IMPORTANT - FOR THOSE WHO STAYED AT MY PLACE

Laroche · Post by **Laroche** » 21 Jun 2009 12:32

Bad news.

Sorry guys, we had no idea, but we have bedbugs... we had bites for a little while, but we thought it was mosquitos or black flies or something. Turns out they have them downstairs as well, and they also sprayed for them before.. 1 WEEK before we moved in!

We're taking the landlord to the fucking cleaners (aka suing him), but here's what every footbagger who stayed at my place should do. You probably dont have them, but to be sure:

1 - Wash your sleeping bag, blankets, and all your clothing in extra hot water for an extra long time.
OR/AND spray all clothing with raid.. apparently according to most sources bedbugs have mutated and are resistant, but raid still gets 'em.

2 - Make sure you're not waking up with what appears to be mosquito bites or horsefly bites. They look like small red welts.

That's all I can think of right now.

I'm extremely embarassed and feel awful but I have to let you guys know as fast as possible. They are an incredibly annoying problem to get rid of, so start checking as soon as possible.

If you guys know people who stayed at my place but dont read modified, get the word out ASAP!

And for those who might think it's a joke, to give you an idea, we have to throw out every piece of clothing, furniture, appliance, and most of our electronics and move, and even then they might still somehow be around. So. Dont take chances. And sue your landlords if you have them.

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 21 Jun 2009 15:35

When will you Canadians learn that suing isn't the answer to everything?

Ian Brill · Post by **Ian Brill** » 21 Jun 2009 23:14

That is really rough. I lived in fear of those each time I stayed in a hostel. I hope everything gets sorted. Sometimes lawsuits are worthwhile. Good luck.

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 22 Jun 2009 10:45

...

Shit. My folks won't be pleased about this, if in the smallest of chances I do get bed bugs (we've had them before a couple of years back).

After my trip to Montreal I've only gotten one welt, and it's right behind my right ear. It's not itchy, but slightly swollen and painful, so I assumed it was just a spider bite. Had it been itchy, I would have freaked out, because that's the very first sign of having bed bugs - small itchy red welts.

It's been a week, and I haven't noticed any uncomfortable sleeping conditions. I'll take a look at all of the equipment that's been in your apartment shortly.

PS: A household remedy that my family has told me is to buy a ton of pineapples, and leave them in a couple of places in your living space (even to the point until they completely shrink and wilt). One per room, I guess. From what I've been told, bed bugs absolutely hate the fragrance that pineapples emit, and supposedly weaken them through time.

Laroche · Post by **Laroche** » 22 Jun 2009 12:22

C-Fan wrote:When will you Canadians learn that suing isn't the answer to everything?

I'm not sure if that's a joke or not, but it's definitely an unappreciated comment considering the circumstances.

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 22 Jun 2009 12:30

It was a joke. My apologies if it offended.

JeffOverbo · Post by **JeffOverbo** » 22 Jun 2009 13:12

Thought scabies went away if you just washed your sheets?

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 22 Jun 2009 18:26

They're persistent little ****ers. They can hide in the cracks of walls and wood and can sneak around like little blood-sucking ninjas.

SnowBlindSloth · Post by **SnowBlindSloth** » 22 Jun 2009 20:48

Wow, that sucks. I can't relate, but it sounds shitty. Thanks for the heads up, though, I'll be sure to check my stuff. I haven't gotten any bites though, which is a good sign.

abstract · Post by **abstract** » 23 Jun 2009 08:32

that sucks, man.

losing your equipment is a huge kick in the 'nards. a little roshambo is in order for your landlord.

crazylegs32 · Post by **crazylegs32** » 28 Jun 2009 21:24

Theres a tv show -verminators and he seems to take out bedbugs without throwing everything away? Maybe the chemicals arent approved in canada?

Laroche · Post by **Laroche** » 29 Jun 2009 07:59

There's a few different treatment options but most exterminators seem clueless. One method which is used in Ontario is to seal the appartment up as air-tight as possible, have ducts enter the appartment attached to a furnace, and heat the place to boiling temperatures for a while.

Our dumbass landlord blames them on the people upstairs (who have never been late on rent, and also don't currently have bedbugs), and is going to call the same exterminator who did the shitty job last time

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 05 Jul 2009 20:27

Looks like I'm in the clear for bedbugs. I hope you're doing well on your end Nick!

Laroche · Post by **Laroche** » 06 Jul 2009 11:56

Glad to hear everyone is clear!

Thanks for checking in Waylan.. our landlord STILL hasn't sent an exterminator, and we've sent him a letter asking for damages ($5,000+) or we take him to court. We've got pictures of our bites, doctors notes, building inspectors notes, all sorts of trash on him.

Also we're out of our lease now and we're moving as of Aug 1, so that'll be the end of that.

I wouldn't wish bedbugs on even someone I hated

Johnny · Post by **Johnny** » 06 Jul 2009 16:08

So I thought I caught bed bugs from you. I had what I thought were bug bites, it was really scary. Turns out it was just a nasty herpes flareup, which oddly enough I think I also got from you.

Ahahah.

I'm glad everyone is clear too!

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 10 Jul 2009 08:23

Good article about bedbugs in the NYTimes.

defender · Post by **defender** » 10 Jul 2009 22:54

Dude, wtf are bedbugs? You got me trippin'! I just rented a cabin for 3 nights last weekend. While tossing and turning throughout the night, my sheets kinda came off of the mattress a little. I remember thinking "who knows what type of germs I'm getting all over myself right now", but being too damn lazy to get up and do anything about it. This post makes me think back to that.