Preventing bugs from entering hose

[OSAdude76]

I rarely see bugs in my apartment, but it's just something I was worrying about

I don't think I'd mind eating a bug, but I'd be more concerned if it went straight into my lungs. With the CPAP blowing in air I'm not sure I would catch it before it got there!

[Gasper62]

I live close to "ground zero" of the invasion of these disgusting bugs. I take measures to make damn sure that they can not enter any of my pap gear ! The stench they produce is very unpleasant. ~~ http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheet ... -stink-bug

[teachcsg]

I saw many patients using a simple zip-lock bag when I visited their home. Most said it was mainly to keep dust off than for bugs.

[chunkyfrog]

Shoe stores sometimes have disposable sheer foot socks.
One could "klepto" one, and wrap with a rubber band.
I recommend only when buying shoes.

[palerider]

With the CPAP blowing in air I'm not sure I would catch it before it got there!

your cpap does NOT blow air into your lungs.

your cpap creates lightly pressurized air that ONLY goes into your lungs when you inhale.

think about it, if it were blowing air into your lungs, WHERE DOES IT GO THEN????

unless you've got vent holes in your abdomen for it to exit from.....

[chunkyfrog]

Well, there is ONE vent hole . . .
Not connected to the lungs, though.

[Lillykat78]

I live in Florida. Bug haven, basically houses sitting on swampy land. I bought a ResMed AirSense 10 about four months ago. Last week I noticed some ants near my CPAP. Very strange to me, since we do not eat in the room and there was no place around where they could be coming from. Accidentally bumped it and ants came out of it. Opened the machine and there was an entire colony of Pharaoh ants inside my machine. Eggs and everything. Was told by both the CPAP supplier and my doctor that since ants carry all kinds of pathogens that could be harmful, I needed to throw the machine away. There is no way to safely clean it and be sure that it is properly disinfected. So yes, this DOES happen. It's not super common, but it happens. It's a nightmarish, very costly problem to have, especially if, like me, you had to buy the machine out of pocket because insurance kept me waiting for months for an approval. It has nothing to do with the cleanliness of a house and everything to do with the fact that Pharaoh ants like warm, moist, dark places indoors to hide. Since getting rid of my machine, there have not been any ants anywhere in my room or in my house. Anyway, just my two cents. Incidentally, I found this thread while looking for ways to keep bugs out of my CPAP, since I'm getting ready to buy another machine.

[SleepGeek]

I don't think I would be throwing this cpap away.

I needed to throw the machine away.

Sounds like you've already had it apart. IF that's the case just use some soap mixed in some distilled water - Yes I recommend distilled because it won't have any minerals and you likely have some.

Spray it on any ants you see and any eggs before removing them.

For those who aren't aware the soap will kill insects and then you won't have to use any harsh or toxic chemicals inside your cpap and can use it until you get a replacement.
HTH

ps. You can also use it as a homemade cleaner that won't leave spots on your windows (another reason I use distilled).

[Jlfinkels]

Like a Phoenix even 7 year old threads can be resurrected.

[chunkyfrog]

Ew.
I have only had a bug in my tank--a silverfish--only ONCE.
This happened in the beginning, when I was a foolish, obedient frog.
The nasty thing probably crawled into my S9 through the outlet,
WHILE I WAS CLEANING/DRYING THE HOSE and mask--daily,
as we were told to by people who NEVER use cpap themselves.
To blazes with them all!