Vengeance will be MINE!!!
Hello again. I'm at work and running on about 4 hours sleep because I went buck wild last night trying to do something - anything - that would temporarily address the bed bug issue. So I vacuumed, threw out my sheets, tossed out a small stack of papers that was beside my bed (uh-oh, I hope none of my income tax information was in there...), and tried to fall asleep with my light on (which, as we all know, is impossible).
So rather than reply to everyone's comments, I can at least tell you what my plan of action is based on what you lovely folks have suggested! Thank you so much for your advice and/or commisseration. It made me feel loads better.
First off, the enemy in question:
They are NOT extinct, nor are they a myth. They were wiped out in the US for a while, but their occurrance has increased by 70% in the US over the last five years alone due to global travel. The little bugger probably crawled into my luggage in Las Vegas. ARGH.
So, without further ado,
Steps to full bed bug obliteration:
1) I can't fit my blankets in the freezer, but I AM going to boil the heck out of them in the washer/dryer. That... and the rest of my clothes, very likely.
2) At lunch today, I purchased mattress covers for both my roommate and me so as to preserve her brand new mattress, and hopefully starve any buggers that might be in mine. After last night's search, I honestly don't think they're staying in my bed (especially since I just got rid of my old bed and Bevan just gave me hers, and the biting has been happening since the summer).
3) ALCOHOL AND BLEACH! MwahahahahahaHA! They and their spawn shall die by the hands of the disinfectant of doom!! Into the cracks in the walls it shall go! And I shall rejoice in smiting them to damnation! Oh, the flailing and screaming that shall ensue as they burn! (In my mind, of course.)
4) Sticky tape! I dare those stupid buggers to crawl up the sides of my bed frame if they're all wrapped up in double-sided adhesive tape and surrounded by those funky glue-filled plates! Honestly, this will probably be the best way of finding out whether or not there's more than one of them - my bed is now away from the wall, as are all the contents beneath them, so the likelyhood that they'll be able to bypass the stickyness is slim to none.
5) I am cauking up my bedroom like it's flippin' sinking ship. The Titanic wishes it had someone like me on board, because every crack in my apartment is going to be sealed shut. Nothing's getting in (or out... *shudders*).
6) EXTERMINATOR. 'Nuff said. I already spoke to my landlord, and they're on the case.
7) Shampoo/steam/disinfect/scorch the carpets. Aforementioned landlord already has a number for us to call.
In short? These bugs don't stand a chance. I don't care how long it takes, I am NOT making another blood donation to whatever bed bug family has taken up residence in my apartment! Either they go or I go, and by God I am NOT giving up the only affordable rent in the DC metro area just because a BUG wants to dine on me at 3 am!!!!
THIS IS WAR!
(PS: A very happy [belated] birthday to geezer_also, mrs_bombadil, and hymnia! I hope you all had wonderful days with much chocolate... and oranges... and trees. :))
So rather than reply to everyone's comments, I can at least tell you what my plan of action is based on what you lovely folks have suggested! Thank you so much for your advice and/or commisseration. It made me feel loads better.
First off, the enemy in question:
They are NOT extinct, nor are they a myth. They were wiped out in the US for a while, but their occurrance has increased by 70% in the US over the last five years alone due to global travel. The little bugger probably crawled into my luggage in Las Vegas. ARGH.
So, without further ado,
Steps to full bed bug obliteration:
1) I can't fit my blankets in the freezer, but I AM going to boil the heck out of them in the washer/dryer. That... and the rest of my clothes, very likely.
2) At lunch today, I purchased mattress covers for both my roommate and me so as to preserve her brand new mattress, and hopefully starve any buggers that might be in mine. After last night's search, I honestly don't think they're staying in my bed (especially since I just got rid of my old bed and Bevan just gave me hers, and the biting has been happening since the summer).
3) ALCOHOL AND BLEACH! MwahahahahahaHA! They and their spawn shall die by the hands of the disinfectant of doom!! Into the cracks in the walls it shall go! And I shall rejoice in smiting them to damnation! Oh, the flailing and screaming that shall ensue as they burn! (In my mind, of course.)
4) Sticky tape! I dare those stupid buggers to crawl up the sides of my bed frame if they're all wrapped up in double-sided adhesive tape and surrounded by those funky glue-filled plates! Honestly, this will probably be the best way of finding out whether or not there's more than one of them - my bed is now away from the wall, as are all the contents beneath them, so the likelyhood that they'll be able to bypass the stickyness is slim to none.
5) I am cauking up my bedroom like it's flippin' sinking ship. The Titanic wishes it had someone like me on board, because every crack in my apartment is going to be sealed shut. Nothing's getting in (or out... *shudders*).
6) EXTERMINATOR. 'Nuff said. I already spoke to my landlord, and they're on the case.
7) Shampoo/steam/disinfect/scorch the carpets. Aforementioned landlord already has a number for us to call.
In short? These bugs don't stand a chance. I don't care how long it takes, I am NOT making another blood donation to whatever bed bug family has taken up residence in my apartment! Either they go or I go, and by God I am NOT giving up the only affordable rent in the DC metro area just because a BUG wants to dine on me at 3 am!!!!
THIS IS WAR!
(PS: A very happy [belated] birthday to geezer_also, mrs_bombadil, and hymnia! I hope you all had wonderful days with much chocolate... and oranges... and trees. :))