Day Thirteen: The White Album
It was a mild summer night in Queens for my second post-treatment homecoming. Pink petal-shaped clouds and a large lone low-flying black and orange firefly made it almost possible to forget that the large shopping bags from Bed Bath and Beyond and Home Depot that I had lugged back from Manhattan on the V-train carried supplies to clean and otherwise deal with the pesticide- and plastic-filled apartment awaiting me that night.
As I entered my treated apartment, I realized what smell the pesticide reminded me of – trumpets! No, that’s not some lame metaphor. When you blow through brass, your spit collects in weird places, and the metal starts smelling moldy with your spit, and that smells a lot like bed bug pesticide! Ah, the smell of moldy spit valves. That is childhood to me.
PCO Victor used four of these little foggers. They are controversial in treating bedbugs.
Here is an interesting University of Kentucky Entymology Department summary of the problem with bug bombs (not specific to bed bugs).
“In summary, there are many ways to wage a “bug war.” One of the least effective battle plans involves using a bug bomb. Although other methods may require a bit more study and effort, the results usually will be better and more permanent. Many times the solution is as simple as a fly swatter, vacuum, or door sweep. One of the few instances where total-release foggers might be useful is where cluster flies, paper wasps, etc. are infesting attics, outbuildings or other cluttered, hard-to-reach areas. Refer to our other entomology extension publications for specific suggestions for managing these and other insect pest problems.”
I wonder why my otherwise extremely well-informed pest control company is ignorant of this issue. Does anyone know if foggers have any efficacy on bed bug eggs they come into contact with? (Obviously not the ones that are hidden, which is other people’s problem with them.)
