http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/24/share-your-tales-of-bed-bug-woe-2/

Comments on THIS thread are closed, to avoid confusion.

I am starting a new thread here. BEcause blogs bump old stories to the bottom, you’re not likely to get a lot of responses here.
So, instead, click below:
http://bedbugger.com/2007/01/18/more-tales-of-bed-bug-woe-allergygirls-questions/

Thanks!

I will keep this thread open for dry-cleaner-comforter type tales, but ANYONE including S is invited to look for the latest thread each week called “Tales of Bedbug Woe”, and post there. Because you want more people to read what you write, right?

Here’s my question about these “mystery bites” though… Two days after we sprayed, I went into the hallway (outside our apt, where we’re keeping our bags of clothes. I put on my coat that had bben hot dryed for 40 minutes. Later that night, while in at church, I got to bites on my upper arm. I got paranoid and put the coat back in another bag to redry. I went 2 more days without bites (still sleeping on the couch or ith my roomate with the same blankets ande pillows). One night I ironed on high another coat that had been in my closet. (The PCO said they probably weren’t in there b/c it’s far from my bed). I wore the coat. Later that night, before even going to bed, I got about 8 bites on my shoulder and upper arm. Big itchy welts. I decided to dry everything that was in my closet too. It’s all still in bags. I don’t know if they actually are in my closet or if this is a delayed allergic reaction. Can bites appear 5 days later? No one else seems to be bitten except me. The bites have been appearing in the evening. Last night, I slept on the couch (which was not infested, and was sprayed), which I have had no bites on. I woke up with 2 on my face. All my new bites are close to older bites. I haven’t had any in new areas. Always on the face upper arm, or shoulders. Could these be delayed allergic reactions? How do you treat them? Could the bugs have moved to the couch? It’s so far from the infestation, and I thought My blanket and pillow were clean. We haven’t seen any bugs anywhere. Just evidence of them in my old room. My roomates seem to be fine. They’re in the same places I am. The one I’ve been sleeping with had them year’s ago in another house, and she was bit then, so I know she’d react, if she were bit.
Are these bugs or just allergies to old bites? how can I be sure and how can I treat them?

I am intrigued by the fact that you bought this product off the internet one day, and an employee of the company came in the next day. What are the odds that both your place of business and this pesticide manufacturer are in the same small town in Utah? It’s a wonderful coincidence!

Anyway, the product you mention is made of pyrethrins, diatomaceous earth, and sasparilla oil.

Pyrethrins are a pesticide with plant origins, and used by lots of pest control operators. I’m not sure I’d say it was non-toxic–it’s about how you use it. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a powder of natural origin, which can be harmful if inhaled. The reason the company recommends leaving this product down is because DE kills when bugs come in direct contact with it (bugs not directly in the area you sprayed need time to walk over it). DE is also among the substances used by pest control professionals.

It sounds like your infestation was fairly concentrated around the mattress and bed. I am glad this worked for you, though the other tesimonials here (about treatment with pyrethrins and DE, the active ingredients you used) show it is not always as easy, alas, and especially if others cannot see the bugs or their nests, they should expect it will take more work (and probably a professional).