I've got a problem with bedbugs. No, not these Bedbugs:
I wouldn't mind that at all. Any more Lowell George would be just fine with me.
No, I mean the standard issue bedbugs. I don't know how they came into my life - no one ever does - but they are making it a living hell.
I have had my mandolin in its soft case with zipper and backstrap leaning up beside my head in my bed for months. Nice to have her right there for when inspiration strikes. It had been a while, so I thought I'd take a look. The accessories pocket looked clear. But inside the case ... right were the sharp string ends jutting out of the tuning pegs have torn up the inside somewhat --- right in the crease between the inside top and side ... there was the most gruesome nest, the whole range of their development.
I have just spent the better part of an hour going through all the charts and sheet music and miscellaneous papers in the main body of the case. Found only one immature bug, though a good amount of molted exoskeletons. Didn't find any in the accessory pocket, nor the cloth strap. I blew out the inside of the instrument with compressed air - nothing. I took the case out to the fire pit and consigned it and all the intruders to hell. She had served me well, this case. It had come with an instrument, so it hadn't really cost me anything. And since it had a brass plate that said "Fender," it had helped safeguard it from being stolen.
But even though I would have liked to have tried drowning the bugs and saving the case, I just wanted it over.
And I thought it was. But once the fire dies down and I went back inside, I thought I'd double-check the inside. Blew it out again - nothing. Shook and pounded it a bunch - nothing. Blew it out again - nothing. Shook and pounded it a bunch - one adult bug dropped out.
I've gone over it again and gotten no more out of it. But I can't help but worry; that's what these nasty critters do to you, as anyone who has been through an infestation can tell you.
So I ask you - Has anyone had experience of this awful type? What can I do to make sure the instrument is clear? Lord knows bedbugs love their hidey places, and there are plenty in there, none of which can I get to. Is there some poisonous spray I can use that won't damage the wood? My landlord is talking about using some kind of ozone machine. Should I leave my mandolin in the room while he runs that? I was leery of using the compressed air, for goodness' sake. I'd really like to get Terminix over to tent the place, but the landlord doesn't want to spend the thousands of bucks that would cost. And I am not going to use the same method on the mandolin as I did on the case.
I'm open to suggestions, advice, accounts of experiences. But please, no attempts at humor. This is sheer hell.
Thank you.
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