Comments on: More bed bug stories from Cincinnati; also, pig spotted in sky over New York City

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:38:45 +0000

question,

scroll to the top of this page, and click “Photos of bed bugs and signs of bed bugs.”
You may not react to bed bugs even if mosquitos bother you.

Read the FAQs (button at top) also and come to the forums (button top right) if you have more questions.

By: question

question — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:24:45 +0000

I think I might have bed bugs. I saw on two occassions one single bug crawling on my pillow. I was on the couch both times. I have no bites nor does my fiance. I assumed them to be Ticks but I saw on the news where someone had them they actually showed the mattress and it was covered on the corner with them. A few months ago my sister had gotten rid of her mattress and box springs because of bedbugs. I had never seen them before. I don’t know if she treated her home or not. I hate bugs period. I am unsure now what kind of bug I saw If it was bedbugs i think i would react to the bites because I get huge welts from the small mosquitos when they bite me (the size of nickles) so do they look simular to Ticks. I saw pictures on the net. But I would like to hear from someone that has seen these things first hand and if they thought they looked like ticks.

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:34:56 +0000

A-bomb,
Sorry for your trouble. You need that PCO in right away. It sounds like when the neighbors moved out, their bed bugs scattered into neighboring apartments. Don’t hesitate on the PCO–everyone on every side of you (and above and below) must also have a professional PCO search their apt.

Also, you might be interested in this.

By: A-bombthebugs

A-bombthebugs — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 08:49:06 +0000

Im in Cincinnati and I’ve got bedbugs something fierce! I work third shift and generally get home around 5am and have my bedroom completely blacked out. It’s pretty much pitch black most of the time which cannot be helping matters. I’ve seen quite a few of them scurrying behind the large dry erase board that hangs over my bed. I’m getting a LOT of bites. I know I shouldn’t have but I started sleeping on the couch. I know that I have a really bad infestation and just to freaked out to sleep in that bed I cant get more than an hour or two of sleep without waking up paranoid trying to shake bugs off. and usually there is one or two on me. Arghh. I’m doing laundry and light pre-PCO cleaning tommorow and then to my landlord. I know a family just moved out from across the hall about two weeks ago. I’m begining to think I know why. Also I think I’ve read that there is a smell associated with heavy infestations. I haven’t broken the news to my roomate yet but I definately noticed a heavy sweet muskish scent in both our rooms. Which is unusual as we are both very clean and generally keep a fresh clean smelling place.
I am honestly going crazy over this. I can barely sleep I itch. I’m showering multiple times a day and inspecting every piece of clothing before wearing.
Bedbugs are no fun.

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 04:56:04 +0000

If your friend has not been in the business lately, he may not even have had to deal with this. It began resurfacing about 1999 but really just got big in the last few years.

They will find you if you sleep elsewhere, and they’re likely to hang out in the new location.

Don’t know about memory foam but they will live in mattresses, in the covers on mattresses, they can get through many kinds of seams. They will hide anywhere, though they prefer tight thin spaces.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:23:59 +0000

Hi again! I was afraid of that. We have a friend that sold his “bug company”. Think I’ll contact him asap. Also had a question…(2 actually) you mentioned not to sleep on the couch. Would they find me … or exactly how would that spread the infestation? Also, is it possible for them to infest a memory foam mattress? We have a 4 inch topper. I’m thinking they only hide in cracks … right?

OMG! My skin is crawling thinking about it.
Bye again.
Sandy

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:36:35 +0000

Wearing clothing might help redirect them, but a hungry bed bug will find a way to bite you. They do not bite every day. You may not have a very large infestation (yet) and so I would get professional help right away. It can take a very, very long time to see bed bugs. I would not wait until you do.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 05:20:54 +0000

Thanks for your response. I’m not surprised about it not affecting my husband. He doesn’ t react to poison ivy either! (that dog!)

I didn’t get bit last night and am wondering if wearing clothing has any bearing on bites. It was cold and our heat isn’t on yet so I had socks on too. My hands and face and neck were bare of course…but no signs of any new activity! I must have lain awake scratching every imaginable itch for over 2 hrs - my body finally gave up and went to sleep.

Haven’t seen any “buggies” yet. Still looking and will be on guard.
Sandy

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:18:55 +0000

Sandy,

The answer is you probably do not have to throw away your furniture. I am not sure exactly why Cincinnati has gone whole hog on furniture pick-ups, since most PCOs say MOST people do not need to throw things away.

Most furniture can be professionally treated. If the sofa must go, a good PCO will advise you and probably help you wrap it. The reason it matters, is that bed bugs might fall off a sofa as you carry it through and out of your home–thus spreading them to other rooms, as well as other people (if you’re in a multi-unit building).

I don’t want to make you panic, but it is very common for women to be bitten or react to bites and for men and children not to react. (It is common for anyone to react to bites, but where they aren’t, your pattern is a frequent one.) Don’t assume that no marks and no itching means they are not biting him–it’s an allergy he may not suffer from.

I am not sure what you meant about doing the couch, but do not sleep elsewhere, if that’s what you mean. You can easily spread them to the couch if they are currently only in the bed. Best to sleep where you are.

Get a professional in to treat and read the FAQs which should help.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:24:11 +0000

I found my way here because I think I might have bed bugs. About a week ago I woke up itching and thought I had a mosquito bite on my arm. Turned out next morning it was three - in a row. Next thought: Spider. Within the next week I’ve got a bite on my palm, then my heel, a bite on my thumb, bites on the top of two of my fingers.

They’re really small (and itchy) - not like the bites I’ve had before. Now, of course, I’m thinking bedbugs. A natural conclusion since my husband works in a building run by Metropolitan Housing … where they’ve been carrying out sealed mattresses…go figure.

At least after reading all the info tonight I’m better informed and not as freaked out as I was. Tomorrow we pull everything out and start checking…and treating - just in case. My husband has not yet been bitten so I’ve got my fingers crossed its easily treated spiders!

But to tell the truth, the thought of getting back in that bed is really creepy! I might just do the couch and see how my husband fares!

PS: As far as sealing stuff in plastic? Give me a break - how am I suppose to seal a mattress or anything else sizeable????