What would you do? Bugs in ordered fabric
07-13-2011, 04:28 PM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Milton DE
Posts: 3,189
Originally Posted by hobo2000
We have an epidemic of bed bugs in the USA and heat is the only thing that will destroy them and their eggs which are microscopic. They love material of any kind. Any fabric I bring home goes in the dryer for 1/2 hour on hot. It will not hurt the fabric and if you are like me I don't like to wash my fabric before I use it. Anything coming from Thrift store, Goodwill, etc. get this treatment or I leave it in my car for about 3 days and at 100+ degrees, it works.
07-13-2011, 05:32 PM
#24
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
Originally Posted by MonnaL
I have a dilemma. I ordered some fabric online, and the service was very speedy, and the fabric is just what I wanted.
When I opened the package, the fabric was wrapped in a plastic bag (like from a grocery store) and was covered with bug egg cases and bug feces. Nothing alive, thank goodness.
Unfortunately, I opened this package over my kitchen table and this stuff scattered everywhere. I ran outside with everything and dumped it in the trash and then came in and decontaminated my table and floor around it.
I honestly believe the contamination was in the envelope it was sent in (a flat rate priority one). I shook the fabric out really well and didn't see any on the fabric.
Should I write her and tell her she might want to check her envelopes, or just not ever order there again? What would you do? I do not want to give the fabric up - it's OOP and hard to find.
When I opened the package, the fabric was wrapped in a plastic bag (like from a grocery store) and was covered with bug egg cases and bug feces. Nothing alive, thank goodness.
Unfortunately, I opened this package over my kitchen table and this stuff scattered everywhere. I ran outside with everything and dumped it in the trash and then came in and decontaminated my table and floor around it.
I honestly believe the contamination was in the envelope it was sent in (a flat rate priority one). I shook the fabric out really well and didn't see any on the fabric.
Should I write her and tell her she might want to check her envelopes, or just not ever order there again? What would you do? I do not want to give the fabric up - it's OOP and hard to find.
07-13-2011, 06:23 PM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Western MA
Posts: 2,720
I would let her know too. Definitely wash and dry the fabric. Just an FYI, years ago when I was working in a nursing home there was an outbreak of scabies and they couldn't get it under control. The local doctor was called in and he discovered they were drying the sheets on the outdoors clothesline. He ordered them to dry them in the dryer which he said will kill anything. That did get rid of them.
07-13-2011, 06:45 PM
#27
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
it most likely was not IN the fabric..too many pestacides sprayed on those...but in the envelopes...they love cardboard/paper...they could have been there forever and nobody would notice...even back the post office warehouse...
you shouldn't have thrown them out, but put it all in a ziploc and sent it to them to see for themselves!
you shouldn't have thrown them out, but put it all in a ziploc and sent it to them to see for themselves!
07-13-2011, 07:38 PM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Elmira, NY
Posts: 6,113
Originally Posted by MonnaL
Yes, I shook the fabric really well outside, and it is in the washer right now.
I have written to the company - as I said, I want to keep the fabric and have no intention of sending it back for a refund. Told them as nicely as I could what happened so maybe they can check their envelopes.
yep...we have a saying here... "feces occurs". In this case, it was quite literal, though LOL
I have written to the company - as I said, I want to keep the fabric and have no intention of sending it back for a refund. Told them as nicely as I could what happened so maybe they can check their envelopes.
yep...we have a saying here... "feces occurs". In this case, it was quite literal, though LOL
07-13-2011, 07:47 PM
#29
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 242
I wondered later if I should have saved the wrappings and envelope, but quite frankly, I was too grossed out. If I had had my wits about me I would have taken a picture but all I could think about was getting that stuff out of the house.
I agree about bugs loving paper. And I have been to enough estate sales where stuff was stored in sheds and garages to recognize what had happened here.
I was just so shocked that it came from an apparently successful quilt shop. And funny thing....I still have not received a response to my email. I think I will wait until tomorrow afternoon and if I don't get an email back I will call and ask to speak to the owner. Maybe she isn't getting this information, and I think she needs it.
I agree about bugs loving paper. And I have been to enough estate sales where stuff was stored in sheds and garages to recognize what had happened here.
I was just so shocked that it came from an apparently successful quilt shop. And funny thing....I still have not received a response to my email. I think I will wait until tomorrow afternoon and if I don't get an email back I will call and ask to speak to the owner. Maybe she isn't getting this information, and I think she needs it.
07-13-2011, 07:50 PM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,625
I would have been on the phone or writing an email as soon as I got the mess cleand up. Very good chance they were on in the envelope or maybe the plastic bag she put the fabric in and she just didn't notice when she was packaging it. Write or call her. She may have an infestation and know be aware of it.
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