would recomend Jeff White (I would also watch all his bed bug seminars at BedbugTV on bedbugcentral.com.)
You might also want to try M&M Exterminators, a firm in the city I’ve heard good things about.
and a guy who goes by the Name of Killer Queen (you can find his info on BedBugger). I’ve also heard very good things about him.
and if you understandably don’t want to commit to a treatment yet, then get either one of those monitors I recomended.
get a consumer brand called Hot Shot spray containing lambda-cyhalothrin .03%… A landlord friend of mine swears by it… Don’t know if it works but my friend has 4 apt buildings and loves it… I just called him and he told me that they sell it at home depot.. Sometimes it also comes in other brand names… This should only be your start.. I would also get exterminators in your home… To make sure..