http://bedbugger.com/forum/ Bed bug support forums en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:37:48 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/new-bigger-bug-photo-bed-bug#post-62755 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:51:46 +0000 bugcrazylady 62755@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi, so I found a bigger (still dead) specimen of the bug I have been finding in my apartment. He looks more brown colored than the others(they looked more greyish), but he is still pretty oval shaped. His back has striped ridges over the whole thing, but his belly looks as though he has more than 6 legs (I could be wrong though, it is hard to see). </p> <p>can anyone tell me if this is a Bed Bug? And if not, can it still bite me?</p> <p>Thanks!!</p> <p>(The first link is his underbelly, and the second is his back. Also, I have 6 more pictures in the same album)</p> <p><a href="http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/danielletocco/New%20Bug%2011-21-09/?action=view&#38;current=DSCN1039.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/danielletocco/New%20Bug%2011-21-09/?action=view&#38;current=DSCN1039.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/danielletocco/New%20Bug%2011-21-09/?action=view&#38;current=DSCN1046.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/danielletocco/New%20Bug%2011-21-09/?action=view&#38;current=DSCN1046.jpg</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/fecal-spotsblood-spots#post-62775 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:07:58 +0000 coosyaa 62775@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Can someone please take a look at tell me what they think? I have two dark spots on two different pillow cases and one blood spot (the size of 1/4 of a penny). The thing about the blood spot is that i kind of had a large pimple on my face and think it might be from that.</p> <p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/bedbuggs/Bedbugs#" rel="nofollow">http://picasaweb.google.com/bedbuggs/Bedbugs#</a></p> <p>I haven't gotten any bites and neither has my boyfriend. I also haven't seen any kind of spots on anything except for my pillows. Is it possible to have bed bugs and not have any bites? Any suggestions?</p> <p>Thank you very much. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/moved-one-week-in-did-i-manage-to-ditch-them#post-62770 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:11:50 +0000 rod 62770@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>So after three treatments: two from the LL's sketchy PCO, and one steam and spray treatment from a reputable PCO that I paid for out of my own pocket I got ready to move. The last PCO said that he didn't see any live BBs during the last treatment. Unavailable in Toronto and/or out of my price range included: bug sniffing dogs, Vikane treatments, heat treating trucks, or Packtites. </p> <p>Here are the precautions I did take:</p> <p>1. Threw out mattress<br /> 2. Used Rubbermaid containers rather than cardboard boxes for most things. Boxes were sealed with Vapona to be opened after 2 weeks. I know this is not a sanctioned or recommended practice, but I wanted to try something other than discarding/sealing away for a year and a half my 700 books and records<br /> 3. Put all paper knick knacks in the freezer in bags where they'll stay undisturbed for 2 weeks.<br /> 4. Re-bagged all laundered and bagged clothing (i.e.: I put the bag of clean clothes into a *new* bag just for peace of mind.<br /> 5. All electronics and music gear that I could not steam or freeze I vacuumed every day in the lead up to the moving day.<br /> 6. Left behind all items *too risky* that were close to the problem and hard to clean i.e.: luggage, two fans, and some other knick knacks.</p> <p>Things I risked: Stereo, 3 guitars, two amps, recording equipment, framed pictures (not close to the bed area), desktop computer.</p> <p>I'm now sleeping on a futon mattress donated by a friend before I have my old bed from back in Ottawa brought over in a month. I have D.E.ed the mattress and the baseboards of my room in a preventative measure. </p> <p>So a week or so in and I haven't seen ANYTHING. the only place I see BBs are in my bad dreams (two last night). I know that it takes time before one can declare victory but what I realize is that it's really hard for me to tell if I have them or not. I don't react to bites and never did. I never actually saw one except when they were in my mattress that I've since discarded. Where should I be looking? How and when can try to detect them without spending more money?</p> <p>Any advice or assessment of my precautions would be appreciated. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbug-or-not-pics-inside#post-62715 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:41:06 +0000 bugged09 62715@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Starting early this week I've been a bit more itchy than usual, then noticed what I assumed were black droppings on my bed, so I started looking around. I found these two buggers in the dust under my bed. I've looked all through my mattress and clothes and didn't find any other evidence. I talked to my landlord (I rent) and he said they didn't look like bedbugs (he saw the real bugs, not these magnified images), but he sprayed HotShot and is having an inspector come on Monday. </p> <p>I've never had any kind of problem like this before, so I'm getting really scared. I bought some ziplock XL bags, am washing some clothes right now, and bought a bedbug-proof mattress cover.</p> <p>Are these bedbugs? If not, what bugs are they? Thanks a ton!</p> <p><a href="http://img694.imageshack.us/i/bug1bottomz.jpg/">Bug 1, Bottom</a><br /> <a href="http://img94.imageshack.us/i/bug1top.jpg/">Bug 1, Top</a></p> <p><a href="http://img193.imageshack.us/i/bugtop.jpg/">Bug 2, Top</a><br /> <a href="http://img694.imageshack.us/i/bugbottom.jpg/">Bug 2, Bottom</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-or-what#post-62273 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:05:16 +0000 noway 62273@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I’m new here, but I’ve been reading everything on this site for almost a month now. I know that almost everything I say will sound familiar because it sounds familiar to me. Some of my questions have been answered; I’ve learned a lot, but I still don’t know if we have bed bugs!<br /> My husband and I live in a single family home in a rural area. We haven’t traveled or had anyone visit or stay with us. We did buy a new mattress in August, about a month before the first bites appeared. (Who knows where that delivery truck had been….and I gave away my old mattress to a friend who is not having any trouble.)<br /> The first bites were in late September and we just assumed it was mosquitoes. I don’t recall any intense itching or long lasting bites, but we both woke up itchy in the morning. We had no more bites for a week or more. Then we started getting bitten a couple days in a row. It’s hard to pinpoint because we both usually have delayed reactions; occasionally we wake up with fresh, new bites. My bites are intensely itchy and continue to itch for a week. I still have noticeable red spots from the original bites a month ago. We both sleep in socks, sweats, and long sleeves. Neither of us has ever been bitten on exposed skin. (Thinking of sleeping nude on top of the sheets, just to see what happens.) My husband mostly gets bitten on his feet and lower legs. I get bitten mostly on my forearms and upper thighs. The frequency of bites ranges from neither of us getting bitten for 2 days in a row to both of us getting several bites every night. We haven’t had the “3 in a row,” but we both get 2-5 bites in a small area. (From 1 bug?)<br /> I have pulled my whole house apart, vacuuming, cleaning, washing. I have not seen a single bug, egg, skin, feces, blood spot etc. I can’t afford a PCO and have doubts about the local company being experts on bed bugs. We also have kittens and birds and don’t have anywhere to keep them if the whole house had to be sprayed. I’ve thought about just paying for an inspection to see if they find anything. All I’ve done is spray OHDM around the perimeter of the bedroom and dust the whole floor with DE. (Windows open and the room vacant for the rest of the day.) We’ve both gotten new bites since I did that a week ago. The only thing that seems to fend them off for more than a day is washing the sheets very other day.<br /> I don’t know if we have bed bugs or something else. It’s not fleas. We had those in a farmhouse and the whole experience was different. Carpet beetles? We have all bare hardwood floors with just one area rug in the den. Rat mites? We do get mice in the attic and have a backyard filled with squirrels.<br /> I’d appreciate any suggestions anyone has. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/poppy-seed-poop-found-on-my-bed-and-bites-everywhere-1#post-62681 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:56:04 +0000 IdontKNOWwhatitis 62681@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Ok, i know its been a while since the last post on this, but i have to tell you im also going crazy. I've got bites everywhereeeeeee and i found at least 3 of these poppy seeds things, one about 2 weeks ago, one 3 days ago, and one now.<br /> The first two were on my bed, and the other one i found on small couch next to my bed. Today my mom cleaned out my whole room and vacuumed and did the whole bunch, and i came in later in the day and sprayed the room up and down with rubbing alcohol...you know just in case lol. I just want to know if anyone else is experiencing this, and if they've got an idea to what it could be? i mean im super itchy and i have bites everywhere and i dont really wanna spend the money to go and see a dermatologist.. please help :( </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/can-bed-bugs-be-different-colors-are-there-different-types-of-bb#post-62564 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:59:17 +0000 bugcrazylady 62564@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi, I am wondering if it is possible for Bed Bugs to be different colors/shapes, or if there are different types of bed bugs that look different (and I don't just mean different ages, i'm thinking more like different species?)</p> <p>Like, can they also have greyish(i think it was grey) bodies with red heads? I found a bug in my apartment looking like this, but I threw it out because I didn't think it looked like a typical bed bug. it also had more of a perfect oval shaped body (almost like a rolly-polly beettle but with a red head at one end). </p> <p>i posted a pic before of a tiny version of this that I found, and people said it was not a bed bug, but now that I found a larger version of this bug (much larger) i got worried again. I wish I had kept the larger one to show a pic... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/black-poppy-seed-like-thing#post-61221 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:43:17 +0000 soscared 61221@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have taken to running into my baby's room with a flashlight in the middle of the night to see if I can catch anything mid-feed. So far I have caught nothing, and nothing has been trapped in the climbup interceptors. However, last night, I did find a single poppy seed-like thing on the back of my baby's shirt right at her neck. I picked it up - it didn't crumble, was very hard and black, and if i'd had poppy-seed anything in the house, I'd think it was definitely a poppy seed. I doused it in hydrogen peroxide - nothing. It's now been in hydrogen peroxide for 18 hours, and has not bled or smeared at all. What could this be? Is this bed bug poop?</p> <p>I have read many of the posts on this forum tagged with "poppy" but am still not sure about the answer to my question. </p> <p>Thank you very much. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/line-of-three-bites-but-no-other-bug-signs-please-help#post-58766 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:25:13 +0000 zebrasweater 58766@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello everyone, please give me the benefit of your knowledge!!!</p> <p>I've recently found two lines of three bites on my inner arm, connected so they make a T-shape.. they didn't itch at all, but seemed a bit inflamed a few days ago. I mentioned it to my room mate who said she had also had a line of three bites on the back of her leg a week or so ago. Image is here: <a href="http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/628/090922105018.jpg">bites</a></p> <p>Showed the bites to a friend of mine who was sure they were bed bug bites.. being me I then freaked out and checked mattress and box spring, but can't see any blood stains, fecal spots, or other signs... the only strange thing is two small perfectly round brown stains on one pillow, about quarter inch in diameter... they were very hard and did not break down with scratching, only with washing on hot cycle. Do these sound like fecal stains? Image is here: <a href="http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/2469/090922105042.jpg">stains</a></p> <p>Our landlord has said he will not treat without evidence, but I am worried things might get worse quickly if we don't confirm whether or not it is bedbugs. So if there is any chance, or anything else we could do, I would love to know, so we can work on beating them!! Honestly it's driving me crazy already...</p> <p>Any help you can give would be very much appreciated!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/treating-for-carpet-beetles-how-long-until-i-can-assume-no-bedbugs#post-56869 Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:14:03 +0000 badbadbedbugs 56869@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Okay, as I posted in the other thread, we KNOW we have carpet beetles (I've seen one adult and enough larvae to know without a doubt that they are there.)</p> <p>We've boraxed the bedroom, let it sit for 48 hrs, vacuumed within an inch of our lives, washed and changed the sheets, gotten rid of the bed skirt and matress cover (which was really thin). We now have white sheets on the bed.</p> <p>In the past 3 nights (since the cleaning started) NO BITES!!!!! We keep inspecting for bugs (with flashlight) and we've found a lot of really scary looking lint and a few dead carpet beetle larvae but no bug casings, no feces, no live bed bugs (we have never found casings, feces or a live bed bug. The PCO also did not find any of these but thought we had BB because of the bites and 2 'eggs' he found. He did not do anything about those eggs. They could have been carpet beetle eggs right?). How long until I can stop going crazy thinking we have bed bugs as well as carpet beetles? How long would it take for bed bugs to really make an appearance?</p> <p>And most importantly would the aggressive cleaning we've done slow down bed bugs or would I still be getting bites at night? (of course, I'm the only one getting bites. My partner, the baby and the 4 yr old are bite free and have been all along. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/howwhen-should-bites-increase-if-it-really-is-bed-bugs#post-59326 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:59:16 +0000 apm 59326@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I've been getting 1-2 bites/week for about 4-5 weeks now. For the past 2 weeks there has been 7 days between bites. If it is bed bugs, should I be seeing some sort of increase in the number of bites? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/feces-rubbing-out#post-62444 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:50:06 +0000 maybecrazygirl 62444@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>hi,</p> <p>sorry if this question has been addressed specifically, but i couldn't find the precise answer...</p> <p>i found a suspicious (granted, i'm in a new apartment 6 months after an infestation and have been completely paranoid ever since) spot on my sheets. It was a tiny dark spot (couldn't really tell you if it was blackish or reddish, since it was so small). I wiped at it with my finger (and some spit) and it pretty much disappeared. could fecal material rub out this easily?? </p> <p>i haven't had any other signs, but i truly think my past infestation made me lose my mind...thanks for any help! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/can-bedbug-come-back-after-25-years#post-62466 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:22:49 +0000 lukao 62466@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi<br /> my apartment was infested by bedbug 2.5 years ago.<br /> then i moved to my current place<br /> now my apartment hire a bedbug dog to check the entire building and told me that my unit is infested.<br /> they don't find any bedbug in the building<br /> just say several units are "possible" infested<br /> but i don't have any bump and don't feel itchy (i'm pretty sure about this. the terrible experience is something i can't forget)<br /> i don't have problem to cooperate ( wash all of my clothes and dry them 30 mins)<br /> just wonder i done cleaning before and still get positive result<br /> so i really worry even i do anything i still can' pass the come-back check<br /> is it possible the old bedbug still hide somewhere in my belonging and don't bite me?<br /> Thank for your answering ! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/mysterious-itching-plus-bites#post-62470 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:58:44 +0000 Hmazzz 62470@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I started getting bitten about 2 1/ 2 weeks ago . Im getting bitten a lot. A dog determined they were in my living room and bedroom, but I have not seen one or the normal debris, but found a cluster of eggs on my wall board next to my bed sure it was bed bugs. So I have determine that i have them, even though I have not seen them. The bites are typical, in small groupings..i.e. when the body moves the bedbug will jump off and then on again near the same place.... this I found in my research.<br /> My bites, what ever they are, itchy welts appear throughout the day, even for days during a weekend out of town. I've heard this is typical...they can continue to well up for 9 days after getting bite. HOWEVER, when I come home, after being out for the day, I start to itch. The lights are on, I can see, but I dont see whats just making me itch. I got in bed the other night and I felt like I had a swarm of something around my lets. I did nt see anything. I keep a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol mixed with 2 parts water near my bed ( this mixture kills bed bugs on contact, I have heard).... I sprayed my legs and that swarm of what ever went away. are these the baby bed bugs, just not decernable to the naked eye, the nebs? Do I also have mites? Im baffled. I have researched mites and this does not fit any profile. I have heard that if you have bed bugs ,as a result you might also developed more allergies, or other reactions to bugs. Can anyone shed any light on these mysterious itchings. Thanks </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/still-paranoid-thoughts#post-61834 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:42:07 +0000 paranoid@home 61834@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Ok, it has now been 3 mos. since my bb infested relative visited my home and yes I am still paranoid. I have not found any bbs, fecal matter, or cast skins. </p> <p>What concerns me is that I do get one to five raised itchy welts about once a week. I have also noticed an increase in "pimples" on my face, chest, back, arms, even a few on my thighs and stomach - places where I don't typically get pimples. Some appear in clusters. My dogs sleep on our couch, and seem to be itchy a lot. One dog has scabs in his ears. I don't see evidence of fleas, and they are treated monthly with Frontline. </p> <p>I have found one blood smear on my pillow case a few weeks ago. Other than that, no real evidence. As a precaution, I have encased my mattress/boxspring and placed climbups under the bedlegs - caught nada. </p> <p>So I hate to be a whiner when I know other are dealing with real and difficult bb problems, but what do you folks think? Should I just keep on the lookout and quit worrying? Should I have a professional come inspect for the peace of mind? My biggest concern is that we have a friend scheduled to stay with us next weekend in our guest room, and we will be traveling to relatives homes for the upcoming holidays. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/identify-please#post-62344 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:21:13 +0000 bugzardo 62344@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>I'm new here, as I'm afraid I'm in the early stages of the bed bug process. After having scattered bites on my body for a few weeks (possibly originating from several hotel stays in the US and abroad), I woke up around 4 AM and found this guy with a smaller companion on my sheets. I've been keeping him hostage in a plastic bag since, until the exterminator that my landlord contacted comes in a few days. I've noticed less bites if my girlfriend sleeps in my bed (although she has NO bites whatsoever) or if I wear longsleeves and pants to sleep.</p> <p>I'd appreciate any help in confirming that the insect in the photo is a bed bug, as well as any tips. What I'm most concerned about beyond cleaning up my own place is spreading the bugs when staying at my girlfriend's apartment, traveling to my parents' home for Thanksgiving and visiting friends. </p> <p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nickhazardcollins/BB?feat=directlink" rel="nofollow">http://picasaweb.google.com/nickhazardcollins/BB?feat=directlink</a></p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/awww-now-what-bug-id-please#post-62262 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:02:23 +0000 wchicago 62262@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>wow, my new sofa just keeps on giving and giving. . .<br /> so a week post bedbug treatment #2, there are lots of these &lt;mostly dead&gt; all around and under my sofa.<br /> not bedbugs &lt;i don't think?&gt; i've seen bedbugs, unfortunately, and they are smaller with more of a neck<br /> but these guys don't seem hairy enough to be a carpet beetle larvae &lt;again, i don't think? i'm obviously not an entomologist&gt;<br /> IS it a carpet beetle larvae? the balding kind? or a roach nymph? or. . .</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44663639@N02/?saved=1" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/44663639@N02/?saved=1</a></p> <p>head is to the left, size is maybe a smidge over 1/4 inch</p> <p>please bug folks -what are these and why are there so many in/around my sofa?!</p> <p>i really really hate i*e* &lt;-- store where i purchased new sofa including bedbugs at no extra charge, name obscured so i don't get sued. . . </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/only-one-offender-or-in-denial#post-62022 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:17:44 +0000 Buggy McBuggerson 62022@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello, I have been perusing this site over the past several days, forgive me if this is repetitive or silly...</p> <p>Back in August, I had been sleeping on my sofa because my A/C is in there. Twice I noticed some bites in groups of three on my legs, and thought maybe it was bed bugs. I did a cursory inspection of my bed and sofa, saw nothing. I also did not notice any more bites.</p> <p>Last week, I found out that my neighbors upstairs had them, and got treated. So I went into detective mode with a flashlight, hunting the foul beasties. Absolutely nothing in or around the mattress ( I don't have a box spring) or the headboard / frame. Nothing in the corners of the room, drawers, etc.</p> <p>I did, however, find one live adult on my sofa, hiding where the chaise part meets the main sofa. I opened up the bottom lining and looked all inside, no signs. I also checked bookcases, area rug, and a chair - nothing.</p> <p>This of course has set the de-cluttering in motion, washing, vacuuming, throwing out a lot of stuff. I'm inspecting as I do this, and come up with nothing. I've told the building manager that I saw the one, and hopefully they'll get someone in here to check it out.</p> <p>So the question is, is it possible that there is one offender? It's puzzling to me since I haven't been bitten in months, and can't see any evidence. </p> <p>Thanks for any input!!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bug-id-post-larval-carpet-beetle#post-62284 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:21:47 +0000 bugeyedpea 62284@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>In another thread the bug I found was identified as a larval carpet beetle. Now I've found a couple of these green things with wings. Are they by any chance the carpet beetle at post larval stage? Or something else completely? For some reason flying bugs gross me out less than the creepy crawly kinds.</p> <p>Thanks for any light you can shed.</p> <p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/bugeyedpea/UntitledAlbum#5404242042289293858" rel="nofollow">http://picasaweb.google.com/bugeyedpea/UntitledAlbum#5404242042289293858</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bug-id-request-3#post-62235 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:52:48 +0000 victorstrachi 62235@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My wife was getting bites a couple of nights ago and we found these in the folds of our mattress and I was wondering if they are bedbugs or not. The biggest one measures about 2-3mm. We also found some the next day which look the same, but were about a millimeter or two bigger. </p> <p>While the bodies of these bugs have the same striated pattern similar to bedbugs found on this site, "our" bugs don't seem to have a clearly differentiated head and body. In addition, "our" bugs seem to have larger cilia around the perimeter of their bodies. </p> <p>Please click "Link to photo" for a scan of what I found.</p> <p>Any help would be appreciated. </p> <p>P.S. Apologies if this is posted multiple times, I seem to have problems posting.</p> <p><a href="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab69/mumei/Bugs/BedBugs.jpg">Link to photo.</a></p> <p>edit: made link more obvious. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bug-id-request-2#post-62227 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:26:04 +0000 victorstrachi 62227@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My wife was getting bites a couple of nights ago and we found these in the folds of our mattress and I was wondering if they are bedbugs or not. The biggest one measures about 2-3mm. We also found some the next day which look the same, but were about a millimeter or two bigger. </p> <p>While the bodies of these bugs have the same striated pattern similar to bedbugs found on this site, "our" bugs don't seem to have a clearly differentiated head and body. In addition, "our" bugs seem to have larger cilia around the perimeter of their bodies.</p> <p>Any help would be appreciated. </p> <p><a href="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab69/mumei/Bugs/BedBugs.jpg">bugs</a></p> <p><a href="http://s850.photobucket.com/albums/ab69/mumei/Bugs/?action=view&#38;current=BedBugs.jpg">&lt;img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab69/mumei/Bugs/BedBugs.jpg" border="0" alt="Bugs"&gt;</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-this-a-bed-bug-please-help-i-cant-sleep#post-62181 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:06:27 +0000 bugcrazylady 62181@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi everyone! I am new here, but I think this is the best website ever. Can anyone help me out with some feedback? I am trying to figure out if I have bedbugs, since our exterminator could not tell me for sure (I don't think he did a great job). </p> <p>Anyway, here's the story... I have been getting tiny tiny red dots on my skin. Not in clusters though- one on my arm, one on my leg, one on my hip etc... I think they are bites, but I was hoping they were from fleas (I found a single flea on the cat last a week, but I think maybe I brought it over from a friends house. I have been combing her every night to check and found no others). </p> <p>Then I found this dead bug (or bug shell?) sitting on my bed when I got home from work one night. And now I am scared. It appears to be clearish/whitish with a red head. You can see some dark spots on its inside. Its sort of long and football shaped (not what I thought a BB would be like). I found one other similar item on the floor near my laundry. Neither one was moving, and they both looked the same. Clearish with red head. It is very hard to see any other detail on it. </p> <p><a href="http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/danielletocco/?action=view&#38;current=DSCN1034.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/danielletocco/?action=view&#38;current=DSCN1034.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/danielletocco/?action=view&#38;current=DSCN1033.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/danielletocco/?action=view&#38;current=DSCN1033.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/danielletocco/?action=view&#38;current=DSCN1032.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/danielletocco/?action=view&#38;current=DSCN1032.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/danielletocco/?action=view&#38;current=DSCN1031.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/danielletocco/?action=view&#38;current=DSCN1031.jpg</a></p> <p>Let me know what you think! I will keep my fingers crossed.<br /> Thanks! xo,<br /> Danielle </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/what-is-the-bed-bugs-body-liquid-color#post-61757 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:48:02 +0000 hate 61757@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I got bites and I am afraid they are bed bugs. I checked mattress and box spring. Nothing there, but I found some dark brown bugs between the capet and wood board. I use my nail to kill them and a white liquid come out from their bodies. I heard when people squeeze it, the color should be blood color. Are these bugs in my home bed bugs? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/do-i-have-bed-bugs-please-help-me#post-62079 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:01:40 +0000 eclaire 62079@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>So here is my story.</p> <p>First week in October I noticed three bites just down from my armpit. Didnt think anything of it, thought it was fly bites. End of story.</p> <p>A week later, I noticed 2 bites on my leg. Again, didn't think anything of it, brushed it off.</p> <p>Week later one bite on my hand. Ok something is going on here. Did some research, thought it might be bed bugs. We searched our bedroom and no signs of anything. We've been living in this house for about 14 months and have had the same bed/furniture the whole time.</p> <p>Week later, 3 bites on my leg. So we bring in the PCO fella. He looks around, searches our bed (we put a white bed sheet and pillow cases on so we could see the potential feces or shells, etc) but there is nothing there. He says he sees no signs and that my bites almost look like spider bites to him. He comes back the next day with the CDC 3000 machine thingy, runs that for 10 hours in our bedroom. Nothing shows up. We had sticky pads down for weeks, and nothing showed up. So he tells us we have no sign of bed bugs other than my bites, which he still thinks are spider bites.</p> <p>Fast forward a month to today. No bites for the past month. Nothing. Today around noon I noticed bumps on my lower back. Sure enough 4 bites in a row going down my lower back.</p> <p>Now I am losing my mind. I don't know what to do. I don't know if I have bed bugs or what the hell is biting me.</p> <p>I have a dog and a cat, and they don't have fleas as far as I can tell and if it were fleas, wouldn't my boyfriend be bit by them too? He hasn't had any bites.</p> <p>We did find a spider in our room about a week ago. Just a small guy, I trapped him and tried to find out what kind of spider it was, but no luck, so we killed him.</p> <p>What should I do? I'm literally sick over this. I thought the bites were over and now they are back. I have very sensitive skin so they well up pretty big. They aren't itchy right now, and in the past the first day or two they aren't itchy and then get itchy for a day or two and then nothing.</p> <p>Can somebody please help me? Any thoughts, suggestions, insight? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bug-id-help-not-a-bedbug#post-61991 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:14:19 +0000 bugeyedpea 61991@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>This is the second or third one of these I've seen and I'd like to know what it is. Picture is not the greatest but it's dark possibly black on the end, lighter and seems glutinous in the middle, bit more brown at the head. It has horizontal striations on the body, at least six legs (hard to count) and moves very smoothly ... seems to slither at least to the naked eye. It looks like it might be a bit fuzzy. I thought carpet beetle but then it doesn't look at all like those pictures. Maybe a baby version?</p> <p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/bugeyedpea/UntitledAlbum#5402567324177138962" rel="nofollow">http://picasaweb.google.com/bugeyedpea/UntitledAlbum#5402567324177138962</a></p> <p>Thanks in advance for any tips. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/do-i-have-bed-bugs-6#post-61840 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:15:10 +0000 helpwbug 61840@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>The other day my dog spit out a little round grey-ish-black ball about the size of a fruit suit that he was chewing on he'd picked up off the bedroom floor. This was about 9:30 AM. I picked it up with a piece of toilet paper and when I squeezed it, bright red blood came out. It was oval shaped and grey and I didn't look at it that closely but it didn't appear to have a visible head or legs. Unfortunately, I flushed it down the toilet before looking up what kind of bug would possibly spurt blood like that when squeezed. Once I looked it up, I'm now terrified it was a bed bug! </p> <p>I've been paranoid and I washed the sheets and blanks and put on new white sheets. This morning, on the side of the bed, there was a black streak about the size of my pointer finger on the sheets on the side of the bed. It was not a solid black line but a sort of streaky black line. There have also been some flat hard black specks and very tiny hard little round white things that I've picked up off the bed in the last day. The white things are tiny and almost microscopic and don't appear to have heads but are kind of ovaly shaped and one side almost has a little point on it. (I sprinkled DE so I thought maybe the black things were dehydrated bed bugs, one of the specks looked like it had lines along it but didn't appear to have legs and was very flat) I don't think the black specks that I've picked up are fleas b/c the dogs had fleas before and I know what fleas look like and these were not shiny like the fleas I'd seen in the past. </p> <p>Have not noticed any bites on me, not itchy or anything. But I'm paranoid because I don't know what that grey ball with spurting dark red blood was, especially coupled with the streak on the side of the sheets and the little black and white specks. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/id-help-038-encasement-question#post-61788 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:41:55 +0000 als 61788@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>hey folks,</p> <p>thought id never have to come back to these forms, but here we are (siiiigh). two questions:</p> <p>1. carpet beetle? bedbug? something else? theres one biggie and one small-y and i apologise for the crappy macbook photobooth photos:</p> <p>backside:<br /> <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4082514015_00b39f9807_o.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4082514015_00b39f9807_o.jpg</a></p> <p>frontside:<br /> <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2747/4082514011_398d1bcaa4_o.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2747/4082514011_398d1bcaa4_o.jpg</a></p> <p>2. personal recommendations on a mattress encasement. i have a double-sized futon mattress. on one of those standard/common black metal futon frames. (ohh beautiful king sized bed, how i miss you so) also, im located in toronto.. so 416ers, your suggestions are most appreciated!</p> <p>please &#38; thanks in advance! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/where-are-they-1#post-61773 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:40:06 +0000 DieDieDie 61773@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Two months since the first bite and I've seen a total of one BB. Just one. No fecal stains, no blood spots, no eggs, just nothing... I saw the one, about one week after the first treatment. I had just moved a small suitcase to throw out and he staggered out a little dazed and confused. I scotch-taped him up and that was that. </p> <p>I don't suspect the suitcase as a vector as I've lived in the same place for six years and the suitcase hasn't left the room in about four years. They could have been hiding around there though. PCO has been out twice and the bites have receded, but not stopped. I haven't received any 'bites of three' for several weeks, but will occasionally wake up with a lump on my forehead or an itchy spot somewhere else. So the battle is FAR from over.</p> <p>But seeing as I'm still receiving bites, it would actually be 'good' (not the right word) to know where the h*** they are!!! I spray the bed frame nightly with Good Night and have dusted the perimeter (lightly) with DE. I know this sounds quite toxic... and it probably is. My apt is incredibly warm year around so the windows are always open. After spraying, I'll leave the bedroom door closed for ~3 hours and air the place out before going to bed. Not ideal.. but fewer bites.</p> <p>So ... Has anyone else experienced this? Still receiving bites, but no signs of BB. I strongly suspect BB because (1) seen one (2) LL has been upfront about BB in the building (3) neighbor had BB (she recently moved). A few weeks before I started receiving bites, we received a notice from LL saying some had been found and that everybody's apt would be inspected (mine was - and they didn't find any).</p> <p>Reading other posts in the forum, for most there seems to be an 'ah-HA' moment, when you pull something aside and 'voila' there they are. Hasn't happened yet. Sure would be satisfying to find one and douse him in alcohol. Maybe he'll scream just a little. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/question-about-cast-skins#post-61678 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:33:31 +0000 soscared 61678@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Are they super fragile and crumbly? So if I find smth that kind of resembles one, but doesn't fall apart when I handle it, then it's not a cast skin?<br /> Thank you. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/confused-on-signs-of-bed-bugs-early-on#post-61637 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:57:54 +0000 offsides1971 61637@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We had the whole bedbug infestation drama starting Aug 30th...had 4 sprays, and haven't seen a bedbug since Oct 1. Frankly, I had bites on my hands/arms for about for week leading up to Aug 30th and thought it was a skin allergy as my skin is very sensitive. Anyway..I'm paranoid..read my other posts and you'll see it. I'm desperately afraid of every little itch, twich, etc. And again, my skin is so sensitive that if I just run my finger down my arm I have a trail of little hives for an hour. So I have a pimple on my hairline, doesn't itch..it's sore like a pimple/hair follicle. I keep thinking if it was a bite I would see a mark on my pillow or bed. Either blood, feces something. I keep reading about people getting bites with no marks on their bed. It just sounds odd, even if it is a nymph that there wouldn't be something when they peirce your skin and get their fill. Frankly, I can't remember when I started seeing the marks in our bed..how early on it was. I was so ignorant that bugs never entered my mind so they could have been there awhile. Is thinking "gee this must be a pimple since it's sore and doesn't itch (I reacted with violent hives before) and there's no mark on the bed" naive? Our PCO swears that after 4 treatments in 30 days and steam cleaning carpets, bagging, etc. with no signs in a month that we've got them all. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/please-help-with-identification-and-photo-tips#post-61518 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:00:11 +0000 kiirastacia 61518@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am trying to take a photo to upload for identification; but I can't get a clear one. Tips would be great. I have a wonderful bug specimen, its wiggling on a piece of tape. It's either a small roach or a bedbug; tear-drop shaped with a mostly colorless body. For simple description: The bug can be divided into 3 sections: head section - the pointy part (appears to have antennae), leg section (six or so colorless wiggly legs), and rear section (colorless with an uneven dark center, has ridges). Doesn't appear to have wings. I KNOW we have roaches; unfortunately we also have either scabies or bedbugs. Any way to definitively tell the difference between roach nymphs and bedbugs? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/no-bites-but-weird-crawling-feeling-mosquito-038-bedbug-venoms-related#post-58738 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:02:07 +0000 perhaps1271 58738@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I saw a bug that I later identified as a beetle, but now I have this weird crawling sensation at night, but no bites.<br /> Could be psychosomatic, but I'm squinting at every speck of dust or lint that makes its way into my bedroom region, and some have looked suspect.<br /> I know some people don't have allergic reactions so you can't tell they've been bit, but whenever I've gotten mosquito bites they've always gone itchy and swollen, sometimes becoming nasty welts.<br /> So my question is this, if I react allergically to mosquitos, would I react allergically to bedbugs? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/frightened-please-help-me-and-tell-me-if-i-am-safe-or-not#post-61572 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:34:03 +0000 frightenedofbedbugs 61572@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am hoping that someone can help me and hopefully calm me down or tell me what to do. A few months ago I went to an old movie theater and then went shopping and tried clothing on in a nice department store and hung out for a while and when I came home about 9 hours after the movie I had a bite that itched like crazy - I had to put cortazone on it every hour for several hours - and I realized that I most likely got it during the movie. </p> <p>I actually went and googled the movie theater and someone wrote that they got a bed bug bite at the same movie theater during the same movie that I saw. I was freaking out, but was happy that I didn't just come right home. It's been about 3 months (bite was the first week in August) and I still freak out at every speck I find and every little itch I feel. We immediately examined our clothing and didn't find anything and then washed and dried the clothing on high heat just to be safe. </p> <p>I was wondering if someone could just let me know that if I had a problem I would know by now. I sleep with my closet light on and my glasses and a night light on... I never have a comfortable sleep since the bite I got. I examine my bed and sheets (all white) all the time and didn't notice anything since then except for two or three little black dots and nothing since then and those dots could have been there for a while. Also, I haven't had any bites since that day... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-during-the-day-in-your-clothes#post-59211 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:56:40 +0000 Dave2009 59211@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Ok, so I’m about 90% certain I have bed bugs. I haven’t seen them but the bites seem to match up. Over the last 6 months or so, about 2 times a week I wake up with a few red, itchy bumps that are about ½ inch in diameter. The red bumps go away after 5 to 15 minutes and the itching goes away as well. </p> <p>So those are the bites I get in the morning. However, for the last 3 months or so I’ve noticed bites I get during the day while at work. I usually get them on my arms above the elbow or on my legs above the knee. They do not seem to leave any any kind of mark like the ones I get in the morning. The itching usually only lasts 5 minutes and the frequency is about once an hour.</p> <p>Is it possible the bed bugs are hiding in my clothes and biting me while I’m at work? Is there some kind of “aftershock” with the bites in the morning? Like I get bit at 5:00 AM and it starts to itch again at 10:00 AM? What is the best way to find out what is biting me? Should I see a dermatologist? I mean it’s not even leaving red bumps, so I wouldn’t even know what to show him…</p> <p>Thanks </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bizarre-folded-triangle-bug-parts#post-55982 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:53:19 +0000 strat_man9 55982@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I awoke from a deep sleep early this morning to feel something slightly sharp on the inside of my arm. In my sleep, I brushed it away - and felt something decently sized was on my arm. I bolted out of bed, turned on the lights, threw back the sheets - and found something I don't understand.</p> <p>In my bed, there are about 10 small objects that look like bug parts. Each is a few millimeters long, starting with a thicker segment that is striped beige-and-white and then thins out to a longer beige, 'antenna-thickness' segment, and the whole thing is folded into a triangle (with the 'antenna'-looking part being longer than the other sides of the triangle). I don't have a camera that can take a photo of them. The 'antenna' part seems soft and pliable and the whole thing looks to me like it's made of chitin.</p> <p>Does anyone have ANY idea what these could be?? My friends upstairs had a treatment for bedbugs a few months ago (I never had any sign of them down in the basement where I live, and have had no sign since) but this appears unrelated to me. Still, I felt something on my arm, and these things in my bed certainly came from SOMETHING.</p> <p>I'd appreciate any input you have! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/getting-brand-new-couch-in-cincinnati-minimizing-bb-risks#post-52156 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:22:12 +0000 ExtremelyAngry 52156@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi Forum,</p> <p>I hear there is BB risk associated with acquiring brand new furniture. It could be infested before I ever get it into my home. I heard two stories of new pillows and mattresses being found to have bugs inside of them before even being put to use.</p> <p>What would you all make of such claims and how can you lower that risk?</p> <p>Also, if I put a couch into my apartment (do not have one yet) are there any tactics or things I can do to help minimize the possibility of it becoming infested (although I have no BB problems in my bedroom)</p> <p>Thanks in advance. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/uv-blacklight-inspection-by-a-pco#post-61265 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:09:23 +0000 tinyvampire 61265@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>hi, folks:</p> <p>i've had some helpful comments from ActionK9 and sickofbugs in my post about disclosure to coworkers, here: <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/when-should-you-disclose-your-bb-problem-to-coworkersacquaintances" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/when-should-you-disclose-your-bb-problem-to-coworkersacquaintances</a></p> <p>but, i wanted to give this topic a string of its own: is a UV Blacklight Inspection a valid method to search for a possible BB infestation in a unit or building? i know that a blacklight can be useful for looking through books for BB, or maybe in electrical outlets, but beds?</p> <p>i feel really bad for sickofbugs, and i'm worried that my coworker (whose LL had a PCO come and do a UV wand inspection of his unit) has perhaps been deceived. his LL has now cleared him, after one inspection with this wand thing, and i don't believe they ever looked in his boxspring.</p> <p>comments are appreciated.</p> <p>-tinyvampire</p> <p>PS: i just noticed a promo video clip on google for a national geographic program called "vampires: is it real?" we all know the tiny cimex variety are real, don't we? happy halloween! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bug-identifier-app-for-iphone#post-61209 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:01:00 +0000 JohnnyFedora 61209@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Has anybody else downloaded the bed bug identifier application for iphone? Is it good? The info looks legit and the pictures are pretty good. I'll probably use the hotel hot spot identifier next time I travel if you all think the info is correct?!? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/please-help-a-newcomer#post-61101 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:41:13 +0000 twitchyscratchy 61101@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>hi there, </p> <p>i need some advice ASAP on a potential bedbug problem. 5 days ago, i was visiting a friend in a neighbourhood that has a lot of housing co-ops and "bachelor apartment" style low-income housing (not to be classist, i know BBs can strike anywhere, but transient housing is known to be problematic). i sat on a chair in her apartment for a few hours before going out for drinks. i found out later that the chair had been picked up from the curbside.</p> <p>that same night, about 5 minutes before i got home, she called me to tell me not to bring my clothes inside- she had just seen 2 small bugs- one brown and one white- on the very chair i'd been sitting on. </p> <p>so i stripped down on the porch, put my (brand new!) jacket, jeans, shirts and hat into a bin with a lid and left it in the garden. my boots, and my girlfriend's shoes were both put in separate bags and not brought in. </p> <p>the problem is, i was pretty drunk when all this was happening. i thought my girlfriend also handed me her clothes from inside, but she only handed me her jacket, hat, empty backpack and shoes. she removed her jeans and top inside and put them in the washing machine. the only thing i put in the washing machine were my underwear and socks, as well as the towel we'd dried off with after having hot showers. i didn't know her pants and top were in there until the next day. we didn't let the machine run, as it was too late at night. we filled the machine with hot water and let it sit until the morning.</p> <p>i was pretty mad when i saw the pants come out the next day. anyway, since our bloody dryer is broken and only dries at half temperature, we took everything (including her jeans, but not the rest of the laundry that was in with them) to the laundromat and washed it all on hot, then dried it on hot for 45 minutes. she told me i was being paranoid and didn't want to wait any longer for the clothes to dry so we took them out at 45 minutes. (my brand new wool jacket went to the drycleaners, but her non-wool winter coat was washed/dried with the other things.)</p> <p>anyway this is getting convoluted. this all happened on saturday night and sunday afternoon.</p> <p>today is thursday. as early as tuesday, i noticed 2 little red bumps on the top of my foot, mildly itchy. i tried to chalk it up to coincidence and went on. then, yesterday i noticed an itchy bump on my arm. i then noticed several on my chest (each about a cm apart) and 3 on my leg (about 7 cm apart). they are not massively itchy. they're about 1.5 mm in diameter, red, with a sort of clear liquid centre in a very tiny point.</p> <p>i have not seen any blood, nor any bugs. i did see black poppy seed type things in the bed, but they were hard, and did not smear with water as they seem to be wont to do. </p> <p>does this sound like something we should call a PCO for immediately? do i need to wait to see an actual bug? what if we wait and it gets bad? </p> <p>i keep my apartment SO clean, i'm mortified that we could have bedbugs, and i have not slept in 36 hours, i just keep checking the internet for more answers. </p> <p>also, we have a severely immunocompromised cat and we have to be extremely careful about pests, bacteria, and chemicals. i'm so worried, almost moreso about our beloved kitty than anything. </p> <p>please, please, please, tell me what i should do at this point???</p> <p>thanks you!<em></p> <p>(Admin note: certain items removed at author's request)</em> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/cant-find-bugs#post-61062 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:00:21 +0000 jayd 61062@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>A couple days ago I woke up with 6 small itchy red welts and was immediately concerned about bed bugs as I had seen an article about them recently in my town. The first day I took off and searched through the sheets and blankets, searched the mattress, especially the seams, the top and bottom of the box spring and the bed frame. I did not turn up anything. Today I woke up with what may be two more bites. I searched again, looking in the same places and more. This time I also took the mesh off the bottom of the box spring and searched the inside. I also carefully searched everything underneath my bed and removed it and found nothing but carpet beetle larvae. I also searched through other furniture and the baseboards and found nothing. What's going on? Do I have bed bugs, I'm really worried since it sounds like they are a nightmare to get rid of. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bug-dog-in-nyc#post-61038 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:15:31 +0000 BB_Hell_NYC 61038@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good bed bug dog in NYC. Also what kind of price am i looking to pay for one? Do they charge per room or do they do the whole house for you?</p> <p>Thanks for your help!!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/possible-early-infestation-1#post-50959 Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:10:13 +0000 Munched 50959@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I thought I'd post about my battle with a possible (unconfirmed, but likely) infestation. The good news here is that if I have bed bugs, they were introduced exactly 1 week ago. I believe that the gestation period for eggs is 1 to 3 weeks, so worst case, I'd be seeing the first generation of fresh nymphs any day now.</p> <p>This all started a week ago while visiting a friend in San Francisco. I got seriously bit up there (seven grouped bites on the neck, eight on the arm, five on the back) over two days. We had spent part of the day lounging on the grass in the park, so I figured I'd gotten into something there and didn't really worry about it. </p> <p>After returning home (to Seattle) I didn't wash my travel clothes and bag (stupid, stupid, stupid) and continued to see bites on my arms. The problem is, I wasn't really paying close attention so I couldn't decide if I'd had those bites before or not. Again, I figured they were left over bites that took a few days to develop and didn't think anything of it.</p> <p>Yesterday morning I woke up with a bite on each leg. Just one, not the breakfast, lunch, dinner style that is typical. My mind reeled to think of all the critters that could be feeding on me in my sleep, so I made an appointment with my doctor, worked from home, and went about looking for some kind of trace of the little guys.</p> <p>In a rare moment of luck, I found this little guy squished between the pages of a book I was reading; a book I was also reading in San Francisco. I have no idea if he got caught in there during my trip or after my I returned, but here he is.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/67826241@N00/3622464327/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/67826241@N00/3622464327/</a></p> <p>I'm looking at this guy and at the pictures of bed bugs on this and other sites. They look the same to me except that this guy is pretty big. Normally adults only get to 5mm and this is more like 6. Chances seem to be that he died in San Francisco since I think that infestation is pretty serious. If it weren't for these new bites, I'd think I got away lucky. With fresh bites, however... Damn. </p> <p>I showed him to my doctor who admitted to not being an entomologist, but he believed that bed bugs were usually much smaller than this. He prescribed me some skin creme that would kill anything living on or in my skin, just to be safe, and told me to wash everything I've ever owned including the onesy I wore when I was a year old. Ok, not really; that's just what it feels like. </p> <p>I'd love to starve the little bastards, but I have two cats and I'm pretty sure that these guys are going to find a blood meal one way or another around here. I called a PCO and they recommended against treating without more evidence than a single squeeshed bug. So... I took my bed apart (there are WAY too many places to hide in there), dropped a thermarest in the middle of the floor and surrounded it with double-sticky carpet tape. I'll tape the ceiling tonight to remove that as a possible path to me. </p> <p>I keep hoping I'll find something on these forums that says, "Well, if you're lucky enough to know there's only a few around, then do this and you'll be set." So far, the advice seems to be: take precautions to keep from feeding them; wait for concrete evidence; hope for the best but if not, call a PCO. </p> <p>I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts or suggestions, particularly about the cats. I'm pretty sure the bugs can just live off of the cats in a pinch. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/experts-what-is-this-please-pictures#post-60995 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:08:31 +0000 paulaw0919 60995@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I just now found this on the floor in my kitchen as I was making coffee. I found it a few inches away from my bottom cabinet on the floor. </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11134728@N08/4051984527/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/11134728@N08/4051984527/</a><br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11134728@N08/4051983729/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/11134728@N08/4051983729/</a><br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11134728@N08/4051982961/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/11134728@N08/4051982961/</a></p> <p>Last week we had a bad invasion of lady bugs outside but this to me doesnt look like it had wings.<br /> I hate to say this but I feel paralyzed at the sight of this. </p> <p>Thank you </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/oh-now-what-the-hell-is-this#post-60980 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:42:29 +0000 Merriweather 60980@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>after battling bedbugs at my g/f's apartment, she gets the misfortune of these jackasses crawling in her bedroom (but not kitchen... and only during the day..)</p> <p><a href="http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/3444/bug1on.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/3444/bug1on.jpg</a><br /> <a href="http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/2739/bug2ts.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/2739/bug2ts.jpg</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbug-egg-size-relative-to-nymphs-help-please-kinda-freaking-out-a-little#post-60913 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:39:37 +0000 wchicago 60913@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>hello,<br /> i know for sure i have bedbugs (PCO found cast skins on sofa). but he thinks (based on less than 5 minute inspection and asking me where i get bitten) thats its just in living room sofas, bedroom, and sunroom. i am happy to believe him - BUT - i found something today that looked like an egg on the dining room floor. translucent white, glued to floor (i had to scrape it with my thumbnail through a paper towel to get it up, eeuw, i know). but here's the thing -it was big. now, big is a relative term -but it was definitely bigger than the "O" in the "In God We trust" on a penny (which according to fabulous pics someone here posted, is size of first instars.) It was more like the size of a grain of rice. When i looked in the baseboards (i have huge gaps between boards and floor -and yes i WILL be caulking after PCO comes in 10 days for second treatment, though like i said, he didn't treat the dining room) i saw lots more of those egglike things. And, something straw colored and itty bitty (but elongated) crawled quickly out and then back into the baseboard. was long and skinnyish, so think it was a booklouse? are nymphs always kind of rounded? if so, was not a nymph. my question -did i find bb eggs? booklouse eggs? other eggs? please someone tell me they are not bb eggs. </p> <p>or if they ARE bb eggs, i can steam the gaps in my baseboards with my vapor steamer -for gaps i assume i use the jet nozzle but on lowest pressure?? (if i used a bigger head, it seems like i wouldn't be able to get steam to the eggs). remember, he did not treat the dining room, so if i steam, i won't mess up his work (he sprayed phantom on baseboards of bedroom, living room and sunroom -the residue is visible. no residue in dining room and indeed, his sheet says he didn't treat anywhere but BR, LR and sunroom, even though i asked him to specifically treat my office, where i get bitten, and where, in fact, i found more of those mysteriously rice looking egg thingies under my desk (like 3), and also found 2 in the sunroom (where he did treat) just in the middle of the floor, one of those was amber (much like brown rice, in fact).</p> <p>anyone? are those BB eggs? if so, should i call my PCO and let him know? would he come out and treat the untreated rooms that are harboring eggs? does phantom even *do* anything to the eggs? i know bedlam does. . .i could buy bedlam (its sold in hardware stores in chicago) and spray myself but i'm trying not to self treat beyond steaming places he did not treat (i.e., spent 6 hours dissassembling and steaming my bedframe sunday cuz he didn't treat the bedframe or clearly even inspect it because a cursory glance and i found 2 live bugs and a few casts, hence the spending of my sunday with my vapor steamer and bedframe despite the last of the lovely fall weather. this sucks). </p> <p>thanks! i would post a pic with a penny for relative size (but just so you know, they are more like the length of the whole word "God" or "Trust" much longer than the "o" albeit skinny) -but i only have an iphone as a camera and it has crappy resolution. however, if in terms of relative size you think it would be useful -i could get one &lt;eeeuw&gt; from under the baseboards and post an iphone pic </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/infestation-1#post-60856 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:01:17 +0000 xenomax 60856@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>hi, i've been reading about what a process is for a pco visit and i can't seem to find a typical process. when my roommate discovered bedbugs in their room last month, the PCO came and sprayed their room after asking them to bag their stuff. apparently he found no signs of infestations in the other rooms and hence only did a cursory spray in the other 2 rooms. </p> <p>i was packing up some random pieces of paper that has been lying on the desk in my room today and found a live adult on one of the pieces of paper. does this mean that there is already an infestation my room? I'm hoping it isn't, but from what i've read, they are quite elusive so if i find one, its a sign that there are more. However, I don't think I have had any bites (or any outward reaction towards it) and didn't see any black spots in the vicinity though. Also, the bug I found had some black things in its body which I think would suggest it has fed on something. Does this mean i actually have a new infestation on my hands? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/identification-help-please#post-60722 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:39:09 +0000 slowpoke 60722@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Found this while cleaning. It looks somewhat like a number of beetles I've found, but also looks rather bed-buggy. Would appreciate a proper identification.</p> <p>Not working with an ideal camera, but several pics here:<br /> <a href="http://s815.photobucket.com/albums/zz75/slowpoke1967/Dead%20Bug/" rel="nofollow">http://s815.photobucket.com/albums/zz75/slowpoke1967/Dead%20Bug/</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/cant-find-them-what-can-i-do-at-this-point-people-think-im-crazy#post-58885 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:26:22 +0000 BedbugH8R 58885@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm going to bullet point this since it's a lot. First is the background, then I post my questions.</p> <p>--Came back from hotel stay and plane trip. First night back I had bites and every night since (until I moved into basement and cleaned room--whoops.).</p> <p>--Bites are in groups or lines. Look like inflamed pimples. Husband doesn't have any visible bites. They itch like CRAZY.</p> <p>--I looked daily at mattress and eventually found one bug under the corner lip of the mattress. It was a reddish light brown. I was unprepared and didn't catch it. :( When I look at the lifecycle pics on this site, it looked the color of the nymphs exactly! I couldn't really see the shape well because it was kind of jammed in a crack. I freaked out and left it there. Bad move. :(</p> <p>--Since then no BB signs. 2 PCOs did inspections and found nothing but a few carpet beetles. They don't want to treat without proof, which is great in some ways and stinks in others. </p> <p>--I KNOW something real is going on. These bites are not normal. Not fleas (been there before, plus have no pets). I saw a bug. Just came off plane from hotel stay. Bug bites every morning in a pattern. </p> <p>--I set glue/hotshot traps a couple of days and got nada. Probably should do more days?</p> <p>--All of bedroom is in sealed bags because they PCO was going to treat. Now what? Open them all up? See if they come crawling out?</p> <p>--Mattress encasements on bed and slept there first time in a while last night. I got no bites; husband had just one on his ankle--unsure of it's origin. </p> <p>--Should I get climb-ups? Would only work if they are coming up or down bed legs, huh? </p> <p>--Should I shell out for Packtite when I'm unsure? I am getting on a plane and visiting family next month and don't want to bring critters with me if they are there! I have important books and papers I need, too, and I fear there are bugs in them since they were basically on the floor by my nightstand.</p> <p>--Should I get a cheap-ish steamer? I have a lot of clothes I can't hot-wash. Also have a lot of "stuff". Would want to treat our luggage before trip.</p> <p>--Should I just bite the bullet and get Nightwatch so I can treat house before my vacation? </p> <p>--Does the black bags-in-sun thing work? Seems so much less hot and consistent than a Packtite or dryer. </p> <p>--Seriously, I'm starting to feel crazy myself, but really, I know something is wrong here. This is not normal. I think my husband doesn't trust that all this is necessary. It makes me feel worse. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/identification-please-help-clear-photos#post-60588 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:19:44 +0000 sheye 60588@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello,</p> <p>I'm sure you must get sick of these questions, but I was hoping someone could please help me identify if the bug in the photos below is a bed bug. I know that my landlord recently sprayed another apartment in my building, but he didn't tell me what it was for. </p> <p>I'm hoping I'm wrong and this is not a bed bug! </p> <p>Thank you - I TRULY appreciate your help. </p> <p><a href="http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/1103/img3296m.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/1103/img3296m.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/5910/img3298u.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/5910/img3298u.jpg</a></p> <p>Please let me know if you need any other information to help ID... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/identify-this-bug-newbie-living-halfway-around-the-world#post-60540 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:34:30 +0000 rsg 60540@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm currently living in Guangzhou, China. We seem to have a new bug infestation of some variety; my partner and I are waking up with fresh bites all over our legs/feet. I went to a doctor and she concluded the bites are from bugs and we don't have scabies or some bizarre disease. Also, recently traveled to Taiwan, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The bug bites are new upon returning from Vietnam, and started appearing about 5-6 days after return. That was approximately 10 days ago now.</p> <p>We have washed/steamed a good majority of fabrics in our house but the process is ongoing. Obviously, we are going to have a PCO come but I am suspect of their experience with bed bugs. </p> <p>I have checked our (very new) bed entirely and found zero evidence of bugs--no eggs, feces, blood, etc, even in the small cracks. I steamed the bedframe in an effort to drive out a few bugs but no such luck. The rest of the bedroom also appears clean so I'm starting to suspect our sofa.</p> <p>Regardless, the image below is the only insect we have found:</p> <p><a href="http://docs.google.com/View?id=dfx2258b_352g57f4cc5" rel="nofollow">http://docs.google.com/View?id=dfx2258b_352g57f4cc5</a></p> <p>Anyone know what that is? I <em>don't</em> think it's a bed bug, but I could be wrong. That coin is a 5 Hong Kong Dollar piece--it is roughly the size circumference of a U.S. quarter though twice as thick.</p> <p>Any help is appreciated!</p> <p>Thanks!</p> <p>-RSG </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-much-do-they-travel#post-60541 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:36:18 +0000 empathie 60541@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We had a dog search in our building this weekend and they found bedbugs in the apartments adjoining and directly above us (but not in ours...yet). Are we doomed? Is there anything we can do to try to avoid them coming into ours?<br /> Thanks. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/k9-declared-bug-free-what-else-could-it-be#post-60417 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:00:45 +0000 BedBugBatty 60417@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Background: Skip if you just want to hear the bite description:<br /> About a month ago, I had a thermal treatment job done on my apartment. Two weeks ago, I followed up with a K9 inspection from a reputable company that some people on this forum have suggested in the past. The K9 detected bed bugs in my box spring mattress (which is encased in two protect-a-bed encasements), but did not find them anywhere else, and after examining the box spring to make sure there were no tears, he declared me bed-bug free. I have noticed (especially during the weekends when I am home for most of the day) that I still sometimes get bites on my body. The K9 inspector ruled out bed bugs after examining my mattress/box spring for my small apartment, and I'm trying to figure out what could be causing the biting.</p> <p>The other problem is that I don't really have a clear timeframe of when I was "bed bug free" to assess any difference in bites, as I had a previous K9 inspection from a 3rd reputable company suggested by forum members tell me I was clear of bugs (albeit this was when 90% of my stuff was in ziplock bags, even my furniture was in giant plastic bags and I was still getting bitten). It was during this time that almost all of the apartments in the same building as mine was declared bb free as by this same K9 inspector. </p> <p>Description of bites/timing:<br /> The funny part is that I've had this problem for a while, but the timing of the bites (a couple around my body every few days) doesn't seem to have changed very much over the past few months. Furthermore, I've noticed that the time between bites seems to get longer when my apartment is left unheated in the cold compared to warmer summer weather. Bites generally not clustered together, but I will sometimes get multiple bites on the same day.</p> <p>Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions for how to proceed? Should I still suspect bed bugs, or should I look towards other possible insect culprits? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/egg-identification#post-60207 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:00:49 +0000 paranoid@home 60207@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>It has been two months since my bed-bug infected relative visited. I have not found any evidence (bugs, stains, skins, etc.) of bed bugs in my house, but I'm still getting the occasional bite 2-3 times a week. A bit late in the year to be mosquito bites, so I am still paranoid.</p> <p>Today I was combing out my dog and found several little sticky white eggs on the comb. They are about 1 mm across. One was oval shaped like the pics I've seen on this forum, a few looked more round. My camera can't do it justice, so no picture. My question is, can bugs be identified by their eggs? If so, I'll try and locate a local entymologist. Just wondering if anyone here knows before I go to the trouble. Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-it-bed-bugs-1#post-60368 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:07:03 +0000 bcat0788 60368@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm pretty sure that I have bed bugs, but I would like to get some more advice! About a month ago I had, what I thought at the time, was a spider bite on my thigh. The next night, I got another one on my other thigh. Then, I broke out in hives on my chest for 3 days that would appear in the morning, seem to be pretty much gone by night, then back again in the morning. Two of those nights, someone else slept in the bed with me and did not get bitten. I have gotten a few bites since then, but they were not as swollen or painful as the first bite, and looked/itched/felt exactly like a mosquito bite. These bites were on the front middle of my left thigh (where the first bite occured), on my upper thigh, and on my buttox. Each bite was by itself, except twice there were 2 together on my buttox. I have also gotten a few smaller "bites" that resemble tiny pimples on my face and my arm. I don't have a bed frame or headboard, just my box spring and mattress on the ground. I searched my mattress/covers (especially in the seams) and did not find much. On my pillow, which is very old, there were 2 little stains that looked like they might be blood. I immidiately threw my pillows away, I moved my bed, vacuumed it, cleaned/disinfected the whole room, got rid of any clutter, emptied the drawers, got an allergy mattress cover and allergy pillow cover, and am in the process of cleaning all of my clothes in hot water. When I was cleaning, I saw no sign of bed bugs, casings, or eggs. I rent a house with 7 other girls, and no one else has had any problem. I haven't been sleeping in my bed for the past few nights, and have not had any bites. There is a couch directly outside of my bedroom door, and no one has gotten bites from sitting/sleeping on it. I have been in my room (just to clean) and spending all of my time in the house in the room directly outside of my door, and no bites. I called the landlord hoping he will help, but it is doubtful because when we had cockroaches in the bathroom it was a mess. I'm just looking for some advice because I'm terrified of bugs! And I think it's odd that they were biting me where my skin was not exposed (except if they were the culprit on my face) and that I'm the only one out of 8 people in the house with any evidence! Whenever I think of them I feel like I'm itching all over, which does NOT help when you're paranoid you have bed bugs. I also have not been able to sleep and am just paranoid about them all the time...if someone please has any advice I'd really appreciate it!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/do-i-have-bed-bugs-5#post-60239 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:25:29 +0000 JNYC82 60239@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Office building recently sent a notice that the building might be infected, and i've grown concerned about them being in my apt. i've seen what could be tiny skin casts off on top of my living room rug. i also remember a day last summer where i noticed a blood spot on my sheet, but that was when i slept with the windows open and mosqioutos would get in. i have no bites and have seen no fecal matter on my mattress or furniture. should i be concerned enough to go through the whole bed bug cleaning process (which costs a lot of money from what i've been reading)? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/are-they-back-cannot-tell-what-these-are#post-60219 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:06:47 +0000 killumall 60219@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>sorry to post another similar thread but I cannot tell what the heck these are and I have found more than one in my house. Them seem like BB but without the head maybe? I had BB before, but thought I was clean....</p> <p>Thanks for any confirmation, one way or another.</p> <p><a href="http://img126.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=20078134.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img126.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=20078134.jpg</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/yes-or-no-unidentified-bug-pic#post-60060 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:27:40 +0000 KN34 60060@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Long time listener, first time poster - Is this a bed bug or no? </p> <p>[url=http://picasaweb.google.com/kins34/unindentifiedbug#5392214111862602658]null</p> <p>Many Thanks </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/talc-in-climbups#post-55499 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:03:05 +0000 worrywart1 55499@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>When people say keep the climbups dusted with talc, what kind of talc exactly are they talking about? Talcum powder, like "Shower to Shower" that you get in the health and beauty section of the store? Or is there some special kind of talc? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-in-the-uk#post-59415 Sun, 04 Oct 2009 06:28:58 +0000 Once_Bitten 59415@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm sure we have got the little buggers as our bites are in groups with red spots in the centre and, have found a few watery blood looking splodges on the white sheets but, even though we have searched for days we cannot find where they are hiding.</p> <p>We are currently renovating the house so, there are cracks and gaps everywhere.<br /> The bed is wood with slats (no boxspring) we have had it to bits and the torch &#38; magnifying glass have revealed nothing.<br /> We have searched the carpet and rug perimeters, nothing!<br /> We have examined all furniture, inside drawers etc etc. nothing!</p> <p>I've spend days researching online so we feel sure we know what to look for.<br /> We've moved the bed away from any walls and furniture, encased our matress in plastic (well sealed) and, have put double sided sticky tape on the legs and, are making sure the sheets never touch the floor, but we think we are still getting bitten although it is difficult to tell as we have so many bites and, it seems they can come out days later. Not seen any more splodges on the sheets though.</p> <p>Today we are going to take the bed to bits and examine it further.<br /> We have bought a dry steam Vac and, intend to use this on the bed and room perimeter using low pressure so as (hopefully) not to scatter any hidden bugs.</p> <p>We want to get the professionals in but know we need evidence first so, if anyone can give any other suggestions we would appreciate it.</p> <p>David in the UK, read everything on your site and all your posts on here, hoping you may be coming to the northwest soon (12 miles outside Manchester)?<br /> If not, can you recommend anyone else in Lancashire/Cheshire?<br /> Just not enough hours in the day to cope with this ourselves. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/passive-monitoring-questions#post-60058 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:05:25 +0000 bostonette 60058@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi all. I posted my original story on this forum and got some wonderful advice <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/please-help-9" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/please-help-9</a> but still have some questions. Basically, I went on vacation and discovered I was staying in a place with bedbugs. We did all things we were supposed to when we got home, according to the FAQs, immediately laundering all clothes, quarantining non-launderables, freezing some things, etc. Nine days after returning, I found 7 red itchy spots that could have been bed bug bites or not (mosquito bites - I was in Florida for a 4 days prior to the spots showing up and there were a lot of mosquitos). I immediately bought mattress encasements, white linens, isolated my bed and put the legs in bowls of soapy water (still waiting for my interceptors to be delivered - tomorrow I hope!) and have done and bagged all my laundry in my bedroom. The living room closets I have not yet gotten to. I also decluttered and cleaned. While I cleaned I found several carpet beetle larvae, even in the bed, under the bed, and around my bedroom. </p> <p>Anyway, during this process I've been staying with my boyfriend, where I usually stay anyway. But if there are bedbugs, I don't want them to get hungry and go looking for other food or homes, so I've started staying at my place again. Tonight will be night #2. Last night, no bites and no bugs found in my soapy water bowls! </p> <p>So, a few questions:<br /> 1. How do I use the interceptors with bed risers? I have the kind you get at Bed Bath and Beyond because my metal bedframe is so low to the floor otherwise. Would I put the interceptor on top of the riser and then the legs in the interceptor? Is this safe? </p> <p>2. How often do I have to stay at my own place in order for this passive monitoring thing to work? I usually stay at my boyfriends 6 out of 7 nights and that bedbugs like to feed every 5 nights or so, can I do every other night? Should I do 4 nights here and 2 there? Weird question I know, but I don't want all of this to be for nothing. </p> <p>3. If I continue to have no bites and no bugs appear, how long until I can feel reasonably OK with going back to having my clothes in the bureaus instead of in giant Ziplock bags? </p> <p>4. My living room has the 2 closets with most of my clothes and shoes. Should I do the same laundering (HOT HOT HOT) and bagging process for all those items too? The room is adjacent to my bedroom with no door in between, but again, all I've found is proof of carpet beetles so far... I'm not sure how crazy I should get with the cleaning at this point and if there are bed bugs, I don't want to drive them away. </p> <p>I know, it's lots of questions, but any advice would be greatly appreciated! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/please-help-9#post-59667 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:32:08 +0000 bostonette 59667@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>So my boyfriend and I went to France for a lovely vacation. We rented an apartment for 2 weeks and about 5 days into the trip he noticed bumps on my back. I thought I was getting a rash, a reaction to a detergent or something like that. But then I just kept getting more. Finally we discovered it was bedbugs! We called the landlord right away and she moved us to a different apartment where we looked and looked and looked and didn't see any signs of bedbugs. I didn't seem to get anymore bites after we moved. </p> <p>When we got home we took all our laundry to a laundry services and the dry cleaners. I unpacked everything else in my bathtub inspecting everything closely for bugs or eggs, vaccuuming everything clean, scrubbing my hardcase suitcase. I even froze some items in my freezer. We got back on Friday Sept 25. </p> <p>Now I'm just getting back from a short trip to Orlando for work. I inspected everything I could at the hotel there, except the headboard which was bolted to the wall, and the hotel room looked like it was BB free. I stayed 3 days and yesterday morning was my last day there, when I woke up I noted I had what looked like one mosquito bite on my foot. Now this morning I have what definately looks like 3 BB bites on my arm. And of course there's the questionable bite on my foot - mosquito or BB. </p> <p>Is it possible that there were BB in the hotel and that I'm having a delayed reaction like the delayed bite reactions I had in France? I've only stayed at my apartment 2 nights since returning from France, last night and one night last week before my Orlando trip. I'm so itchy now just thinking my place might be infected. </p> <p>Help! Any advice? Is it possible that I just have really bad travel karma with these things? Or is it more likely that I've got myself a little infesation? I'm going to hunt for them tonight to see if I actually spot a bug, but any words of wisdom would be helpful. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/very-tiny-little-brown-bug#post-51428 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:37:15 +0000 NOTOBUGS 51428@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am in the process of moving into a new condo. I have had K9 inspections two times with the result "no sign of activity" - from two different Pest Control Company's. This morning, I found a tiny little brown bug in the lamp shade of a floor lamp in the living room. I was changing the light bulb and actually thought it was a piece of dirt. I have put the bug in double zip loc's and am now waiting for the PCO to call me back - although it's unlikely they can get here till Monday. </p> <p> The bug is exactly 1 mm long and almost 1/2 mm wide. I was wondering if this is a nyph or some other type of bug and if some other type of bug, any ideas? The bug is brown - not translucent and really I thought it was a piece of dust or dirt at first. Then I picked it out with my finger and it started to move.</p> <p>Please help as I am going crazy here. </p> <p>One other thing, bed bugs were discovered 5 floors on the other side of the building. Could they have already moved 5 floors? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/how-bugs-can-spread-or-be-picked-up#post-59742 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:30:06 +0000 spideyjg 59742@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Dragonflight put together a nice set of his observations that deserves discussion and it's own thread. </p> <p>Don't know if he will see it before it gets deleted again but here it is verbatim.......</p> <p>&lt;snip&gt; <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/overlooked-ways-to-pick-up-bed-bugs">see post here</a>&lt;/snip&gt; </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-only-saw-1-bed-bug#post-59943 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:33:42 +0000 jordeeyman 59943@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hey,<br /> Today i was at home and i saw a bed bug on my neck. I quickly killed it but im not sure if i have bed bugs. My son came back from camp the other day and i washed all his clothing and luggage and his sleeping bag. He also complained of bites on his back that looked like bed bug bites. I checked all my matresses in the house and i didnt see any signs of bed bugs but i dont know if i have them. I dont have any pictures. Please help. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/need-help-with-identification#post-59829 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:56:03 +0000 rl421 59829@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I recently stayed at a hotel that wasn't very clean. (I had no choice, since I was with a tour group.) There were a lot of roaches and I woke up the next morning with itchy welts on my legs and arms. I didn't think much of it at first since I was constantly near insects for the past week. I'm in China, studying in Shanghai for a few months and I was traveling in less developed parts of China.</p> <p>When I got home, I didn't think much about the welts, thinking they'd recover in a few days. But then new welts appeared, prompting me to think that there was something biting me at night. I immediately thought bed bugs, but couldn't be sure. The good part is (if you can call it that), I found bugs under my bed sheet. They were very tiny, about 1mm in length and not visible unless you were specifically looking for something moving. I caught about 4 or 5 the first time.</p> <p>Everything on my bed save the mattress itself were replaced. I checked every night before sleeping to see if they returned and after a couple of nights, they did indeed return. This time, everything including the mattress was replaced. By this time, I already read so much about bed bugs that I was hesitant to have stuff moved around the apartment, but it was the school administration's call.</p> <p>Well, after a night, they're back again. At this point, I've gone a week without peaceful sleep and I'm constantly anxious at home (for example, it's 4:30 AM here in China and I'm still trying to figure out what these bugs are). I've been told professional exterminators aren't very prevalent here, so that only adds to my anxiety.</p> <p>I'm really hoping someone here can give me a confident answer about these bugs. These pictures are the best I could muster. Taken with a 1:1 macro lens, I can't really do much more than that with what I have. The bugs might be a bit distorted because I caught them with tape. I personally think they look like bed bug nymphs, but I'm no expert and it could be my paranoia speaking. I was told they might be roaches at first, and then maybe mites.</p> <p>If it helps, my welts primarily appear below my knee on my legs and below my elbow on my arms. Small ones have started appearing in the upper part of my arms and legs though, but only one or two. I also visited a doctor the other day and he wasn't sure if they were even bites.</p> <p>PICTURES:<br /> <a href="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d19/diablo2189/mini-IMG_6144.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d19/diablo2189/mini-IMG_6144.jpg</a><br /> <a href="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d19/diablo2189/mini-IMG_6149-1.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d19/diablo2189/mini-IMG_6149-1.jpg</a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/want-to-contact-lou-sorkin#post-59891 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:39:16 +0000 bait 59891@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I live in NYC and would like to speak to Lou Sorkin. I tried going through the museum but haven't had much luck. Can anyone tell me how I can communicate with him? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/questions-sorry-its-really-lon#post-59666 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:30:40 +0000 paranoid blood 59666@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I had a bed bug about a year ago but it died so it was simply problem sloved. (Just so you know, yes it was only one and I just found it dead when I lifted my covers). When I first had it, I was really itchy and atuomatically assumed it was bed bugs when I noticed the hawaiian island chain, the weird 3 in row bites. I'm actually very paranoid, hence the name, in contrast to the average teenager. After the one beg bug died I remained alert for 3 months. I really dispise bugs and insects, at a youger age, I couldn't even squish an ant. My parents thought I had a phobia and still do, I agree, but I think I'm improving. I can now squish an ant. Anyways a yaer after i solved the problem, I get more (at least I think). My mother recently came from a trip overseas to vist family and didn't stay in a hotel so I have doubts she got it there, espeacially since she had no bites. So here is he first batch of questions:<br /> -Could she have brought it home from the airplane trip here? Do bed bugs travel from luggage to luggage on a plane?<br /> -Do they have bed bugs in Korea?<br /> Anyways before my mother returned, I was sitting at my desk in my room when a red ant (a ant that was red, not sure if it really was a "red ant") bit me. It swelled up and instanly and really itched, but I killed it on the spot. It was the same type of ant that I had seen before in the living room and my bathroom. My father said it was an explorer so dont worry about it. ( I'm still very freaked out by ants even though I can squish them. We also haven't had ants in way over a year) Anyways, I mention this because it is semi-important. It was 4 days after my mothers return I had noticed the chain bite marks on my thigh. I quickly started freaking out, but had to make sure, so I reluctanly went to sleep that night to see if I'd get more bites. I did, but on my other thigh and just 2 bites a inch or more apart. (The bites on my thigh didn't itch at first until I began to itch it without it even being itchy.) I still didn't quite believe it and thought it was Gnats. After closing my window and suffering a hot humid night, I awake to find 8- 12 bites on my right elbow. I then clean my floor area vaccumed my bed to find nothing. I then moved to sleeping on my bed last night. (I was sleeping on the floor because my bed was getting uncomfortable.) I awoke at about 3am to find new bite marks on my left elbow. I have since checked my bed and blanket but have found nothing, but I did just sleep on a mattress and used the bed sheet as a blanket. Anyways since then I have been awake and now it is 5:18 am. I cannot will myself to go back to bed and get preyed on once again. Although I have doubts about me having bed bugs because I was reminded of the red ant because I saw it in my bathroom which is right next to the door of my room where I have my bed. I began thinking, but have confused myself. I was itchy before when I had the bed bug or maybe I wasnt and I made myself itch like I did with the bites on my thighs. I think the red ant could be cause for my bites because the bite is veery similar to what it looked like before, except one thing. I know for sure the bites I have right now dont itch a bit, and the bites on my thighs are almost gone after 5 days. So here's the last of my questions:<br /> -Do I have bed bugs?<br /> -Is it possible for me to have been bitten but not itch?<br /> -Do any other bugs that bite do it in a sort of 3 in row kind of thing?<br /> -Do bed bugs atcually feed early on in the night? ( I thought it was like an hour before dawn)<br /> -Do they feed every night? ( I though it was about every other day or like every few days)<br /> Oh and if looking at a picture of a bite helps I have 2 of them from my elbows.<br /> Thank you for reading my longest post ever and please help by answering a question... or 5. LOL </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/help-with-bug-id#post-59145 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:59:14 +0000 buggyland 59145@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi,<br /> I am driving my husband crazy and am hoping someone can help me identify this bug. It has a slit vertically down it's back(maybe wings?) which is hard to see in these photos. It is very small and brownish in color<br /> <a href="http://mysterybug.shutterfly.com/" rel="nofollow">http://mysterybug.shutterfly.com/</a><br /> Thanks! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-in-indianapolis#post-58706 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:24:55 +0000 BuggedBob 58706@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Looking for homeowner in Indianapolis who is willing to share the cost of bringing bed bug detecting dog to Indianapolis or central Indiana to locate possible bed bug infestations. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/possible-bb-problem-i-could-really-use-some-advice#post-59553 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:56:27 +0000 bluejello 59553@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi everyone, hope someone can advise me here!</p> <p>I moved into a new flat about 3 weeks ago, which I share with a flatmate who was already living here. My room is furnished, and the bed is the same bed which the girl who owns the flat had been sleeping in for at least a year.</p> <p>About 2 weeks ago, I developed about 20 red, extremely itchy welts, which were 1-2cm across - about a dozen on the back of my right thigh, another 4 or 5 on the side of my thigh, and 2 or 3 on the front of the opposite calf. I just assumed I had been bitten by a midge or an ant through my tights whilst sitting outside (I live in Scotland and we had a very mild September, although the weather is turning colder now). </p> <p>However a few days later I developed a few more welts on my inner left thigh, same size and shape as the first ones. They were not in straight lines but in clusters. I would not always be aware of them immediately upon waking, but around the middle of the day I would feel an intense itch and scratch, only to find an angry, almost painfully itchy welt. </p> <p>At this I began to suspect BBs in the back of my mind, so I washed all the bedlinen at 60C and tumbled dry on hot, bought a new duvet and pillows and borrowed my mum's steam cleaner, which I used to steam the mattress and wooden bedframe. </p> <p>At no point have I seen a single live bug, egg, bloodstain (all my bedding AND the mattress are white and I inspected the whole bedframe and seams of the mattress) or shedding. I really began to think I was losing it in some kind of OCD freakout, especially as my flatmate and the previous inhabitant of the bed have never been bitten or shown signs of being bitten. I went through the room carefully, vacuuming the cream carpet multiple times and being really vigilant about not contaminating the bed or my clothing. However, a few days later - five more welts on my left shoulder blade, same as before. </p> <p>What I don't understand is why BBs would not be biting my exposed skin, such as face, neck or forearms? I sleep in long pyjamas and long sleeve tops and all of my welts have been in areas which I keep covered at night - would BBs bite <em>through</em> bedclothes?</p> <p>Anyway I have not had any new welts in almost a week, but I went ahead and ordered a Bed Bug Treatment Pack online, which contains 2 cans of Permethrin aerosol, 2 litre bottles of D-Phenothrin spray, 200gm Diatomaceous Earth, 2 x room foggers and a face mask and gloves. I am now wondering if I should treat at all, or wait and see if I develop any more welts? I am so unsure.</p> <p>To complicate matters further, three nights ago I discovered that we have a mouse in our brand new kitchen :( which could have been running around the flat for who knows how long - so I began to doubt, and think maybe it could be bites from rodent fleas or mites?</p> <p>BTW neither of us have any pets nor did the previous inhabitant - so I have ruled out fleas, plus none of the bites are around my ankles so don't really fit the flea M.O - About two years ago my former flatmate in another flat exposed us to cat fleas, and I am VERY allergic, came up in big red welts etc, I don't react well to bites at all.</p> <p>I just don't know what to do - do I go ahead and self-treat with the chemicals I have already bought, or do I wait and see if the welts reoccur? Any advice that anyone can give would be gratefully received.</p> <p>Thanks in advance</p> <p>Debbie </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/fecal-stain-identification-query#post-59436 Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:53:10 +0000 ohdeargod 59436@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Recently moved into an apartment in brooklyn and as more and more of my casual acquaintances have started having issues with the pests I have been extra pro-active in early detection, etc.</p> <p>I have detected a few dark spots on the exterior of my duvet cover. Though I am not experiencing any itchy reactions of any kind, I do have a few very tiny red dots on my hands and wrist, and have (within the first few weeks of moving in) found a flea or two on the bed (unmistakable flea shape, tiny, jumps a lot, absolutely not a bed bug).</p> <p>It should be noted that my roomate (with whom a common wall is shared) has no reports of any bites, stains, etc.</p> <p>My white sheets remain immaculate and spot free, but I am puzzled by the appearance of these dots, I have attached some photographs in the hopes that someone may be able to give me a rational explanation, is this something that could be associated with fleas, roaches or some other common nyc apartment pest?</p> <p>As a greater context, these dots exist on a full size bed cover, and the ones shown are the only ones I could detect.<br /> <code><a href="http://s649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/imageshooray/?action=view&#38;current=spots2.jpg">&lt;img src="http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/imageshooray/spots2.jpg" border="0" alt="spot 2"&gt;</a></code><br /> <code><a href="http://s649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/imageshooray/?action=view&#38;current=spots1.jpg">&lt;img src="http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu214/imageshooray/spots1.jpg" border="0" alt="spot1"&gt;</a></code></p> <p>It also appears that the spots do not respond in any way to the saliva test. Neither smearing nor transferring of color to the q-tip I have moistened has occured.</p> <p>Any help is truly appreciated. Thanks in advance. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/false-alarms-vs-hard-to-find-bedbugs#post-46946 Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:12:01 +0000 allinmyhead 46946@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>A lot of people here seem to be struggling the way I am--we have bites, but aren't sure if it's from bedbugs. Can't find signs of them despite looking. Other oddities, such as irregular biting (not every night), not knowing for _months_ if we have bedbugs, etc.</p> <p>What I want to know is, of the people who have struggled like this: how many ended up having bedbugs, vs. how many had something else/nothing/false alarm? </p> <p>(in other words, what's the false negative rate--how worried should we be, when we can't find nymphs/feces/skin/etc., that we really do have bedbugs; or is it truly not bedbugs in the vast majority of the cases, so we <u>shouldn't</u> worry a lot?)</p> <p><strong>Long-time posters--any guess based on your experience reading our frantic postings?<br /> Those who've had bedbugs: did you struggle to figure out if you had bedbugs, or was it pretty obvious pretty quickly? </strong></p> <p>This really sucks--because I'm afraid to have friends over, I even was worried while I was dating a guy, about taking him back to my apartment--it'd be like giving him an STD! ("uh, honey, those bites came from my bed...you might want to wash all your clothes and fumigate your apartment") (didn't work out with him, so issue went away, but could come back again!) If I didn't know I had bbs and spread them unknowingly, that'd be one thing; but if I think I might have them, it'd be pretty irresponsible to spread them! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-found-one-1#post-59502 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:02:33 +0000 brooklyn 59502@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>After living with this begbug problem for several months and finding absolutely no evidence of bedbugs in my house, I finally found one tonight! At least I think it is a bedbug. It is brown, ribbed, about the size of a pencil eraser and longer than it is wide. Before I squished it, it had a little girth to it. I know they are usually on the flat side unless they have fed. Could I be mistaking this for another kind of bug? Is there any other bug that looks similar to bedbugs?</p> <p>BTW, I've had the exterminator in two times in the past month and this little guy was just moseying around under my couch without a care in the world when I found him. Guess that extermination didn't work so well. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/what-information-can-you-expect-from-a-bed-bug-dog#post-56209 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:46:40 +0000 nervousaboutbedbugs 56209@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Here we go again... I was just reading a thread called 'Can bed bug dogs be wrong', but it got so heated I didn't want to start it up again.</p> <p>Anyway, I've been posting enough recently that most of you probably know I was scheduled for Vikane but postponed it because we haven't actually seen any bugs. We were lucky enough to have Killer Queen inspect our house and he didn't find anything after almost 2 hours. Of course, being a Mom of very young girls that are being bitten, I can't stop worrying so I've continued looking, still not finding anything. </p> <p>So, here's my actual question..... I began to worry about BBs about 2 months ago now. Several weeks ago I brought in a NESDCA certified team. That 2 dog team both confirmed bugs in my bed, my daughter's bed, a chair in her room. The dogs were given treats immediately after alerting to bugs, and the handler did not confirm. </p> <p>We followed their advice and encased our mattress, threw out the crib mattress and the chair (both destroyed). I called them after Killer Queen's visit to complain that they had not done any visual inspection, and the owner apologized (he was not at our home that first visit) and agreed to search again. They came in several days ago and again found BBs in our mattress. My daughter's room was called 'clear'. We have 2 sitting rooms and my daughter had been getting bites on our 'red couch'. Nothing was mentioned about bugs being found there (I was asked to remain outside to avoid exciting the dog). When I asked that it be checked, still nothing was found. Finally, after removing the cushions and turning it on its side, the dog alerted. The handler did look, but didn't see anything.</p> <p>In the meantime, we had already arranged a visit with another dog team (yes, I know I sound crazy, but you can probably all sympathize). This team, one dog, trained with David Latimer. Although this dog is trained with food, no food rewards were given during my inspection. The results... one day later: our room is clear, my daughter's crib was alerted to, a basket of books in my daughter's room was alerted to, the red couch is clear, the floorboards in my dining room are alerted to strongly (big cracks, old house). I asked again about the couches.... again the handler removed the cushions and turned them on their sides. While this time the red couch was clear, the couch in our other living room was alerted to.</p> <p>I know there are strong feelings on dogs and that they can give different results. I'm not writing about these inspections to condemn or to defend dog inspections, but more because I was really surprised by the differences in findings. In both cases, the dogs seemed well handled. The reactions of the first group (scratching) seemed more clear than the reactions of the second (sitting, standing still). Neither time was anything confirmed. Both teams removed the cushions from the couches - I thought dogs could smell several feet, so why is this necessary? I also know that dogs are only localizing the infestation, not always pinpointing, but still I'm surprised that they didn't even agree on a single infested room.</p> <p>I'm sitting on my couch now, with interceptors, hoping that we do not have BBs. We've not had them in the past, so the dogs shouldn't be smelling treated bugs. What are the odds of 2 teams of dogs being wrong? What are the odds of 2 teams of dogs not agreeing on a single location, only 1 day apart?</p> <p>Any opinions on just what kind of information you should be able to expect from a BB dog? I'm not sure what to do next, besides sit and wait while trying to determine just what is biting my daughters. Is it BBs, mites, fleas? Do I try yet another team? Do I give it some more time so that if there is an early infestation, it has time to build up and might more likely be found in inspection? I'm feeling a bit demoralized at this point.... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/please-help-id-is-this-a-bed-bug#post-59384 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:41:40 +0000 myny2009 59384@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi there, </p> <p>About 3 months ago, I was getting mosquito like bites on my stomach, neck and shoulder areas - it was summer time and we live in a first floor apt with a garden (mosquitoes fly in from time to time) but it was getting worse.. and my husband was also getting bites on his ankle area... we suspected that something was living in the sofa. When we lifted the sofa, we saw little black streaks similar to the photos on this forum (bb poo? although I didn't see actual bugs) --we got scared and threw away the sofa as a precautionary measure...wrapped it in tarp,duck taped it and threw it away.</p> <p>I scrubbed our apt, vacuumed almost everyday, laundered our clothes and dried each load in high temp for 2 hours at a time, decluttered our apt.... ... But then 2 weeks ago, my husband was taking in the air condition unit located next to the sofa --- and out crawled a bug! He squished it but I saved it and we were wondering if someone can help us ID it:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43150350@N03/3976105734/?eOrig=3975337283" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/43150350@N03/3976105734/?eOrig=3975337283</a></p> <p>The color is similar to a bed bug (caramel colored) but this bug has long antennas (so maybe it was a baby roach?)</p> <p>I just got bit by something again yesterday (on my neck and another on my back) --- praying that they are not bed bugs.. please help! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated-</p> <p>-Anxious </p>