https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:36:48 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-903941 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:04:45 +0000 Glory 903941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So pleased to read this update! Hope your sister can enjoy her home now. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-903299 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:28:27 +0000 biscuitsmom 903299@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you all so much! She had a recheck, and everything was ok, TG! I *so* appreciate all your kind words and advice..... https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-889807 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 02:04:38 +0000 Katiepea 889807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That's rough. You are a very kind sister. It sounds like in a way the critter issue was at least a catalyst to force a good clean out. I hope it makes your sister feel a little better about being inside her home. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-888458 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:52:53 +0000 deb 888458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have no words except I am sorry you had to go through this.<b></b> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-888285 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:26:52 +0000 lyn* 888285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ugh! I have only had a few experiences with people who hoard, and I am glad your sister let you help sort out a few things.<br /><br />As for the bed bugs, the freezing should kill them (I toss my stuff outside at -50 for a week or two); or you can stick them into the dryer if they are dryer-able items. I err on the side of caution - if I have any inkling that they're not all dead, I'd rather toss. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-887637 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 01:44:01 +0000 Jaime 887637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You are amazing for helping your sister in a very challenging situation. I hope things get easier for you and your sister from here. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-887122 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 12:14:55 +0000 Agnes 887122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ And I forgot to say, I&nbsp;am sorry how difficult a time you are having too. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-887121 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 12:14:12 +0000 Agnes 887121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If you dont have a dryer you can put the clothes in a black grabage bag in the hottest sun you can find, for a day or two.. my friend's english boyfriend got bed bugs&nbsp; and had to do this with all his suits. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-886804 Sat, 23 Mar 2013 21:11:16 +0000 Lyn D. 886804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gosh- I do hope you can find some time to do something nice for yourself for a change, and re-charge your batteries after all this! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-886683 Sat, 23 Mar 2013 18:29:10 +0000 biscuitsmom 886683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you all SOOO much! I really appreciate all the kind words and advice I have only a moment, but will write more tomorrow or Monday, when I can get back here- love you all! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-885937 Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:45:37 +0000 HeleenH 885937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That must have been very tiring, physically as well as emotionally. You are one great sister!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-885429 Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:38:13 +0000 Glory 885429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So sorry to hear about this, it must be completely exhausting. You are definately paying it forward. I hope you soon get a chance to relax and be kind to yourself. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-885246 Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:17:14 +0000 Mander 885246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ugh.&nbsp; Bed bugs are such a nuisance.&nbsp; I once had them in my apartment, which was in a rather sketchy building run by a slumlord lawyer (so he knew exactly what he could get away with) who refused to do any extermination.&nbsp; Fortunately I was still living in the same city as my parents at the time, and Dad and I were able to move all the furniture and successfully treat the place ourselves.&nbsp; They are voracious little bastards, though -- in just a couple of days I got over 200 bites!&nbsp; We also encountered them in a hotel in Chicago last summer, although we only got a couple of bites and managed not to bring them home with us.&nbsp; I downloaded a really helpful book about ways to get rid of them -- PM me if you want a copy!<br /><br />I'm glad that she allowed you to throw stuff away.&nbsp; My aunt is a borderline hoarder and virtually every surface in her house is piled up with stuff (papers, books, knick-knacks, craft projects...).&nbsp; Fortunately she doesn't hoard stuff that is truly trash, but it can be hard to get her to throw away food, even if it is long since expired.&nbsp; I worry that I am starting to develop hoarding behavior myself, although I think I am getting better at not feeling the need to extract the maximum possible value out of everything.<br /><br />The other thing I want to say is that even though your sister seems to have a hoarding problem, bedbugs are not necessarily a symptom of being unclean.&nbsp; I think this stigma has a lot to do with the recent increase in their numbers -- people don't want to seek help because they don't want others to think they are dirty, and then the population gets out of control.<br /><br />Hugs to you and your family, in any case!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-885193 Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:33:18 +0000 AJ 885193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh that just sounds horrific!&nbsp; I'm so sorry you had to deal with that, but I'm so proud of you for braving it all and mustering every last ounce of patience and love for your sister.&nbsp; You're the kind of person that makes this world a better place.&nbsp; Tell Steve he's a hero too.&nbsp; : ) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-885175 Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:46:25 +0000 Ingunn 885175@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You've been such a support to her, and she is lucky to have you. I hope you find time for yourself again soon. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884965 Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:47:52 +0000 Anonymous 884965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ack, there is&nbsp;such an epidemic at the moment. You are an amazing sister. That is all I can say. Hugs. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884960 Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:45:17 +0000 Thistle 884960@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You are a terrific sister! &nbsp;Big hugs. &nbsp;That was not easy, and that makes it all the more wonderful of you for helping her. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884858 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:49:35 +0000 Diana 884858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Omg you are a&nbsp;<i>saint.</i>. I would have been running away so fast at the mere mention of bedbugs. &nbsp;<br /><br />Hope you get some much needed r&amp;r and some pampering soon! &nbsp;You deserve it! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884839 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:33:51 +0000 Beth Ann 884839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You have given so much of yourself, a sign of a generous spirit, for sure.<br /><br />I hope you can find a little R&amp;R for yourself in the next few days.&nbsp; It sounds like an exhausting ordeal and an ongoing issue.<br /><br />Maybe you get the hotel room this time?<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884790 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:01:55 +0000 Isabel 884790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ BM, I just don't know how you find the energy. &nbsp;The two of you are already struggling so much with her lung cancer. I will bet that she is depressed. Though I know that doesn't help you at all. And God bless Steve ! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884754 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:18:13 +0000 Mochi 884754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sorry, madre de biscuit &nbsp;That's really rough and you get so much credit and excellent karma for dealing with this.&nbsp;<br /><br />I have no advice on hoarding. Just the fact that she was willing to let you throw things out makes it seem like her case is not too too bad (I know there's some irony to that).&nbsp;<br /><br />As for the bedbugs, my siblings once almost started a bedbugs eradication venture, so I know that it's not the cold air but if you pop the clothes in the dryer and dry them on high heat for 20-30 minutes, that will absolutely kill off any eggs.&nbsp;<br /><br />Hugs to you.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884748 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:12:06 +0000 rachylou 884748@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hugs! That's a yucko!<br /><br />Cold won't do it. High high heat is required.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884741 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:04:59 +0000 pil 884741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a big job.&nbsp;She was&nbsp;fortunate to have your&nbsp;help.&nbsp; I hope the extermination works.&nbsp; From what I've read, bed bugs are a hearty&nbsp;sort and difficult to get rid of. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884690 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:00:09 +0000 Anonymous 884690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh gosh you have been such a big help to her. Sending you a hug. I actually thought about you the other day and wondered about your absense. At least the worst is out of the way now and you can slowly get back to normal. Take care. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884584 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:27:01 +0000 Raisin 884584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, yuck, you are so kind to help her though. &nbsp;On a positive note, at least she was willing to get rid of so much of her crap....most hoarders would not part with that much stuff. &nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884574 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:20:30 +0000 catgirl 884574@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AGH! &nbsp;Is this the same sister who has made abusive comments to you? &nbsp;Sounds like a lot going on.... &nbsp;My brother hauled his mattress down six flights of stairs and threw it in the street in NYC&nbsp;because of a single bedbug he spotted. &nbsp;*shudder* &nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884568 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:15:37 +0000 ironkurtin 884568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yuck.&nbsp; You are an angel to your sister, I hope she appreciates you!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884555 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:10:58 +0000 bj1111 884555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ HUGS!<br /><br />so many issues at one time...always a shock to discover how ill a loved one can be.<br /><br />we missed you! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sister-is-a-hoarder-with-bedbugs#post-884551 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:07:50 +0000 biscuitsmom 884551@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I want to explain why/apologize for being absent from the forum. I have just been through one of the hardest weeks of my life I knew my sister was messy, but I hadnt been inside her apt for nearly a year, she has always&nbsp;come out to my car when I take her for grocery shopping&nbsp; weekly. This past Thursday, she found out there was a bedbug problem in her apt complex and hers was among those who definitely had them!!&nbsp;Extermination company said everything must be moved appx 3 feet away from all the walls for part of the treatment. Now, I am absolutely phobic about them anyway, and then when I went inside to help her move her stuff I saw she couldve been featured on a tv episode of 'Hoarders' :(&nbsp; We thru out 21 big garbage bags of excess clothing (still leaving her a full closet and dresser full of items.) That took a full day. Then the next 2 days we threw out over 50, yup, 50, big garbage bags full of junk! Then my dear buddy Steve came over the next 2 days and helped me move several big pieces of furniture and an additional dozen or so big bags of junk. Yesterday she had the extermination treatment done, so late Tuesday night I needed to bring her to (and pay for) a hotel room where she could smoke and have her 2 cats stay until this morning. I have been leaving my clothing that I wore during this outside in the bitter cold, hoping that will kill any eggs I may have picked up there :(&nbsp; I have been reading bits and pieces here whenever I get the chance, seen many things I want to comment on, but am too brain-dead to offer anything worthwhile for now :(&nbsp; I know it will take weeks to get things back in place over there, but at least we wont be on a tight deadline anymore.&nbsp;Thanks for reading, if you got thru this....