too much drying - not good for wood

[Guest guest]

Well, I'm not sure if I ever told you how I got the critters in my

place but basically what happened was a perfect storm.

I bought a used car back in June, realized it was infested, then did

all sorts of things the next few months to eradicate them. Then

over labor day I had out of town guests, thinking that the latest

round of treatments was " good enough " , I used the car, driving

around my guests. Typcially whenever I drive that car, I always

change right when I get home and take a shower. With guests in

town, well they didn't do that, they sat and slept on my couch,

didn't take showers til the morning, etc. It's almost 2 months

later and they seem to be fine (I hope). After they left however, I

could definitely feel that my place has gotten infested.

Then 5 days after labor day, a unit 6 floor above me floods and I

have water coming into my unit, getting all over the hardwood floors

and base boards. The disaster recovery team knocked out the base

boards, punched 2 inch diameter holes throughout where they knocked

out the base boards, brought in these industrial floor fans and ran

them non-stop for the next 3 days. Imagine my horror - I can just

imagine mites and eggs flying all over, INTO THE WALL CAVITIES!!!

PERFECT STORM right?

Today the repair guy came and looked at my floors and noticed that

there had been some shrinkage of the wood so you actually see slight

spacing between the planks. It's not THAT bad but the planks are

not really tight and flush anymore. He saw the dehumidifier and

while he said that it's good that I'm running it to dry out the

place, he blamed the shrinkage on it citing that too much drying

will cause wood to shrink. Makes sense. He said that the humidity

should not be below 50%. Of course I couldn't tell him, " well sir,

I'm actually running the dehumidifier b/c of these invisible bugs " .

So I just nodded and that was that. He told me to turn it off and I

agreed. BTW, the humidstat is reading 2%!!! Air that's too dry is

not good for wood, but it can not be good for ppl too. I'm drinking

lots of water tho. My sister commented that humidity actually acts

like a filter for lots of airborne particles and without it, you're

breathing in lots of bad stuff. True... oh the woes of this thing.

It's always a double-edged sword.

Of course I'm not going to turn it off! Hopefully, when this is all

over, I can Pledge the heck out of the floors and kitchen/bathroom

cabinet to restore moisture.

[Guest guest]

OK - let's make you feel worse. When you dry out your respiratory

system, it has a hard time keeping microbes from getting into your

bloodstream.

I don't know what the answer for you is.....sorry....except maybe a

fan with the best hepa filter you can buy taped to it (cheap air

purifier). This will remove lots of stuff from the air.

Bessie

>

> Well, I'm not sure if I ever told you how I got the critters in my

> place but basically what happened was a perfect storm.

>

> I bought a used car back in June, realized it was infested, then

did

> all sorts of things the next few months to eradicate them. Then

> over labor day I had out of town guests, thinking that the latest

> round of treatments was " good enough " , I used the car, driving

> around my guests. Typcially whenever I drive that car, I always

> change right when I get home and take a shower. With guests in

> town, well they didn't do that, they sat and slept on my couch,

> didn't take showers til the morning, etc. It's almost 2 months

> later and they seem to be fine (I hope). After they left however,

I

> could definitely feel that my place has gotten infested.

>

> Then 5 days after labor day, a unit 6 floor above me floods and I

> have water coming into my unit, getting all over the hardwood

floors

> and base boards. The disaster recovery team knocked out the base

> boards, punched 2 inch diameter holes throughout where they knocked

> out the base boards, brought in these industrial floor fans and ran

> them non-stop for the next 3 days. Imagine my horror - I can just

> imagine mites and eggs flying all over, INTO THE WALL CAVITIES!!!

>

> PERFECT STORM right?

>

> Today the repair guy came and looked at my floors and noticed that

> there had been some shrinkage of the wood so you actually see

slight

> spacing between the planks. It's not THAT bad but the planks are

> not really tight and flush anymore. He saw the dehumidifier and

> while he said that it's good that I'm running it to dry out the

> place, he blamed the shrinkage on it citing that too much drying

> will cause wood to shrink. Makes sense. He said that the humidity

> should not be below 50%. Of course I couldn't tell him, " well sir,

> I'm actually running the dehumidifier b/c of these invisible

bugs " .

> So I just nodded and that was that. He told me to turn it off and

I

> agreed. BTW, the humidstat is reading 2%!!! Air that's too dry is

> not good for wood, but it can not be good for ppl too. I'm

drinking

> lots of water tho. My sister commented that humidity actually acts

> like a filter for lots of airborne particles and without it, you're

> breathing in lots of bad stuff. True... oh the woes of this

thing.

> It's always a double-edged sword.

>

> Of course I'm not going to turn it off! Hopefully, when this is

all

> over, I can Pledge the heck out of the floors and kitchen/bathroom

> cabinet to restore moisture.

>

[Guest guest]

okay...well, we can add those blue masks you get at home depot(for drywall dust) to our 'survival kit' and wear these at home. Then, when you are done with this you can swell ur wood back up with some MURPHY'S oil soap and water. Its by the pledge and stuff in some stores. Smells great. just an idea. good luck>> Well, I'm not sure if I ever told you how I got the critters in my > place but basically what happened was a perfect storm.> > I bought a used car back in June, realized it was infested, then did > all sorts of things the next few months to eradicate them. Then > over labor day I had out of town guests, thinking that the latest > round of treatments was "good enough", I used the car, driving > around my guests. Typcially whenever I drive that car, I always > change right when I get home and take a shower. With guests in > town, well they didn't do that, they sat and slept on my couch, > didn't take showers til the morning, etc. It's almost 2 months > later and they seem to be fine (I hope). After they left however, I > could definitely feel that my place has gotten infested.> > Then 5 days after labor day, a unit 6 floor above me floods and I > have water coming into my unit, getting all over the hardwood floors > and base boards. The disaster recovery team knocked out the base > boards, punched 2 inch diameter holes throughout where they knocked > out the base boards, brought in these industrial floor fans and ran > them non-stop for the next 3 days. Imagine my horror - I can just > imagine mites and eggs flying all over, INTO THE WALL CAVITIES!!!> > PERFECT STORM right?> > Today the repair guy came and looked at my floors and noticed that > there had been some shrinkage of the wood so you actually see slight > spacing between the planks. It's not THAT bad but the planks are > not really tight and flush anymore. He saw the dehumidifier and > while he said that it's good that I'm running it to dry out the > place, he blamed the shrinkage on it citing that too much drying > will cause wood to shrink. Makes sense. He said that the humidity > should not be below 50%. Of course I couldn't tell him, "well sir, > I'm actually running the dehumidifier b/c of these invisible bugs". > So I just nodded and that was that. He told me to turn it off and I > agreed. BTW, the humidstat is reading 2%!!! Air that's too dry is > not good for wood, but it can not be good for ppl too. I'm drinking > lots of water tho. My sister commented that humidity actually acts > like a filter for lots of airborne particles and without it, you're > breathing in lots of bad stuff. True... oh the woes of this thing. > It's always a double-edged sword.> > Of course I'm not going to turn it off! Hopefully, when this is all > over, I can Pledge the heck out of the floors and kitchen/bathroom > cabinet to restore moisture.>

[Guest guest]

Feels bummed out. I am so physically worn right now. I have been trying to relax and take a step back but everything seems to be falling a part. The bugs seem to be at a small roar but they are not gone. It is frustrating that they just won't go away already. My b/f says he is not sure he is interested in being with me any more. My parents have alienated me. And to make matters worse I just got over an ear infection and now I am coming down with a UTI. I am just so tiered and sad. The last thing I need right now is to keep getting sick. If I lose my job I am screwed. Now where to go, no way to pay the bills, no way to get rid of bugs.I don't even want to think about what would happen to me. I know I am freaking out but, my body has a running trend of falling apart after long durations of stress. So it is not just an ear infection and a UTI. Its what next

and a matter of time. I just needed to vent. Off to bed. Night all.J. From: dammitgrl2001 <dammitgrl2001@...>Subject: Re: too much drying - not good for woodbird mites Date: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 8:50 PM

okay...well, we can add those blue masks you get at home depot(for drywall dust) to our 'survival kit' and wear these at home. Then, when you are done with this you can swell ur wood back up with some MURPHY'S oil soap and water. Its by the pledge and stuff in some stores. Smells great. just an idea. good luck>> Well, I'm not sure if I ever told you how I got the critters in my > place but basically what happened was a perfect storm.> > I bought a used car back in June, realized it was infested, then did > all sorts of things the next few months to eradicate them. Then > over labor day I had out of town guests, thinking that the latest > round of treatments was "good enough", I used the car, driving

> around my guests. Typcially whenever I drive that car, I always > change right when I get home and take a shower. With guests in > town, well they didn't do that, they sat and slept on my couch, > didn't take showers til the morning, etc. It's almost 2 months > later and they seem to be fine (I hope). After they left however, I > could definitely feel that my place has gotten infested.> > Then 5 days after labor day, a unit 6 floor above me floods and I > have water coming into my unit, getting all over the hardwood floors > and base boards. The disaster recovery team knocked out the base > boards, punched 2 inch diameter holes throughout where they knocked > out the base boards, brought in these industrial floor fans and ran > them non-stop for the next 3 days. Imagine my horror - I can just > imagine mites and eggs flying all over, INTO THE WALL

CAVITIES!!!> > PERFECT STORM right?> > Today the repair guy came and looked at my floors and noticed that > there had been some shrinkage of the wood so you actually see slight > spacing between the planks. It's not THAT bad but the planks are > not really tight and flush anymore. He saw the dehumidifier and > while he said that it's good that I'm running it to dry out the > place, he blamed the shrinkage on it citing that too much drying > will cause wood to shrink. Makes sense. He said that the humidity > should not be below 50%. Of course I couldn't tell him, "well sir, > I'm actually running the dehumidifier b/c of these invisible bugs". > So I just nodded and that was that. He told me to turn it off and I > agreed. BTW, the humidstat is reading 2%!!! Air that's too dry is > not good for wood, but it can not be good for ppl too. I'm drinking

> lots of water tho. My sister commented that humidity actually acts > like a filter for lots of airborne particles and without it, you're > breathing in lots of bad stuff. True... oh the woes of this thing. > It's always a double-edged sword.> > Of course I'm not going to turn it off! Hopefully, when this is all > over, I can Pledge the heck out of the floors and kitchen/bathroom > cabinet to restore moisture.>

[Guest guest]

Bless your heart J. Just try to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keeping you in my prayers.Trly Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: jeannine allaire <ratgodess@...>Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:33:09 -0700 (PDT)<bird mites >Subject: Re: Re: too much drying - not good for wood Feels bummed out. I am so physically worn right now. I have been trying to relax and take a step back but everything seems to be falling a part. The bugs seem to be at a small roar but they are not gone. It is frustrating that they just won't go away already. My b/f says he is not sure he is interested in being with me any more. My parents have alienated me. And to make matters worse I just got over an ear infection and now I am coming down with a UTI. I am just so tiered and sad. The last thing I need right now is to keep getting sick. If I lose my job I am screwed. Now where to go, no way to pay the bills, no way to get rid of bugs.I don't even want to think about what would happen to me. I know I am freaking out but, my body has a running trend of falling apart after long durations of stress. So it is not just an ear infection and a UTI. Its what next and a matter of time. I just needed to vent. Off to bed. Night all.J. From: dammitgrl2001 <dammitgrl2001 >Subject: Re: too much drying - not good for woodbird mites Date: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 8:50 PM okay...well, we can add those blue masks you get at home depot(for drywall dust) to our 'survival kit' and wear these at home. Then, when you are done with this you can swell ur wood back up with some MURPHY'S oil soap and water. Its by the pledge and stuff in some stores. Smells great. just an idea. good luck>> Well, I'm not sure if I ever told you how I got the critters in my > place but basically what happened was a perfect storm.> > I bought a used car back in June, realized it was infested, then did > all sorts of things the next few months to eradicate them. Then > over labor day I had out of town guests, thinking that the latest > round of treatments was "good enough", I used the car, driving > around my guests. Typcially whenever I drive that car, I always > change right when I get home and take a shower. With guests in > town, well they didn't do that, they sat and slept on my couch, > didn't take showers til the morning, etc. It's almost 2 months > later and they seem to be fine (I hope). After they left however, I > could definitely feel that my place has gotten infested.> > Then 5 days after labor day, a unit 6 floor above me floods and I > have water coming into my unit, getting all over the hardwood floors > and base boards. The disaster recovery team knocked out the base > boards, punched 2 inch diameter holes throughout where they knocked > out the base boards, brought in these industrial floor fans and ran > them non-stop for the next 3 days. Imagine my horror - I can just > imagine mites and eggs flying all over, INTO THE WALL CAVITIES!!!> > PERFECT STORM right?> > Today the repair guy came and looked at my floors and noticed that > there had been some shrinkage of the wood so you actually see slight > spacing between the planks. It's not THAT bad but the planks are > not really tight and flush anymore. He saw the dehumidifier and > while he said that it's good that I'm running it to dry out the > place, he blamed the shrinkage on it citing that too much drying > will cause wood to shrink. Makes sense. He said that the humidity > should not be below 50%. Of course I couldn't tell him, "well sir, > I'm actually running the dehumidifier b/c of these invisible bugs". > So I just nodded and that was that. He told me to turn it off and I > agreed. BTW, the humidstat is reading 2%!!! Air that's too dry is > not good for wood, but it can not be good for ppl too. I'm drinking > lots of water tho. My sister commented that humidity actually acts > like a filter for lots of airborne particles and without it, you're > breathing in lots of bad stuff. True... oh the woes of this thing. > It's always a double-edged sword.> > Of course I'm not going to turn it off! Hopefully, when this is all > over, I can Pledge the heck out of the floors and kitchen/bathroom > cabinet to restore moisture.>

[Guest guest]

Sorry about the rejection Jeanine. We are you friends here.

-requireshelp

From: jeannine allaire <ratgodess@...>bird mites Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 1:33:09 AMSubject: Re: Re: too much drying - not good for wood

Feels bummed out. I am so physically worn right now. I have been trying to relax and take a step back but everything seems to be falling a part. The bugs seem to be at a small roar but they are not gone. It is frustrating that they just won't go away already. My b/f says he is not sure he is interested in being with me any more. My parents have alienated me. And to make matters worse I just got over an ear infection and now I am coming down with a UTI. I am just so tiered and sad. The last thing I need right now is to keep getting sick. If I lose my job I am screwed. Now where to go, no way to pay the bills, no way to get rid of bugs.I don't even want to think about what would happen to me. I know I am freaking out but, my body has a running trend of falling apart after long durations of stress. So it is not just an ear infection and a UTI. Its what next and a matter of time. I just needed to vent. Off to bed. Night all.J.

From: dammitgrl2001 <dammitgrl2001>Subject: Re: too much drying - not good for woodbird mitesDate: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 8:50 PM

okay...well, we can add those blue masks you get at home depot(for drywall dust) to our 'survival kit' and wear these at home. Then, when you are done with this you can swell ur wood back up with some MURPHY'S oil soap and water. Its by the pledge and stuff in some stores. Smells great. just an idea. good luck>> Well, I'm not sure if I ever told you how I got the critters in my > place but basically what happened was a perfect storm.> > I bought a used car back in June, realized it was infested, then did > all sorts of things the next few months to eradicate them. Then > over labor day I had out of town guests, thinking that the latest > round of treatments was "good enough", I used the car, driving > around my

guests. Typcially whenever I drive that car, I always > change right when I get home and take a shower. With guests in > town, well they didn't do that, they sat and slept on my couch, > didn't take showers til the morning, etc. It's almost 2 months > later and they seem to be fine (I hope). After they left however, I > could definitely feel that my place has gotten infested.> > Then 5 days after labor day, a unit 6 floor above me floods and I > have water coming into my unit, getting all over the hardwood floors > and base boards. The disaster recovery team knocked out the base > boards, punched 2 inch diameter holes throughout where they knocked > out the base boards, brought in these industrial floor fans and ran > them non-stop for the next 3 days. Imagine my horror - I can just > imagine mites and eggs flying all over, INTO THE WALL CAVITIES!!!>

> PERFECT STORM right?> > Today the repair guy came and looked at my floors and noticed that > there had been some shrinkage of the wood so you actually see slight > spacing between the planks. It's not THAT bad but the planks are > not really tight and flush anymore. He saw the dehumidifier and > while he said that it's good that I'm running it to dry out the > place, he blamed the shrinkage on it citing that too much drying > will cause wood to shrink. Makes sense. He said that the humidity > should not be below 50%. Of course I couldn't tell him, "well sir, > I'm actually running the dehumidifier b/c of these invisible bugs". > So I just nodded and that was that. He told me to turn it off and I > agreed. BTW, the humidstat is reading 2%!!! Air that's too dry is > not good for wood, but it can not be good for ppl too. I'm drinking > lots of water

tho. My sister commented that humidity actually acts > like a filter for lots of airborne particles and without it, you're > breathing in lots of bad stuff. True... oh the woes of this thing. > It's always a double-edged sword.> > Of course I'm not going to turn it off! Hopefully, when this is all > over, I can Pledge the heck out of the floors and kitchen/bathroom > cabinet to restore moisture.>

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[Guest guest]

Hi Jeanine,

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. It seems like these bugs cause more damage in so many differnt ways than anything. Of course you're run down because of all this. I was and still am and I finally got rid of the actual mites. Now I'm just fighting whatever they left me with. I didn't and couldn't tell my family or friends. You guys on this site are the only ones who know. I didn't know what the reaction would be and I don't want to find out. Not a lot of support there. I lost my job due to downsizing in Jan. I'm thinking it was a blessing though in a way because I got too sick to do much of anything. You've just got to keep on keeping on. It has to get better. Look back to a few months ago and see if there hasn't been a lot of improvement, then think how much more it will be a few months from now. I hope your bf doesn't desert you but if he does, maybe it's better that you just have yourself to take care of.

Blessings,

Lou

From: dammitgrl2001 <dammitgrl2001>Subject: Re: too much drying - not good for woodbird mitesDate: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 8:50 PM

okay...well, we can add those blue masks you get at home depot(for drywall dust) to our 'survival kit' and wear these at home. Then, when you are done with this you can swell ur wood back up with some MURPHY'S oil soap and water. Its by the pledge and stuff in some stores. Smells great. just an idea. good luck>> Well, I'm not sure if I ever told you how I got the critters in my > place but basically what happened was a perfect storm.> > I bought a used car back in June, realized it was infested, then did > all sorts of things the next few months to eradicate them. Then > over labor day I had out of town guests, thinking that the latest > round of treatments was "good enough", I used the car, driving > around my

guests. Typcially whenever I drive that car, I always > change right when I get home and take a shower. With guests in > town, well they didn't do that, they sat and slept on my couch, > didn't take showers til the morning, etc. It's almost 2 months > later and they seem to be fine (I hope). After they left however, I > could definitely feel that my place has gotten infested.> > Then 5 days after labor day, a unit 6 floor above me floods and I > have water coming into my unit, getting all over the hardwood floors > and base boards. The disaster recovery team knocked out the base > boards, punched 2 inch diameter holes throughout where they knocked > out the base boards, brought in these industrial floor fans and ran > them non-stop for the next 3 days. Imagine my horror - I can just > imagine mites and eggs flying all over, INTO THE WALL CAVITIES!!!>

> PERFECT STORM right?> > Today the repair guy came and looked at my floors and noticed that > there had been some shrinkage of the wood so you actually see slight > spacing between the planks. It's not THAT bad but the planks are > not really tight and flush anymore. He saw the dehumidifier and > while he said that it's good that I'm running it to dry out the > place, he blamed the shrinkage on it citing that too much drying > will cause wood to shrink. Makes sense. He said that the humidity > should not be below 50%. Of course I couldn't tell him, "well sir, > I'm actually running the dehumidifier b/c of these invisible bugs". > So I just nodded and that was that. He told me to turn it off and I > agreed. BTW, the humidstat is reading 2%!!! Air that's too dry is > not good for wood, but it can not be good for ppl too. I'm drinking > lots of water

tho. My sister commented that humidity actually acts > like a filter for lots of airborne particles and without it, you're > breathing in lots of bad stuff. True... oh the woes of this thing. > It's always a double-edged sword.> > Of course I'm not going to turn it off! Hopefully, when this is all > over, I can Pledge the heck out of the floors and kitchen/bathroom > cabinet to restore moisture.>

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[Guest guest]

J my friend, the whole darn mess makes me sad. This is awful news. Chin up and one foot in front of the other, easier said than done I know personally. I found while kicking and screaming the whole mile long, I didn't even notice I had actually gone two......Frito

From: jeannine allaire <ratgodess@...>bird mites Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 12:33:09 AMSubject: Re: Re: too much drying - not good for wood

Feels bummed out. I am so physically worn right now. I have been trying to relax and take a step back but everything seems to be falling a part. The bugs seem to be at a small roar but they are not gone. It is frustrating that they just won't go away already. My b/f says he is not sure he is interested in being with me any more. My parents have alienated me. And to make matters worse I just got over an ear infection and now I am coming down with a UTI. I am just so tiered and sad. The last thing I need right now is to keep getting sick. If I lose my job I am screwed. Now where to go, no way to pay the bills, no way to get rid of bugs.I don't even want to think about what would happen to me. I know I am freaking out but, my body has a running trend of falling apart after long durations of stress. So it is not just an ear infection and a UTI. Its what next and a matter of time. I just needed to vent. Off to bed. Night all.J.

From: dammitgrl2001 <dammitgrl2001>Subject: Re: too much drying - not good for woodbird mitesDate: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 8:50 PM

okay...well, we can add those blue masks you get at home depot(for drywall dust) to our 'survival kit' and wear these at home. Then, when you are done with this you can swell ur wood back up with some MURPHY'S oil soap and water. Its by the pledge and stuff in some stores. Smells great. just an idea. good luck>> Well, I'm not sure if I ever told you how I got the critters in my > place but basically what happened was a perfect storm.> > I bought a used car back in June, realized it was infested, then did > all sorts of things the next few months to eradicate them. Then > over labor day I had out of town guests, thinking that the latest > round of treatments was "good enough", I used the car, driving > around my

guests. Typcially whenever I drive that car, I always > change right when I get home and take a shower. With guests in > town, well they didn't do that, they sat and slept on my couch, > didn't take showers til the morning, etc. It's almost 2 months > later and they seem to be fine (I hope). After they left however, I > could definitely feel that my place has gotten infested.> > Then 5 days after labor day, a unit 6 floor above me floods and I > have water coming into my unit, getting all over the hardwood floors > and base boards. The disaster recovery team knocked out the base > boards, punched 2 inch diameter holes throughout where they knocked > out the base boards, brought in these industrial floor fans and ran > them non-stop for the next 3 days. Imagine my horror - I can just > imagine mites and eggs flying all over, INTO THE WALL CAVITIES!!!>

> PERFECT STORM right?> > Today the repair guy came and looked at my floors and noticed that > there had been some shrinkage of the wood so you actually see slight > spacing between the planks. It's not THAT bad but the planks are > not really tight and flush anymore. He saw the dehumidifier and > while he said that it's good that I'm running it to dry out the > place, he blamed the shrinkage on it citing that too much drying > will cause wood to shrink. Makes sense. He said that the humidity > should not be below 50%. Of course I couldn't tell him, "well sir, > I'm actually running the dehumidifier b/c of these invisible bugs". > So I just nodded and that was that. He told me to turn it off and I > agreed. BTW, the humidstat is reading 2%!!! Air that's too dry is > not good for wood, but it can not be good for ppl too. I'm drinking > lots of water

tho. My sister commented that humidity actually acts > like a filter for lots of airborne particles and without it, you're > breathing in lots of bad stuff. True... oh the woes of this thing. > It's always a double-edged sword.> > Of course I'm not going to turn it off! Hopefully, when this is all > over, I can Pledge the heck out of the floors and kitchen/bathroom > cabinet to restore moisture.>

[Guest guest]

Thanks.

From: dammitgrl2001 <dammitgrl2001>Subject: Re: too much drying - not good for woodbird mitesDate: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 8:50 PM

okay...well, we can add those blue masks you get at home depot(for drywall dust) to our 'survival kit' and wear these at home. Then, when you are done with this you can swell ur wood back up with some MURPHY'S oil soap and water. Its by the pledge and stuff in some stores. Smells great. just an idea. good luck>> Well, I'm not sure if I ever told you how I got the critters in my > place but basically what happened was a perfect storm.> > I bought a used car back in June, realized it was infested, then did > all sorts of things the next few months to eradicate them. Then > over labor day I had out of town guests, thinking that the latest > round of treatments was "good enough", I used the car, driving > around my

guests. Typcially whenever I drive that car, I always > change right when I get home and take a shower. With guests in > town, well they didn't do that, they sat and slept on my couch, > didn't take showers til the morning, etc. It's almost 2 months > later and they seem to be fine (I hope). After they left however, I > could definitely feel that my place has gotten infested.> > Then 5 days after labor day, a unit 6 floor above me floods and I > have water coming into my unit, getting all over the hardwood floors > and base boards. The disaster recovery team knocked out the base > boards, punched 2 inch diameter holes throughout where they knocked > out the base boards, brought in these industrial floor fans and ran > them non-stop for the next 3 days. Imagine my horror - I can just > imagine mites and eggs flying all over, INTO THE WALL CAVITIES!!!>

> PERFECT STORM right?> > Today the repair guy came and looked at my floors and noticed that > there had been some shrinkage of the wood so you actually see slight > spacing between the planks. It's not THAT bad but the planks are > not really tight and flush anymore. He saw the dehumidifier and > while he said that it's good that I'm running it to dry out the > place, he blamed the shrinkage on it citing that too much drying > will cause wood to shrink. Makes sense. He said that the humidity > should not be below 50%. Of course I couldn't tell him, "well sir, > I'm actually running the dehumidifier b/c of these invisible bugs". > So I just nodded and that was that. He told me to turn it off and I > agreed. BTW, the humidstat is reading 2%!!! Air that's too dry is > not good for wood, but it can not be good for ppl too. I'm drinking > lots of water

tho. My sister commented that humidity actually acts > like a filter for lots of airborne particles and without it, you're > breathing in lots of bad stuff. True... oh the woes of this thing. > It's always a double-edged sword.> > Of course I'm not going to turn it off! Hopefully, when this is all > over, I can Pledge the heck out of the floors and kitchen/bathroom > cabinet to restore moisture.>

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