Hello
I would be very very grateful for some advice and thoughts on the toxicity and recommended aftercare for cimetrol super. This is my second post on the same bedbug treatment, but a totally separate question so I hope it is right to start a new post. Please be gentle - I am a bed bug first timer and had no idea how awful the little fudgers were until I started reading about them in detail. I should have done more research before the treatment, but we wanted the problem sorted quickly. With hindsight, we'll take a breath before acting next time IF there is a next time - I know so much more about them now!
I saw a live bed bug and received 6 bites during an approximate 3/4 week period. Once I saw the live bug and put two and two together I immediately called several PCOs. I did a little research and decided on a heat treatment as I have a 7 month old baby who spends a lot of time on the floor and putting things in his mouth and really didn't want to expose him to any strong chemicals. According to the PCO I chose, the heat treatment should minimise chemicals.
I realise I should have gone with a company who inspected before deciding to heat treat or not so I would be grateful if people could be kind - it was a Sunday and this was one of the few companies who answered and who agreed to treat swiftly. They were also reassuring me that chemicals would not be used and it would be DE unless other chemicals were absolutely needed.
Now it is 4 days after the treatment (for a light infestation). The technician who arrived on the day said spraying would be needed to ensure the treatment was not a fail and my husband wrote down the name cimetrol super. I was away as I had left to stay at my parents house with my baby (again, armed with more knowledge now from researching I realise I shouldn't have done this! However, I took extreme precautions, only bringing things I had tumble dried, leaving my shoes and bag outside etc.)
I am still staying my my parents because I feel scared to go back to the flat without feeling secure that the cimetrol will not harm my baby (in the immediate or longer term). Can anyone help advise on this and how best to clean up/detox the house after cimetrol has been used? The PCO has not been a very helpful saying the cimetrol has a dried and is safe. They have failed to provide any further info - I chase them daily. But I'm still worried- I am an Uber cautious mum, making sure my baby avoids chemicals, only have natural cleaning products in my house, as I worry about longer term health effects that are really hard to prove or disprove.
I have some specific questions and it would be wonderful if anyone could help:
1) The PCO said to wait 3 weeks before cleaning/vacuuming after cimetrol. Is this correct? Is there any possibility of doing some cleaning before that? What's the most effective way to clean and detox the house with this chemical? I have a steam mop - or is it better to use a normal mop? What product should i use - soap, will natural detergents work or should i use bleach or something else?
2) Are there any other steps i can take to help detox - house plants etc?
3) the PCO said they only sprayed the floors - but I am concerned about the baby's toys in the same room (some of which were low to the floor in an open weave toy basket). How close would it need to be to contaminate the toys? What should i do with them given they often get put in his mouth? Bin them all? Rinse the plastics, bin the fabric or wood? Or can wash the fabric and wood?
Furthermore, what's the chance of this chemical being disbursed and settling on other things like the sofa, rugs? Any suggestions on what I can do to minimise risk?
4) When should I return to my home? My parents probably won't be too keen for me to stay for 3 weeks, but i could do this if recommended! I would rather be on the safe side - so happy to receive some honest, harsh truths. Or would it be ok to return - and if so what precautions should i take (eg don't let baby play on the floor, wash toys etc - and for how long?). Once floor is cleaned can we go back to normal or would it be better to wait or take further precautions?
5) How would i know if baby is affected by cimetrol?
6) Is there any way of knowing whether fabrics / other items have been sprayed with the product (I am suspicious they have)?
All of this is rather frustrating as i would have paid a bit extra to have a totally green company had I known what they would do! Also - to top it all off, they decided not to use DE as it says to keep away from children on the packet - although presumably cimetrol is much much more toxic!
I hope someone can help even if just one or two of the questions, and really appreciate any advice.
Many thanks
BugsLoveMyBlood
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