Steamer for bed bugs?

[CathyA]

Yes, I'm still talking about my DD's bedbugs. She's at least been able to keep them at a low level. She's moving into a new apartment and definitely doesn't want to take them with her. She's doing all sorts of stuff.......constant washing, drying, vacuuming, freezing her books in a freezer, using diatomacious earth. She has special coverings on her mattresses and pillows, but she's going to throw her bed out and probably her pillows.
In order to maximize the likelihood of not taking them with her, or of getting totally rid of them shortly after moving into a new apartment, we'd like to buy her a steamer. Anyone have one for bed bugs?
The one that looks good is the Vapamore MR 100 Primo Dry Vapor steamer. Its $300, but seems like a good investment, if she can totally get rid of the bed bugs. She really thinks they were in her present apartment when she moved in. I guess in Ohio, the landlords are not responsible. Hmmmm.....I wonder if her renter's insurance might cover it?? Hopefully her chances of getting rid of them in her new apartment are better, now that she won't be sharing a house with several other people.
Anyhow..........anyone have any experience with steamers and bed bugs?
Seems like it should be a law, that if the landlord knows there are bedbugs, he/she must inform the next tenants. Also would be good that landlords must have their rentals tested occasionally for bed bugs. Its becoming such a huge problem.
Thanks.
(Hopefully before long, I can stop talking about it).

[redfox]

I'd talk with an exterminator who specializes in this area. What a nightmare...ugh. Good luck to her!

Maybe she can report the landlord here:
http://bedbugregistry.com/

And to the local health department!

[Tussiemussies]

I agree I think the only way to get rid of them is to use an exterminator. What a mess to deal with.

[CathyA]

If she can't get rid of them in her new apartment, we might hire an exterminator. But in her present house (3 bedrooms/living room/dining room/kitchen/sun room, it was going to be way too expensive.
The steamer is supposed to work pretty well. I told her to get some cockroaches, since they are natural predators for bed bugs. hahaha

[redfox]

Too expensive? At what price is she willing to take them with her?

[Tussiemussies]

Really the landlord should take care of the exterminating -- don't you think so too?

[CathyA]

Tussiemussies.........I agree, but its the law that Landlords aren't responsible in these cases.

[Tussiemussies]

Tussiemussies.........I agree, but its the law that Landlords aren't responsible in these cases.

That is a shame...I know we are especially cautious about not picking them up somehow, they say even in movie theaters!

[CathyA]

We have no idea where DD picked up hers. Like I said, they may have been in the house already. She found them in great numbers about 1-2 months after she moved in. I guess she had been getting bit, but didn't realize what they were. Then she found them living between her mattress and bedsprings. She totally freaked out (and I would too!)
I also wonder about her riding the mega bus several times for about 5 hours at a time, buying clothing from Good Will, .........just about anywhere! Its really creepy. Its definitely helped her to be a much cleaner/neater person! But I do think they were already there when she moved in. She tried to reach the previous tenant, but couldn't find her.
And this is unbelievable to me............She's leaving her lease 2 months early, but a friend of her's has agreed to rent the room from her........and she knows about the bed bugs!! Who would do that??
I think people who haven't had to deal with bedbugs really underestimate what a PITA they are. They can go something like a year without nourishment (blood).
And I just asked my daughter...........the girl taking over your room..........will she come to your new apartment and sit on your furniture????

We're got a system down really well for when she comes home. She brings very little. She leaves some things in the car. She immediately strips and takes a shower and I wash her clothes (including the clean ones she's brought with her and I dry them 2-3 times on high heat). I bought special bins for her stuff.........one for potentially dirty stuff (shoes/belt, etc.) and a clean one for the clothes I wash when she gets here. No books from her apartment are allowed. She leaves her purse/keys/cell phone in the entranceway. Its quite alot of work. I'll be glad when she's free of them!
Tussiemussies...........Now I don't want to go to the movies!! Maybe they'll start making bubbles for us to wear at places like that........haha

[Tussiemussies]

Wow, I never thought of the procedures a person would have to go through when visiting. That is a lot.

That is just a shame, it does sound like your daughter moved into them although you never know. Since there has been a lot of infestation in the New York area they say it is also where there are places where it is dark, that is probably why they are under the mattress UGH, your poor daughter. If she leaves the bedroom light on they may not come out, I'm sure she has cleaned out between the mattress and box spring.

I am going to check and see if there is an aromatherapy for this. I know that ants will not cross a line of peppermint oil. Possibly there is something.

That is just strange that her friend wants to rent that apartment, she must not be informed about how they are. By the way what does the landlord have to say about the situation? If it is a multi-apartment dwelling they have to be going into all of the apartments.

This is another resaon I have given up staying in a hotel room too! :0!

[bunnys]

The last time you talked about this I did some reading on BB on the Internet. What I read said they can go 18 mos without a blood meal and they usually stay right around where the infestation is--unless you take them out. In other words, they won't move from one bed in your home to another in another room. You have to carry them there.

I also read that you SHOULD NOT try and get rid of them yourself as you're likely to spread them rather than getting rid of them. I read something about steamers but can't remember what it said but it absolutely said DO NOT use bombs on them.

If your DD hasn't gotten an exterminator yet (what I read said it takes exterminators several treatments) she should before she moves bc she will probably take them to her new home.

Good luck.

[Tussiemussies]

Hi again Cathy, I did a search on google titled "aromatherapy and bedbugs" and 4 different articles came up each with a different aspect of information. The young living site had the most information about the bedbug itself and the climates they can survive in.

I think using some of the aromatherapy measures can help along with the steaming...

Good luck with this.

[Tussiemussies]

P.s. if you do try the armotherapy, don't buy the young living, they are very overpriced. There is a site that has high quality oils for a reasonable price -- mountain rose herbs. Not that I'm a representative or anything just trying to give you the best information...

[CathyA]

Well, considering the reduction in numbers she's had, I'm feeling hopeful that she can get rid of them. I know alot of the info on the internet keeps saying you have to have an exterminator........but I'm not sure I believe it.
She's very persistent in her attempts to get rid of them and I honestly feel that its possible she can leave them behind. If not, it will cost alot less to hire someone to clean up the smaller apartment she's going to than the big house she's in now..........and much less expensive.
Thanks for that info Tussiemussies!

[Zoe Girl]

Oh I hope that there is hope. We have them and it is embarrassing and horrible. I am eaten alive but I think we have had them awhile and we were not being bothered too much. However the treatments we are using have meant no new bites in 2 days for me.

All i can say is yes, the exterminator is too expensive. I am extremely careful to not pass them on in any way I can. It is an epidemic so I am not sure what I can do. I could take a loan to get an exterminator, need more than one treatment and then still i could get them back.

[CathyA]

You have my sympathies Zoe Girl! They are becoming a real epidemic. Good luck to you.

[Tussiemussies]

Feel so sorry for you Zoe Girl, isn't there any other way? Why don't you try the aromatherapy and a steamer like I mentioned on my post. The lemon worked for ants. At least if you keep trying something, something may work eventually! Good luck with this. Keep us posted.

They have been an epidemic in the metropolitan area for a few years now, they had to close one of the stores in NYC, I think it was Rebox, but not definite, because it was so bad. That is why I am extra cautious about where I go.

[Tussiemussies]

Here are the aromatherapy sites, the first one gives a lot of information about the bugs themselves. I wouldn't buy oils from Young Living though, they are overpriced:

http://aromatherapyliving.com/bed_bug_protocol.html

A very good article from the National Association for Holostic Aromatherapy

http://worldofaromatherapy.blogspot.com/2010/10/naha-article-september-2010.html

A lot of people think aromatherpy is just for scent, but actually they all are medicinal and have
to be used carefully.

There are other sites on this topic, just do a search on aromatherapy and bedbugs. You can buy aromatherapy in your local health food store...

Good luck!

[try2bfrugal]

I have a son traveling and staying at hostels this summer. I bought him a travel size, cinnamon based spray from Bed, Bath and Beyond in case of bed bugs. Some friends who stay at hostels recommended it. BB&B seemed to have quite a few sprays for bed bugs. I do not know how well any of them work, but I was surprised at the selection.

[CathyA]

Sometimes a scent makes me sick. Like the peppermint oil. Is the cinnamon scent pretty strong?

[Tussiemussies]

Cinnamon oil can burn mucous (sp?) membranes like your eyes. One time I was diffusing it in my house and one person had to leave because it bothered their eyes so much.

I'm not sure about using scents if they will have an effect. The oils are medicinal and powerful.

[Zoe Girl]

Thank you for your concern, I found out that our couch is clear from bed bugs. I have not had no new bites this week! And I know there are more lurking but we are showing improvement

[Mrs-M]

This one is for you, CathyA!
http://ic.hobh.org/forums/images/smilies/bedbug.gif

[CathyA]

LOL Mrs.M!!!! That's perfect! I'll have to show that to DD............although I don't know if she'll find it as funny as I do!
Hahahaha.......
Is there a code I can type in and send it to her?
Thanks!

[Mrs-M]

No code, CathyA. Copying the URL in regular format would only reward your daughter with a funky line of letters and things. My suggestion to you would be to copy straight from the post then send. Holding down the left button on your mouse, highlight the entire post, then right click to copy, then paste as an email/message, etc to your daughter.