Friday, June 17, 2016

Update

It might interest you to read the email I got from the landlords today:

Good Afternoon Ms. Wake,
 
Each time you have come to us with this matter, we have reacted in a timely matter.
 
We have sent the technicians and have the invoices to prove it.
 
The pest control company is certain there are not any bed bugs in your unit.
 
We will again as a result of this email send the pest control company once again.
 
If there is no bed bugs to see, we cannot get rid of something that isn’t there.
Are you certain? Do you have any of the bugs? Can you put one in a ziploc bag to show the technician?
 
Where are they coming from? Are they in the couch? Where in the apartment are you seeing them?
We cannot continue to have the company come out only to find nothing, it costs us money each time we schedule them.
 
In the event there are bugs, then you will be given the same instructions you were initially provided and you MUST follow those instructions. We have been and continue to be diligent about the removal of these pests each time this matter was brought to our attention.
 
Thank you,
MSRE 

Considering I have emailed them twice lately with no response I wasn't too happy. However, as it turned out, they did sent someone this afternoon and, despite all the efforts we put into the whole business this morning, the guy still found a bug. Was I pleased under the circumstances. However, this means they will be scheduling a visit which means we have to strip our home down once again. These are the pictures I took today of the bottom of the box spring. The brown is bed bug faesces which I have tried to scrub away with little success.







 
As you see, I have attempted to patch the holes and tears. I am hoping they will replace it when they come again.  I must admit I am fed up with being told it is my imagination - sorry it was only implied!! Like that makes a difference.

I am blogging this because I have to vent to someone somewhere.


 

32 comments:

  1. Well, at least you have proof. Sorry you have to go through the hassle of preparing the apartment again. May they finally get them this time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, although I was disappointed I hadn't got rid of the bugs totally Alex, but I was very glad he found one.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Something tells me the pest control company couldn't find shoes in a shoebox. Maybe you should demand that the owners come out and see it for themselves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well they did find one I had missed John, so I think in this instance they found the shoe. I was glad because everyone has been thinking I only imagined it.

      Delete
  4. I so hate when no one believes you! My son in an entomologist and I will tell him about your case.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well they believe me now Susan, thank goodness. Didn't you talk to your son about this before?

      Delete
  5. Not a fun ordeal, Jo. But it is great to have your story validated. I mean, way to claim what this is all through your imagination without checking the situation for themselves first, right? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so right David, it is great to be validated. But, as I am sure you know, people can psyche themselves into things (stigmata being the most famous) and there are people who can psyche themselves into having bug bites. Honestly I doubt myself sometimes.

      Delete
  6. Their condescending attitude is insulting and they should be apologetic and do all they can if they are a reputable place. This is disgusting and you deserve better! It really burns my britches and I wish you could find money somehow to be able to move to a nice place without this hassle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well we have been here 15 years Birgit. It is a nice place, or was until all this happened. Moving, at the moment, is not an option. Can you imagine anyone allowing us into their place with bed bugs???

      Delete
  7. I agree with Birgit about their condescending attitude. I'm "glad" one was found, though sorry it was found. They need to issue you an apology, but of course they won't do that.

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So am I glad Betty. For the same reasons. Everyone kept saying we couldn't have the bugs. Now they know we have. An apology, you must be joking. I don't really care so long as this gets sorted out.

      Delete
  8. What a condescending email! So glad they did find one of the beasties - not something I would normally say, you understand, but in these circumstance it at least proves your case. Let's hope this means the end of the problem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was glad too Helen. They were making me feel like they thought I was an idiot. Trouble is we now have to strip the joint again which is a pain in the rear end.

      Delete
  9. Hi Jo - I think I'd go to the papers ... or do you have a local Health and Safety ... it has to be dealt with ... and I hope you can get some recompense ... with thoughts - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trouble is, Hilary, there are so many ways they can get back at you. I did mention the papers which is why I got the above response after sending 2 previous emails. Unlikely to get any recompense.

      Delete
  10. Why are rips and tears in the cover? Shoddy material to start with? I think I would be going to the press with this. That email is disgusting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really don't know Denise. One rip we did ourselves the first time they put the cover on. They leave the mattresses and box springs off the beds when they go. We didn't realise it would rip on the corner of the bed frame when we put it back. As for going to the press, they can retaliate in all kinds of ways if we do. The above email was their response when I mentioned going to the press.

      Delete
  11. From now on you should gather all bedbug corpses on a bag so you can have physical proof when requested. And pictures. Take pictures of every trace of bedbug you find and their bites. If they want proof, then let's give them proof enough to drown in it. Dragon hugs, grandmother.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was telling Matt, I wish I could find a few live bed bugs and take them to the realtor's office and then tip them out on their floor. Of course they don't sleep there, but it might give them a taste of what it's all about. Funnily enough other than ones I have actually killed myself, I haven't seen any corpses which I thought was rather odd.

      Delete
    2. Don't kill them, aprehend them so you send them to the authorities. But hey, if they are only in Matt's bed, wouldn't it be easier to buy another matress?

      Delete
    3. Yes and no Al, they are in the box spring. Not sure how much that would cost anyway.

      Delete
  12. I'm glad you have the proof and that they found a bug. That's good vindication.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That letter is quite rude. What a bunch of wankers.

    But ... I'm glad they found one and that you have the pictures. But my gosh, what wankers.

    PS: We're at Barnes now. Soon to hit Wegmans where they sell asparagus from Canada. Hope they still have some. I'm gonna go for another double handful.

    And these were so nice, Jo. That I basically at most of them. Very little cut off. Yum.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it was rude Ivy.

      Hope they still have Canadian asparagus for you. I have frozen a lot of it this weekend to save for the rest of the year.

      Delete
    2. They had it. I ate it twice today.

      Delete
  14. Dear Landlords,
    I invite you (actually we insist) that you come and stay at my apartment while my husband and I stay at your residence until this issue is solved by the ineffectual pest people.
    Cheers, Mrs and Mrs Wake.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh Jo, at least you actually did have something to show them. I was thinly the other day about this and you and wondered, have you checked your car? Would they be on there as well since you we so infested and maybe that's why they won't go away? Just a thought... Here's hoping they actually get rid of them this time!!! I wish wish wish I could come up and help you with all that moving and washing and oh just everything...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No I think it is definite they are breeding under the covers Lisa. They basically aren't anywhere else at all. Just in Matt's bed. He doesn't even notice if he is bitten. I wish you could come help me too. I wish I had anyone to help. Most people are disinclined because they don't want to inherit the problem.

      Delete