I moved into my new apartment. It was an ordeal - a trip on Wednesday and a trip on Thursday (with a trolley this time), carrying all those huge heavy boxes one by one through a parking lot and around the building into my new apartment.
I spent most of the next few days (and nights) cleaning and unpacking. The apartment looked really nice and clean, but actually it was filthy. There were weird drip marks on the walls in the bathroom like someone had thrown up on all four walls (impossible, right?), thick rings of dust everywhere, (unused) condom packets in the drawers and lost DVDs under the TV, dirty dishes under the sink, and marks all over the walls.
I pretty much finished everything as of Saturday afternoon. I identified a leaking tap in the sink that's leaking into the cupboard on Thursday and sent a note to the real estate agent. I found another leak into the wall making a mouldy patch near the front door via the bath/shower area, and emailed them about that last night with photos. I put a drip pan under the sink to catch the water temporarily.
Those are small things though, a few days of trouble, but otherwise the apartment is all clean and good to go. I feel really happy there.
Just before I moved into the last apartment I had bought a new double-bed doona (duvet) and new chinese black and red sheet set. But when I was about to move I found my new bed was a queen and so those sheets wouldn't fit, and I stored them at home (luckily never taking them to that infested place). My new bed in this apartment is a double-bed, so I could finally use those things I'd spent so much money on, and that made me happy :)
I made chicken for dinner on Saturday and Sunday, and also blended some drinks from fresh fruit. My immune system feels really down the past few days... I think that will help.
I slept okay on Saturday night, but last night I couldn't sleep well. I kept having dreams that bugs were on me, I'd wake up and switch on the light and throw back the covers but there is nothing there.
When I unpacked all my things I sprayed even more fly spray everywhere - so much so that I was super sick at work on Friday, I think I had inhaled the fumes too much. I drowned my DVD cases, I drowned the book shelf, sprayed some of the books, and around the bathroom and the kitchen skirting boards. Both for bed bugs and cockroaches, as I'd seen some dead cockroaches laying around and a whole lot of cockroach hotel baits (which I've since thrown away).
Anyway like I said I'm happy. I did some exercise this morning. I hope to get my life back in order. Of course, I won't feel totally normal for at least another month or so, which is the time it would take for any eggs to hatch and start an infestation again. This time I'll be prepared though.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Moved
Well I moved all of my things home. I got some cans of insect repellent and sprayed everything down - every inch of the bookshelf, the outside of the boxes, the outside of the bags, inside the back of my LCD monitor, inside and outside of my computer (sans hard drive). What's funny is each morning the things are covered with dead mosquitoes and things. Gross.
The spray is VERY wet and takes a LONG time to dry even with a heater on it. In retrospect I don't think spraying electronics was the best idea - especially if you did this yourself you should not spray it on the front surface of any screen, or inside the power supply of a computer (the wetness could short a capacitor which could explode or start a fire).
Here you can see a photo of my new plastic life:
I also took apart my keyboard and computer, but couldn't get all the way in to check them. They look okay though and I sprayed around just to be sure. Same with the mouse, and all the cabling (I sprayed the whole lot them wiped it down a while later). My computer seems to be all working. The hard drive is making some ticking sounds that are a worry, but it might just be me imagining things. I did have trouble starting it but now it all seems okay.
I went through two garbage bags of washing (it was about 5 lots in a big washing machine), and donated a lot of clothes (and other things, after washing) to charity seeing as I never wear them and need the space to store things. I have one set of washing left to do - about one load worth. I'll do that tonight.
I feel a little better. I haven't seen or found any bugs since moving. I took so many precautions with all of my things - bagging everything carefully, washing everything on hot, drowning the outsides in anti-bedbug spray (only one type of Mortein in the whole range will kill them, so if you go that route "to be safe" then choose carefully from the label), throwing things away, etc.
I think we should tip the couch over in my parent's house tonight, seeing as I fell asleep there once, and just check to make sure there's nothing living underneath it. You know, just to be sure.
The spray is VERY wet and takes a LONG time to dry even with a heater on it. In retrospect I don't think spraying electronics was the best idea - especially if you did this yourself you should not spray it on the front surface of any screen, or inside the power supply of a computer (the wetness could short a capacitor which could explode or start a fire).
Here you can see a photo of my new plastic life:
I also took apart my keyboard and computer, but couldn't get all the way in to check them. They look okay though and I sprayed around just to be sure. Same with the mouse, and all the cabling (I sprayed the whole lot them wiped it down a while later). My computer seems to be all working. The hard drive is making some ticking sounds that are a worry, but it might just be me imagining things. I did have trouble starting it but now it all seems okay.
I went through two garbage bags of washing (it was about 5 lots in a big washing machine), and donated a lot of clothes (and other things, after washing) to charity seeing as I never wear them and need the space to store things. I have one set of washing left to do - about one load worth. I'll do that tonight.
I feel a little better. I haven't seen or found any bugs since moving. I took so many precautions with all of my things - bagging everything carefully, washing everything on hot, drowning the outsides in anti-bedbug spray (only one type of Mortein in the whole range will kill them, so if you go that route "to be safe" then choose carefully from the label), throwing things away, etc.
I think we should tip the couch over in my parent's house tonight, seeing as I fell asleep there once, and just check to make sure there's nothing living underneath it. You know, just to be sure.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Moving day
It was moving day yesterday.
The real estate agent called me at 10am and said she'd know within the hour if the place was for rent or sale. Two hours passed. I called at 1 and got told by the receptionist there was a message that the owner still hadn't contacted them. I called again at 3:30 and spoke to the real estate agent herself and got the same message. So - no resolution to that. I had to move back with my parents.
I took all my dry cleaning back to work, sealed it, then took it home and stored it in the room. That's much nicer than it was when I moved in.
My brother borrowed a truck from work and we started loading it in the afternoon with all of my things. The side door of the apartment complex broke and we had to actually carry some stuff around the entire building to get it into the truck. When I had finished disassembling my book case, I found a live bug. It was a VERY live bug. At first I looked down and it was sitting on the carpet and I thought it was dead, but after I poked it, it started running really fast. I took a photo and a video for court then killed it.
In a way that's good, because it gives me 100% clear reason for having given my "2 days emergency moving notice" for the place being uninhabitable even after spraying. I knew there were bugs hiding around anyway, I just couldn't prove it until now.
But I'm not sure where exactly it had been hiding, as the PCO had sprayed down the whole (front of the) book case and it had been completely missed. It may have been living in one of the little peg holes in the sides of the frame where you insert trays, or something. When I got the book case home I sprayed the whole thing, every hole and everything in a bed bug spray.
Oh yeah so I stuck this one to tape, and was sticking the 3 "mostly dead but still twitching" ones from the glass that I captured earlier in the week, when they went NUTS. They were still alive and well, they were only PLAYING dead. The moment I had them on tape their legs starting wheeling and kicking like crazy.
Here is the one from the book case just before I taped it.
My housemate/head-tenant/landlord wasn't there at all though. I left my key there with a note that had my bank account details for a direct deposit and that he owed $1000 bond plus a $50 key deposit. I'm sure he wasn't there on purpose, but I'm fine with that.
I made sure to clean everything out of my room, vacuum after, throw the bag out, threw the trash out, and triple-quadruple checked to make sure I hadn't left a trace of me behind. When I was finished the room was completely bare. I'm going to miss that view though.
So we got home, I left my plastic boxes outside, moved plastic bags inside and sprayed them all down. Sprayed inside the back of my monitor and lined around it with dust. Sprayed down my suitcase (as I don't think the PCO did, even though I left it out for him) which has my computer in it. Sprayed all along the carpet and walls around the boxes and bags. And left my DVD cases outside as I hadn't gone through them all thoroughly yet. I also taped up some holes I'd found in some low-risk bags.
I was able to wash my jeans (finally) and put on some clean clothes. But I couldn't sleep well. I haven't slept there in 5 years and for good reason, it really really really sucks there.
I really hope I can get my apartment today, and if not that I can tell this real estate agency to fucking shove it because it's SO WRONG to keep an application going for an entire week while holding my deposit so I can't check out other places. As I said to my brother this morning "the owner of the new place doesn't even deserve me as a tenant."
The real estate agent called me at 10am and said she'd know within the hour if the place was for rent or sale. Two hours passed. I called at 1 and got told by the receptionist there was a message that the owner still hadn't contacted them. I called again at 3:30 and spoke to the real estate agent herself and got the same message. So - no resolution to that. I had to move back with my parents.
I took all my dry cleaning back to work, sealed it, then took it home and stored it in the room. That's much nicer than it was when I moved in.
My brother borrowed a truck from work and we started loading it in the afternoon with all of my things. The side door of the apartment complex broke and we had to actually carry some stuff around the entire building to get it into the truck. When I had finished disassembling my book case, I found a live bug. It was a VERY live bug. At first I looked down and it was sitting on the carpet and I thought it was dead, but after I poked it, it started running really fast. I took a photo and a video for court then killed it.
In a way that's good, because it gives me 100% clear reason for having given my "2 days emergency moving notice" for the place being uninhabitable even after spraying. I knew there were bugs hiding around anyway, I just couldn't prove it until now.
But I'm not sure where exactly it had been hiding, as the PCO had sprayed down the whole (front of the) book case and it had been completely missed. It may have been living in one of the little peg holes in the sides of the frame where you insert trays, or something. When I got the book case home I sprayed the whole thing, every hole and everything in a bed bug spray.
Oh yeah so I stuck this one to tape, and was sticking the 3 "mostly dead but still twitching" ones from the glass that I captured earlier in the week, when they went NUTS. They were still alive and well, they were only PLAYING dead. The moment I had them on tape their legs starting wheeling and kicking like crazy.
Here is the one from the book case just before I taped it.
My housemate/head-tenant/landlord wasn't there at all though. I left my key there with a note that had my bank account details for a direct deposit and that he owed $1000 bond plus a $50 key deposit. I'm sure he wasn't there on purpose, but I'm fine with that.
I made sure to clean everything out of my room, vacuum after, throw the bag out, threw the trash out, and triple-quadruple checked to make sure I hadn't left a trace of me behind. When I was finished the room was completely bare. I'm going to miss that view though.
So we got home, I left my plastic boxes outside, moved plastic bags inside and sprayed them all down. Sprayed inside the back of my monitor and lined around it with dust. Sprayed down my suitcase (as I don't think the PCO did, even though I left it out for him) which has my computer in it. Sprayed all along the carpet and walls around the boxes and bags. And left my DVD cases outside as I hadn't gone through them all thoroughly yet. I also taped up some holes I'd found in some low-risk bags.
I was able to wash my jeans (finally) and put on some clean clothes. But I couldn't sleep well. I haven't slept there in 5 years and for good reason, it really really really sucks there.
I really hope I can get my apartment today, and if not that I can tell this real estate agency to fucking shove it because it's SO WRONG to keep an application going for an entire week while holding my deposit so I can't check out other places. As I said to my brother this morning "the owner of the new place doesn't even deserve me as a tenant."
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Still no word
I went "home" to vacuum up all the dead bugs, feces, and eggs, and threw away the bag. The whole thing took 2 hours because I took home dry cleaning as well and then had to go into the city to find and buy vacuum bags and more garbage bags. Then I had to bring in the mattresses from the balcony and put them on the bed. One of them was slightly damp down the edge that touches the ground - I guess the bag must have had a hole in it. But otherwise they seemed ok.
Anyway on the way to buy those things I passed the apartment I wanted and, lo and behold, there is a little advertisement stuck on the side of the building saying that exact apartment was up for sale!
What the hell!
I called the real estate agent at 3:30pm and said hey guys what's going on with my application? She said another real estate agent is trying to sell the place and the buyer is getting back to them this afternoon. If they don't get it, then they get to rent it out, and she'll process everything and get back to me before 11am tomorrow.
I said "Ummm, yeah, you know I AM moving tomorrow..." and she goes quiet. I said "If you can let me know before 11am that would be great, I'll just have to live with it." There was nothing negative about it, just saying.
You know, on Monday she said she could process everything in one day, two days if more people apply for it. *cough* I faxed it through Monday night and now it's Wednesday and she still hasn't done anything with it at all. What the hell?
So, back to waiting.
Anyway on the way to buy those things I passed the apartment I wanted and, lo and behold, there is a little advertisement stuck on the side of the building saying that exact apartment was up for sale!
What the hell!
I called the real estate agent at 3:30pm and said hey guys what's going on with my application? She said another real estate agent is trying to sell the place and the buyer is getting back to them this afternoon. If they don't get it, then they get to rent it out, and she'll process everything and get back to me before 11am tomorrow.
I said "Ummm, yeah, you know I AM moving tomorrow..." and she goes quiet. I said "If you can let me know before 11am that would be great, I'll just have to live with it." There was nothing negative about it, just saying.
You know, on Monday she said she could process everything in one day, two days if more people apply for it. *cough* I faxed it through Monday night and now it's Wednesday and she still hasn't done anything with it at all. What the hell?
So, back to waiting.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Discrimination
I called the real estate agent today and they haven't made any progress on my application. They just said they will let me know this afternoon. They haven't contacted or tried to contact any of my references. I know I was the first person to put in an application, and I have plenty of funds to get the apartment.
Which only leaves one thing. They are checking someone else's application first, or waiting for someone else's application. The problem with that is the only two other people to see the apartment were a couple and an indian guy. I have the money to get the apartment, lots of proof of it, and asked for it for tomorrow.
Are they waiting for the couple to apply, or checking their references first? That's illegal!
I could be being unfairly discriminated against as a single person. It's illegal to give an apartment in preference to a couple over a single person, whether it's because the couple has more paying power or not (this is indirect discrimination because it unfairly treats people based on their marital status). Real estate agents are meant to avoid this by processing applications in the order in which they receive them and picking the first suitable candidate.
I spoke to my receptionist who used to work for a real estate agent and she said they give preferential treatment to couples all the time.
If I don't get this apartment, I'll be asking them if the couple got it. If they won't tell me, I'll be ringing that doorbell in two weeks time and discreetly inquire if the couple is living there. If they are, I'll be lodging a case with the equal opportunities commissioner so they can investigate if I'm being discriminated against.
Real estate agents here try to protect themselves by refusing to tell you the reason your application was denied. It's unfair that as a human being we have such little control over one of the basic necessities of life (those being air, food, water, and SHELTER) and that that control is placed into the hands of someone who doesn't have to explain themselves.
Which only leaves one thing. They are checking someone else's application first, or waiting for someone else's application. The problem with that is the only two other people to see the apartment were a couple and an indian guy. I have the money to get the apartment, lots of proof of it, and asked for it for tomorrow.
Are they waiting for the couple to apply, or checking their references first? That's illegal!
I could be being unfairly discriminated against as a single person. It's illegal to give an apartment in preference to a couple over a single person, whether it's because the couple has more paying power or not (this is indirect discrimination because it unfairly treats people based on their marital status). Real estate agents are meant to avoid this by processing applications in the order in which they receive them and picking the first suitable candidate.
I spoke to my receptionist who used to work for a real estate agent and she said they give preferential treatment to couples all the time.
If I don't get this apartment, I'll be asking them if the couple got it. If they won't tell me, I'll be ringing that doorbell in two weeks time and discreetly inquire if the couple is living there. If they are, I'll be lodging a case with the equal opportunities commissioner so they can investigate if I'm being discriminated against.
Real estate agents here try to protect themselves by refusing to tell you the reason your application was denied. It's unfair that as a human being we have such little control over one of the basic necessities of life (those being air, food, water, and SHELTER) and that that control is placed into the hands of someone who doesn't have to explain themselves.
Dry-cleaning
I went home to have a desperate shower today, and took a few bags of dry-cleaning back home with me, and hung up one of the curtains.
Tomorrow I will try to take time off during the day from work to take more dry cleaning and get the vacuum brand so I can get some bags and vacuum and put the beds and curtains back before my housemate gets home as there is an apartment inspection on Thursday.
I don't want to run into him at all unless I have someone with me.
No word from the real estate agent today. I faxed the forms late last night. I will call them in the morning and make sure they are actually going to do something with it tomorrow. There is no need to wait for another applicant when they have all my details there ready to go and I'm all ready to move in!
Tomorrow I will try to take time off during the day from work to take more dry cleaning and get the vacuum brand so I can get some bags and vacuum and put the beds and curtains back before my housemate gets home as there is an apartment inspection on Thursday.
I don't want to run into him at all unless I have someone with me.
No word from the real estate agent today. I faxed the forms late last night. I will call them in the morning and make sure they are actually going to do something with it tomorrow. There is no need to wait for another applicant when they have all my details there ready to go and I'm all ready to move in!
Monday, June 16, 2008
My plans
I went back to my room yesterday and found live bugs on the walls and hiding underneath my computer - the PCO hadn't even moved or sprayed underneath it. I guess he just did the corners of the room or something. He also didn't bother to check or spray the balcony.
My rent is coming due as of Thursday night, so I have to make a decision. Do I keep paying for a place I'm still not living in, or do I move back to my parents temporarily while I look for another place - and put my things in storage so I don't possibly take anything back to their house?
I choose the former. I took a friend with me and handed the landlord a legal form saying I was moving out with 2 days notice due to the apartment being uninhabitable due to bed bugs.
The problem is moving out so quickly, with only a few days notice. I had two choices.
I could pay two more weeks rent, give two weeks notice, and then take him to court and try to claim it back for prior breach of contract. Or I could give him a form now that is used for very serious non-breach of contract situations that only requires 2 days of notice to be given.
I gave him that form. On one hand it's risky because I could go to court and have to prove it was such a serious situation that the place was uninhabitable. That could be hard seeing as most of the bugs are now dead. But I believe that with the photos I've taken and the fact that the spraying wasn't done thoroughly - I could win that case.
While I was there he also asked if I was taking the owner to court. I explained I will have to take him to court because that's the legal advice I got. He asked for copies of everything after the trial so he can then take his landlord to court to recover his costs. I will do that, but I don't think he will win, because the evidence we would both use is different.
So where am I going to move to?
There was this one apartment I wanted to see a few weeks ago but no viewing had been arranged. I called them today and surprise surprise, there was a viewing this afternoon. I asked them to bring me faxable sign up forms, and to bring their receipt book just in case.
I walked in there and I suddenly felt lighter and more relaxed. The place will be about $50pw more expensive than what I pay now - and no pool or gym or nice view. But it will be just mine, it's single bedroom, and it just feels like a new home. I paid them a deposit straight away - they still have to approve my details though which will take a day or two.
If they don't approve my details, Thursday afternoon my brother and I will load all my things into a truck and take them to a self-storage place, then I will live on my mother's couch until I can find a new place. If they do give me the place - I can just carry my stuff down the road to it.
I bought special dust and things so I can cordon off my things while I check them for bugs, but I'm pretty sure I'm safe, I packed everything so carefully. If I do find any bugs I will pay for a PCO myself straight away.
Anyway tomorrow and Wednesday I have to go back home and (shower!) and take all the dry cleaning back, hang up the curtains, vacuum up all the dead bugs, and put the room back into the same shape as when I got there. I have to do it all while my landlord isn't there either so he can't attack me or anything while I'm alone, too.
I'm so close to the end of the rainbow now. Only 3 days to go and things are either going to be hell (moving to my parents) or great (getting my new place). But at least something is happening instead of hanging in limbo like the past two and a half weeks.
My rent is coming due as of Thursday night, so I have to make a decision. Do I keep paying for a place I'm still not living in, or do I move back to my parents temporarily while I look for another place - and put my things in storage so I don't possibly take anything back to their house?
I choose the former. I took a friend with me and handed the landlord a legal form saying I was moving out with 2 days notice due to the apartment being uninhabitable due to bed bugs.
The problem is moving out so quickly, with only a few days notice. I had two choices.
I could pay two more weeks rent, give two weeks notice, and then take him to court and try to claim it back for prior breach of contract. Or I could give him a form now that is used for very serious non-breach of contract situations that only requires 2 days of notice to be given.
I gave him that form. On one hand it's risky because I could go to court and have to prove it was such a serious situation that the place was uninhabitable. That could be hard seeing as most of the bugs are now dead. But I believe that with the photos I've taken and the fact that the spraying wasn't done thoroughly - I could win that case.
While I was there he also asked if I was taking the owner to court. I explained I will have to take him to court because that's the legal advice I got. He asked for copies of everything after the trial so he can then take his landlord to court to recover his costs. I will do that, but I don't think he will win, because the evidence we would both use is different.
So where am I going to move to?
There was this one apartment I wanted to see a few weeks ago but no viewing had been arranged. I called them today and surprise surprise, there was a viewing this afternoon. I asked them to bring me faxable sign up forms, and to bring their receipt book just in case.
I walked in there and I suddenly felt lighter and more relaxed. The place will be about $50pw more expensive than what I pay now - and no pool or gym or nice view. But it will be just mine, it's single bedroom, and it just feels like a new home. I paid them a deposit straight away - they still have to approve my details though which will take a day or two.
If they don't approve my details, Thursday afternoon my brother and I will load all my things into a truck and take them to a self-storage place, then I will live on my mother's couch until I can find a new place. If they do give me the place - I can just carry my stuff down the road to it.
I bought special dust and things so I can cordon off my things while I check them for bugs, but I'm pretty sure I'm safe, I packed everything so carefully. If I do find any bugs I will pay for a PCO myself straight away.
Anyway tomorrow and Wednesday I have to go back home and (shower!) and take all the dry cleaning back, hang up the curtains, vacuum up all the dead bugs, and put the room back into the same shape as when I got there. I have to do it all while my landlord isn't there either so he can't attack me or anything while I'm alone, too.
I'm so close to the end of the rainbow now. Only 3 days to go and things are either going to be hell (moving to my parents) or great (getting my new place). But at least something is happening instead of hanging in limbo like the past two and a half weeks.
Another apartment application
There is an apartment I saw being advertised the past few weeks but with no viewings set, so I called them today and they were having a viewing this afternoon. I phoned ahead and asked them to bring me forms so I could fax them back to them. I dressed up nicely for it. I went and paid an option fee in cash.
There was another couple there - I think I dressed more nicely than them and have a better chance because I paid my option fee up front. There was an indian guy going there to check it out and he also wasn't dressed as professional as I was.
So I've been busy filling out the dozen pages of forms and providing all kinds of ID. Now I'm waiting for my ex-ex-ex-landlord / friend to come sign a letter of reference for me, and in the morning I'll have one ready for my boss to do the same. I listed a friend (ex-housemate), my boss, and another friend who is a Dr as personal references.
Then I'll fax it through and cross my fingers.
I've prepared a Form 22 "Notice by tenant of termination" to hand to my landlord if my application sounds like it will be accepted tomorrow. It gives him 2 days notice I'll be moving out because the apartment is rendered uninhabitable due to bed bug infestation. I'm not positive it will stand up in court but I'm fairly certain I can defend it - even after the spraying. It is faster than going to court to get the rental agreement actually annulled.
I really really really want this apartment. It's a little more expensive than what I have now, and it has no pool or gym. But it would be mine, and I can imagine setting it up with all of my things.
Now - if I don't get it, I'm not sure what I will do. Clearly I'm not living in the old place. But I'm not sure about moving things back to my parent's house. I looked into the cost of self-storage today and it's about $40/week. I could probably handle that if I need a place to put my things temporarily.
It looks like I will have to bite the bullet, do it, and pray this apartment comes through for me.
There was another couple there - I think I dressed more nicely than them and have a better chance because I paid my option fee up front. There was an indian guy going there to check it out and he also wasn't dressed as professional as I was.
So I've been busy filling out the dozen pages of forms and providing all kinds of ID. Now I'm waiting for my ex-ex-ex-landlord / friend to come sign a letter of reference for me, and in the morning I'll have one ready for my boss to do the same. I listed a friend (ex-housemate), my boss, and another friend who is a Dr as personal references.
Then I'll fax it through and cross my fingers.
I've prepared a Form 22 "Notice by tenant of termination" to hand to my landlord if my application sounds like it will be accepted tomorrow. It gives him 2 days notice I'll be moving out because the apartment is rendered uninhabitable due to bed bug infestation. I'm not positive it will stand up in court but I'm fairly certain I can defend it - even after the spraying. It is faster than going to court to get the rental agreement actually annulled.
I really really really want this apartment. It's a little more expensive than what I have now, and it has no pool or gym. But it would be mine, and I can imagine setting it up with all of my things.
Now - if I don't get it, I'm not sure what I will do. Clearly I'm not living in the old place. But I'm not sure about moving things back to my parent's house. I looked into the cost of self-storage today and it's about $40/week. I could probably handle that if I need a place to put my things temporarily.
It looks like I will have to bite the bullet, do it, and pray this apartment comes through for me.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Greg Mills
After sending that fax I had one company phone me back, specifically Greg Mills who was a co-author of the Code of Practice for the control of bed bug infestations in Australia. I couldn't believe it! That's practically been my bible since this whole ordeal started.
I was really honored and shell shocked.
He agreed that the PCO had not followed the guidelines and advised the properly follow them would take about 3.5 hours and cost about $1500. He also explains he has a guarantee but that most people cannot claim it because they do not follow the full instructions of the guidelines, ie: refusing to throw out some electrical items that can't be guaranteed to be bug free.
He also gave me some advice for when this goes to court:
- Not to mention that back packers had stayed in the room prior to my moving in, because that would be discriminatory against back packers when bed bugs can really come from everywhere. And I agree.
- Not to bring up the price of the work that was done, because that's entirely up to the landlord to shop around for the lowest price, but instead to focus on the scope of work and service that was provided.
He also suggested I contact some of the people on Page 47 if I require references for court, and that the code of practice itself has been peer reviewed and should stand up well.
I was planning to use the code of practice, luckily the landlord has violated many parts of the actual legislation for renting an apartment, so their poor dealing of the bed bugs afterwards is just a sad note on the end of the story.
Oh yeah, and how quickly could he respond to a call? USUALLY THE SAME DAY. NOT 16 DAYS LATER!
I was really honored and shell shocked.
He agreed that the PCO had not followed the guidelines and advised the properly follow them would take about 3.5 hours and cost about $1500. He also explains he has a guarantee but that most people cannot claim it because they do not follow the full instructions of the guidelines, ie: refusing to throw out some electrical items that can't be guaranteed to be bug free.
He also gave me some advice for when this goes to court:
- Not to mention that back packers had stayed in the room prior to my moving in, because that would be discriminatory against back packers when bed bugs can really come from everywhere. And I agree.
- Not to bring up the price of the work that was done, because that's entirely up to the landlord to shop around for the lowest price, but instead to focus on the scope of work and service that was provided.
He also suggested I contact some of the people on Page 47 if I require references for court, and that the code of practice itself has been peer reviewed and should stand up well.
I was planning to use the code of practice, luckily the landlord has violated many parts of the actual legislation for renting an apartment, so their poor dealing of the bed bugs afterwards is just a sad note on the end of the story.
Oh yeah, and how quickly could he respond to a call? USUALLY THE SAME DAY. NOT 16 DAYS LATER!
Letter to PCOs
I've written a letter and faxed it to 10 pest control businesses in Perth.
What's even more interesting is that one of those I faxed is also the company that did my apartment yesterday. I can't wait to see what their response is.
Also I can pass what I get along some of the pest control organisations, health department, and parliament, in an effort to get an education campaign to raise the level of awareness in bed bugs and how to select a PCO that will treat them correctly.
I'll post here if any of the companies replies to me. I think some won't want to.
Dear Pest ControllerI think the results will be really interesting. They might help me in the court case if I can argue that the landlord likely chose the "cheapest route" to deal with the bugs against general advice they would have received from pest controllers - which I assume is what happened.
I have selected you along with others from the yellow pages to ask a few questions, as I am taking my landlord to court for their poor handling of a bed bug infestation in my apartment. My complaint is not about the pest controller themselves – I have the highest level of respect for your industry and understand how intense competition can lead to cut-price services. Also, I consider myself well educated about the bed bug issue and don’t need advice in that regard.
What I am trying to determine is what level of service you recommend as a default to new clients, what you are willing to cut to reduce your price and most importantly what warnings you may give when doing so. So if your business treats bed bugs and you have a few moments to answer these questions and fax them back to me I would really appreciate it. Please be aware that I may reproduce your response in court/print/tv/radio/online/in parliament and elsewhere. I may also follow up with you at a later stage if I need clarification.
1. For a single apartment (2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen, 1 living room, 2 balconies; all with thin carpeting except the kitchen which is linoleum), where a dozen bed bugs have been sighted in at least one bedroom and the occupant is reacting strongly with multiple bites, what level of treatment do you first recommend? Include:
Pre-treatment
Do you provide a printed list of instructions for the client to follow in preparation?
Do you inspect inside the apartment to locate bed bug colonies?
Do you use animals or bed bug locating dogs?
Do you ask to see adjacent apartments?
Do you seal any cracks?
Treatment
How quickly could you schedule a treatment?
Do you fumigate or use any bombs or gasses (vikane, etc)?
Do you steam?
Do you spray?
Do you use dusts?
Post-treatment
Do you clean up dead bugs afterwards?
Do you leave anything for post-treatment?
Do you leave a business or contact card for the occupant?
How many treatments are included in your first quote?
2. Please indicate if a client can opt in or out of any of those services. Do you warn either way that any of these treatments above are or are not necessary?
3. Please feel free to make any other comments if you feel something hasn’t been covered above.
What's even more interesting is that one of those I faxed is also the company that did my apartment yesterday. I can't wait to see what their response is.
Also I can pass what I get along some of the pest control organisations, health department, and parliament, in an effort to get an education campaign to raise the level of awareness in bed bugs and how to select a PCO that will treat them correctly.
I'll post here if any of the companies replies to me. I think some won't want to.
DISMAY!
I woke up this morning and discovered it was raining, probably all night, and I hadn't noticed because I can't see from my desk at work. I went home and as you can see all my stuff on the balcony is wet with pools of water. Luckily I don't think any water got inside my things. One painting had its bag blown open (it was too big to tie up) but didn't appear wet inside. I moved it inside just to be safe.
Of course, the moment I looked up (only people with bed bugs bother looking up in their rooms) I found two bed bugs crawling across the walls and ceiling :(
I also had my computer sitting on the floor, I looked underneath it and found another bug. It appears the pest controller didn't move my computer or large speaker as I had asked him to, and hadn't sprayed under them. I think they just spray the corners of the room or something. Seeing as there were so many live bugs on the ceiling, I checked inside the lamp shade but just found dead mosquitoes.
I was able to take some close-ups of the bed frames here where you can see the bug colonies. I counted approximately 14 nesting sides on one, and 20 nesting sides on the other (which is odd because I don't know why they preferred the one I don't sleep on much).
You can see mostly their shells, some dead bugs, feces stains, blood stains, and eggs.
I captured the three bugs I found as prisoners of war, sealed the glass in double-sided tape and then wrapped over the top with glad-wrap just to be sure.
They are acting really oddly. They run around a lot and can't climb the sides of the glass. When they try, they fall off and sometimes land on their backs, then go crazy trying to get back up but can't, and then they play dead until you jiggle the glass. I've also seen one of the bigger ones and one of the smaller ones seem to gang up on the one which moves the least.
I think one is dying, most likely the one I got from under the computer, whereas the other two seem healthy. We'll see how they are tomorrow. If they aren't dead tomorrow morning I'm going to call the radio station so they can air my complaint about the poor spraying online.
I've done a post on a bed bugger forum to ask for some advice on what people think about still finding live bed bugs in a place that was sprayed a day ago.
I also bought a lot more plastic seal bags today to put the dry cleaning in I have to pick up tomorrow. I also bought this permethrin dust and bed bug surface spray, to test out on these guys if they don't die, and maybe protect my things with. I also bought a mini-heater to heat up the boxes with my books so any bed bugs or eggs inside can die.
Of course, the moment I looked up (only people with bed bugs bother looking up in their rooms) I found two bed bugs crawling across the walls and ceiling :(
I also had my computer sitting on the floor, I looked underneath it and found another bug. It appears the pest controller didn't move my computer or large speaker as I had asked him to, and hadn't sprayed under them. I think they just spray the corners of the room or something. Seeing as there were so many live bugs on the ceiling, I checked inside the lamp shade but just found dead mosquitoes.
I was able to take some close-ups of the bed frames here where you can see the bug colonies. I counted approximately 14 nesting sides on one, and 20 nesting sides on the other (which is odd because I don't know why they preferred the one I don't sleep on much).
You can see mostly their shells, some dead bugs, feces stains, blood stains, and eggs.
I captured the three bugs I found as prisoners of war, sealed the glass in double-sided tape and then wrapped over the top with glad-wrap just to be sure.
They are acting really oddly. They run around a lot and can't climb the sides of the glass. When they try, they fall off and sometimes land on their backs, then go crazy trying to get back up but can't, and then they play dead until you jiggle the glass. I've also seen one of the bigger ones and one of the smaller ones seem to gang up on the one which moves the least.
I think one is dying, most likely the one I got from under the computer, whereas the other two seem healthy. We'll see how they are tomorrow. If they aren't dead tomorrow morning I'm going to call the radio station so they can air my complaint about the poor spraying online.
I've done a post on a bed bugger forum to ask for some advice on what people think about still finding live bed bugs in a place that was sprayed a day ago.
I also bought a lot more plastic seal bags today to put the dry cleaning in I have to pick up tomorrow. I also bought this permethrin dust and bed bug surface spray, to test out on these guys if they don't die, and maybe protect my things with. I also bought a mini-heater to heat up the boxes with my books so any bed bugs or eggs inside can die.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
PCO
I spent all day from 9am to 3pm doing my bedroom. I had SO MUCH STUFF to clean and put into plastic boxes. I threw away about 4 BIG garbage bags of stuff as well - things I couldn't be bothered cleaning like some shoes I rarely wear, and some cabling, etc. I didn't even have time to clean EVERYTHING. I did lots of boxes but in the end I had to shove lots of clothes into a big garbage bag and plan to do it another day.
This is the balcony.
I also found these eggs down the back side of my monitor but they look more like moth eggs or something because they don't look like bed bug eggs.
I had to throw out these CD cases because as you can see, there are lots of skins on them and there are even live bed bugs inside.
See the reddish dots? They're moving.
After I finished, the bed bugs started coming out of the beds, walking around, and hiding elsewhere on the bed. I watched this one here try to wriggle into a dozen places before it found one it liked.
When I was done, you can see nothing was left in my room.
And the bases where most of the bugs are.
Then the PCO came. One guy, with a pump spray. That's it. I ask the questions:
Me: Do you pull back the cover underneath the beds?
Him: No we usually just spray around.
After some gentle prodding we pulled the tarp from under the beds off. We didn't find any begs in my housemate's bed. We found a lot in ours but they really were centered around the tarp and I didn't see any inside it. Next question:
Me: Do you steam the mattresses?
Him: No you'll need to have that done yourself if you want it. Leaving it on the balcony should kill them after a day or two, if it's hot enough.
Me: Has the landlord booked you to come back in two weeks?
Him: No, not yet.
Me: Wouldn't that be needed to get any eggs?
Him: Yes it's usually needed.
Me: What chemical are you using?
He couldn't remember. He thought maybe direthryn, but that it's definitely a pyrethroid. I couldn't find that anywhere on the net. He said it would kill on contact and act like a surface spray for the next few days.
I asked him to also spray my dresser and book shelf as I'd seen bugs there. I hope he sprays the luggage while he's at it, I forgot to ask him.
I asked if he could estimate how long the bed bugs had been there and he wasn't sure. My housemate said "See it's not as bad as you thought!". There were a few dozen full size adults and dozens of children. F*** you they're not as bad as I thought. 1 is bad enough.
Now I've left the house for a few hours so he can do his thing. I'm unimpressed though. No steaming. No sprinkling of DE. Just a simple spraying, and no follow up planned :( What the hell am I going to do. They'll be back.
This is the balcony.
I also found these eggs down the back side of my monitor but they look more like moth eggs or something because they don't look like bed bug eggs.
I had to throw out these CD cases because as you can see, there are lots of skins on them and there are even live bed bugs inside.
See the reddish dots? They're moving.
After I finished, the bed bugs started coming out of the beds, walking around, and hiding elsewhere on the bed. I watched this one here try to wriggle into a dozen places before it found one it liked.
When I was done, you can see nothing was left in my room.
And the bases where most of the bugs are.
Then the PCO came. One guy, with a pump spray. That's it. I ask the questions:
Me: Do you pull back the cover underneath the beds?
Him: No we usually just spray around.
After some gentle prodding we pulled the tarp from under the beds off. We didn't find any begs in my housemate's bed. We found a lot in ours but they really were centered around the tarp and I didn't see any inside it. Next question:
Me: Do you steam the mattresses?
Him: No you'll need to have that done yourself if you want it. Leaving it on the balcony should kill them after a day or two, if it's hot enough.
Me: Has the landlord booked you to come back in two weeks?
Him: No, not yet.
Me: Wouldn't that be needed to get any eggs?
Him: Yes it's usually needed.
Me: What chemical are you using?
He couldn't remember. He thought maybe direthryn, but that it's definitely a pyrethroid. I couldn't find that anywhere on the net. He said it would kill on contact and act like a surface spray for the next few days.
I asked him to also spray my dresser and book shelf as I'd seen bugs there. I hope he sprays the luggage while he's at it, I forgot to ask him.
I asked if he could estimate how long the bed bugs had been there and he wasn't sure. My housemate said "See it's not as bad as you thought!". There were a few dozen full size adults and dozens of children. F*** you they're not as bad as I thought. 1 is bad enough.
Now I've left the house for a few hours so he can do his thing. I'm unimpressed though. No steaming. No sprinkling of DE. Just a simple spraying, and no follow up planned :( What the hell am I going to do. They'll be back.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Photos
Here is yesterday in pictures.
I had to throw away my two favorite bean bags. The zippers on them do not close all the way so bugs can walk right in, and I had them on my bed all the time so I could sit in them and use my computer.
I had 8 of these thick blankets in my cupboard, and about 4 bed covers. I think they're not all even for my room, I think my housemate just dumped all his things in there when he moved in! I took them all to the dry cleaner and they said they could wash them in "woolly wash" even though it says "do not dry clean" on it. They are too big for me to wash myself.
I found a shed bedbug skin on the mattress protectors that came with my room, so I took them to the dry cleaner too.
Then I took down the two huge curtains on my windows. I had to remove all the hooks before taking them to the dry cleaners. They have really complicated dry cleaning instructions on the side. The dry cleaner lady said that her boss would do them specially - because he really loves to do them properly.
I think that's good, because I think he loves his job and takes pride in his work, and this gives him a chance to do his best because they are so big and complicated to do.
I also had them wash the black jacket I've been sleeping in and got it back the same day. It doesn't smell anymore, thank heavens!
As you can see by these black bags, I had to carry a lot to the dry cleaner! It took forever.
This is my housemate's stuff he just dumped in the hallway. Note the cardboard boxes which can harbor bugs, and how nothing is protected in plastic, and the bugs can crawl in and out of the blankets easily.
This is the clean area I set up on the kitchen table while I was packing things into plastic boxes. I kept running out of boxes and having to walk back and buy more.
This is one of my favorite books. It had a book jacket and I used it as a mousepad on my bed all the time. It's what caused me to first notice bugs were hiding in the edges. Today I cleaned every book, and when I took the jacket off of this one, a whole bunch of tiny bed bugs were hiding in the groove here. You can see their crap marks! The white mark is from me rubbing the book to scrape off bugs I'd squished. Too bad I didn't get one first with the bugs on it, instead my immediate reaction was to squish them.
While cleaning my books I found a squished cockroach on one! It was so disgusting! I have no idea how it got there! It was sandwiched between two books.
A lot of work later, here is my book shelf.
I had to cut up and throw away all of my cardboard boxes. As you can see below, that's a good choice, because they have bed bugs in them! See this one hiding in the corner! You could barely notice it! It's the top black dot. The other one is just dust.
Of course, I then squished it.
This is my stuff I put on the balcony outside my room. Everything is in plastic boxes and sealed with tape, or inside black plastic bags, or some paintings even fit into ziploc bags.
And this was my room again, see the art section is getting smaller and smaller.
d
Today I have plenty more to do.
I had to throw away my two favorite bean bags. The zippers on them do not close all the way so bugs can walk right in, and I had them on my bed all the time so I could sit in them and use my computer.
I had 8 of these thick blankets in my cupboard, and about 4 bed covers. I think they're not all even for my room, I think my housemate just dumped all his things in there when he moved in! I took them all to the dry cleaner and they said they could wash them in "woolly wash" even though it says "do not dry clean" on it. They are too big for me to wash myself.
I found a shed bedbug skin on the mattress protectors that came with my room, so I took them to the dry cleaner too.
Then I took down the two huge curtains on my windows. I had to remove all the hooks before taking them to the dry cleaners. They have really complicated dry cleaning instructions on the side. The dry cleaner lady said that her boss would do them specially - because he really loves to do them properly.
I think that's good, because I think he loves his job and takes pride in his work, and this gives him a chance to do his best because they are so big and complicated to do.
I also had them wash the black jacket I've been sleeping in and got it back the same day. It doesn't smell anymore, thank heavens!
As you can see by these black bags, I had to carry a lot to the dry cleaner! It took forever.
This is my housemate's stuff he just dumped in the hallway. Note the cardboard boxes which can harbor bugs, and how nothing is protected in plastic, and the bugs can crawl in and out of the blankets easily.
This is the clean area I set up on the kitchen table while I was packing things into plastic boxes. I kept running out of boxes and having to walk back and buy more.
This is one of my favorite books. It had a book jacket and I used it as a mousepad on my bed all the time. It's what caused me to first notice bugs were hiding in the edges. Today I cleaned every book, and when I took the jacket off of this one, a whole bunch of tiny bed bugs were hiding in the groove here. You can see their crap marks! The white mark is from me rubbing the book to scrape off bugs I'd squished. Too bad I didn't get one first with the bugs on it, instead my immediate reaction was to squish them.
While cleaning my books I found a squished cockroach on one! It was so disgusting! I have no idea how it got there! It was sandwiched between two books.
A lot of work later, here is my book shelf.
I had to cut up and throw away all of my cardboard boxes. As you can see below, that's a good choice, because they have bed bugs in them! See this one hiding in the corner! You could barely notice it! It's the top black dot. The other one is just dust.
Of course, I then squished it.
This is my stuff I put on the balcony outside my room. Everything is in plastic boxes and sealed with tape, or inside black plastic bags, or some paintings even fit into ziploc bags.
And this was my room again, see the art section is getting smaller and smaller.
d
Today I have plenty more to do.
Horror
Today I took the day off work to prepare my apartment for the pest controller tomorrow. I went home and see my housemate (who is also my landlord, as I sub-let from him) has just dumped a tonne of his cardboard boxes, overflowing with clothes and junk, in the hallway despite me telling him he has to ziploc everything and throw the boxes away.
His response: "I don't have bed bugs. You do." Ok.
I get to work preparing a clean-area in the kitchen. I've bought about 8 large clip-lock plastic see-through boxes, and put them on the kitchen table. Then I spend my day in my bedroom, getting a book, flicking through it, wiping down the front and back and edges, checking it in the light for eggs, and moving it into the plastic box in the kitchen.
When I'm done I clip the lid on and seal around the edges with sticky tape. Nothing bad inside, and nothing bad can GET inside.
Books: I only found bed bugs in one book for sure. I removed the dust jacket and there were a tonne inside along the edge of the spine. I squished them off and cleaned the whole thing thoroughly, and zip-locked it inside the plastic box just in case. I also was suspicious of a big cookbook I had next to it, because I couldn't tell whether the clear things inside were grains of salt from cooking or eggs. I did that one page by page. I also found a huge squished cockroach between two books. I have NO idea how it got there!!! Crazy. It was kind of funny because it had been killed by a book named "Pimp" :)
I also put ALL the linen that came with the room, and two HUGE curtains into black garbage bags. It took me hours, and many stops, to carry the 8 HUGE bags to the dry cleaners. They took everything. It will cost me a couple hundred bucks but thank heavens I don't have to do it myself.
I get home, my housemate/landlord is there. He has moved my boxes on the balcony to the corner of the balcony. He tells me I will have to get "all the linen in the cupboard that you don't use" in my room done as well. I tell him it's at the dry cleaners.
Oh yeah, so today I called the tenant advisory service of WA to get some free legal advice. They told me that although the legislation says the OWNER of a premises is always the one to sue, because I am sub-letting, in this specific case the landlord / housemate is legally "the owner". So I have to sue my housemate. The lady said I should be able to claim back the dry cleaning costs, but she wasn't sure if I would be able to convince a magistrate to compensate me for the 5 months the bugs have been biting me, or the 2 weeks I've been spending at work.
Something I've only realised in the past few hours though, is that he broke the contract! The law states he must have carried out repairs by 14 days, and it will have been 16 days by the time the exterminators come. That will work in my favor.
Actually, the lady on the phone was also getting nauseous as I explained to her what bed bugs were. She said she'd gotten a very similar call about bed bugs the day before but that she didn't realise what they were like until now.
Now when I told my landlord previously that I was going to sue the owner and why, he said I should. I'm not going to tell him now that I have to sue him instead, because he is violent and I currently fear it's going to escalate into a fight (he is about 3-4x my size though).
Oh, after wrapping some cardboard boxes into black plastic and dumping them in the bins, I came across the building manager. I mentioned that I had bed bugs and he was horrified, he said another person (6 floors below me though) had bed bugs too and was having a horrible time trying to get rid of them. He suggested I call the health department because they're a notifiable problem.
I called the health department of WA, they advised me to call the environmental health department, and they advised me to call the local council environmental health officer. I did that and they said they should be told if the landlord refuses to do anything, or it's a public place, and that they can force them to take care of it, but otherwise don't track the statistics other than they realise they're increasing. However they also knew of the person in my building who had bed bugs! "Oh, we had a similar call from someone in your building a few weeks ago ..."
Back to the story. I'm back home and cleaning, bagging, and storing my things in the kitchen when he comes home. He starts moving the plastic boxes I have put carefully onto the balcony (as per the PCO's instructions to "store our mattresses in black plastic and put them on the balcony". I know it's WRONG but I have to do it otherwise I could be held legally liable for not following instructions). My landlord starts moving my plastic boxes around on the balcony and complaining.
Me: Uh, what's the problem?
Him: I don't want them on my bloody balcony. What's the problem? (sarcastically) Move them onto your balcony.
We have a shared balcony with the bedrooms, and a main balcony on the living room.
Me: I'm leaving my boxes there because it's further from the bugs in my room.
Him: There are no bugs on the balcony.
Me: Some people would think I pay half the rent here, half that balcony is mine.
Him: Don't bloody speak in riddles, say what the hell you mean.
Me: I pay half the rent, half the balcony is mine, I'll put my boxes there.
He grabs my boxes and starts moving them into the kitchen.
Him: Who the bloody hell do you think are you? Half the balcony is yours? F*** you. Who the f*** do you think you are telling me half the balcony is yours? Put them on your balcony. You're a selfish pr*** and I'm sick of your sh**. You reckon half this place is yours but you don't clean anything.
Me: You don't see me cleaning because I don't make messes.
Him: It's not about what mess you make, it's about what you clean. You just stay in your bloody room, don't talk to anyone, don't even have the decency to say Hi or Bye. I'm bloody sick of it. You can move out. I don't want you here. You can move out straight away. Your rent is paid until the 18th, move out then.
I'm staying calm, he is just getting started heating up!
Me: You don't get to tell me when I move out. And you don't get to harass me. This is bordering on harassment. I'll move out when I'm ready. I want to move out.
Him: You should have moved into that last place, don't you think?
Me: I tried but it didn't work.
Him: You should move out now.
Me: I'll move out when I'm ready.
The legislation here explicitly states you can't evict someone without a court order. I can contest that in court. You also can't explicitly evict someone as a result of a complaint they've made (ie: the bed bugs).
Him: You think you can make my life hard? You have no bloody idea. You have no idea what a bastard I can be? You think you're all that.
Me: Stop dude. Stop talking to me.
Him: WHO THE F*** DO YOU THINK YOU ARE CALLING ME DUDE? DUDE IS FOR W****** AM I'M NO F****** WANKER. CALL ME BY MY F****** NAME. WHO THE F*** DO YOU THINK YOU ARE. YOU CAN MOVE OUT STRAIGHT AWAY!
Me: I'm not going anywhere until I'm ready.
Then I went to my room to resume packing. I was packing things calmly all that time. I called my family to let them know if something happens to me that this guy is going to be responsible for it. My family says I should just move my things home and look for another place. The thing is there really is no room for me there. I'm thinking about doing it anyway, just for a while, because I don't want to have to kill this guy in self defense.
Unfortunately as he hasn't laid a finger on me, I can't go to the police and do anything about it. I can't get a restraining order - we live there!
However, has has just broken two more parts of the legislation which state that a tenant has the right to a peaceful occupancy of the residence, and that a landlord may not harass a tenant.
This is getting bad really fast.
So I'm back at work, ready to sleep again for the night. Tomorrow I have to get up early and finish packing my things ready for the PCO around 3pm. I should have it all done in time. Basically today I did my linen and books, tomorrow I have to do all my bits and pieces and some clothes, then vacuum and throw away the bag.
Oh I wanted to mention some other things too. I noticed some bed bugs brazenly walking around my room while I was cleaning - specifically, on a chipboard plank (part of my book case) I had under my bed, and later it had disappeared and moved onto a cardboard box I was getting ready to throw out. I tested its gripping strength by slamming it against the ground - it held on really well. So I squished him. Then I saw another one walking along the headboard of my bed. I wanted to take a photo but my phone / camera battery had run out, so I let it go. It can die tomorrow. Then I came straight to work - I want to make sure my battery is charged so I can call the police if this guy attacks me.
Also, UV Light results? I finally got a 15W UV light tube, it's about a foot long and cost $30 from eBay. Long story short: not very good for bed bug egg hunting. It's not like the movies, you have to hold the thing fairly close to the surface you're checking and in a really dark environment, and even then if the egg isn't on a dark surface you are likely to miss it.
However, holding the pages of books open directly against the sun was good at spotting anything odd, because they quickly cast long shadows on the pages.
Oh yeah, as I was leaving, he had moved my empty plastic boxes off the kitchen table (my safe zone) and onto the kitchen floor :( Tomorrow I'll have to hand check it all really carefully to make sure nothing has crawled in.
I'm really exhausted, not just breaking my back cleaning today, but dealing with all the stress, being unable to move, violent housemate, having to take him to court, and everything else. ARGH.
His response: "I don't have bed bugs. You do." Ok.
I get to work preparing a clean-area in the kitchen. I've bought about 8 large clip-lock plastic see-through boxes, and put them on the kitchen table. Then I spend my day in my bedroom, getting a book, flicking through it, wiping down the front and back and edges, checking it in the light for eggs, and moving it into the plastic box in the kitchen.
When I'm done I clip the lid on and seal around the edges with sticky tape. Nothing bad inside, and nothing bad can GET inside.
Books: I only found bed bugs in one book for sure. I removed the dust jacket and there were a tonne inside along the edge of the spine. I squished them off and cleaned the whole thing thoroughly, and zip-locked it inside the plastic box just in case. I also was suspicious of a big cookbook I had next to it, because I couldn't tell whether the clear things inside were grains of salt from cooking or eggs. I did that one page by page. I also found a huge squished cockroach between two books. I have NO idea how it got there!!! Crazy. It was kind of funny because it had been killed by a book named "Pimp" :)
I also put ALL the linen that came with the room, and two HUGE curtains into black garbage bags. It took me hours, and many stops, to carry the 8 HUGE bags to the dry cleaners. They took everything. It will cost me a couple hundred bucks but thank heavens I don't have to do it myself.
I get home, my housemate/landlord is there. He has moved my boxes on the balcony to the corner of the balcony. He tells me I will have to get "all the linen in the cupboard that you don't use" in my room done as well. I tell him it's at the dry cleaners.
Oh yeah, so today I called the tenant advisory service of WA to get some free legal advice. They told me that although the legislation says the OWNER of a premises is always the one to sue, because I am sub-letting, in this specific case the landlord / housemate is legally "the owner". So I have to sue my housemate. The lady said I should be able to claim back the dry cleaning costs, but she wasn't sure if I would be able to convince a magistrate to compensate me for the 5 months the bugs have been biting me, or the 2 weeks I've been spending at work.
Something I've only realised in the past few hours though, is that he broke the contract! The law states he must have carried out repairs by 14 days, and it will have been 16 days by the time the exterminators come. That will work in my favor.
Actually, the lady on the phone was also getting nauseous as I explained to her what bed bugs were. She said she'd gotten a very similar call about bed bugs the day before but that she didn't realise what they were like until now.
Now when I told my landlord previously that I was going to sue the owner and why, he said I should. I'm not going to tell him now that I have to sue him instead, because he is violent and I currently fear it's going to escalate into a fight (he is about 3-4x my size though).
Oh, after wrapping some cardboard boxes into black plastic and dumping them in the bins, I came across the building manager. I mentioned that I had bed bugs and he was horrified, he said another person (6 floors below me though) had bed bugs too and was having a horrible time trying to get rid of them. He suggested I call the health department because they're a notifiable problem.
I called the health department of WA, they advised me to call the environmental health department, and they advised me to call the local council environmental health officer. I did that and they said they should be told if the landlord refuses to do anything, or it's a public place, and that they can force them to take care of it, but otherwise don't track the statistics other than they realise they're increasing. However they also knew of the person in my building who had bed bugs! "Oh, we had a similar call from someone in your building a few weeks ago ..."
Back to the story. I'm back home and cleaning, bagging, and storing my things in the kitchen when he comes home. He starts moving the plastic boxes I have put carefully onto the balcony (as per the PCO's instructions to "store our mattresses in black plastic and put them on the balcony". I know it's WRONG but I have to do it otherwise I could be held legally liable for not following instructions). My landlord starts moving my plastic boxes around on the balcony and complaining.
Me: Uh, what's the problem?
Him: I don't want them on my bloody balcony. What's the problem? (sarcastically) Move them onto your balcony.
We have a shared balcony with the bedrooms, and a main balcony on the living room.
Me: I'm leaving my boxes there because it's further from the bugs in my room.
Him: There are no bugs on the balcony.
Me: Some people would think I pay half the rent here, half that balcony is mine.
Him: Don't bloody speak in riddles, say what the hell you mean.
Me: I pay half the rent, half the balcony is mine, I'll put my boxes there.
He grabs my boxes and starts moving them into the kitchen.
Him: Who the bloody hell do you think are you? Half the balcony is yours? F*** you. Who the f*** do you think you are telling me half the balcony is yours? Put them on your balcony. You're a selfish pr*** and I'm sick of your sh**. You reckon half this place is yours but you don't clean anything.
Me: You don't see me cleaning because I don't make messes.
Him: It's not about what mess you make, it's about what you clean. You just stay in your bloody room, don't talk to anyone, don't even have the decency to say Hi or Bye. I'm bloody sick of it. You can move out. I don't want you here. You can move out straight away. Your rent is paid until the 18th, move out then.
I'm staying calm, he is just getting started heating up!
Me: You don't get to tell me when I move out. And you don't get to harass me. This is bordering on harassment. I'll move out when I'm ready. I want to move out.
Him: You should have moved into that last place, don't you think?
Me: I tried but it didn't work.
Him: You should move out now.
Me: I'll move out when I'm ready.
The legislation here explicitly states you can't evict someone without a court order. I can contest that in court. You also can't explicitly evict someone as a result of a complaint they've made (ie: the bed bugs).
Him: You think you can make my life hard? You have no bloody idea. You have no idea what a bastard I can be? You think you're all that.
Me: Stop dude. Stop talking to me.
Him: WHO THE F*** DO YOU THINK YOU ARE CALLING ME DUDE? DUDE IS FOR W****** AM I'M NO F****** WANKER. CALL ME BY MY F****** NAME. WHO THE F*** DO YOU THINK YOU ARE. YOU CAN MOVE OUT STRAIGHT AWAY!
Me: I'm not going anywhere until I'm ready.
Then I went to my room to resume packing. I was packing things calmly all that time. I called my family to let them know if something happens to me that this guy is going to be responsible for it. My family says I should just move my things home and look for another place. The thing is there really is no room for me there. I'm thinking about doing it anyway, just for a while, because I don't want to have to kill this guy in self defense.
Unfortunately as he hasn't laid a finger on me, I can't go to the police and do anything about it. I can't get a restraining order - we live there!
However, has has just broken two more parts of the legislation which state that a tenant has the right to a peaceful occupancy of the residence, and that a landlord may not harass a tenant.
This is getting bad really fast.
So I'm back at work, ready to sleep again for the night. Tomorrow I have to get up early and finish packing my things ready for the PCO around 3pm. I should have it all done in time. Basically today I did my linen and books, tomorrow I have to do all my bits and pieces and some clothes, then vacuum and throw away the bag.
Oh I wanted to mention some other things too. I noticed some bed bugs brazenly walking around my room while I was cleaning - specifically, on a chipboard plank (part of my book case) I had under my bed, and later it had disappeared and moved onto a cardboard box I was getting ready to throw out. I tested its gripping strength by slamming it against the ground - it held on really well. So I squished him. Then I saw another one walking along the headboard of my bed. I wanted to take a photo but my phone / camera battery had run out, so I let it go. It can die tomorrow. Then I came straight to work - I want to make sure my battery is charged so I can call the police if this guy attacks me.
Also, UV Light results? I finally got a 15W UV light tube, it's about a foot long and cost $30 from eBay. Long story short: not very good for bed bug egg hunting. It's not like the movies, you have to hold the thing fairly close to the surface you're checking and in a really dark environment, and even then if the egg isn't on a dark surface you are likely to miss it.
However, holding the pages of books open directly against the sun was good at spotting anything odd, because they quickly cast long shadows on the pages.
Oh yeah, as I was leaving, he had moved my empty plastic boxes off the kitchen table (my safe zone) and onto the kitchen floor :( Tomorrow I'll have to hand check it all really carefully to make sure nothing has crawled in.
I'm really exhausted, not just breaking my back cleaning today, but dealing with all the stress, being unable to move, violent housemate, having to take him to court, and everything else. ARGH.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tired
I'm so unbelievably tired.
Day before yesterday I bought more plastic boxes and ziploc plastic bags, and have them under my desk at work ready to take home. I also bought a big magnifying glass to help find eggs on the edge of books.
I got an email from the UV light company who said there was a PayPal error that weekend and they didn't know I had paid, so they shipped it out express on Tuesday. It should arrive today or tomorrow, which will be just in time.
Tomorrow, I have to wrangle things so that I can still sleep at work tonight, and yet have a day off so I can bag everything up and send a whooooole lot of things to the drycleaners (are they even going to be able to do the huge curtains I have?) That is going to be a really long day. If I finish early I'll go sleep in the park until everyone knocks off work or something stupid.
I'll post some photos of my progress tomorrow. Right now I just want to sleep, of course I can't, because I'm at work and everyone will be in soon. I couldn't sleep last night well, because lots of people were working late. Actually I think everyone in the office thinks I'm sleeping in the office anyway. They have no idea how true that is!
Day before yesterday I bought more plastic boxes and ziploc plastic bags, and have them under my desk at work ready to take home. I also bought a big magnifying glass to help find eggs on the edge of books.
I got an email from the UV light company who said there was a PayPal error that weekend and they didn't know I had paid, so they shipped it out express on Tuesday. It should arrive today or tomorrow, which will be just in time.
Tomorrow, I have to wrangle things so that I can still sleep at work tonight, and yet have a day off so I can bag everything up and send a whooooole lot of things to the drycleaners (are they even going to be able to do the huge curtains I have?) That is going to be a really long day. If I finish early I'll go sleep in the park until everyone knocks off work or something stupid.
I'll post some photos of my progress tomorrow. Right now I just want to sleep, of course I can't, because I'm at work and everyone will be in soon. I couldn't sleep last night well, because lots of people were working late. Actually I think everyone in the office thinks I'm sleeping in the office anyway. They have no idea how true that is!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
From Bad To Worse
I had to tell my housemate I am stuck there again for another month, because nothing else has come available.
I went home a few days ago and he was drying his clothes in the kitchen had his stuff in cardboard boxes in the hallway. The bugs crawl all over the house and will still be in his clothes. The bugs hide inside cardboard boxes. You MUST move things from the dryer to ziploc bags immediately, you MUST replace cardboard boxes with clean plastic boxes and seal them properly so air can't escape.
But he hasn't.
I asked him if he'd been given a list of things to do by the PCO but he hasn't. They just told him what to do on the phone. One of those things was to put our mattresses in black plastic and put them on the balcony. For one, it's the middle of winter. For two, that's against the bed bud pest controller guidelines (from an organisation of which the PCO is probably not a member). For three, it doesn't work.
They are meant to steam clean the mattresses only.
Tonight I'll demand the pest controller's details or real estate agent's phone number (so I can contact the pest controller) and make sure they do it right. If they don't ... God help them ... I'll put posters on every door on my floor telling them the landlord has cut corners with a PCO and risks infecting the rest of the building, along with their contact details.
I'm so stressed it's unbelievable. I'm stuck living where I am, my housemate isn't taking the right precautions, the PCO is two weeks late, and now it turns out they won't do the job properly.
What the hell am I supposed to do? Sleep in my office for ANOTHER MONTH until I can move and sue the hell out of the owner for extreme and willful negligence, along with breaking all the rental agreement contract conditions?
I just don't want to be bitten at night by blood sucking bugs. I'm not asking for a bloody miracle.
I went home a few days ago and he was drying his clothes in the kitchen had his stuff in cardboard boxes in the hallway. The bugs crawl all over the house and will still be in his clothes. The bugs hide inside cardboard boxes. You MUST move things from the dryer to ziploc bags immediately, you MUST replace cardboard boxes with clean plastic boxes and seal them properly so air can't escape.
But he hasn't.
I asked him if he'd been given a list of things to do by the PCO but he hasn't. They just told him what to do on the phone. One of those things was to put our mattresses in black plastic and put them on the balcony. For one, it's the middle of winter. For two, that's against the bed bud pest controller guidelines (from an organisation of which the PCO is probably not a member). For three, it doesn't work.
They are meant to steam clean the mattresses only.
Tonight I'll demand the pest controller's details or real estate agent's phone number (so I can contact the pest controller) and make sure they do it right. If they don't ... God help them ... I'll put posters on every door on my floor telling them the landlord has cut corners with a PCO and risks infecting the rest of the building, along with their contact details.
I'm so stressed it's unbelievable. I'm stuck living where I am, my housemate isn't taking the right precautions, the PCO is two weeks late, and now it turns out they won't do the job properly.
What the hell am I supposed to do? Sleep in my office for ANOTHER MONTH until I can move and sue the hell out of the owner for extreme and willful negligence, along with breaking all the rental agreement contract conditions?
I just don't want to be bitten at night by blood sucking bugs. I'm not asking for a bloody miracle.
Monday, June 9, 2008
:(
I just got a call, the "owner" had decided that I was too much of a financial risk to get the apartment. It's stupid! I have had the same job for a year, it's less than I pay now, and I already had 4 offers to move in by other people (sub-letting)!
I'm so sad, and so disappointed. I don't want to sleep the rest of the week at work :( I can't deal with going home to that bug infested hellhole either.
I'm so sad, and so disappointed. I don't want to sleep the rest of the week at work :( I can't deal with going home to that bug infested hellhole either.
Almost...
I heard from the real estate agent that my references checked out and they are confirming with the owner whether I can have the apartment or not. It's not long to find out now!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Tape
I found this bite on my arm a few days ago. I wasn't sure if it was bed bug related, but today it has scabbed over in exactly the same way - so I believe it is.
I went back home today to shower and shave. I picked up a CD wallet (one of the fabric covered things with fabric and plastic slips inside to hold CDs) and looked down the inside of the spine, and saw something red peeking back at me and then run away deeper inside. Holy crap! There are bed bugs in that! I never would have thought to even look there!!! It looks like I'll have to remove the CDs and DVDs and throw out the cases, which cost about $50 each.
Then I grabbed some speakers I have around my bedroom and noticed they have these holes in the back for you to hang them up - large enough for a bed bug to hide in. I pulled one of the speakers apart and didn't find any in there though.
Then I went to some paintings. The paintings were, I thought, sealed at the back with paper tape. Except on closer inspection it has slightly peeled away in places, so bed bugs could be hiding in there.
So I've started to realise .... moving is a HUGE task. HUGE. I feel overwhelmed again :(
I experimented with trapped a bed bug I found on the side of the bed in double-sided scotch sticky tape. It didn't like being trapped and kept walking in circles trying to avoid the tape. Half an hour later it was still there, half an hour after that it had disappeared. Either it had done a runner over the tape and survived, or "dropped off" the side of the bed to avoid the tape!!!!
I'd like it if someone else could try trapping one in a double-sided tape prison to verify whether it works or not.
And while getting tape in the office, I found a little booklet of post-its and stuck a bug to it for humour's sake.
I think one thing we all need while our lives are being destroyed is bed bug humour.
I stuck a dozen more bugs to cards, like I said I would. I have a nice collection to take to court now.
On second inspection of the eggs I've trapped under sticky tape, I now think it's almost impossible to determine whether you've transferred any from one place to another just by visual inspection. MAYBE on books you can tell... but I spent a good hour scouring around my room trying to determine what were skin flakes and what were eggs.
I kind of like trapping the bugs under tape and sticking them to card, then poking them every few hours and watching one or two of their free legs move, indicating they're still alive and dying a slow and hopefully painful death.
I went back home today to shower and shave. I picked up a CD wallet (one of the fabric covered things with fabric and plastic slips inside to hold CDs) and looked down the inside of the spine, and saw something red peeking back at me and then run away deeper inside. Holy crap! There are bed bugs in that! I never would have thought to even look there!!! It looks like I'll have to remove the CDs and DVDs and throw out the cases, which cost about $50 each.
Then I grabbed some speakers I have around my bedroom and noticed they have these holes in the back for you to hang them up - large enough for a bed bug to hide in. I pulled one of the speakers apart and didn't find any in there though.
Then I went to some paintings. The paintings were, I thought, sealed at the back with paper tape. Except on closer inspection it has slightly peeled away in places, so bed bugs could be hiding in there.
So I've started to realise .... moving is a HUGE task. HUGE. I feel overwhelmed again :(
I experimented with trapped a bed bug I found on the side of the bed in double-sided scotch sticky tape. It didn't like being trapped and kept walking in circles trying to avoid the tape. Half an hour later it was still there, half an hour after that it had disappeared. Either it had done a runner over the tape and survived, or "dropped off" the side of the bed to avoid the tape!!!!
I'd like it if someone else could try trapping one in a double-sided tape prison to verify whether it works or not.
And while getting tape in the office, I found a little booklet of post-its and stuck a bug to it for humour's sake.
I think one thing we all need while our lives are being destroyed is bed bug humour.
I stuck a dozen more bugs to cards, like I said I would. I have a nice collection to take to court now.
On second inspection of the eggs I've trapped under sticky tape, I now think it's almost impossible to determine whether you've transferred any from one place to another just by visual inspection. MAYBE on books you can tell... but I spent a good hour scouring around my room trying to determine what were skin flakes and what were eggs.
I kind of like trapping the bugs under tape and sticking them to card, then poking them every few hours and watching one or two of their free legs move, indicating they're still alive and dying a slow and hopefully painful death.
Update
I think I should do an update before I forget to!
Yesterday my housemate called me and said the landlord won't exterminate until next Saturday. Sleeping at work for another week is unacceptable to me, I told him that that isn't proper, and that I'd be looking to move apartment. He said he won't let me move without two weeks notice. I still have a week of rent paid ahead. I said to him if he tries to stop me from moving I'll take him to court to have the contract broken, and I will definitely win that case. I have to be careful though, because you're not allowed to withhold rent here until things have gone to court - I may have to pay and sue him later if he doesn't let me leave peacefully. If I take him to court, he'll also be criminally charged $4000 for not securing my bond properly, and $1000 for not declaring me as a subtenant. His choice!
The bed bugs I trapped on sticky tape a week ago went "splat" inside the tape. I guess I must have put something heavy on top of them. Today when I go home I will collect more and stick them to heavy white card. I think it will look better in court, too, to illustrate just how many of them have been biting me.
I went to see 13 apartments this week. That was gruelling!!! Luckily I have a good boss who gave me the time off work to do it. Most weren't right for me (unfurnished, too expensive, or too small or run down). I picked the best one and applied for it yesterday. I will hear back on Monday if I'm succesful, and be able to start moving my things on Wednesday. The new apartment is not as good as the one I'm in, but it's close and appears bed bug free. During the inspection I ran my finger under the beds to see if anything came out and saw nothing, but I'll actually turn the beds over to check when I move in.
I'm actually a LITTLE bit worried because one of the rooms had a funny smell in it, the kind of smell my current room has in it. I'm not sure if that's the "window hasn't been opened in a while" smell or if it's really a bed bug smell. So I'll check thoroughly on my first day in there.
My plan for moving is this.
Yesterday my housemate called me and said the landlord won't exterminate until next Saturday. Sleeping at work for another week is unacceptable to me, I told him that that isn't proper, and that I'd be looking to move apartment. He said he won't let me move without two weeks notice. I still have a week of rent paid ahead. I said to him if he tries to stop me from moving I'll take him to court to have the contract broken, and I will definitely win that case. I have to be careful though, because you're not allowed to withhold rent here until things have gone to court - I may have to pay and sue him later if he doesn't let me leave peacefully. If I take him to court, he'll also be criminally charged $4000 for not securing my bond properly, and $1000 for not declaring me as a subtenant. His choice!
The bed bugs I trapped on sticky tape a week ago went "splat" inside the tape. I guess I must have put something heavy on top of them. Today when I go home I will collect more and stick them to heavy white card. I think it will look better in court, too, to illustrate just how many of them have been biting me.
I went to see 13 apartments this week. That was gruelling!!! Luckily I have a good boss who gave me the time off work to do it. Most weren't right for me (unfurnished, too expensive, or too small or run down). I picked the best one and applied for it yesterday. I will hear back on Monday if I'm succesful, and be able to start moving my things on Wednesday. The new apartment is not as good as the one I'm in, but it's close and appears bed bug free. During the inspection I ran my finger under the beds to see if anything came out and saw nothing, but I'll actually turn the beds over to check when I move in.
I'm actually a LITTLE bit worried because one of the rooms had a funny smell in it, the kind of smell my current room has in it. I'm not sure if that's the "window hasn't been opened in a while" smell or if it's really a bed bug smell. So I'll check thoroughly on my first day in there.
My plan for moving is this.
- Wash all of my clothes and have them double-bagged in plastic. That way I can leave them in my room, unbag the outer portion to take it to the new place, and know I haven't taken anything on the outside of the bag.
- Only take shoes after they've been heated (which mine have, execpt one pair I will do shortly).
- I'm going to put my books into bags, seal them up with a hair dryer, and dry them for a few minutes. First I'm going to test this out on a bag with a bug in it to make sure it is effective in killing them and their eggs.
- Take apart my computer before moving, and make sure there is nothing in it. Same with my keyboard and mouse. I'll heat the computer up in my new house by turning one of the fans off.
- I will put some barrier around my monitor (double sided sticky tape) when I move it and blow it with a hair dryer just to see if anything comes out.
- Anything else I'll wipe down and inspect with the black-light before bagging and taking with me.
So thinigs I need to do:
- Collect more bugs for court.
- Test if double-sided sticky tape traps them when walking across.
- Test if a bed bug can survive in a plastic bag with a hair dryer.
- Get the rest of my rent receipts from my parent's house tomorrow.
Things I'm waiting for:
- My UV black light hasn't arrived yet.
- Waiting for Monday to hear from the real estate agent - I think I have a good chance as the apartment has been on the market for a while and nobody has moved in. If I don't get it, I will have to keep trying. If I do get it, I will have to get a signature from my housemate that he releases me from the rental agreement, else I will have to take him to court to get that. He will be fined $4000 for not securing my bond properly, and another $1000 for not declaring me as a sub-tenant. That's his choice, I won't see that money though, those are criminal infractions.
- Waiting for a hair dryer, will get one from my mother tomorrow.
My life seems so complicated. Signing on for a two bedroom lease is very expensive, it's going to cost me $3000 just to move, plus $2000 a few days later, not to mention other costs like cleaning and buying household products and things. I have to be very careful that things go properly otherwise I could be in big trouble financially. I'm loading up my credit cards to make the move and borrowing what little money my family has.
I'm almost going nuts with the amount of things I have to do and the amount of stress I'm under. I notified my boss I might be taking a few days off next week to move house. He said that's okay. My work actually owes me two days off + 2 weeks of holiday. I will have to be sure to put time away from work down on my court application though, that's time the owner should pay for.
I contacted Today Tonight, which is a current affairs program on TV here. Seeing as the owner has more than dragged their heels with this, it's time for them to be outed and to suffer like I've suffered! I'll post if TT want the story and contact me back.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Shoes
Yesterday I dropped in some clothes to the dry-cleaners that I couldn't wash myself, and did more washing and bagging. Afterwards I put some sneakers and my suede boots into the dryer for 40 minutes - it's too bad our dryer doesn't let you set the temperature, but when they came out, the glue on my sneakers had come unstuck and they're basically ruined. I'll take them to a store to get fixed. Also there was a small crack in the rubber sole of my suede boots, and that seems to have opened up and gotten really big, too.
So: bed bugs might hide in your shoes, but think twice about using the dryer to kill them, because it can easily destroy your shoes. I didn't have a choice though. I looked up some new shoes on eBay that I really like. I will go to a store here to try some similar ones and see if they fit before I spend the money though.
Yesterday was really bad for me. I'm feeling totally overwhelmed with so much work, a lack of money, and no place to stay. It's too much stress for me to handle. I had nightmares last night. That really sucked :(
I have so much to do today - pick up my dry cleaning (which I will keep the receipt for to sue the apartment owners), lots and lots of work, and also see 4 apartments at 9am, 1pm, and 4:15pm. Then tonight I'll have to do more washing and bagging :(
So: bed bugs might hide in your shoes, but think twice about using the dryer to kill them, because it can easily destroy your shoes. I didn't have a choice though. I looked up some new shoes on eBay that I really like. I will go to a store here to try some similar ones and see if they fit before I spend the money though.
Yesterday was really bad for me. I'm feeling totally overwhelmed with so much work, a lack of money, and no place to stay. It's too much stress for me to handle. I had nightmares last night. That really sucked :(
I have so much to do today - pick up my dry cleaning (which I will keep the receipt for to sue the apartment owners), lots and lots of work, and also see 4 apartments at 9am, 1pm, and 4:15pm. Then tonight I'll have to do more washing and bagging :(
Monday, June 2, 2008
Washing
Last night I went home to do some cleaning. I found a bed bug skin on my monitor, and a live bed bug on the edge of one the books I had on my bed when I first discovered them. It was hiding right in the edge near the cover. I killed it. I bought a UV black-light from eBay to help me find more and any eggs. It should arrive in the mail this week.
I threw away lots of cardboard boxes from my room because bed bugs can hide inside them. I still have more to throw away, and I need to quickly buy some plastic boxes to replace them.
I also put things that need to be dry cleaned (my ties, and some jackets, and work shirts) into a bag and took it to work, so I can drop it at the dry cleaners. Then I did some washing at 10pm, my housemate complained because they just finished drying at 1am and that I should have done it earlier.
Well, my life doesn't revolve around other people, and I sleep all the time when he is using the washer and dryer late, and my room is closer! Anyway, I don't feel I have to justify myself to him. So fuck him. Yeah - no more passive aggressive, from here on out I'm aggressive aggressive.
It felt good to put on some hot clothes, knowing no bed bugs could survive in them! I still had to wear the same shoes and jacket though...
I still have lots and lots and lots of washing to do. And this afternoon I'll go check out a new apartment. It's a single bedroom and a few dollars more expensive than the one I'm in now. But I will check it out and see if it's nice, then I will try to move there.
It was really hard to sleep at work last night. I was really cold, and I feel like I'm going crazy.
I threw away lots of cardboard boxes from my room because bed bugs can hide inside them. I still have more to throw away, and I need to quickly buy some plastic boxes to replace them.
I also put things that need to be dry cleaned (my ties, and some jackets, and work shirts) into a bag and took it to work, so I can drop it at the dry cleaners. Then I did some washing at 10pm, my housemate complained because they just finished drying at 1am and that I should have done it earlier.
Well, my life doesn't revolve around other people, and I sleep all the time when he is using the washer and dryer late, and my room is closer! Anyway, I don't feel I have to justify myself to him. So fuck him. Yeah - no more passive aggressive, from here on out I'm aggressive aggressive.
It felt good to put on some hot clothes, knowing no bed bugs could survive in them! I still had to wear the same shoes and jacket though...
I still have lots and lots and lots of washing to do. And this afternoon I'll go check out a new apartment. It's a single bedroom and a few dollars more expensive than the one I'm in now. But I will check it out and see if it's nice, then I will try to move there.
It was really hard to sleep at work last night. I was really cold, and I feel like I'm going crazy.
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