Double strength cleaning vinegar to kill bed bugs? Got …

Dear vbbb,

Actually, this is kinda-sorta like project work. You're assigned to a task, in this case getting rid of bed bugs, and I don't much care, within reason, how YOU accomplich this as long as no one or their property gets hurt.

We don't want to see you on tonights tv news being interviewed on how you were getting rid of bed bugs in your apartment whilst a bollowing cloud of dark smoke continues to rise from what used to be the building in the background.

Now, what YOU do is fine for you however, where we an issue is advising the world, ok just this forum, that singel strength, double strength, triple strength or a zillion strength vinegar is going to kill their bed bugs and be the miracle cure nervanna that the world's bed bug victims have been seeking since bfore recorded history, yet you found it in vinegar.

As per your anectodotal information above you've applied yet another "contact killer". This is NOT the miracle cure for bed bug problems. We already have a long list of items that will result in the mortality of bed bugs when directly applied (i.e. contact killers).

Now, when your magic vinegar, or any other super duper bed bug product, can be:

> applied to a pourous potential bed bug harborage surface> allowed to dry leaving just a residual of the item applied> continue to kill bed bugs that are exposed to the dried residual treated surface> and do so in a similar manner and deliver the effective results as ddt, dursban, diazinon, bendiocarb and other such insecticide products did back in their "hey day"

Then, and only then, should you be shouting from the bed bug world mountain top that you have the next bed bug "silver bullet".

The simple truth is you don't and it's not.

What you have is an interesting story about killing bed bugs before your very eyes with vinegar, ok double strength vinegar but vinegar nonetheless.

We appreciate you enthusiasm and willingness to share your success story however, we have concerns that extend beyond the boudries of your apartment. What of the person(s) who reads this and mistakenly think that all they need do is apply vinegar to solve or prevent their bed bug problem?

Vinegar is a contact only killer. So is alcohol, so is certain dishwashing liquid. And, guess what, some of these other contact killers won't have your entire house smelling fresh as a summer's eve or as if we just walked into a huge d-bag either.

Additionally, as DC also pointed out above, there is more to resolving bed bug infestations than simply killing those that are there "right now". We also need to find the source of the infestation and continued exposure thereof such that we can attain a long term sustainable cure to our bed bug situation.

Note that you were correct in implementing the tape thing as this could serve to block bed bugs from emerging or traveling through from another infested location. In some situations where the LL is a dexter and won't adopt a building wide viable program the only thing a resident can do is protect his/her own home.

And, this brings up another issue you mentioned above; how the Ll deals with the residents during a bed bug situation or crisis. We need to realize that the bed bugs are now property of the LL. This is so because at times after a period of failed efforts to eliminate the bed bugs we have seen where the resiodents simply leave the building. Guess who's left with the bed bugs then; yup, the LL the bed bugs are now his.

If vinegar works well for you and you really like that smell and possible staining/discoloration that may result then, good for you.

However, I think it's fair to say that the bed bug situation and eventual resolution is larger than the contents of what may be found within your double strength vinegar bottle.

As for me, I'll take a salad with balsamic with my steak tonight thank you.

Hope this helps ! paul b.

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Double strength cleaning vinegar to kill bed bugs? Got ...