Bed Bug Treatment on Gear?

[tropicalhotdog]

I just read the existing bed bugs threads but didn't see anyone address the issue of whether it's safe to treat gear with either the hot or cold approaches to killing bed bugs. One common treatment is to put all possibly infected items into a sort of suitcase that heats things to 114 degrees F, which apparently is hot enough to kill the bugs. The other treatment that I see on the TV commercial for one of the bed bug expert companies uses cold, which the ad claims is safe on electronics. But is it really safe to freeze, for example, a 30 year old 550A?

Any leads on the temperature tolerances of outboard gear and computers?

[rcb4t2]

I'd imagine that cold would be less likely to cause damage than hot, as far as electronics go, but cold is often accompanied by moisture, so plan accordingly. Unless you think the bed bugs are living in your 550, why not consider removing all gear, treating, then replacing it?

[dhiltonlittle]

Man, being in NYC as well, I'm super paranoid of those little F'ers! Are you certain they are in your gear? I'm not too familiar with it but it may be worth while to have the dog come out and sniff out some of your equipment before you freeze it. From what I understand, an api 550 would not be their first choice for them to stay especially if you have furniture in you studio.

[Max 002]

Originally Posted by rcb4t2

cold is often accompanied by moisture

Isn't it the opposite? I know that its way less humid in the winter haha

[brad347]

I'm in Brooklyn and super paranoid of them, too. I agree with D. Little (hey man!). Call the dogs. I'm not sure about the DEEP liquid nitrogen freeze, but on the hot end, 114 F isn't likely too dangerous for most gear--probably safer than leaving it in a hot car on a sunny day. Which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement, but it's something.

The electrolytic caps in most gear are rated to about 85 degrees celsius at least, which is about 185 Fahrenheit.

Semiconductors are a little frightening, but remember that they had to be soldered in in the first place (except socketed ICs, which you might be able to remove beforehand if you're handy and concerned).

Also worth mentioning that the internal working temperatures of much gear (especially tube gear but even solid-state) can often approach those temps in normal operation.

Good luck.

[theblue1]

I think we're just going to have to quarantine the greater NYC area.

[2N1305]

Originally Posted by brad347

The electrolytic caps in most gear are rated to about 85 degrees celsius at least, which is about 185 Fahrenheit.

That is correct. Some commercial ICs only go to +65 I think. But most components are rated to 85°C, after which they start derating, not stop working. So, I'd say you're safe for the hot treatment. F'ng bugs, eh... Bake'em geuuuhd!

Originally Posted by brad347

Semiconductors are a little frightening, but remember that they had to be soldered in in the first place (except socketed ICs, which you might be able to remove beforehand if you're handy and concerned).

Also worth mentioning that the internal working temperatures of much gear (especially tube gear but even solid-state) can often approach those temps in normal operation.

Good luck.

The tube stuff yes. Solid-state, unless it's made to be hot, like apower amplifier or something like that, then no, the internal working temperature is most likely in the vicinity of +40 to +60 degrees C. I wish Brian Roth or John Roberts would jump in here. Anytime

[2N1305]

I just checked two datasheets: one of a Panasonic electrolytic capacitor and one of a Texas Instruments version of a 4558 DIP-style IC.
The cap has a storage temperature "life" of 1000hours at 85 celcius, if one were to store the caps at that temperature... They do not mention what happens after this. Surely it goes out of spec and bad things happen.

The opamp, surprisingly, has a storage temperature range of -65 to 150 degrees C, regardless of the package. Impressive.

[brad347]

Originally Posted by 2N1305

The tube stuff yes. Solid-state, unless it's made to be hot, like apower amplifier or something like that, then no, the internal working temperature is most likely in the vicinity of +40 to +60 degrees C. I wish Brian Roth or John Roberts would jump in here. Anytime

Good observation. However, I'm sitting here looking at a Lynx Aurora with an empty rack space above and below it, because it gets mighty hot! Not sure exactly how hot. But as a rule, I'd say you're right.

[12ax7]

Originally Posted by dhiltonlittle

I'm not too familiar with it but it may be worth while to have the dog come out and sniff out some of your equipment...

Don't get me wrong, I love dogs.

But this IS GearSlutz, so I would be remiss if I did not point out that there is now GEAR for this:

TDS Now Detects Hidden Bed Bugs

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[tropicalhotdog]

Thanks for replies. Yeah, the dog is coming tomorrow to sniff out the the little bastards. But if you have them anywhere in your abode, it's recommended that every single item in your apartment be treated. A friend of mine is on month 4 of fighting his infestation, and has dropped $6,000 on it already.

The heat box that everything will have to go into is only 45C, so I think the gear should be ok if I find out I have to do it.

THOUSANDS of people in the city are dealing with this right now, but no one admits it publicly because of the stigma - people freak when they here you have bedbugs. The scarlet letter these days is a "BB." Health officials say it'll be a national problem soon enough, so y'all strap in for the fun. NYC is just the appetizer.

Thank you Rachel Carson.

[work2do]

a friend had to pack up his whole house like they were moving. the bed bug guys came in with the hazmat look and treated the whole house, all 3 floors. took them 6 hrs. basement couches thrown out. Family is back in home but bed bug guys will be back next week for another 6hr session so nothing can be unpacked yet. $3000.

[12ax7]

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I'm MUCH more careful with yardsale and thrift-store items these days.

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[tropicalhotdog]

Yardsales?!?!
Why not just go have unprotected sex with a Bangkok hooker while you're at it.

[Jackie Treehorn]

Not an expert, but I'd guess that you could put your gear in an airtight bag for a couple weeks while you treat the rest of the living area, and then take it out once the coast is clear. IF there are bugs in your gear, the little bastards can only live so long without food/water.

[bananamoon]

The wait can be long...

Bed Bugs Life Cycle - Bed Bug.org

"Adult bed bugs can survive for up to seven months without blood and have been known to live in empty buildings for up to one year."

They can crawl in pretty much anything, they prefer being near food (work area, bed...).

[brad347]

I've passed up at least 3 pieces of beautiful antique furniture on curbs in Brooklyn out of fear of the little bloodsuckers.

[tropicalhotdog]

update: sniffer dog confirmed no bed bugs! woo hoo!

new favorite piece of gear: trained puggle.

[JohnRoberts]

Originally Posted by Jackie Treehorn

Not an expert, but I'd guess that you could put your gear in an airtight bag for a couple weeks while you treat the rest of the living area, and then take it out once the coast is clear. IF there are bugs in your gear, the little bastards can only live so long without food/water.

Indeed, but how long can they survive without moisture?

I suspect modest heat, not so hot that it damages the equipment, but dry heat long enough to completely dehydrate the little buggers could work.

JR

[12ax7]

Originally Posted by tropicalhotdog

update: sniffer dog confirmed no bed bugs! woo hoo!

new favorite piece of gear: trained puggle.

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Congratulations!
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Rear View:




Front View:




Goofy View:

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[tampa]

Well speaking from experience on this topic. It me almost a year to get rid of these little bastards. But one thing I can say is, they don't like your gear, they like you. Couches and beds is where they hang out. I never ever saw them on or around my gear. I wouldn't treat the gear, it doesn't need it.

Now as far as fighting them, common flea spray works on these guys and is not toxic to humans. You don't have to break the bank to get rid of these guys, I did mine on my own but you have to be diligent.

[Wavebourn]

They love to live under wallpaper...

[2N1305]

Really?

Here's one for the bug-savvy people: What eats bedbugs? (aside from, maybe, some mammals)
I mean, every animal and insect is eaten by one ar another, right? So who is the predator of bedbugs?

I had cockroaches once here in Ottawa. F*&ng things. So big and ugly...

[Wavebourn]

Originally Posted by 2N1305

Here's one for the bug-savvy people: What eats bedbugs? (aside from, maybe, some mammals)

Birds. But they poop. (We are lucky, caws don't fly!)

[tropicalhotdog]

Predators
Natural enemies of bedbugs include cockroaches,[50] ants, spiders (particularly Thanatus flavidus), mites, and centipedes.

Terrific.

[jackmilson]

Apart from the heat or cold treatments sniffer dog is the most effective and modern technique to detect the bedbugs. By use of it we can handle it very easily.

[mjrippe]

Originally Posted by tropicalhotdog

Predators
Natural enemies of bedbugs include cockroaches,[50] ants, spiders (particularly Thanatus flavidus), mites, and centipedes.

Terrific.

I'll take a houseful of spiders any day...moving to NY soon and my GF won't let me bring anything in the apartment that I find on the street.

[Jim Williams]

Originally Posted by theblue1

I think we're just going to have to quarantine the greater NYC area.

Naw, just give it back to the Brits, after all, they introduced the bed bug here.

Reminds me of a trip I took to Mexico back in the 1970's. I reported numerous cockroaches and even black widows in my room.

The manager says, "What, don't you like FRIENDS?"