Tangled Up In A Twist Of Fate 43/ A message to Patti, Wendie and Wally
tomwisk
Posted on February 5, 2013
Before we get too far into this, you’re asking yourself why is Tom addressing a blog to me and who are the other two people? Why you? You’re readers of my blog, possibly the only ones. And you probably have more followers than I do. This won’t cost money, only a bit of time. I want you to reblog this post. After that you’re done and have my eternal gratitude. Here is the post, read it through if you don’t want to reblog okay, I’ll live.
I’ve been told that I’m very intelligent, there’s a pause, and it’s followed by “But you’re not that smart.” This has brought on a conceit tied up with an inability to get all facts I need. The problem at hand is I have bed bugs. I’m stressed beyond the normal level I generate for myself. I will list the facts as close to the sequence as I can. At the end there will be an e-mail address if any follower can offer a solution I’ll be grateful. Okay, the facts:
Approximately two weeks ago I was woken by something crawling up my left arm. A swat and back to sleep. More crawling another swat. Crawling again, lights on small black bug moving up my arm. I gently snag it and drop it into an empty pill bottle.
Next morning, on-line. It’s a bed bug. Also approximately a thousand sources listed. Scan the first fifteen and Search “How to kill bed bugs”, lots of hits some from Grannie’s Home Remedies to visits by beagles and exterminators. Search “Green ways to kill bed bugs” Three prospects; One from Bed Bath & Beyond, one on-line and borax.
Information about environment, bedroom approx. 12 X 12, carpeted, queen sized water bed, cedar lined dresser and assorted detritus built up by an unsupervised male one wall lined with CDs and cassettes with some books.
Detritus is cleared. Mostly clothes, jeans destined to be repaired, out of season clothing, clothes that don’t fit and fashion gaffes (black Bermuda shorts and a short sleeved black velour shirt. Separated into three piles, garbage, Laundromat and Goodwill, wash save and store.
A trip to B,B&B pick up spray. Chemicals might kill, smell definitely. Second spray ordered on-line. Borax, iffy, we’ve got pets.
A week passes and spray arrives. Green and effective. Sideline first spray and try this. It’s basically a soap. Semi-effective.
Back on-line; steam. Research steamers locate home version not too expensive. Steam water bed mattress crevices and space at head of bed. Semi-effective they keep coming back.
Begin laundering bed clothes daily with soap and extra bleach.
Web search reveals there’s no tried and true effective way to repel bed bugs on objects or person.
Trip to Truvalue. Obtain 98% borax powder apply to space at head of bed. Apply freshly laundered bed clothes, still they come.
I survive on minimal sleep. It’s down to less than two hours. I need a solution. The one I’ve been avoiding is draining the mattress, steaming and vacuuming the liner or replacing it.
Patti, Wendie and Wally a relog is all I need to get this out to new thoughts. There’s no money involved except anything I might have to buy to kill the buggers. All solutions will be considered Now the e-mail address:
wisk5050@comcast.net
All responses will go to an address that I got when I picked up my present IP.
Again, Patti, Wendie and Wally, and anyone who can help me Thank You. Have an interesting week.
in addition to the earlier recommendation of checking out an exterminator, i did some googling myself. you may have already checked out the following, but just in case you have not, here is a link from Canada. While the services may not be available where you are, the advice is likely to fit the bill anywhere.
bedbugger.com
there is an FAQ link and a forum where others seem to be going through this same ordeal. hope it helps. all the best!
got here via Patti’s blog. what a stress and what a nuisance! the exterminator is my advice too. all the best, and hope this plague ends for you very quickly, and permanently!
Reblogged this on NYLON DAZE and commented:
My wonderful friend Tom Wisk is tangle up in the itch and scratch drama that is . . . bedbugs!
Any help, advice, experience, tales to tell, there is a happy ending to this experience we all
fear and dread would be greatly appreciated. Please and thank you!
Oh my days Tom I am so sorry about your distress – these critters need the domestic equivalent of napalm and I’m not sure that anything from BB&B will ever do the job. Go for the exterminator, and the neighbour downstairs!
Stay sane, safe and out of the way of the blizzard. Really starting to whip it up down here . . . .
(and will re-blog asap!)
Sanity has past. I’ve ordered a new mattress set. The growing winter weather system. possible snow storm BIG MOTHER******** Storm has put the kibosh on Goodwill/Salvation Army (whoever’s first to answer the phone Monday picking up the remains of my former bed. An idea!! Pics of the remains in today’s blog. Thanks.
Oh no. I feel your pain…er…itchiness. I would definitely go with the exterminator too. And make sure the guy below you does the same. Hope you are back to sleeping like a baby soon.
I’m draining the mattress this weekend and applying liberal amounts of borax around the perimeter. I found their source, the apt downstairs. Seems they got infested and 86ed a sofa. I guess you have to eliminate their most beloved object. In my case, the bed is negotiable.
Nothing worse than neighbours who keep insects as pets. I hope your bed can be saved.
Tom I consulted my sister who has alot of experience managing rental properties hence bed bugs– she replied:
Spend the money on the exterminator. He needs to launder his clothes in hot water, and hot drier, and put them in a bag and seal it up for at least two weeks (the longer the better). Including sheets. Best advice is to call a pest control company. They will just get worse and spread to his other furniture, especially if he has pets. Chances are he’s going to have to replace his bed and if he doesn’t get them under control soon, it could be all his furniture.
These things aren’t to be messed with.
Is he in an apartment? If so the landlord should help.
Not sure if this helps…
Tom–
Do you live in an apartment building? Are your neighbors taking precautions?
Yep, second floor. Your advice is going to get the management company and let them run with it. Laundering bed clothes in hot water has necessitated trips to the Laundromat. Like tomorrow. thanks for the advice and following.
good luck
Done. Wish I had some advice, but you’ve got my moral support.