Mangy_cur, a New York vs Bed Bugs cofounder, the awesome photographer of this flickr set, tells us that over a year since the start of the bed bug infestation (at the moment, but relatively recently, eradicated), this is still pretty much what life is like:
Mangy_cur's closet
Life after bed bugs should not look like this. But it does, in situations where the “after bed bugs” part is by no means certain.
These pages may be of related interest:
Please write to support the Community Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell
Check out some notes on the New York Entomological Society's January bed bug seminar
Please help disseminate the NYC Health Department's new bed bug guide:
NYC info: Bed Bugs in New York City
New from the National Center for Healthy Housing, What’s Working for Bed Bug Control in Multifamily Housing: Reconciling best practices with research and the realities of implementation (PDF)
New research on the active spread of bed bugs in buildings, essential reading for policy makers and property managers
Check out the innovative work of the Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force
For property managers: bed bug management contract specifications, Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association.
Recommended article: Bed Bugs: A Systemic Pest Within Society (PDF), Stephen Kells, American Entomologist, 2006
Bed Bugs Are Back: Are We Ready? (PDF) from WoodGreen Community Services, Habitat Services and Public Interest in Toronto
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I worked hard with steam, powder & spray and for several weeks they were gone then my a friend spent the night in my son’s room and was terribly bitten on his hands and arms. His bites became welts.
He is quite angry, I am horrified that they keep coming back!
Several months ago, I was sure the bedbugs were gone then they came out to greet this same friend.
Oh, I’m sorry, Jane, that does not sound good. If you are not allergic to the bites, it can seem that bed bugs are gone when you stop seeing their signs and in fact they may still be around, just hiding in places where it’s hard to find them. On the other hand, a persistent problem can be due to another unidentified infestation nearby in the same building. It’s difficult sometimes to know unless inspections are made.
By the way, are you the same Jane who left a comment about steam and DE some weeks ago? I responded to that comment here in case you missed it. You may want to check the encasements for tears.
I have since discovered JT Eaton kills Bedbugs 2– keeps killing bugs
for up to 16 weeks and i have not seen a bug for a 3 weeks and I haven’t seen bites. Have you heard of this ? Today I read on the internet about a homemade bedbug detector using dry ice emitting CO2 to attract and double sided tape to capture.
To say the least this has ruined my self esteem. I’m afraid to go anywhere in the event that I’m bringing a hitchhiker. I don’t put my coat or belongings near others. The situation is complex because my apartment is so old and beaten up, not to mention lived in with decades of possessions and some very snobbish neighbors.
The JT Eaton seems to continue working. I did see 2 bugs over the last few weeks. but, on the bright side, when crushed each appeared dryer
with no blood. Has anyone else used JT Eaton 2 successfully. The hardware store claimed no one returned disappointed!
Yes, I wrote a note about the published dry ice trap research here; the research article is a free download.
Bed bugs may be present even if you do not see them. Your DIY application of pesticides may or may not work in the end; it all depends on where and how you are applying things. I think a monitor or trap would be a good idea, but I also encourage you to report the infestation to your landlord and request professional pest control service. You have been trying on your own for a good while.
You’re right. It’s a big deal because the whole room requires work—
the floor, walls, shutters are in very bad condition,.
Also, I got the exterminator to visit who said he would discuss it with the management and proceed if they gave him the go ahead , guess they didn’t because of expense.
So very difficult to approach housing, management ,rent etc.
Hi Jane! I also discovered BBs in my apartment. Same as you I have decades of possession and this place is very small, living with 5 family member in this apartment. Same as you, I ordered J.T Eaton kills bedbugs. Can you share your experience with me? For example like how you sprayed it and if there’s any precautions you have to take before you start the process of the treatment? Unfortunately I live in a apartment house owned by my family, and my mom doesn’t want others to find out (those who live in the same house). So I’m planning to resort to self-treatment with J.T eaton.
Hi Christine,
I am not Jane but I’m not sure if Jane is still following the comments here. I suggest you read some of the materials in the resources page that may help in your treatment. Rutgers published a basic guide to self-treatment a while ago. You can download it here. It may help, but you still probably should do a lot of reading to educate yourself about all the important considerations.
Personally I think that you are unlikely to solve your problem with an over-the-counter spray product, but perhaps you have already realized this and moved on to other plans. Good luck.
Yes, I’ve heard about how hard it is to get rid of BB. And getting professionals to help is the best option there is, I wish I can call a professional to solve this problem too, but my mom doesn’t want to tell anyone, it makes me worried because I’ve read about how fast and easily they spread which really stresses me out =( I really hope that self-treatment will work, but very less likely it doesn’t, It may make the problem worst, but because of my mom’s stubbornness, I guess trying to do something on our own is better than just leaving this issue alone? I plan to vacuum everything before I start de-cluttering I hope that helps!
Good luck to you, Christine. Consider a dry vapor steamer in addition to vacuuming. And be careful when you are decluttering. It’s possible to move bed bugs around if you are not careful wrapping things in the room where they are found before removal. Best wishes…
Yes, I do keep articles etc. and read eventually.
A combination of steaming (in my case the less expensive steamer, not the
500$ plus dry steamer) , and td eaton water based spray seems good. I’ve covered mattresses with plastic, iron blankets often, also use diatomaceous earth powder , murphy’s soap, and alcohol. Every so often i see one so i know they are around but this situation cannot be totally resolved until necessary
work is done patching, painting, the apartment .
I will approach the landlord a second time.
Also, what do you think of the new freezing procedures –on TV a computer
is shown being sprayed. A combination of their bb detecting dog and their technology, and a 3 month guarantee is $1200?
Renee , thank you –your advice is very appreciated.
Gratefully,
Rachel
Hi (now I don’t know what to call you!),
I think that if you are referring to cryonite, then you should be aware that it has no residual action, so bed bugs have to be contacted directly in order to be killed. I’m sure it’s useful in some types of infestations and/or where people have chemical sensitivities, but because it works on contact and it is evidently expensive, how many services will be done and what other methods will be employed are important questions to iron out with the provider.
And dogs can be useful if they are handled properly and are good — in other words, there is great variability in the bed bug dog services that are available in the city and a great number of reported false alerts, so that it is recommended that the dog handler or a pest control professional visually confirm the dog’s alert(s). In a case where bed bugs are frequently seen and already confirmed, I’m not sure that hiring a dog for an inspection is a good use of limited resources. All of this said, you should learn more about these options and ask others who have had these methods employed in their homes. You can do that in the forums at bedbugger.