The ants are back... as well as new friends... Bed bugs.

[Syn]

Some of you may have followed along on my ant thread... I would not be creating a new thread if not for our new issue -- bed bugs.
We recently moved my sister out of an apartment in which the neighbor's contracted these annoying pests and they in turn infested my sister's home.
I told her not to bring anything but she insisted on bringing the TV, etc.

Recently I have come across small bug bites all over my skin. Because of this I began investigating my carpet and the living room....
Well, needless to say we now have bed bugs from touching her things and then coming home.

I am in need of suggestions. I am considering purchasing a steam cleaner but simply do NOT want to wait to order one online unless there is a great deal.
I am limited to $150 because that's all I have saved up right now, and it's actually what I've saved up from my birthday, etc...
This does not include emergency funds, but need be I can use up to another $100.

I've checked out these threads but have had no luck with purchasing locally...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/steam-cleaner-sanitizing-chameleon-cage-45027/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/cheap-steam-cleaners-16615/

Another option is buying diatomaceous earth, however, the local Home Depot does not carry it and I would need to order it online...
This would take a few days and the infestation could escalate before the items arrive.

I am running out of ideas and time, I am more concerned for the reptiles than myself and would prefer the house doesn't get fumigated...
Reason being, I simply don't know anyone who would be willing to house my reptiles until the situation clears up.
To be honest I would not want anyone housing my reptiles because they could have bed bug nymphs in or around their cages!

My options are limited at this time... any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.
This month has certainly not started off very well and the stress it getting to me....

Thank you for any help you can offer!

On a side note, if anything good has come in the past few weeks... I have found lots of these...

 

[Jonasburns]

yuck..... check your PM.


ill start questioning the oracle.. er i mean google

 

[Syn]

Thanks Jonas,

I am looking through google as well. So far the best ideas I've heard are diatomaceous earth and steam cleaners...


If anyone knows - can you use steam cleaners inside? Are they effective? How will everything dry?

I'm not so worried about the D. earth, simply because it's targeted at small insects.

 

[ChromaChameleons]

Could you rent a steam cleaner? and get your sister to pay for it...

 

[Jonasburns]

hmm believe it or not U-haul rents steam cleaners. Uhaul

I know sandrachameleon uses a steam cleaner not sure if its inside or outside.


should be safe to use inside these are designed for in home carpets.


you could also try calling Stanley steamer to see if they are able to take care of the problems.

*edit*
and yeah sis should pay for it lol

 

[Syn]

Getting my sister to pay for anything is like pulling teeth. I told her there were bed bugs a while ago and she insisted it was nothing because she "didn't bring any fabrics over"...
Truth of the matter is, bed bugs don't just hide in fabric.. they hide in electronics... etc.

Either way this is coming out of my pocket no matter what.

So far I've called four Home Depots... one person flat out said no, I got two people who constantly said "UHHHHHHHH"... and the last store didn't answer, period.

Thanks Jonas - looks like it's as low as $20... that looks relatively cheap, depending on how much it costs for what I need. I'll make a call after I ring up a few more Home Depots and Lowes..
----------------

Does anyone know if "Safer Brand" D. Earth (yellow bag) is food grade? I got an answer saying that they have that brand but a lot of "UHHHHH" came with it.
If I had to guess I'd think it's this brand: http://www.arbico-organics.com/product/Ant-Insect-Killer-DE/tab1

Wow Home Depot, I have had to explain what food grade is at every call......

 

[panthercham]

Hey Sabrina,

If you want to purchase a steam cleaner then look at a overstock.com. They have some Bissell ones in your price range that have good ratings

 

[Jonasburns]

I hate to say this, but if it gets out of control fast you may have to bomb the house. Even then it seems they can be resistant. This is giving me a scare b/c my roommates son came home from his grandfathers with all kinds of bites. He is not known to be the most cleanly person........

Thanks Jonas - looks like it's as low as $20... that looks relatively cheap, depending on how much it costs for what I need. I'll make a call after I ring up a few more Home Depots and Lowes..

my pleasure! keep us posted.

 

[pssh]

Remember to clean EVERYTHING. It's nasty when you think they're gone and you find them crawling around under your sheets and on your mattress! Do yours bite in a straight line also? Everyone at school kept asking me if I had a wierd disease because I had lines of red-pink bumps everywhere. Yuck.

You can definately get hand held steam cleaners and stuff.

 

[KingJulien]

I would be careful about "steam cleaners". If it is steam and very high temperatures that kill bedbugs, a normal carpet cleaner does not reach high temperatures. Most instruct you to add warm water to the machine, and all they do is add soap, brush the carpet, and then suck up the water again. They're great for cleaning carpets, but be aware of the limitations.


Not sure why they call wet vacs "steam cleaners".

 

[Jonasburns]

I would be careful about "steam cleaners". If it is steam and very high temperatures that kill bedbugs, a normal carpet cleaner does not reach high temperatures. Most instruct you to add warm water to the machine, and all they do is add soap, brush the carpet, and then suck up the water again. They're great for cleaning carpets, but be aware of the limitations.


Not sure why they call wet vacs "steam cleaners".

This is good advice also ty

 

[Syn]

Hey Sabrina,

If you want to purchase a steam cleaner then look at a overstock.com. They have some Bissell ones in your price range that have good ratings

Thanks! I will look into that.

I hate to say this, but if it gets out of control fast you may have to bomb the house. Even then it seems they can be resistant. This is giving me a scare b/c my roommates son came home from his grandfathers with all kinds of bites. He is not known to be the most cleanly person........


my pleasure! keep us posted.

I can say if this continues I will be throwing out a lot of things, I don't care if they are important - if they have bugs, they are gone.

Remember to clean EVERYTHING. It's nasty when you think they're gone and you find them crawling around under your sheets and on your mattress! Do yours bite in a straight line also? Everyone at school kept asking me if I had a wierd disease because I had lines of red-pink bumps everywhere. Yuck.

You can definately get hand held steam cleaners and stuff.

Mine bite in odd patterns... I haven't really looked at them because they are mostly on the backs of my legs.

I would be careful about "steam cleaners". If it is steam and very high temperatures that kill bedbugs, a normal carpet cleaner does not reach high temperatures. Most instruct you to add warm water to the machine, and all they do is add soap, brush the carpet, and then suck up the water again. They're great for cleaning carpets, but be aware of the limitations.


Not sure why they call wet vacs "steam cleaners".

Ah, I hadn't thought of that. I need to look into how hot it needs to get to kill bed bugs....

 

[Syn]

Checking out this site:
http://deadbedbugs.com/bed-bug-articles/power-steam-cleaning/

It says 120F is good enough to kill bed bugs... I may be in luck.

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Edit:Moving on to Lowe's... I get someone who I can't understand and doesn't know what food grade is......
Safer Brand isn't safe because it has high silicon levels.. any who, 5 minutes on the line to find out it is Safer Brand...

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Edit2: 8 calls to various places and still no luck... it's either "Safer" Brand or they just don't have any at all.

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Edit3: HAPPY HAPPY! After 14, count 'em, 14 calls to various stores I have finally found a place selling the permaguard brand that is food grade! What's even better... they are LOCAL!
I suppose something good has happened today... now I just need to find someone who will take me there..

 

[Goggles]

It will still work but it is definately not "steam" at that temperature.
Water dosen't boil till 212 f.

 

[Syn]

It will still work but it is definately not "steam" at that temperature.
Water dosen't boil till 212 f.

I am aware, I was just stating they die around that temperature.

 

[Goggles]

I am aware, I was just stating they die around that temperature.

I was confirming what Kingjulian said about them not being steam cleaners

 

[Syn]

I would be careful about "steam cleaners". If it is steam and very high temperatures that kill bedbugs, a normal carpet cleaner does not reach high temperatures. Most instruct you to add warm water to the machine, and all they do is add soap, brush the carpet, and then suck up the water again. They're great for cleaning carpets, but be aware of the limitations.


Not sure why they call wet vacs "steam cleaners".

I was confirming what Kingjulian said about them not being steam cleaners

Okay then. That doesn't really make sense, though. KingJulien did state wet vacs aren't steam cleaners.. but I fail to see where your statement comes in to play.. no post was made about specific temperatures other than I mentioned 120F is what temperature they die at... supposedly.

I suppose I am quite confused...

 

[Syn]

Hate to double post but I need to know, can rubbing alcohol be bad to inhale? It was suggested I spray it around my room.

 

[Elizadolots]

People huff it, so I figured it was likely to have toxicity to humans. I found this on Lance Armstrong's site.

Isopropyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol, is often used in the home or in medical facilities to treat various conditions or to sterilize instruments and skin. However, if isopropyl alcohol is inhaled there can be serious side effects. Inhalation can cause a number of symptoms, including headaches, nausea, vomiting, irritation of the nose and mucous membranes, throat irritations, and even difficulty with breathing.

 

[Jonasburns]

Edit3: HAPPY HAPPY! After 14, count 'em, 14 calls to various stores I have finally found a place selling the permaguard brand that is food grade! What's even better... they are LOCAL!
I suppose something good has happened today... now I just need to find someone who will take me there..

Cheer!

Always look for that silver lining i say.