[Noisebridge-discuss] Solving the bedbugs problem at Noisebridge

[John Magolske]

* aestetix aestetix <aestetix at gmail.com> [110506 21:23]:
> After talking with a few people, I am positive that bedbugs are at
> Noisebridge. I'm happy to give examples of instances privately, but
> for now, I feel it is very important that we address this issue
> asap, lest a new breed of them hatch and cause problems.

What evidence have you seen? Live bugs? Dead bugs? Moltings?

> A number of people have expressed doubt over whether the fogbombs
> work, but I feel it does not hurt to try

It's possible these could hurt people with chemical sensitivities.
Also, one critique of the DIY fogger method is that it tends to
scatter the bugs & drive them into different locations where they
can regroup. Our space is large and porous enough to provide endless
different locations for the bugs to shift to. And if they happen to
be hanging out, say, inside a couch, the "fog" will likely not reach
them. The fogger method might work in a smaller room. But in an
apartment building for example, this could end up driving bb's into
neighboring apartments.

> If you are interested in helping me somehow, or have suggestions on
> how to make people both aware of what we're doing, as well as ways
> to prevent infections in the future, please don't be shy!

My suggestions would be:

1. set traps
2. remove their food source (sleeping humans)

If we really think bb's are at Noisebridge, we should set up some
traps to confirm this, get a sense of where they might be, and monitor
the situation over time.

Bedbugs are drawn to CO2 (and heat too, but CO2 mostly I think). Set
up a CO2 source on a table/stand with Vaseline-coated legs sitting
in cups with fiber tape on the outside & slick talc-dusted plastic
walls on the inside so's the critters climb up & in, but can't get
out. This is excellent as the bb's are taken out of circulation AND
you get positive confirmation of their existence.

Or you can get these: http://www.insect-interceptor.com/

I have a spare set of four that I could bring in for use in setting up
some traps. If we could find a way to set a decent CO2 source in the
center well of these, then we could possibly set up four traps. Any
ideas for good CO2 generators? Biological-reactions? I've used dry ice
(with success), but it's a hassle to keep running off to buy more.

Regarding removing their food source, I'll repeat what I stated in an
earlier post to this list back in October. And mind you, I am in no
way anti-nap -- I'm a big fan of taking naps myself. I'm just trying
to point out some biological realities we really shouldn't ignore:

  "...the main reason I bring this up is to draw attention to the
  vulnerable situation we're in with respect to people sleeping on
  couches at Nb. If one of our couches gets infested, it would be
  non-trivial to un-infest it. Steaming the crevices could be somewhat
  effective (and I certainly don't want to discourage steam-cleaning),
  but if any bugs happen to crawl up inside a couch and make a home
  in its frame, it would be really difficult to get rid of them.
  Placing the couch in an oven and heating it to 120°F for a 4-5
  hours or in a freezer down to at least 32°F for a couple days would
  probably do the trick. Most likely, an infested couch would just
  have to be shrink-wrapped and hauled off to the dump. By far, the
  most effective and least troublesome solution would be to prevent an
  infestation from getting established in the first place."
  [...]
  If it does end up being necessary to sleep overnight, IMO the best
  approach would be to pack (& take with you) your own sleeping bag,
  and sleep on a folding metal cot with double-sided tape (carpet tape
  is good) wrapped around or Vaseline smeared on the legs of the cot's
  frame. Or place its feet in cups of oil or Tupperware tubs dusted with
  talcum powder. And don't let any bedding touch the floor. Do some
  research. Please be considerate to others who use the space.
  https://www.noisebridge.net/pipermail/noisebridge-discuss/2010-October/017529.html
   ^
  (in retrospect, not entirely sure about the efficacy of double-sided
   tape...Vaseline & talcum powder are quite effective though.)


Regards,

John


-- 
John Magolske
http://B79.net/contact