Bedbugs from flood???

amother

OP ↓

Tue, Nov 05 2024, 2:12 am

Skipping soooo many details because people in real life may recognize the situation -

We know for a fact the apt had no bedbugs in the spring - it was checked out as part of renovations that were being done at the time. Upstairs neighbor had situation that led to water damage coming down to the apt below. That apt now has bedbugs! Family has not spotted anything, but person who came in to check for damage caused by the water noticed it. Family was told that this happens sometimes in these situations, that flooding from upstairs apt can send bedbugs down to the apt on a lower floor.

Anyone ever heard of this? Is it likely to be true? And what can the family do now? (Family is waiting to hear back if they were spotted in one area of the apt or all over) Sad

Also, can dogs really find these things?

amother

Bergamot ↓

Tue, Nov 05 2024, 10:12 am

I never heard them coming from a flood.

But....they can travel easily. If they went somewhere where someone else had one on the clothing, they can walk to the new host. If they went on vacation, it may have been in the hotel and they brought it home. If they traveled on a plane, they can crawl from one suitcase to another....so many ways that caused them to be there now.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Nov 05 2024, 12:37 pm

amother Bergamot wrote:

So if I go over there to help with the mess, how do I avoid bringing any home with me??? I know they can travel from the beds when someone stays over in a hotel, but I didn't realize that just having two people near each other could be a source of contamination Help

amother

↑ OP ↓

Wed, Nov 06 2024, 4:39 am

amother OP wrote:

Bumping in case someone can answer this question

amother

↑ OP

Wed, Nov 06 2024, 10:04 am

amother Linen wrote:

You need to get rid of them regardless of how they came. Why is it so important to know?

I am not so worried about how they came in, though I had never heard of this being a cause. I am much more concerned about what I can do to keep them from coming home with me if I am in that apartment helping to deal with the mess from the flood.

amother

↑ Bergamot

Wed, Nov 06 2024, 11:54 am

Quote:

Heat kills them. So I'd say strip as soon as you get home and wash clothing on hot and drier on high.

A floor at my office one had them. They were in the chair cushions and on plants, etc They don't stay on beds. They can be in baseboards and crevices in dressers. So just make sure to apply heat to your clothing after and wash yourself in case one happens to be crawling.