Reply To: Bedbugs – advice and information request from desperate family

Update:

First of all, a great big THANK YOU to all those who took the time to share their knowledge and experience in dealing with this problem. Several of you posted long, detailed descriptions of how you dealt with the issue as well as advice and suggestions; it took a while for you to do so and I greatly appreciate your taking the time out of your busy days to help an anonymous stranger who was completely at a loss as where to even begin.

Shpitzygoilem, 18Forever, Logicyid, Lawrence balabus, A little Sechel?
Were all kind enough to post their personal experiences. This is extremely helpful because it gives me an idea of different strategies that people used and were successful in ridding their houses or apartments of bedbugs.

BCBedBugExpert
It’s great to hear from an experienced professional who has experience in bedbug eradication. He graciously posted long, detailed writeups of various methods and tools that can be used in combating an infestation. Although he won’t get any business from us (it’s a little bit long for a drive), he took the time to list different treatment methods as well as their pros and cons.

HaLeiVi, mavenschoice, Amil Zola, coffee addict
Were also kind enough to post several suggestions, all of which we appreciate and some of which we will iy”H be implementing.

I apologize if anyone was omitted, but let me reiterate my appreciation to all of those who contributed. At this point I feel we have a much better handle on the situation than we did a week ago.

Were we’re holding now:

Spouse has a coworker who’s got an exterminator to deal with bedbugs. Coworker was so impressed that coworker’s father hired this exterminating company to take care of an apartment building and they are very happy with this company. I Googled this company and they have about twenty reviews which are overwhelmingly very positive.

The company starts with a bedbug-sniffing dog (slightly under $400). If no physical bedbug traces are found – even if the dog indicates it detects something – the company will not treat. In our case, it found a scent in one location without traces, and minimal traces in another area. Based on that, we’re having the entire house treated for $1,500. After the first treatment, they’ll return in two weeks, check again, and treat again. After that, they’ll guarantee we remain bedbug-free for two more months.

Based on my research (including contributions from people on this thread), I have concluded the following:
1) There seem to be three primary ways of treating a bedbug problem: Chemicals, heat, or a relatively new one which is spraying a fungus called Beauveria bassiana. A product called Apprehend uses this fungus, which apparently is very effective, but it’s only for sale to licensed exterminators. On Amazon, some people have posted that they made their own version of bedbug-killing Beauveria bassiana spray by buying a package of it intended for gardening and then using it for bedbugs, but I have no idea how safe and effective it is.
2) Diatomaceous earth can be helpful but it should be used VERY lightly or bedbugs will simply avoid it. A good strategy is to buy a duster and blow it (very lightly) behind outlet plates and switch plates and along baseboards. This is in addition to the primary treatment, not instead of it.
3) Vacuum carpets, especially along baseboards. Vacuum the bedframes, inside furniture, paying special attention to nooks, crannies, cracks and crevices. This also is in addition to the primary treatment.
4) Wash and dry linens and clothing in hot water. Items that can’t be washed should be run through a hot dryer for 40 or so minutes. This also is in addition to the primary treatment.
5) A power steamer is deadly to bedbugs and their eggs as long as the steam reaches them. This can be used on carpets, especially in corners and along the baseboards, and on and in furniture. Go slowly and thoroughly. This also is in addition to the primary treatment.
6) Buy mattress and boxspring encasements. Check reviews to ensure they are high quality – if there is even a tiny opening at the zipper, they’re useless.
7) Move furniture, especially beds, away from the walls.

None of the treatments above are magic bullets. Several of the secondary treatments should be done repeatedly; once is helpful but you want to keep doing it to catch any potential escapees.
It is a tedious, expensive process. So far we’ve spent:
About $500 for quality boxspring and mattress encasements.
About $400 for a bedbug-sniffing dog to check our house
About $1,500 (plus tax) for treatment
Many days and nights cleaning, washing and vacuuming

B”N I’ll continue to update. If (and IY”H when) we’re happy with the results I plan on posting the company we used over here.

While there are far worse things in life than bedbugs and we’re grateful for what we have, this IS an enormous aggravation as well as a significant expense and time-consumer. Thanks again to all those who have helped us.
Have a good Shabbos and Yom Tov.