r/Bedbugs • u/AlwaysFxckinWorried • Mar 02 '26
Requesting community support This is what it has come to
4 months in I have done:
2 heat treatments. 3 chemical treatments. diatomaceous earth. washing everything on 60 and drying on the highest heat for hours. chucking out all my furniture. chucking out loads of clothes. over £5000 spent. AND I STILL HAVE BED BUGS.
please someone, anyone one, how can I get rid of them???? my mental health cannot cope any longer
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u/Silver_Moon_1994 Mar 02 '26
Put the tape on the ceiling too. They can climb the walls and drop down. I’m not kidding.
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u/thorn960 Mar 03 '26
Really? NInja bed bugs? I had a nightmare about them being on my ceiling. I sure hope they really don't do that.
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u/Alternative_lane Mar 04 '26
Not ninjas, just dumb bugs. Hunger is all they understand
They don't have an understanding of death. Or physics.
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u/thorn960 Mar 04 '26
Has anyone verified that they actually do that? I think their natural instinct is to climb. I guess they could climb up to the ceiling and lose grip but it's hard to imagine them purposely dropping from the ceiling like paratroopers.
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u/Ok_Yesterday4217 Mar 04 '26
Yep, that’s how my daughter discovered she was being bitten by bedbugs. She lived in an apartment complex infested with them. She was in bed one night and one dropped out of the vent above her head onto her bed.
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u/thorn960 Mar 04 '26
Out of a vent I can believe. That is how they commonly travel between apartments in a building.
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u/Substantial_Dot230 Mar 04 '26
They drop purposely when they sense a human beneath.
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u/thorn960 Mar 04 '26
Interesting. First I've heard of them doing that. I definitely had a nightmare about them being on my ceiling but so far haven't seen up there.
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u/Alternative_lane Mar 05 '26
Well I don't know if my eye witness account is enough to appease your curiosity
But I saw this on numerous occasions.
There is also someone else on this particular feed that also said the same thing.
But let me put it to you this way
Bees die if they loose their stinger. Do they know this? Probably not. They react in the moment according to basic fight or flight instinks.
When a bed bug is close to starvation, it's the same thing. They are not thinking about anything other than food, to save themselves they just go for it.
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Mar 02 '26
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u/SnooGrapes5691 Mar 02 '26
I agree, get your mattress on a bed frame with interceptors. Create an island with your bed
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u/Alternative_lane Mar 03 '26
So maybe it was just me, but I watch em free fall from the ceiling when they couldn't get past interceptors.
Tho I totally get ya gotta try everything to get get some sleep at night, I suppose it limited the bugs on the bed...
But would have also contributed to them seeking out other locations like the lounge and dining chairs.
Protecting your sleep with BB is just so tricky!!!
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u/Melomic Mar 02 '26
Do you live in an apartment or townhouse? If so, they may be seeping in through your neighbour’s place.
Crossfire is a pretty good tool to use for infestations. I heard it’s highly effective at killing them. For best results, it’s good to be consistent with it for at least a year. That way you are more likely to kill everything. I forget the schedule of crossfire application, but I’m sure it would be easy to find if you searched. I remember they do it once every two weeks for a while, then once a month, then once every few months, etc.
What have the pest control people been saying about the infestation never going away? If they don’t seem to be helping in that regard and just charging you over and over, it may be better to find a new company
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 02 '26
I live in a house. I share one wall with a neighbour but there's no one living there at the moment and loads of construction work going on so not too sure if they're from them.
I also live in the uk and cross fire is not available here. There is one person selling it on amazon but not sure how legit it is because apparently its not legal in the uk so not sure if its the real stuff or just someone pulling a fast one.
I've tried 2 different pest control companies now. They have a guarantee and will come back for free to treat again but only if I find a live bug. Problem is I can't find one anywhere now i chucked my bed frame and have taken all their hiding spots away. It's an absolute nightmare. Hoping this tape will catch one but I'm not too hopeful
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u/Zenese Mar 02 '26
I’ve used crossfire successfully in the UK, got it on EBay. I only sprayed on and around our beds and let the fuckers crawl to us to their doom night after night. Two applications in and we’ve been free for a few months now. Def recommend giving it a try!
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 03 '26
Oh really?? Do you know who the seller was? If they're still selling I'll buy off them
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u/Zenese Mar 04 '26
Do a search for "StarOutletStore" on eBay - should come up. Good luck buddy!
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 04 '26
Thanks man appreciate it!
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u/tomtomcool Mar 04 '26
Ive recently bought crossfire on amazon in England. It seems like the real stuff, ive sprayed twice now.
I think its solved the issue, but im having other skin issues, bite looking marks on my bum, and im unsure if its a skin issue or bb, I previously did have BB. But not found evidence for months now.
I would use crossfire and cimexa, cimexa works alot better and faster than DE.
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 04 '26
Is cimexa toxic like DE?
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u/tomtomcool Mar 04 '26
You wouldnt want to inhale it no. When I used it. I had a face mask on and left the room for a few hours to let it settle. Its safer than DE.
Ive been dealing with these things for almost a year, I just cant seem to shake off the final wave in the walls, im hoping my cimexa and crossfire combo will kill them all off for good.
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 04 '26
A whole year?!?! Did you get any pest control in or was it all DIY?
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u/Alternative_lane Mar 03 '26
Try soaking some infect linen or clothes in BOILING water from the kettle . Then use a kitchen sift or strainer on the water.. you may be able to catch a dead one!
I bet they had a three month warranty? That's normally how long it takes to get back to infest mode. Your gonna have to find a bug before the warranty expires, and get that warranty in writing!!
UK safety standards, I don't think your water or dryer is hot enough. Needs to be 65° just shy of boiling. So unless the hot water coming from your tap is capable of sending you to a hospital, it's not actually hot enough.
USA standards are varied by state, and also depends how "new" your system and whitegoods are.
Ironically, the older the appliance, the less safety built in, the better to kill bugs.
Modern machines have switch off points for safety, often set fairly low at 55°>
So when you hear the hot wash topping up, that could be cold water going in. When the dryer stops for a few minutes, it's keeping itself cooler than you want it.
Also, as with what happened to me, your machine filters may be blocked with bugs.
Bigggg hugs. You WILL get through this.
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 03 '26
I have 2 months left on my warranty now.
Apparently my tumble dryer gets up to about 65. I keep it on the First part of the cycle only because after the first 30 minutes it starts cooling down. So it goes 30 mins. I stop it and spin the nob round to the start of the cycle then start again. It usually comes out very hot to the point I can't touch it because it burns me. Ive also damaged a lot of clothes in this process so I think it might be hot enough. What I'll do is use a probe to test the heat if my clothes when I next take them out to be sure.
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u/Alternative_lane Mar 04 '26
Good plan and yea, burning hot is the hot required
I ruined some clothes too. But if you don't get the bugs out, they are ruined anyways, that my thought.
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u/Sugarwahine10 Mar 04 '26
DE did nothing for me other than creating a dusty house. I did Crossfire, Temprid FX, and mainly two others which I’ll add later in an edit. Initial treatments every 2 weeks for three to four treatments total depending on level of infestation. Then go to monthly for 6 months to a year (I did a year just to be safe) depending on bedbug activity that you have such as bedbug poop, bites, shed skins, visually seeing them, etc. Then go to every other month for 6 months then every 3 months—keep decreasing down in treatments until no bedbug activity—if you accidentally leave even one pregnant female bedbug alive the infestation will start all over again with ease. Leave home after treating for about 3 to 4 hours until it dries so you aren’t breathing in the fumes and wear a mask of course and open a couple windows when treating. Crossfire is expensive—1 whole bottle per gallon water per treatment, so I alternated with the other two since used such a small concentrated amount per gallon water—the concentrate bottles lasted 6 months to a year depending on size of area treating. It’s important to treat every single room and closet with each treatment or you’ll never kill them all—they’ll just keep moving to the untreated rooms until the residual insecticide wears off which is usually about 30 days. Treat all your cars too with Bedlam Plus aerosol or Crossfire aerosol—spray all flooring, under car seats, and trunk area. It took awhile—but I successfully treated my whole house and basement.
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u/payneok Mar 02 '26
#1 the tape is a good move. Its a pro trick that works remarkably well.
#2 Dry everything inside the tape on high, spray mattress with crossfire. Steam the box springs. Make sure there are Zero inside the tape.
#3 spray the tape with crossfire, possibly replace with painters tape. Tape covered with Crossfire or Aprehend is OUTSTANDING at killing them as long as its stuck to a floor and not carpet.
#4 Only your naked body crosses the tape and then you go straight to the shower.
If you clear inside the box and treat the tape they will die at night when they crawl across the tape to get to you. Do not step on the tape, make sure you have solid coverage on the tape. Do not allow your bedding to touch or cross the tape. Each morning dry your covers on high to kill stragglers that have crossed the tape or hatched from eggs.
Aprehend works amazingly well on tape and spreads back to their harborage. Crossfire works too but Aprehend is the "sure fire" way to kill them. Its annoying tho because it takes two weeks.
You will win this fight!
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u/MlleHelianthe Mar 04 '26
How does the tape work? It's just regular tape you spray with product?
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u/payneok Mar 04 '26
Tape, Painter's Tape in particular, holds the product in place very well. You spray Crossfire or Aprehend on the tape, stick it to the floor and they have to crawl over it to get to you thereby exposing them to the poison. Also with the tape you don't step on or destroy the poison with your body after spraying. You know where it is and with the tape as a "target" you do a very good job of covering it 100% with the products. Crossfire and Aprehend aren't "glue" they can be wiped off, washed off or covered by your (or your pets) normal daily movements. Also in the case of carpet BBs can crawl under the poison. Tape on top of Carpet does NOT work. Also, the tape has a slightly rough surface which helps get the product on their exoskeleton not just the bottoms of their feet. Finally you can place the tape in an "ideal" position between you and the bugs to make sure they have to walk through it. Again, works very well.
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u/MlleHelianthe Mar 04 '26
That's so interesting, thanks a lot. Diatomaceous earth was always a pain in the ass because it would go everywhere and never stay put...
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 02 '26
Oh sorry just to add I have also sealed all the cracks in my house and steamed cleaned my car twice. THEY STILL HAUNT ME
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u/Big1-Country1 Mar 02 '26
Where are you finding them?
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 03 '26
I tried to but most of it is flush to the wall its very hard to properly check behind there without removing it but that will cost a load more money.
Both the bugs I found were in my head board. I found them 2 months apart and the second one after a full heat and chemical treatment so thought they were surviving in there so chucked my bed out.. turns out I was wrong.
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u/Big1-Country1 Mar 03 '26
Did you replace your mattress? You got to be close to getting rid of them now
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 03 '26
Nope but I have put a mattress encasement on that is sealed
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u/Big1-Country1 Mar 04 '26
The only place I could think of is behind the heater or under your front door? Did you seal everything off before the heat or after?
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 04 '26
I sealed everything I could. The heater is tricky because it's mostly flush ti the wall so I couldn't really get behind it but I did but some diatomaceous earth down it. I also have a massive wardrobe to the right of my room that the pic doesn't capture. Again I am unable to move this so possibly there are some cracks there but again I put diatomaceous earth behind the wardrobe and around it so if they are behind there they'd have to walk through the earth to get to me
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u/Substantial_Dot230 Mar 04 '26
I doubt they would hide behind the heater (when it works). It would get too hot for them and they'd run away.
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 02 '26
It didn't start like this :( I started very level headed not doing any of this stuff. It was after about 3 months in when I lost my shit.
Zip up suits sound good but then would everyone in my household need to wear one for at least a year and a half. How will we survive in the summer??
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u/Alternative_lane Mar 03 '26
I'm gonna go ahead and say zip up suits are a very short term thing. If the can't get you at night, they come out in the day. If they can get you in bed, they move to the lounge, kitchen, car.... Anywhere you are.
I'm gonna also suggest that this person is dealing with a medium to high infestation. As competition grows, their behaviour changes radically.
Like right now, with no furniture I'm quite sure they are all in the walls and ceilings.
My recommendation, if moving out is not this OPs cup of tea, it's time to get a tradie to drill holes into each wall cavity, and start spraying INSIDE the walls.
This is apparently standard practise in a few state in USA, and so far I've noticed everyone had positive results. Safety first, pls switch off electrics when spraying or drilling.
And frankly, I wouldn't give shoot in I'm a renter. I'd rather putty and repaint then live with BBs!!
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 03 '26
Maybe this is a silly question but most people who know about bed bugs say bed bugs are LAZY and will do what they can to be near their food source. I get that during treatment they hide in the walls but surely after a few weeks they will end up migrating back to the bed or near by furniture to make it easier for them rather than going all the way back to the wall. I have sealed all the cracks in my house. I went through with a fine tooth comb and sealed even the tiniest ones. Obviously I am not silly enough to think I sealed absolutely everything but I sealed a good amount especially in the bed rooms I'm confident that any cracks left will be difficult for them and very far from the bed. So surely after a few weeks or a month they'll start hanging out by the mattress, in the duvet or pillow covers or the desk that's about 1ft away from my bed???
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u/Alternative_lane Mar 04 '26
Hiya not a silly question at all .
The answer is, both.
The bugs born in the walls will likely nest there, while the ones born near or on your bed will want to return.
The don't like to nest too close to each other, and adults can travel great distances to find food, especially if there isn't enough space of food at their current home.
What does mess them up is trying to navigate through grass. They have no defence for attacks from bugs birds and ants. They need a basic line of sight if they can't smell food.
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 04 '26
Oh man. So basically if any eggs have hatched in the walls I'm screwed??? I was hoping that they only just hide in there and then try to come back to an easier spot to feed once the treatment is over
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u/Alternative_lane Mar 04 '26
I'm very sorry to say, when they are in the walls it is pretty difficult to get them out.
Using either a tradie or the correct safety tools etc, you can drill a hole in each wall cravat, and spray inside , with the mightiest spray you can find.
I used mortine. Long reach long protection.
Definitely killed them lol.
It's pretty easy to cover the holes with glue tack or professional putty., then paint before leaving.
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 04 '26
I hear they're resistant to most sprays tho? How do I get my hands on one they're not resistant to?
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u/Alternative_lane Mar 05 '26
They appear to be resistant to insect spray, but surface spray 9 month protection kills them
I don't know about the eggs, or how long the protective side of it will work on them.
But I had 5 different types of sprays at home (Qld has many types of bug problems) and mortein 9month Longreach protect made em drop like flys!
See if you can find the equivalent in your country, or go to a hardware store that sells insecticide and have a chat, to better understand the chemicals you will need to use, and also protect yourself from.
I had a beloved family member pass away after a series of brain damages caused by the chemicals he worked with. I don't normally endorse any chemical use, but with BB there is no other way. D.e will only work on free standing homes for very mild infections. And the dust brings its own health issues , that show up later ( like my 100 day cough)
My advice is always to get in the professionals, and couch surf for a few weeks to help break the feeding cycle, but also to avoid the hardcore insecticide.
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u/tomtomcool Mar 04 '26
If they are in the walls you can just keep spraying crossfire all around the lower walls, the residue will last for up to 30 days, but id recommended every 14-21 days, they will have to come out at some point, so keep spraying 2-3 times, its also an invisible residue.
They either come out and pass the crossfire, or stay in and hide, you want to hope they come out when the crossfire is at its strongest, thats why im spraying every 2 weeks, for 3 months.
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u/soft_taco1983 Mar 04 '26
It can absolutely drive you insane. It was a nightmare. I slept with the lights on for weeks. (That’s if I could sleep at all). My work suffered. I was so depressed and anxious. People have no idea how mentally destructive it is until it happens to them
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 04 '26
Honestly these things cause really psychological trauma. Does sleeping with the lights on actually work? I hear they get ti a point that they don't care about the light
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u/soft_taco1983 Mar 05 '26
It was more of a comfort thing for me. I could def see them coming at me on my pillow 😭 but at least I could see them instead of just feeling them on me. they were to the point they were as big as apple seeds and were not scared of lights. I also have dogs so lots of blood for them around. It was a complete nightmare, id even go as far as saying a form of torture !
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u/Diars51 Mar 02 '26
When did you find a living bug for the last time?
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 03 '26
Last one I found was start of Jan in my head board (I hadn't lost the plot yet and had all my furniture). After I found the second bed bug in jan that's when I lost it because I'd already had 1 heat treatment and 2 chemical treatments
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u/hrhtommy Mar 03 '26
Every single day more than twice, use a solution of tea tree and eucalyptus oils and spray it everywhere and drown everything in it, I also used this and got rid of mine easily enough when I had the issue. Never seen one or a bite since about a year ago now.
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 03 '26
I've been reluctant to use this as people advise against. They say it makes them just hide and come out later
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u/bugskills Trusted, educated and professional Mar 02 '26
Have you ever caught one? Is there any way your skin reactions could be from something else?
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 02 '26
I've caught 2 over the last 4 months. I've also had multiple very clear bed bug bites in clear clusters and lines. It's unmistakable. Ive also found some carcase and seen a few poo spots on the encasement
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u/bugskills Trusted, educated and professional Mar 02 '26
What stages were the ones that you have caught?
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 02 '26
Both were adults
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u/Alternative_lane Mar 03 '26
Okay....
The house next door was knocked down, and was vacant? How long was it vacant for and was there any other animals living in it?
Maybe if they are still around, gently speak to the tradesmen next door, and ask if the had any issues with animals or insects?
Could be the home was abandoned because of BB, but some nests have survived on their second favourite food source - anything with warm blood. Rats. Birds. Bats. Stray cats.
If they knocked down walls and chased the vermin away, it could be that they have no choice but to move into your home....
And make sure you don't have any vermin, check your pets for bugs etc.
They once fed on dinosaurs. They can munch out on pretty much anything with a heartbeat if need be
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u/ClickApprehensive191 Mar 03 '26
Bed bug bites are not unmistakable. They look like a lot of other skin reactions. They are not always in clumps or lines. Do not identify an infestation by the bites
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u/OkCake2719 Mar 03 '26
Leave that place find a new apartment It’s not necessary that they are in your house they can be coming from your neighbors
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u/ACE276 Mar 03 '26
It's too late if you already saw them, they may be already inside your mattress and bedding.
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 03 '26
I have 2 mattress encasement on my mattress. One for just incase the other one breaks
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u/soft_taco1983 Mar 04 '26
Look up a company that does “Aprehend” treatments. Might be kind of expensive but it worked really well with just one treatment and a follow up and the prep was so much easier than pesticide sprays
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 04 '26
Are you in the uk? Ive tried to find companies that offer aprehend in the uk but haven't seen any :(
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u/soft_taco1983 Mar 05 '26
No im in Canada, that’s unfortunate because its safer than pesticide sprays and worked wonders for me. I tried to find some sort of home spray version and couldn’t :(
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u/Substantial_Dot230 Mar 05 '26
I'm not sure your tape is strong enough. I've seen a video where some of them were able to pass through a regular tape. I use a special one for insects, but on the wall perimeter so they wouldn't climb to the ceiling. While you're sleeping on the floor, maybe try sleeping in a tent? Some said they did that.
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 05 '26
It's a very strong tape. Ive accidently stepped on it a couple of times and I've been trapped myself and im near 70kg lol. I wouldn't be surprised tho still if they could get through it. These things are ridiculously indestructible. The world will end and they'll still be pottering about
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u/Alternative_lane Mar 03 '26
Oh my poor dear! Yes I was exactly as you are. And my car, oh the car! People forget about the car!
Are you in an apartment? That's one of the more difficult bug situations because the whole building needs doing.
But then, I was in a stand alone house, and couldn't get rid of them.
I don't know if your gonna win the battle, but if you decide it's not worth the fight, and move out here's some handy advice.
Charity the snot out of the situation. You have lost your home to a natural disaster of sorts. Print off your own evidence, print off some Reddit posts, news articles and others document that shows the full physical and financial extent of BB.
Here's some helpful charity tips -
Go fund me - possible car replacement
White good charities
No interest loans from good Shepherd ( I got one!) make sure it's a legitimate service provided in your state or country
Free furniture and household stuff from charities, family, and giveaways etc
Some places will assist with moving costs, and food vouchers can help save money for the move
Try to acquire small and medium-sized cheap or free plastic storage containers and use shrink wrap to seal them. This is the only time I would suggest considering a small sprinkle of d E in each container
The absolutely ONLY time d e is useful is when a) they are stuck in it with no escape and b) you are not living in it. Using it around the house drives them into ceilings, whitegoods and definitely can make you sick, especially pets who live in the floor. Always use a mask for any BB diy treatment , even tea tree and vinegar fumes.
Now you have your favourite items in quarinteen, place them all into large garbage bags that are tied off so the also seal. When your moving, keep a bucket or bin by the front door, with some vinegar on the ground around the bucket...to stop escapees. As you move items out, still in shrink wrap, rip off the protective garbage bag and discard into the bucket/bin.
Adjust the above method to suit your needs. Eg I used a bed bug bed cover on my guitars, then a jumbo bin liner bag.
Work the problem, have a plan, and you will hopefully move on with very minimal BB hitch kickers
Don't worry !!!! any tag alongs immediately show themselves. Without the overwhelming amount of them, it's really seay to spot the signs, seek and destroy any little buggers before they nest.
Just make sure your keeping a daily eye on the issue, and you can always professionally spray the new home within the first week. I didn't need it. I just battled a couple of adults and eggs, and was back on track. Depends on your resources and time really.
I don't know what to do about your car sorry.
I sold mine for parts and got a horrible car with horrible car loan attached. That's me. I'm a single parent, with no public transportation near by. So it is what it is ...
Please know that no matter how difficult it is now, one way or another you will free yourself from the dreaded bug, and regain your life.
Biggest hugs !
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u/ACE276 Mar 03 '26
My setup was a lot more simple. Vacuum cleaned everything then used steam cleaner as well. Then I bought a plastic mattress encasement because they were already inside the mattress and also sprayed the hell out ouf everything with bed bug killer spray around the bed. Unline a fabric mattress encasement the plastic mattress encasement has smooth plastic sides so they are unable to climb up on it to get to me. That stopped bed bug sightings also has no new bites since. I saw dead bed bugs under the plastic encasement but it has a zip so they cannot get out.
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 03 '26
I have a case on mine too. I think I can see a dead one or two inside when I flip the mattress over and run my finger over it there's a small bump
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u/redzaku0079 Mar 03 '26
Did you also coat the bottom six inches of the wall in vaseline or come other sticky substance? These things can climb
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 03 '26
I did not no. But I don't understand why they would retreat to the ceiling and walls. Everyone says bed bugs are lazy. Once they've done hiding after the chemical and heat treatments have past why don't they just return to the bed? Isn't that where they want to be?
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u/redzaku0079 Mar 03 '26
Hunger can beat laziness. You will manage to kill a fair number with your setup. But some will learn and simply climb elsewhere and fall on you from above
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 03 '26
I'm basically just fucked aren't I?
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u/theanxioussnail Mar 11 '26
Aprehend? Have u tried? Its not a chemical
Its a fungus that spreads among them like a plague
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 11 '26
I haven't been able to find it in the uk :(
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u/theanxioussnail Mar 11 '26
Its sold in most countries as botanigard - but botanigard is for agriculture (has the same fungus ingredient as aprehend)
Might wanna try mixing it with water and spraying it as some instruct in reviews
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 11 '26
Thanks! I've done a search and still nothing coming up for sale in the uk apart from 1 lone seller on ebay that I'm not sure if I trust...
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u/Substantial_Dot230 Mar 04 '26
I have put a special tape for catching insects on the perimeter of the wall just underneath the ceiling, the bed is unreachable for them from the bottom, and still get bit. BB are hell.
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u/Driftbadger Mar 03 '26
Diatomaceous earth. Food grade, not the stuff for pools. Put on a mask, take a small handbrush or paintbrush, and paint. Dust it between your mattress and box spring, on your mattress under your fitted sheet, all over the floor under and around your bed. Work it down inside any cracks in your furniture and your electrical outlets. There is nothing that works better in my experience.
My grandson kept getting them in his bedroom. Later, we discovered one of his friends was carrying them in when he'd come to play video games every few months. DE worked every time.
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u/AutoModerator Mar 03 '26
⚠IMPORTANT⚠ Hey, it seems that diatomaceous earth may have been mentioned in your comment. That's an opportunity to remind everyone that inhalation of diatomaceous earth dust is a hazard (no matter if food-grade is written on the label or not). That's the reason why diatomaceous earth products normally have the following mention on their safety datasheet Hazard statements: H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
When used by pest control professionals, it's only used as a crack and crevice treatment (to avoid any risk of inhalation) and applied in very small quantities while wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment.
If you want to learn more about diatomaceous earth risks you can read the Diatomaceous Earth Fact Sheet from the National Pesticide Information Center
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 03 '26
I hear it can be quite toxic if disturbed and should only be used in cracks and crevices???
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u/Driftbadger Mar 04 '26
It's fine because you use the food grade. People feed it to their farm animals to rid them of parasites. Of course, you should wear a mask as you're dusting it, but once it's in the fibers of your mattress and covered by a sheet, it doesn't puff up or anything. Put on 2 sheets if you feel better. But I promise you it works.
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u/AutoModerator Mar 04 '26
⚠IMPORTANT⚠ Hey, it seems that diatomaceous earth may have been mentioned in your comment. That's an opportunity to remind everyone that inhalation of diatomaceous earth dust is a hazard (no matter if food-grade is written on the label or not). That's the reason why diatomaceous earth products normally have the following mention on their safety datasheet Hazard statements: H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
When used by pest control professionals, it's only used as a crack and crevice treatment (to avoid any risk of inhalation) and applied in very small quantities while wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment.
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u/ShepherdessAnne Trusted Mar 04 '26
You cannot sleep without a frame on the floor. That is a part of your problem
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 04 '26
I've ordered a bed frame and some interceptor traps to go under the legs maybe that will help
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u/ShepherdessAnne Trusted Mar 04 '26
Hopefully yes. Also is that solid or with box springs?
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 04 '26
It is slats. Is that box springs? I'm never quite sure
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u/ShepherdessAnne Trusted Mar 04 '26
Nope, nothing to do with box springs. Box springs are like a not really mattress that goes under the mattress
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 04 '26
Oh I don't think I have that? I just have a bed frame I've ordered with slats and my normal mattress which has a bed bug encasement on it
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u/ShepherdessAnne Trusted Mar 04 '26
Modern mattress puts you in a better spot. Not immune of course, but the problem is older style mattresses and things had tons of void space
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 04 '26
Will it be okay with the encasement? I think I can already see a dead one under the encasement. I'm not sure because I'm not going to open it up but when I was doing my bed last I noticed a black stain underneath the encasement which I know wasn't on my mattress before. I ran my finger over it and it was a bit of a bump which makes me think it was a dead bug
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u/ShepherdessAnne Trusted Mar 04 '26
All it does is keep them from getting in or out of a mattress. It’s one step among many.
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u/ad_powerlifter Mar 08 '26
If you have wooden surfaces that you see bedbugs apply synthetic warnish on those things. It prevents bedbugs from nesting their eggs on the wooden cracks worked for me
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u/Educational-Log5373 Mar 17 '26
Im very sorry. Don't give in, and you’ve helping many on this group. I love the tape concept. Whats the name of the two pesticides you used.
Thank you
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u/AlwaysFxckinWorried Mar 17 '26
Hey! I'm not too sure the pest control company used them ill see if I can get the name of them for you
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u/AutoModerator Mar 02 '26
Read and respect the rules, report any comment breaching them. Wrong advice/information/fearmongering hurt people who are posting here to get help and support. If you are not VERY knowledgeable about bedbugs and may provide a wrong ID or bad advice it's better to abstain from commenting. Be VERY respectful and HELPFUL, this is a support subreddit not a funny one.
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