There is so much of interest in this excerpt from the documentary, The Greatest Generation and the Modern Pesticide Revolution, available at pctonline.tv, but you might especially appreciate the story from Dr. John Osmun recalling his service days as the entomologist on post at Camp Gordon in Georgia during WWII:
Dr. Osmun established the urban entomology program at Purdue.
Notice how they tried superheating? Among other things! None of them worked.
And Gesarol? Who knew!?
Our interest in this subject is apparently limitless despite the fact that we consider it a dead-end.
Personally, I enjoy looking back and I don’t mind even a little nostalgia. We’ve long understood that nothing like Gesarol is “coming back” or on the horizon and that the real solutions available to us are difficult ones, education and coordinated action.
The Greatest Generation and the Modern Pesticide Revolution was produced by David Fincannon and Phi Chi Omega. The excerpt above also features interviews with Emille Pappas, Lonnie Holder and Jim Steckel. (Perhaps, like me, you’ll enjoy hearing about how the Queen Mary was sealed for fumigation.) A second DVD excerpt, also at pctonline.tv, features Harry Katz and John Osmun recalling J.J. Davis (Purdue) and Bill Buettner (National Pest Control Association)—we learn what Buettner thought about DDT and the future of the pest control industry and we learn that pest control, like undertaking, was a “war-time essential” service.
These pages may be of related interest:
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I strongly believe steam is the easiest/cheapest/only non toxic remedy for
bed bugs. A cheap refurbished steamer will work, although a better
quality could be more efficient. I have not tried a hair dryer but have
steam pressed my sheets. Next cleaning with higher concentration
murphy’s oil soap then dusting with diatomaceous earth with prethrin (“Results’). I live in an old building and have little money.
I have all mattresses in plastic tarp and pillows in 99c store encasements.
I would appreciate comments or criticisms.
Jane, I also believe that a dry vapor steamer is potentially one of the most useful tools available to people. I think it’s important to persist: repeat treatments at regular intervals until you achieve zero bed bugs. It’s certainly possible. Good for you for being resourceful and not giving up. (I’m not sure about the hair dryer though.)
I would like to suggest to you that you consider a well-planned and executed sealing campaign. You need a high quality elastomeric sealant (not regular caulk, look for sealant somewhere on the label — DAP Dynaflex 230 appears to be a good choice, though the clear one is known to shrink). So, sealing the baseboards and any potential harborage sites, cracks and crevices in the apartment and in your furniture would add immeasurably to your chances of beating this soon. I hope. Make sure all pipe fittings have escutcheons that are properly sealed as well. And don’t overlook radiators and gaps around heat pipes.
The only other thing is to inspect regularly for tears in the plastic encasements. This is a frequent problem but I hope you can be on top of it.
In NYC landlords are responsible for pest control. If you live in NYC, I thought I would mention it. In buildings, the problem of adjoining apartments usually cannot be addressed without the involvement of the landlord.
I do live in NY. One day I got the nerve to get the building pest control to visit. Because i had done my job the fellow found no evidence of bugs. I did show him several in a jar and suddenly got his attention. He said he would pass it on to management but warned me it was expensive and they might not do it. This was months ago and I never again heard a word about it. The pest controller seemed to have a faulty memory (he was 60 yrs, undergoing chemo but had to work to support his kids in university. he did make notes but kept forgetting where he was going next) so, as usual in NY, nothing is clear. The TD Eaton 2 spray seems to the bugs work (artificial pyrethrin 3x power). I will make a homemade dry ice detector if i can find the materials. I have a relative that will visit in 2 months so this must come to an end asap .
Whether or not the pest control professional gave you incorrect information, the fact is that the landlord is responsible for pest control in the building.
Professional pest control services can help you eradicate what seems like a long-standing infestation. Of course, the adjacent apartments would have to be inspected and monitored.
Your applications of bed bug sprays may not eradicate the infestation as it takes skill and patience to apply products correctly. Many products only kill the bed bugs they contact directly.