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Pen20
LIF Zygote
Member since 3/12 2 total posts
Name:
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Bed Bugs advice needed please
I'm not sure where to post this but I really need advice. I created a new name so I am anonymous. I found a bed bug on a bed in my house the other day. I brought it to an exterminating company to confirm what I feared. I checked all of the beds in my house but saw no other signs of the bugs. I had the company send a dog today to sniff for them but he didn't find anything either. Could it be that it was just this one bug or are there more that the dog couldn't find. The man told me to just watch for the next few months for any signs but I am FREAKING OUT! I have a young child and I just can't stop thinking about this. I thought having the dog come would ease my mind but I'm just as freaked out now. What should I do?
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Posted 3/15/12 1:30 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Re: Bed Bugs advice needed please
In my field, I have dealt with this issue frequently.
As long as they came and didn't find anything else, you should be alright.
Like they said..........just continue to monitor.
If this was an actual exterminator as well, you should be okay. Note: I have had the "manager" of an apartment complex do the walk through and say it wasn't bed bugs but they are not really trained to know this ;).
I have had MANY clients get bed bugs (especially those living in apartment complexes as mentioned above) and in most cases, once the exterminator came and did the treatment (and if the client followed everything w/ the treatment properly!), there have been no further issues.
Unfortunately, we are all pretty much at risk because they can come from anywhere.
Hotels.
International travel.
New clothing.
Anything "soft and squishy" really.
Whenever I go to a client's home, or a nursing home or some place, I try to avoid sitting on any kind of fabric chair or couch.
I know there are a few ladies on here whose buildings at work have become infested and I am sure they can offer some good tips as well.
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| Posted 3/15/12 8:25 AM |
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Celt
~~~~~~~~~~
Member since 4/08 7758 total posts
Name:
colette
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Re: Bed Bugs advice needed please
First  I think it's an awful head trip to find something like that, it's scary especially with a little one at home!!!!
A friend of mine got this on a cruise a few years ago, and like you she SPRANG into action before it could get out of control, so I really think you'll be ok! But as a precaution VACUUM EVERYTHING, baseboards, floors, take drawers out and vacuum them, throw out any clutter you can, put clothes in the dryer and run them on HOT to kill any eggs etc. Vacuum your mattress and I'd use a spray you can get at a hardware store called STERI-FAB, spray that on it and then buy a mattress protector. It might be "OTT" but I wouldn't take any chances so I'd do everything I could to make sure to get rid of them. It sucks but don't feel badly it's NOT about cleanliness or lack thereof, these critters are EVERYWHERE and it's nothing you did wrong 
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| Posted 3/15/12 8:35 AM |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: Bed Bugs advice needed please
Posted by colette
First I think it's an awful head trip to find something like that, it's scary especially with a little one at home!!!!
A friend of mine got this on a cruise a few years ago, and like you she SPRANG into action before it could get out of control, so I really think you'll be ok! But as a precaution VACUUM EVERYTHING, baseboards, floors, take drawers out and vacuum them, throw out any clutter you can, put clothes in the dryer and run them on HOT to kill any eggs etc. Vacuum your mattress and I'd use a spray you can get at a hardware store called STERI-FAB, spray that on it and then buy a mattress protector. It might be "OTT" but I wouldn't take any chances so I'd do everything I could to make sure to get rid of them. It sucks but don't feel badly it's NOT about cleanliness or lack thereof, these critters are EVERYWHERE and it's nothing you did wrong
yup. we had a "scare." found ONE BUG... We live in the city so this is a HUGE fear of mine...
Our landlord got an exterminator in RIGHT AWAY.. To prepare, we threw out EVERYTHING we didn't need... it was actually good b/c we needed to "purge.." all clothes were dried and sealed in those big zip lock bags. I purchased expensive mattress and box spring covers for all of the beds. (after the exterminator came of course...)
We found no evidence of an infestation, or more than one bug... and the exterminator said he didn't find any evidence neither... we didn't take the chances and had him spray anyway.
Now we are HYPER VIGILANT when it comes to cleaning... My husband "sealed" the entire apartment and we spray regularly with alcohol.
I found this website to be very helpful with ways to prevent bed bugs etc...
I purchased Diatomaceous Earth so whenever we go away on vacation, or like once every few months, I'll apply it to all corners of the apartment...
Its a lot of EXTRA work, but I never want to have that happen EVER again... And ours was a VERY MINOR incident.
they really need to send a psychologist over to your house with the exterminator b/c it was really a mind fcuk.
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| Posted 3/15/12 9:30 AM |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: Bed Bugs advice needed please
Posted by mzsocialworker1
In my field, I have dealt with this issue frequently.
As long as they came and didn't find anything else, you should be alright.
Like they said..........just continue to monitor.
If this was an actual exterminator as well, you should be okay. Note: I have had the "manager" of an apartment complex do the walk through and say it wasn't bed bugs but they are not really trained to know this ;).
I have had MANY clients get bed bugs (especially those living in apartment complexes as mentioned above) and in most cases, once the exterminator came and did the treatment (and if the client followed everything w/ the treatment properly!), there have been no further issues.
Unfortunately, we are all pretty much at risk because they can come from anywhere.
Hotels.
International travel.
New clothing.
Anything "soft and squishy" really.
Whenever I go to a client's home, or a nursing home or some place, I try to avoid sitting on any kind of fabric chair or couch.
I know there are a few ladies on here whose buildings at work have become infested and I am sure they can offer some good tips as well.
I also check bed bug registry before I go to any hotels, etc... One of my son's good friend's apartment building had NUMEROUS reports from past & present tenants. how do you tell a little boy he can't go over to his friend's apt? We once let him spend the night and he came home COVERED in bites. We used to make him strip down immediately and put his clothes in a sealed bag and put on the balcony... Then make him shower IMMEDIATELY...
Thankfully, he's not friends with this kid anymore b/c it was nerve-wracking. 
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| Posted 3/15/12 9:34 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bed Bugs advice needed please
Posted by HeathKernandez
they really need to send a psychologist over to your house with the exterminator b/c it was really a mind fcuk.
I absolutely agree! We have been infested at work for YEARS.
My mattress is covered with a plastic cover, and then two cotton covers.
Every week I check the corners of the fitted sheet, if they are not there you dont have them or so I have been told.
I was my sheets, bedcover, all blankets that I throw over my couches in scalding hot water and let them soak in it for a while.
to you b/c I know how scary it is!
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| Posted 3/15/12 9:43 AM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: Bed Bugs advice needed please
Posted by GioiaMia
Posted by HeathKernandez
they really need to send a psychologist over to your house with the exterminator b/c it was really a mind fcuk.
I absolutely agree! We have been infested at work for YEARS.
My mattress is covered with a plastic cover, and then two cotton covers.
Every week I check the corners of the fitted sheet, if they are not there you dont have them or so I have been told.
I was my sheets, bedcover, all blankets that I throw over my couches in scalding hot water and let them soak in it for a while.
to you b/c I know how scary it is!
This was going to be my suggestion. No harm in taking precautions against it, but it may very well be just the one. They say that even when the dog "finds" more bed bugs, it could be that they move around and this is where they were. Doesn't necessarily mean they are still there. So the fact that the dog found nothing is a really good sign.
Also, nothing to be embarassed about! It's not like it means you're dirty or anything! My law firm had them 2 years ago and so did my co-worker. It's just a pain to get rid of!
Message edited 3/15/2012 10:49:22 AM.
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| Posted 3/15/12 10:48 AM |
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Pen20
LIF Zygote
Member since 3/12 2 total posts
Name:
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Re: Bed Bugs advice needed please
Thank you so much for your responses. You made me a feel lot better. I did wash everything in the room in hot water so hopefully that would get rid of anything that may have been there. It was just driving me crazy bc when I googled my problem, it keeps saying that one bed bug means a lot more but nothing was found with the exterminator or the dog. It really is a mind fcuk as one of you said bc I can't stop obsessing about it.
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| Posted 3/15/12 2:40 PM |
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PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)
Member since 7/08 19084 total posts
Name:
Jib
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Re: Bed Bugs advice needed please
We had a terrible bed bug infestation several years ago when we lived in Brooklyn.
One thing I can tell you is ... there's never just one.
Perhaps it wasn't really a bed bug?
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| Posted 3/15/12 4:44 PM |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: Bed Bugs advice needed please
Posted by Pen20
Thank you so much for your responses. You made me a feel lot better. I did wash everything in the room in hot water so hopefully that would get rid of anything that may have been there. It was just driving me crazy bc when I googled my problem, it keeps saying that one bed bug means a lot more but nothing was found with the exterminator or the dog. It really is a mind fcuk as one of you said bc I can't stop obsessing about it.
you need to dry everything for at least 30 minutes.
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| Posted 3/15/12 5:58 PM |
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luckyinlove
I love my baby girls!
Member since 12/06 2441 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Bed Bugs advice needed please
Posted by PennyCat
We had a terrible bed bug infestation several years ago when we lived in Brooklyn.
One thing I can tell you is ... there's never just one.
Perhaps it wasn't really a bed bug?
This isn't really true. My in-laws had found one, had an exterminator come, and they found nothing else, and haven't seen one since.
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| Posted 3/15/12 10:23 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Bed Bugs advice needed please
Posted by luckyinlove
Posted by PennyCat
We had a terrible bed bug infestation several years ago when we lived in Brooklyn.
One thing I can tell you is ... there's never just one.
Perhaps it wasn't really a bed bug?
This isn't really true. My in-laws had found one, had an exterminator come, and they found nothing else, and haven't seen one since.
I have no experience with this but have to agree. What if that ONE literally just came in on clothing or in a bag?
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| Posted 3/15/12 10:32 PM |
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