Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2014 15:08:32 GMT
My college daughter sent me a text on Saturday night to tell me they had found bedbugs in her campus apartment. While she hadn't been bitten, 2 of her 3 roommates had been complaining of bites for a few weeks now.
She was away so she missed the meeting with facilities last night. All she knows at this point is that facilities told them they (the students) need to wash all their stuff in hot water and dry in high heat dryer. She also found facility supplied garbage bags in the apartment this morning (when she returned before class) but she's not sure exactly what they are for.
I've advised her to get to a laundromat ASAP as I feel this will have higher heat setting on both the washer and the dryer.
On the 3rd, she's due to come home for fall break. I am absolutely nuts about the idea of ending up with bedbugs here. What do I need to do, if anything, to ensure we don't get contaminated by her things??
UPDATE1:
She rec'd more information this afternoon from the facilities department at the college. The process will take up to 4 weeks. There are four stages to the extermination process and each one takes a week. They will need students to handover their laptops/computers for fumigation purposes which could take up to 72 hours.
She won't arrive home until the night of the 5th.
My plans are to send her a 8GB flash drive for her to download her school files to and ship the drive back to me. She can use my laptop when she gets home. I've instructed her to take her computer outside to do the file transfer and then immediately package the drive to send it back priority mail to me. I told her under no circumstances was she to take the drive into her room!
I told her to plan to bring NOTHING home. No bags, no luggage, no clothes, nothing. I asked her to find out if they will coordinate the laptop fumigation during the weekend of the break. She is to find some clothes online and place an order for a couple days worth of clothes plus shoes for the two days she'll be here (6th and 7th). The clothes will be here when she arrives. She'll go straight to the shower and hand out the contaminated clothes to me in a bag which I'll take directly back to her car. I may even make sure she parks FAR from our cars.
What should she do with her car (our Honda Odessey)? What's the possibility of it being infested as well? Any thoughts?
I figure it's far cheaper to buy her some clothes and a pair of shoes than to have to replace mattresses, couches and pay an exterminator to fumigate our house!! I figure she'll needs some underwear, a bra (sports), a pair of jeans or yoga pants and a couple tshirts. She can borrow one of my sweatshirts.
And yes, she has little to no clothes here at home that fit her anymore. She has never had a whole lot in the way of shoes so she has all she currently owns with her. And she doesn't fit my clothes either. Of course, I think she'd be horrified to have to wear my clothes...our tastes are not in any way the same. LOL.
UPDATE2:
Today she learned that she cannot work one of her part time jobs. The work is caring for infants/toddlers at a parent education program run by a local social services organization. She has an internship at a local academy for underprivileged children in the area where she's working with the high school population. She'll find out tomorrow when she speaks with her supervisor there if she has to stay away from there too. In the first case, she'll lose up to $400 in pay and in the other case, it's a mandatory part of her degree program.
It gets more fun with each passing hour. Not!
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by iowgirl on Sept 22, 2014 15:15:35 GMT
I don't know what to tell you ---
But this is my worst fear!
Hopefully they can get things taken care of soon at school!
ICK!
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Post by CarefreeSadie on Sept 22, 2014 16:12:51 GMT
Walmart sells pillow covers and bed covers that are supposed to be to help the bedbug problem. I don't know if they work but I think I would be trying them. I use the pillow covers because they help protect the pillows so they don't need washed so often since my front loader doesn't do pillows so well. I don't know what I would do about her coming home. I would be really careful so she doesn't bring them home to your house but the only way to be sure is if she doesn't come home at this time. Otherwise you would need to have her undress in the garage, go straight to the shower and bag everything she brings home. I don't think that you can bring anything from her apartment into your house or you are taking a chance on bringing the bedbugs into your house.
Good luck, and I bet you were looking forward to seeing her too. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2014 16:18:25 GMT
This.
Bedbugs are one of my biggest fears. I have heard horror stories about how hard they are to eradicate once an area is infested.
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Post by sisterbdsq on Sept 22, 2014 16:26:02 GMT
They are for bagging all her belongings. You should bag everything (not just SOFT things, bedbugs live in picture frames, your laptop, etc.) Allow about 2 to 3 days in the bag, with a Nuvan strip if you want, to kill adult bed bugs and 7 days to kill their eggs. The apartment will need to be treated 3 times by a professional. Outlet and switch covers will need to be removed, all items pushed away from the wall, every opening around pipes, baseboards, etc., should be caulked. Mattresses will need to be inspected and exterminated. Appliances, too.
It's not a difficult process, I've had to do it at a couple of my apartment buildings. It just requires prep and diligence.
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Post by whopea on Sept 22, 2014 16:26:55 GMT
She was away so she missed the meeting with facilities last night. All she knows at this point is that facilities told them they (the students) need to wash all their stuff in hot water and dry in high heat dryer. She also found facility supplied garbage bags in the apartment this morning (when she returned before class) but she's not sure exactly what they are for. I've advised her to get to a laundromat ASAP as I feel this will have higher heat setting on both the washer and the dryer. On the 3rd, she's due to come home for fall break. I am absolutely nuts about the idea of ending up with bedbugs here. What do I need to do, if anything, to ensure we don't get contaminated by her things?? Her things should be washed / dried in high heat for at least 30 minutes, however, if her apartment complex doesn't treat the unit it does no good. They have to eliminate them in the unit. Bed bugs can live in beds and furniture as well as electronic devices, books and just about everything you can think of. When she comes home, the best way to protect your house is to take several precautions. If you're going to pick her up, take several plastic bins or sealable plastic bags. Put all her stuff in those. When she's ready to leave her apartment, have her dress in clothes that came straight from a sealed plastic bag after they came out of a dryer. If she's catching a ride home with someone, have her change clothes in the garage. Don't bring anything of hers in the house right away. As you're able, bring a bag or tote in at a time straight to the washer, then dryer. An alcohol wipe is good for electronics and small things that can't be put in a dryer. |
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Post by kluski on Sept 22, 2014 18:15:45 GMT
I am not sure what Nuvan is however 3 days in a bag will do nothing. I had a run in at a cabin in a popular campground. We were the first people to use the cabin (in March) since the season ended in November. We were soooo lucky bc I felt them on me while I was sleeping so we didn't bring them home. We stripped on the back porch and showered immediately upon entering our house. If we couldn't put it through the dryer, it was thrown away. Horrible!
I can't believe they are not relocating those kids. I realize it means spreading the problem if not handled properly but that is horrible situation to live in.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2014 18:42:14 GMT
Nuvan strips is a chemical strip to kill the bed bugs. This for all of her clothes especially. Everything else, if it wasn't important I would be tossing. Those things will attach to anything and everything.
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Post by sisterbdsq on Sept 22, 2014 20:43:44 GMT
I am not sure what Nuvan is however 3 days in a bag will do nothing. I can't believe they are not relocating those kids. I realize it means spreading the problem if not handled properly but that is horrible situation to live in. Yes, you bag. It's a requirement of the exterminator. It's part of the process. But I'm not going to argue about it. If people think it doesn't work, even though the exterminators require it to be as part of the treatment, then so be it.
You don't need to be relocated. As I said, I've done in apartment buildings. No need to go away. In fact, that's worse because you're possibly dragging them with you. They are not dangerous, just annoying. If not all the kids have bites, it sounds as if they've detected early before there's a massive infestation.
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Post by Regina Phalange on Sept 22, 2014 21:48:18 GMT
Also - the Landlord needs to treat the whole building, not just the unit. Even if there are no other units currently infested. My brother ended up getting them three times because the management company refused to treat the whole building and were treating only the apartments infected. They finally did the whole building but my brother ended up tossing just about everything by then. Furniture and all.
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AmeliaBloomer
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Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Sept 22, 2014 22:38:21 GMT
I've been reading for years that we're more at risk from college dorms/apartments than hotels. I have two kids in college, so I get out the magnifying glass every time I catch a small crawling bug in my house.
Didn't read whole thread, but I know that it's a misnomer that bed bugs just live in beds and upholstered furniture; they live in/behind wood trim, baseboards, walls, bed posts, picture frames, general clutter. Usually, the first advice is to declutter. Also, not everybody reacts to the bites. The statistic I read for non-reactors was high.
There's a website I go to every time I get suspicious - bedbug.com or .net or something. It's a real informational website, not just a thinly disguised exterminator website. There's a lot of misinformation out here.
Good luck.
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marimoose
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Post by marimoose on Sept 22, 2014 23:40:44 GMT
The high heat is important. Heat kills the little buggers. The thing I wanted to say is that your daughter might be getting bit but isn't having a reaction. Not all people react. The red, itchiness is an allergic reaction to the bite. Bedbug bites aren't harmful. more of a nuisance and disgusting. I was speaking to an exterminator and they had an outbreak in their own bedroom and the husband was covered in welts but she had no visible evidence of bites.
You can get them nearly anywhere, the movie theater, a sofa at a coffee shop, standing in the bank. Such an icky nuisance.
I hope the college gets this taken care of promptly.
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Post by sisterbdsq on Sept 22, 2014 23:52:08 GMT
Also - the Landlord needs to treat the whole building, not just the unit. Even if there are no other units currently infested. My brother ended up getting them three times because the management company refused to treat the whole building and were treating only the apartments infected. They finally did the whole building but my brother ended up tossing just about everything by then. Furniture and all. So true. We are obligated to make sure all units are bug free!! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2014 0:31:28 GMT
The high heat is important. Heat kills the little buggers. The thing I wanted to say is that your daughter might be getting bit but isn't having a reaction. Not all people react. The red, itchiness is an allergic reaction to the bite. Bedbug bites aren't harmful. more of a nuisance and disgusting. I was speaking to an exterminator and they had an outbreak in their own bedroom and the husband was covered in welts but she had no visible evidence of bites. You can get them nearly anywhere, the movie theater, a sofa at a coffee shop, standing in the bank. Such an icky nuisance. I hope the college gets this taken care of promptly. I think that's probably the oddest part of the whole fiasco. She gets bitten by EVERY THING and reacts TERRIBLY. She doesn't just get mosquito bites. Where I might get one or two, she would get up to 10 and most of those would turn into HUGE welts, massive in size...2-5" in diameter. If you want to minimize your risk of being bitten, you go out with her is the joke in our house. Not so funny for her  |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Sept 23, 2014 0:40:07 GMT
OMG!! that sounds horrible!! They are doing a bed bug dog search tomorrow at my dd's dorm. OMG..I just hope they don't find any!!
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Post by Regina Phalange on Sept 23, 2014 1:04:36 GMT
I've been reading for years that we're more at risk from college dorms/apartments than hotels. I have two kids in college, so I get out the magnifying glass every time I catch a small crawling bug in my house. Didn't read whole thread, but I know that it's a misnomer that bed bugs just live in beds and upholstered furniture; they live in/behind wood trim, baseboards, walls, bed posts, picture frames, general clutter. Usually, the first advice is to declutter. Also, not everybody reacts to the bites. The statistic I read for non-reactors was high.
There's a website I go to every time I get suspicious - bedbug.com or .net or something. It's a real informational website, not just a thinly disguised exterminator website. There's a lot of misinformation out here. Good luck. My brother found out, during infestation #2, that they were coming from an electrical outlet in his roommate's bedroom. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2014 13:37:43 GMT
The big question is going to be where did they come from? If another student has them at home they could bring them right back in. My husband does pest control now for the past 15 years and I wont even sit in the chairs at the airport or places like book stores etc. I HATE sitting at the doctors office. Maybe I am paranoid but the last thing that I need is for his company to have to come to my house and heat chamber our entire house!
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Deleted
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Apr 25, 2024 22:33:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2014 22:48:57 GMT
BTT'ing for Update [HASH]2
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Post by mzza111 on Sept 23, 2014 23:15:23 GMT
OMG, this sucks! Is there any way your daughter can move out of the campus housing? Is the school going to compensate for any of this?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 3:38:49 GMT
mzza111: they really don't want her spending any time off campus as much as possible to keep from potentially spreading anything even though my understanding is it's rare to have them on you as you go about your business? And I'm pretty sure she's not going to be reimbursed anything either. While losing the money will really stink, she's more worried about the internship due to how much importance is attached to it for her degree program. I told her that if she's told she shouldn't come to her internship for the duration (to minimize spreading the bed bugs), they simply cannot hold that against her. I hope I'm right. The poor kid is stressed to the gills.
Another odd thing is that she was told to freeze any "small electronics" for 5 days. How weird and ridiculous is that? Freeze your cell phone? Your tablet? She said there was specific mention of things like an alarm clock. Anyone know the story behind this part of the saga?
And for the record, the school has hired an outside pest control company so they're not trying to deal with it on their own, which is good I think.
In the scheme of things, this too shall pass but if you could all keep her in your thoughts and prayers, she really could use it I think.
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Post by smokey2471 on Sept 24, 2014 3:50:21 GMT
I never knew they were so contagious. It sucks but I can see not being able to go to work. If you don't even want her car parked near yours or her clothes in the house would you want her caring for your small children. (Not saying you disagree) but man I feel so bad for her. Will you be able to help support her financially a little until she is cleared for work? That's just crazy huh! Good luck to you.
Gives a whole new light to the saying
good night sleep tight...hope the bedbugs don't bite!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 4:01:39 GMT
Another odd thing is that she was told to freeze any "small electronics" for 5 days. How weird and ridiculous is that? Freeze your cell phone? Your tablet? She said there was specific mention of things like an alarm clock. Anyone know the story behind this part of the saga? The bugs can't live in temps above 140 or below freezing. The nymphs are tiny enough to get into a cellphone or alarm clock that was on a bedside table or placed on the bed. So all items that can be exposed to those temps can be purged of live bugs and kill the eggs too. If you can't heat it, freeze it. Everything in between will need to be treated with cleansers and chemicals. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 4:04:57 GMT
I never knew they were so contagious. It sucks but I can see not being able to go to work. If you don't even want her car parked near yours or her clothes in the house would you want her caring for your small children. (Not saying you disagree) but man I feel so bad for her. Will you be able to help support her financially a little until she is cleared for work? That's just crazy huh! Good luck to you. Gives a whole new light to the saying good night sleep tight...hope the bedbugs don't bite! IMO, it restores the original meaning! Bed bugs used to be extremely common... then we developed pesticides and got rid of them. Then we decided pesticides were inherently evil and got rid of those (forgetting why they were so needed in the first place!) Now the bugs are back. They come with travelers from parts of the world that still have them. Not only do they live in bedding but also upholstered airline seats, theatre seats and other places where humans sit, lie down, or make contact with furniture that has lots of hiding spots (upholstery allows the bugs to slip under the fabric and be invisible) |
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AmeliaBloomer
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Sept 24, 2014 4:26:20 GMT
For Pete's sake. There are people from all walks of life, including teachers, who have have had bed bug infestations - and it's only going to get more common. (As Voltagain indicated, this is a result of getting rid of DDT 40 years ago.) People aren't staying home from work because of it, and schools are not recommending that students stay home.
How are your daughter's supervisors finding out about her situation?
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Post by smokey2471 on Sept 24, 2014 4:59:55 GMT
I never knew they were so contagious. It sucks but I can see not being able to go to work. If you don't even want her car parked near yours or her clothes in the house would you want her caring for your small children. (Not saying you disagree) but man I feel so bad for her. Will you be able to help support her financially a little until she is cleared for work? That's just crazy huh! Good luck to you. Gives a whole new light to the saying good night sleep tight...hope the bedbugs don't bite! IMO, it restores the original meaning! Bed bugs used to be extremely common... then we developed pesticides and got rid of them. Then we decided pesticides were inherently evil and got rid of those (forgetting why they were so needed in the first place!) Now the bugs are back. They come with travelers from parts of the world that still have them. Not only do they live in bedding but also upholstered airline seats, theatre seats and other places where humans sit, lie down, or make contact with furniture that has lots of hiding spots (upholstery allows the bugs to slip under the fabric and be invisible) I guess I meant that it makes the saying a reality for some! Makes me itch just thinking about it. Rather like lice... When you hear someone has it or their kids have it your head starts itching. I always thought of bed bugs as a back in the day thing. Good luck and I hope you are critter free soon. |
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AllieC
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Post by AllieC on Sept 24, 2014 7:58:14 GMT
Oh my goodness it sounds like a total nightmare. Bedbugs are not common at all here so the whole idea of how these little critters can totally disrupt a house and family is amazing!
good luck with keeping them out of your place. I really hope your daughter can sort out something with her work.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 15:05:54 GMT
Ameliabloomer...not sure if she was told to make contact with outside employers or whether she did it on her own.
Thanks for the info voltagain. So freezing your electronics (smart phones, tablets) won't damage them? Both of hers are still under warranty.
Mackeysmom: Oh yes, we will help her financially as needed. For instance, I'm covering the cost of the clothes she's ordering to have shipped her when she comes home on the 5th. The $$ she's losing, she was using to save toward doing a semester abroad next year. She still has her on campus jobs (in the library and as a research assistant for one of her professors). This one outside job pays extraordinarily well for the work she does, so it's a big hit.
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