The PestLab devices arrived two days later.
I read the safety information carefully.
No harsh chemicals.
No toxic fumes.
No hazardous warnings.
Safe for children of all ages.
Safe for pets dogs, cats, birds....
For the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe.
I plugged one into my son's bedroom.
One in my daughter's room.
One in our master bedroom.
One in the living room where the kids play.
My seven-year-old watched me plug in the one in his room.
"What's that, Mommy?"
"It's keeping the bugs away, sweetie."
"Is it safe?"
Out of the mouths of babes.
"Yes, honey. It's completely safe. You can sleep right here tonight."
And he did.
No evacuation. No waiting for chemicals to dry. No anxiety about what he might breathe or touch.
Just a small device, working silently and safely.
Day 3: I watched my daughter play on the bedroom floor where the device was plugged in.
No worry. No fear. No second-guessing.
Day 5: My dog was sleeping peacefully right next to one of the devices.
Week 1: No new bites on my kids. The devices were working.
Week 2: My son asked if the "bug machine" was still working. I smiled. "Yes, and you're completely safe."
Week 3: No bugs. No bites. No chemicals. No compromise.
My kids were protected.
My pets were safe.
My home was pest-free.
Without a single harmful substance entering our environment.
That was seven months ago.
My kids have never been healthier.
My pets are thriving.
And we haven't seen a single bed bug since.