FLORIDA TIPS FOR BUGS IN YOUR HOUSE

Posted by Lydia on June 02, 2003 at 21:40:02:

In Reply to: Biting mites posted by Nancy on July 19, 2002 at 16:16:49:

I've read several messages from people who are fighting a mysterious infestation in their home. Since moving to Florida in 1986, I, too, have experienced mysterious crawling/biting probably once or twice each year. They don't seem to fit the profile of lice, scabbies, bed bugs, or any other bugs I've read about. It takes me approx. a month to get rid of the bugs if I'm faithful to the following regimen. Otherwise, the bugs will last indefinitely. (By the way, when I returned to the midwest for five years, I NEVER had this bug problem.)

Here's my "regimen" Whenever I feel crawling/biting:

1. When I come home from the office, I immediately remove all my clothes/underwear, store them in a plastic bag, and place them in the freezer for a couple of days! When I awake each morning, I place my PJs/pillow in the freezer. Later, I launder them as well, but - surprisingly - laundering them doesn't get the job done as well as leaving them in the freezer for a couple of days.

2. Whenever I feel the crawling/biting, I actually vacuum by hair/body with sweeper attachments! It's crazy, but it helps! If I wake up in the middle of the night with the crawling/biting sensation, I also vacuum my sheets/pillow. And/or, I run a hot iron over the sheets/pillow (while they're still on the mattress). I seem to have relief longer after I've ironed them! (By the way, you can put your vacuum bag inside a plastic bag and place it in the freezer for a couple of days.)

3. I never use the following items more than once without making sure they're "debugged."

Hair brush/comb (can place them in the freezer for a couple of days or can wash them in the dishwasher), towels, clothes.

4. Of course, I have to vacuum sofa cushions and the carpet often. (I highly recommend replacing your carpeting with tile or vinyl if you can afford it!)

THE BOTTOM LINE: Excessive heat (with the iron) or freezing (sticking clothes, hats, blankets, etc., in the freezer for a couple of days) seem to be the sure way to kill the bugs! Vacuuming helps, too.

By the way, my friends have had the same problem for YEARS, and they have unsuccessfully tried numerous pesticides (including professional exterminators), and about every ointment imaginable. So, take it from them, pesticides don't necessarily work! I wish they'd try the steps above for a month! However, they've had such a long-term infestation, they'd likely have to try the "regimen" even longer than a month.

Best wishes with your "fight." I know it's exhausting (and discouraging when you have flare ups), but I have finally learned how to live most of the year in Florida without suffering from the "mystery bugs!" My method is definitely weird, but it does work if you keep it up for a month or so!

PS I may have had some success using lilac perfumed body oil from "The Body Shop." I don't seem to have as much crawling, etc., when I apply it to the areas that seem to experience the most bugs. However, I've haven't used the oil long enough to be sure.

PPS Problem with roaches? Sprinkle boric acid (a white powder you can buy at the drug store) wherever you see roaches - especially around water sources like sinks, etc. This is the ONLY thing that worked for me - not even smoke bombs, roach "hotels", or professional exterminators were able to get rid of the roaches - only boric acid!

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