Anita,

Let us know how you are doing. We are here for you. Hang in there - YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!

hugs.
Bonnie

Anita,

You can do this!! We will be here for you. You will get through this inspection.

Once you have decided somethings should go,
the faster you get those bags gone/out the better your home will look.
And you will have some nice open space! :D

Anita,

Then do a bag at a time, and if you are questioned... just say you are doing your Fall/Holiday cleaning! :)

In the meantime, think of someplace you can bring a lot more trash, such as car or truck load such as a dump or friends dumpster.

Sheryl

sorry everyone. my computer was not keeping up to date. i wasn't seeing your responses.

(((HUGS))) Anita
You will get through this inspection.

Anita, you can do this, I know you can. I am sending you lots of positive thoughts and hugs. Keep coming back here and we will cheer you on!!!

XOXOXOXOXO

Thanks so much for your support.
Being able to share this and hear your feedback is helping give me some courage.

Yes! you can fill a bag :)

You CAN do this! We believe in you. :)

maybe you could hire a truck to haul the bags away?

I live in an apartment building, where staff members are involved in the process of removing the trash. It's complicated and public. Wish there were a dumpster I could take this stuff to directly for my privacy as well as peace of mind.

I like the idea of filling one bag at a time. That I can do.

Anita you can do this! :)
Many others have faced this same problem.
Just start.
We will cheer you on. :)

Patti's Questions:
What kind of building do you live in?

From what I understand, exterminators using heat treatments have the most success. I don't know how much it costs. Make sure to bag everything to prevent the spread.

My Reply:
I'm planning to ask the building and an exterminator for help in dealing with the bugs after I get the clutter cleared.

@Patti- I presume an apartment building or condo-type set-up.

Thing is to get the clutter under control (big time) by removing as much clutter to the trash -asap. By clutter, I mean "obvious trash" and "donations" out to the dumpster, on the rush.

Get the bugs hidden enough to pass the inspection.

The idea now is to pass the inspection, while letting Anita know we are here for her, and to help her reduce her anxiety; it is very upsetting to face an inspection of any sort, but with bugs, there can be a stigma/fear, which I understand. We need to place ourselves in Anita's shoes, so to speak.

Sound good so far, Anita? We are here for you. This is stressful, and we will help you get through this part, and eventually onto chat :)

You can do this initial bagging of obvious trash. One bag at a time, and just keep going; don't stop and say, "I'll never get done" because each bag out the door is progress! :)

As long as nobody pulls the stuff out of the dumpster the bugs will stay in the trash & be carted away to the dump.
You are being exposed to these bugs every minute you are at home. :(

Anita
Start in one room, start at the right, and keep moving around the room till you have everything sorted, bagged & boxed.
Make quick decisions. Keep or toss.
As soon as you have a bag for the dumpster get it out to the dumpster.
This is the fastest way to get a room done.

Just now seeing messages from Sheryl, Patti, and Tillie. Thanks for all your input.

Re Computer problem(s): I could be wrong, but it seems to me that it's a security rather than Java issue. It would probably be easier to discuss this on the phone.

Re Bug/Clutter issues:
I agree, it's important not to donate anything that could contain bugs.
I'm also afraid of spreading them elsewhere in the building when I throw things away--if a bag tears or something.
And I have to admit that I'm creeped out by having to sort through stuff and possibly expose myself to more bugs as I declutter.

What kind of building do you live in?

From what I understand, exterminators using heat treatments have the most success. I don't know how much it costs. Make sure to bag everything to prevent the spread.

Patti - scroll down to the bottom of this thread, first post for the scoop of what is going on.

Hi Anita,
did I find you? Sheryl recommended I join in this conversation.
Where are you at in the process of decluttering and de bugging?
Patti

Hi Anita,
Sheryl recommended I look you up. Where are you at in getting rid of the clutter and bedbugs?

I figured with the bedbugs, it was best to toss out any donations. Toss trash, donations, recyclables.

Makes sense now, Tillie :)

..hoping Anita can log into chat! :)

Really shouldn't donate things because these bugs hide on & in everything and can be passed along.

There are companies that will come in & prepare your place for extermination.
They will bag up everything till it can be properly de-bugged.
The less you have in the home the easier it is.
Bed bugs get into dressers & get behind wall paper.
They will travel from room to room through electric outlets, plumbing and under baseboards through the very walls.

IE 8 Java update (seems to have some issues):

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Install-Java-in-Internet-Explorer

Do you have Mozilla Firefox? You may want to consider installing that and keeping both IE and Mozilla.

Anita,

Let me think this through. Active X settings are OK.

Have you updated JAVA? This site is JAVA.

Also, can you bypass the "verification"... if you can reach the message board, I would think you could also access chat (same publisher, with the exception of JAVA).

Try this direct link:
http://hoardingcleanup.com/chat_room

I will google a few other options for you if this does not work.

The more you can toss out the easier it will be to get rid of the bugs.

Just saw all of your clutter/bug-related advice.
Thank you so much!

Thanks for your suggestion Sheryl, but the problem is a bit more complicated than that.

Is there any tech support for the site?
I'm using Internet Explorer 8 on Windows XP.
My security settings are not allowing ActiveX to run on my computer because my computer "can't verify the publisher."

I've followed my computer's directions to allow anyone (supposedly) to run ActiveX, which should work after I restart Explorer, but still get the same message.

(I tried restarting the computer and changing other seemingly relevant security settings, too, but all to no avail.)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I did not finish the part after kids/pets.

Don't use the bug bomb and be very careful with any bug spray because they can kill pets and kids (or make them quite ill).

I understand your fear, and we are here to help you get through this! Other folks may know of a better solution (such a natural type of remedy) for the bed bugs.

BUT ... do bag up all obvious trash, donations, etc., and get them out of the apartment (into the dumpster)

I am so sorry you had difficulty logging into the chat this evening; there is another chat Tuesday night. The message board is 24/7.

Sheryl

Anita -

Grab a trash bag and start with all the obvious trash and bag it up! Donations can safely go in the trash, same with recyclables ...for now.

Vacuum.

Do you have pets or kids? I ask because you might be able to set off a bug bomb (if lawful in your state) and reduce some bugs (obvious bugs) for the inspection.

Spray the beds, or toss them out. Personally, tossing them is best but realize money is often an issue.

Please write some more, we are here for you! :) You CAN and WILL get through this!

Sheryl

Hi! :)

To your right (red box) there is an online support group.

Click on that box.

Enter any username you wish.

Let me know if that works!

I was hoping to submit this request on the online chat, but am unable to change the security sufficiently to access that forum.

Here's my clutter-related dilemma:
I've got bedbugs and clutter, and a deadline of next week before the super comes by for a plumbing inspection. I'm afraid of spreading the bugs and afraid of people finding out (neighbors, super, building management, landlord) about either problem before I can get rid of the clutter. I don't want to approach the building for help with the bugs until I deal with the clutter because they'll talk, and because I'm afraid I could get kicked out or be put under even more pressure.
I'm overwhelmed and would appreciate hearing your suggestions for what to handle first and how to handle it to protect everyone from the spread of bugs.