Comments on: Identifying the problem: Do I have bed bugs? Or something else? http://bedbugger.com bed bug news, information, activism, and support Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:14:38 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Frani http://bedbugger.com/faqs/identifying-the-problem-do-i-have-bed-bugs-or-something-else/comment-page-1/#comment-19246 Frani Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:50:55 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/?page_id=1061#comment-19246 I'm trying to figure out if I have bed bugs or not. I live in NYC and have been in constant fear of getting a bed bug infestation. 4 days ago I noticed 3 itchy, red bug bites on both my arms & ear. The next night I had no bites. Then the next 2 nights I was bit 2 more times, so now I have a total of 7 bites on my arms, neck, face, & ear. I have looked all around my bed and bed area (I live in a small studio apartment) and can't find anything, no feces, no bugs, & no exoskeleton remnants. I also have a dog, I have checked him out for fleas & can find nothing, plus he is not itching more than the occasional ear scratch. Last night I found a mosquito flying around the apartment, so I put on DEET before I went to bed (I've read conflicting advice on the internet about DEET being affective on bed bugs). I also read that bed bugs like it around 70 degrees, so I put the air conditioner on high, so it was probably upper 50s to lower 60s degrees in the house overnight. Well I didn't get any additional bites last night. So do you think that bed bugs are the problem? Or do you think it might have been an attack of mosquitoes or some other biting insect? I’m trying to figure out if I have bed bugs or not. I live in NYC and have been in constant fear of getting a bed bug infestation. 4 days ago I noticed 3 itchy, red bug bites on both my arms & ear. The next night I had no bites. Then the next 2 nights I was bit 2 more times, so now I have a total of 7 bites on my arms, neck, face, & ear. I have looked all around my bed and bed area (I live in a small studio apartment) and can’t find anything, no feces, no bugs, & no exoskeleton remnants. I also have a dog, I have checked him out for fleas & can find nothing, plus he is not itching more than the occasional ear scratch. Last night I found a mosquito flying around the apartment, so I put on DEET before I went to bed (I’ve read conflicting advice on the internet about DEET being affective on bed bugs). I also read that bed bugs like it around 70 degrees, so I put the air conditioner on high, so it was probably upper 50s to lower 60s degrees in the house overnight. Well I didn’t get any additional bites last night. So do you think that bed bugs are the problem? Or do you think it might have been an attack of mosquitoes or some other biting insect?

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/faqs/identifying-the-problem-do-i-have-bed-bugs-or-something-else/comment-page-1/#comment-19217 nobugsonme Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:42:12 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/?page_id=1061#comment-19217 Hi Nancy, I can only speculate but I think it's unlikely that bed bugs were present in your immediate vicinity and did not bite you, unless they were sealed away and could not do so. It is possible, I suppose, that bed bugs were stored in items not used in the interim and only recently brought out. If bed bugs were stored away somewhere, they may not have been able to get out and bite you. It's also possible you've experienced a new exposure to bed bugs. There may be other explanations I'm not aware of. Please come to the forums if you would like to discuss this further: http://bedbugger.com/forum Hi Nancy,

I can only speculate but I think it’s unlikely that bed bugs were present in your immediate vicinity and did not bite you, unless they were sealed away and could not do so.

It is possible, I suppose, that bed bugs were stored in items not used in the interim and only recently brought out. If bed bugs were stored away somewhere, they may not have been able to get out and bite you.

It’s also possible you’ve experienced a new exposure to bed bugs.
There may be other explanations I’m not aware of.

Please come to the forums if you would like to discuss this further: http://bedbugger.com/forum

]]> By: Nancy http://bedbugger.com/faqs/identifying-the-problem-do-i-have-bed-bugs-or-something-else/comment-page-1/#comment-19206 Nancy Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:44:57 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/?page_id=1061#comment-19206 Hello, I went to a camp in last year in late August and ended up bringing bed bugs from the cabin I stayed in into my dorm room. I experienced severe reactions to bites until the middle of December. Throughout September-December, my university performed 4 total pesticide treatments in my room. Towards mid-December, I noticed that the bites had become fewer in number and healed faster for each new set of bites, until, finally, I stopped experiencing the bites completely. Until now, I had thought I had successfully gotten rid of my bed bug problem. I am at a new university now, and I fear I may have brought the bed bugs with me. I know bed bugs can stay dormant for very long periods of time, but how likely is this? Today, I noticed a couple bites on my face and neck that appear very similar to the bed bug bites I experienced last year. Over the winter and spring at my last college, and then during summer at home, I had not experienced any bites. How possible is it that the bed bugs were in my belongings and simply dormant from mid-December 2008 to this November 2009? Thank you for your help. Hello,

I went to a camp in last year in late August and ended up bringing bed bugs from the cabin I stayed in into my dorm room. I experienced severe reactions to bites until the middle of December. Throughout September-December, my university performed 4 total pesticide treatments in my room. Towards mid-December, I noticed that the bites had become fewer in number and healed faster for each new set of bites, until, finally, I stopped experiencing the bites completely. Until now, I had thought I had successfully gotten rid of my bed bug problem.

I am at a new university now, and I fear I may have brought the bed bugs with me. I know bed bugs can stay dormant for very long periods of time, but how likely is this? Today, I noticed a couple bites on my face and neck that appear very similar to the bed bug bites I experienced last year. Over the winter and spring at my last college, and then during summer at home, I had not experienced any bites. How possible is it that the bed bugs were in my belongings and simply dormant from mid-December 2008 to this November 2009?

Thank you for your help.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/faqs/identifying-the-problem-do-i-have-bed-bugs-or-something-else/comment-page-1/#comment-19153 nobugsonme Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:15:25 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/?page_id=1061#comment-19153 Ashley, It seems possible that you may have bed bugs at home, or you may also have a recurrence at work -- where you may have obtained the bites. Several treatments is not always enough -- and any employee could have taken bed bugs home and brought them back again. I am not a lawyer, and you may wish to consult one about this. You may ask others on the <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/" rel="nofollow">forums</a>, but I don't think anyone will know for sure what to say or how your HR dept. will react. Ashley,

It seems possible that you may have bed bugs at home, or you may also have a recurrence at work — where you may have obtained the bites. Several treatments is not always enough — and any employee could have taken bed bugs home and brought them back again.

I am not a lawyer, and you may wish to consult one about this. You may ask others on the forums, but I don’t think anyone will know for sure what to say or how your HR dept. will react.

]]> By: Ashley http://bedbugger.com/faqs/identifying-the-problem-do-i-have-bed-bugs-or-something-else/comment-page-1/#comment-19135 Ashley Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:26:26 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/?page_id=1061#comment-19135 Hi there, We had a bed bug issue at my office a few months ago. They sent a memo out and treated the office several times. Over the past few weeks I have noticed little dots all over my body and they have been getting worse. I didn't think they were bed bugs because they didn't itch and my boyfriend didn't have any bites. But after doing some research here it seems very likely that I have the bed bugs :( I'm wondering if I can confront my employer about this. Do you know if they will be responsible for the exterminator/new bedding etc charges? It's a pretty large company so I can guess they would want to keep it discreet but I'm not sure their policy for something like this. Do you have any advice for what to say when I confront my HR representative? Thanks! Hi there,

We had a bed bug issue at my office a few months ago. They sent a memo out and treated the office several times. Over the past few weeks I have noticed little dots all over my body and they have been getting worse. I didn’t think they were bed bugs because they didn’t itch and my boyfriend didn’t have any bites. But after doing some research here it seems very likely that I have the bed bugs :(

I’m wondering if I can confront my employer about this. Do you know if they will be responsible for the exterminator/new bedding etc charges? It’s a pretty large company so I can guess they would want to keep it discreet but I’m not sure their policy for something like this. Do you have any advice for what to say when I confront my HR representative?

Thanks!

]]> By: Becky http://bedbugger.com/faqs/identifying-the-problem-do-i-have-bed-bugs-or-something-else/comment-page-1/#comment-18271 Becky Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:07:26 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/?page_id=1061#comment-18271 A few weeks ago I noticed little red bumps on my feet and got nervous so I googled what bed bug bites look like, but mine don't look nearly as bad. Although the bites are really itchy I don't think they are mosquito bites, and they are only on my feet. I started researching bed bugs and got too freaked out to sleep in my own bed so I've been sleeping in both my mom's bed and the guest room bed. I miss my own bed! :( I have noticed as well that there are actually little black specks, not in one general area though, just randomly, and not very many. I'm thinking that maybe it's because of my cats, they sleep on my bed, and maybe they just brought dirt onto my blanket, but I don't know. I haven't seen any bugs or casts or anything like that. I just don't know where to start. Do I have bed bugs? Should I start sleeping in my bed again? This is insanely frustrating..please help. A few weeks ago I noticed little red bumps on my feet and got nervous so I googled what bed bug bites look like, but mine don’t look nearly as bad. Although the bites are really itchy I don’t think they are mosquito bites, and they are only on my feet. I started researching bed bugs and got too freaked out to sleep in my own bed so I’ve been sleeping in both my mom’s bed and the guest room bed. I miss my own bed! :( I have noticed as well that there are actually little black specks, not in one general area though, just randomly, and not very many. I’m thinking that maybe it’s because of my cats, they sleep on my bed, and maybe they just brought dirt onto my blanket, but I don’t know. I haven’t seen any bugs or casts or anything like that.
I just don’t know where to start. Do I have bed bugs? Should I start sleeping in my bed again? This is insanely frustrating..please help.

]]> By: nobugsonme http://bedbugger.com/faqs/identifying-the-problem-do-i-have-bed-bugs-or-something-else/comment-page-1/#comment-18004 nobugsonme Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:05:19 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/?page_id=1061#comment-18004 nathalie, <a href="http://bedbugger.com/2006/10/22/faq-what-are-bed-bugs-do-i-have-them-what-else-could-be-causing-this/#detection" rel="nofollow">Please read this FAQ</a> about other possible causes and determining if you have bed bugs. Many things can cause itchy skin, but bed bugs 3 months after a move are a definite possibility -- it can take a while for you to notice or start reacting. My advice is to rule out other causes (detergent, folliculitis, scabies) and try and determine whether you have bed bugs. You cannot get rid of a problem unless you first find out what it is. alysann, It's possible you got bed bugs with a new bed or with a move (either the moving truck or the new apartment could also have been a problem). It's also possible to get bed bugs any time just by traveling, going on a bus or train, or visiting someone, just to give you a few examples. It is fully possible to be bitten for a while and not react (some people seem to never react, others develop an allergy to bed bug bites over time, and others seem to react right away). If you have more questions please come to our forums -- where you will likely get more responses: http://bedbugger.com/forum/ nathalie,

Please read this FAQ about other possible causes and determining if you have bed bugs. Many things can cause itchy skin, but bed bugs 3 months after a move are a definite possibility — it can take a while for you to notice or start reacting. My advice is to rule out other causes (detergent, folliculitis, scabies) and try and determine whether you have bed bugs. You cannot get rid of a problem unless you first find out what it is.

alysann,

It’s possible you got bed bugs with a new bed or with a move (either the moving truck or the new apartment could also have been a problem). It’s also possible to get bed bugs any time just by traveling, going on a bus or train, or visiting someone, just to give you a few examples.

It is fully possible to be bitten for a while and not react (some people seem to never react, others develop an allergy to bed bug bites over time, and others seem to react right away).

If you have more questions please come to our forums — where you will likely get more responses: http://bedbugger.com/forum/

]]> By: alysann http://bedbugger.com/faqs/identifying-the-problem-do-i-have-bed-bugs-or-something-else/comment-page-1/#comment-17995 alysann Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:52:37 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/?page_id=1061#comment-17995 I moved into an apartment 5 weeks ago and got a new bed/bedding about 3 weeks ago. In the last few days I have noticed bites on my feet, legs, lower back, and on my arms near my elbow. It seems most likely that I have bed bugs, but what I don't understand is why the bites are occurring now and why they weren't occurring earlier. Where are the bugs coming from? I've never had them before. I moved into an apartment 5 weeks ago and got a new bed/bedding about 3 weeks ago. In the last few days I have noticed bites on my feet, legs, lower back, and on my arms near my elbow. It seems most likely that I have bed bugs, but what I don’t understand is why the bites are occurring now and why they weren’t occurring earlier. Where are the bugs coming from? I’ve never had them before.

]]> By: natalie http://bedbugger.com/faqs/identifying-the-problem-do-i-have-bed-bugs-or-something-else/comment-page-1/#comment-17992 natalie Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:38:06 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/?page_id=1061#comment-17992 additional info: I have been drying my sheets outside on the laundry line, could my sheets be picking up something outside that makes me itchy? should I just go back to the dryer now? my other clothes that I line dry outside have been fine... additional info: I have been drying my sheets outside on the laundry line, could my sheets be picking up something outside that makes me itchy? should I just go back to the dryer now? my other clothes that I line dry outside have been fine…

]]> By: natalie http://bedbugger.com/faqs/identifying-the-problem-do-i-have-bed-bugs-or-something-else/comment-page-1/#comment-17991 natalie Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:24:32 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/?page_id=1061#comment-17991 I moved to a new apartment about 3 months ago, but recently (in the past 2 or 3 weeks) I have had the feeling that something in my bed is itchy - I spend a lot of time working/reading in my bed (don't have a desk) and I notice that I am itchier than normal, and have even noticed some spots that look like mosquito bits on my legs, even when I am wear tights or pajama bottoms. Can bed bugs go through fabric? And I have looked between all my sheets, blankets, covers, and haven't been able to find anything (I have white sheets, so it shouldn't be too hard to see, right?) I've washed my bedding, but it's still itchy, and the marks on my legs make me believe it's bed bugs, even though the bites go away very quickly and aren't noticeable after a day or two. What's the absolute easiest and surefire way to get rid of this problem? Thanks, this site is great! I moved to a new apartment about 3 months ago, but recently (in the past 2 or 3 weeks) I have had the feeling that something in my bed is itchy – I spend a lot of time working/reading in my bed (don’t have a desk) and I notice that I am itchier than normal, and have even noticed some spots that look like mosquito bits on my legs, even when I am wear tights or pajama bottoms. Can bed bugs go through fabric? And I have looked between all my sheets, blankets, covers, and haven’t been able to find anything (I have white sheets, so it shouldn’t be too hard to see, right?)

I’ve washed my bedding, but it’s still itchy, and the marks on my legs make me believe it’s bed bugs, even though the bites go away very quickly and aren’t noticeable after a day or two. What’s the absolute easiest and surefire way to get rid of this problem? Thanks, this site is great!

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