NWR freak-out

breathofreshair

So my fiancee messaged me from work this morning that he had been getting bug bites the past couple of nights and I immediately thought the worst. Usually I'm wrong, but sadly, not this time - his apartment has bed bugs.

I'm completely freaking out now because I have heard horror stories of how awful it is to get rid of these bugs and considering he lives in a giant apartment building in Chicago it'll pretty much impossible to get everyone to take this seriously. I'm also starting to worry because I visited him the weekend of April 2nd and I haven't had any bites yet, but what if I brought eggs back on my clothes??

Has anyone gone through this or known someone who has? I really have no idea what we should even do first and I'm just hoping that his apartment will spend the money to get professional exterminators. Especially because we just signed the lease for another year!

ninjette04

I would start by contacting the Cincinnati Board of Health.  They should have the correct info for you so that you don't get a bunch of "Oh I heard to do this...".  I do know someone who had them, and he couldn't get rid of them so he moved out, sent all of his stuff to storage, and started fresh back with his parents.  This option to me, sucks, so I would call BOH tomorrow morning first thing.

abby.eling

Hi.  My dad just recently had bed bugs.  He travels a ton for work and picked them up in a hotel on one of his trips.  He was worried that he brought eggs back also and they would now be in his stuff.  My parents called and exterminator, he came out and sprayed as a precaution, but my mom had to watch EVERYTHING in their bedroom and anywhere he set his suitcase down when he got home.  She washed, drapes, carpet, bedding, ALL the clothes in their closet.  So far no problems and his bites have cleared up.  It's been about 4 weeks now.  I would definately talk to an exterminator, but honestly the most help they found about how to handle it was from the doctor who prescribed an ointment for my dad's bites.  They told them how to clean it up.  Hope that helps!

abby.eling

Correction:  I most really be tired I can't spell at all today!!  watch should be wash.  Sorry!

breathofreshair

Thanks guys! His apartment building is bringing an exterminator on Wed. and my fiancee has washed all of his laundry and put things he doesn't think he'll be needing soon in sealed bags.
I also called a seperate exterminator to see if they had hints on what to do and he is going to call to find out who the apartment is going with to let me know what kind of preparation we can do for whatever these guys will be doing.

I think I'll also call the Board of Health just to see what all they have to say. I just wish it wasn't so close to the wedding   now along with everything else I have to worry about him bringing bed bugs down to my parents' place.

cincy2011

I'm sorry to hear about this.  He can also buy Bed Bug killer at The Home Depot.  He may just want to keep some extra on hand in case they aren't completely gone after the exterminator, but hopefully they will be.  Good luck!

ninjette04

IIt's ok, take a deep breath and hopefully it will all turn out ok. 

Hopefully the exterminator can work some magic for you , and the BOH can give you good info.

Jack'sPrincesss

We had this 2 years ago after spending a night in a hotel and i didn't catch it till the suckers were full grown and I saw them... so it  was research online and see what I could do... i went to Home Depot and there just happend to be the Scott's rep there and he pointed out that the Home Defender Max works on them as well as just about everyother bug known to man and will protect for up to a year.. so I bought that and then mattress covers for the mattress and box springs and pillow covers.. and also the aerosol bed bug/dust mite spray... we tore the bed room apart washed down everything that we could with bleach water (bed rails, etc) vaccumed and steamed the bed and box springs and sprayed them with the aerosol stuff and then put the covers on them sprayed the home defender stuff around all the baseboards, on the carpet it's self..... after that i only saw 1 or 2 stragglers and then no more... but all i have to say is that was one heck of an expensive hotel stay

Jack'sPrincesss

Oh another FYI... they nor their eggs can survive high heat or deep freeze.... o if in doubt.. put anything you can through a cycle in your dryer... soap and water will not kill them.. only the heat will.. which is why I used my clothes steamer to go over everything i couldn't toss in the dryer