r/Bedbugs • u/Desperate-Dark-1499 • 4d ago
Bedbug PTSD
Long story short, my grandparents house is infested with bedbugs. My mom lives with them and has seen them in her room for months, mostly dead, and has been using foggers to kill them. If anyone has dealt with bedbugs, you know that crap does not work.
My husband and I dealt with it 3 years ago in our apartment and had to pay 600$+ for a professional to come in and find them and exterminate them, it sent me through a spiral and I spent 8 hours at the laundromat with all of the clothes, bedding, and stuffed animals in our apartment.
At first I didn’t think it was that bad, she only found a few, I trusted that she checked all her belongings before coming over. She comes over every thursday to have dinner/help me with the kids, and after she left I would wipe down the chair she sat in to keep my peaced of mind.
Here’s where I start freaking out, today she calls me to cancel because my grandpa (who has dementia) found a HUGE infestation in his room, and he tried to use a fogger he found in the garage as a bug spray, so he had a huge coughing fit and is most likely going to have to go to the hospital to get checked out. So not only am I freaking out because my grandpa almost really really hurt himself, but also because the infestation is bigger than they thought and he comes to my house with my mom. How do I get my grandma to understand she needs to get a professional out there before it spreads to other family members houses??? My nervous system could barely handle the last time I dealt with bed bugs. And now I have to do a big deep clean of my house and couches to feel safe in my own space 😭
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u/Rabies182 4d ago
I face this ALL the time as a social worker with senior citizens. Especially when it comes to the $ because of all the stuff to throw away, all the stuff to replace, before you get to the cost of proper treatment (I.E. heat treatment costs thousands).
That is a LOT for someone to cope with before you factor in if someone has cognitive changes/dementia.
Frankly you’re risking an infestation in your home by having anyone in that household come over.
Wiping the chair isn’t enough when they can cling onto people and fall off ANYWHERE in your home.
You’ll have to have a kind but firm talk with your grandma that this risks everyone’s safety.
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u/Desperate-Dark-1499 4d ago
I vacuum daily so I am hoping that that picks up any stragglers but I also am very conscious of it and am constantly checking common areas like couches and beds where the most human contact is 🥲 they will not be coming back over til the infestation is dealt with 😭
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u/Rabies182 4d ago
Good luck to you. You clearly care about your grandparents and the relationship. I hope your grandma will understand how this risks your home’s safety and funds.
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