http://bedbugger.com/forum/ Bed bug support forums en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:29:27 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/perspective#post-62659 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:58:40 +0000 bait 62659@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Soscared, sounds like a success story in the making... keep us apprised. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/perspective#post-62655 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:16:06 +0000 watkinsnewan 62655@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>WOW..I am bossy i told every one and made everyone check there homes and even give ppl advice when they are going on vacation... I don't believe that having BB is embarrassing I believe that not getting rid of them or at least trying not to get rid of them should be embarrassing...Just like Lice.... I put my self on the out side looking in ... If I found out some one in my life had BB or even lice I would treat them like an out cast till I found out that they were free and clear..That is how I expect to be treated.. I would NEVER want ANYONE to go through this horrible and exhausting ordeal.....<br /> OK advice from me=Gallon ziplock bags work wonders for under clothes and little ppl clothes..Come up with a plan that fits you.. I Washed and dried 80% of our clothes and vacuum sealed them comforters stuffed animals.... any thing that can fit in the washer and go in the dryer... Also 13 gallon bags work good too I don't reuse any thing these days.. so I just break them open and use what is in there.. I have come up with a system that I pack things I need all at one time like Kids PJ's and blankest in one bag... .. I also let the air out of them to know they are air tight..that helps A LOT.. DO NOT bag anything that has not been treated..<br /> I really thought they were mythical too Just a fairy tail I will never tell the kids that saying again.. BUT I find my kids telling me every night..I think just to be mean... I am scared to death of any kinda bugs......Hope this helps.. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/perspective#post-62650 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:46:10 +0000 noway 62650@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>thanks for your thoughts, soscared. I'm in upstate NY and have to admit that I didn't really think bed bugs were real. Silly as it sounds, they seemed more mythical than anything else. "Don't let the bed bugs bite.." I've never known any one that has/had bed bugs or got bitten in a hotel or something. Or else they keep mum about it. I too, don't see how people can just "live with them - it's no biggie." I'm totally freaked out about the whole situation. I'm glad the weather is turning cooler because I don't want to wear short sleeves and have someone see all these marks on my arms. I can't afford a PCO, so I'm on my own with this and can't believe I want to see a bed bug as proof of what's biting us. The constant laundry, spraying, dusting with DE, vacuuming, sneaking around with a flashlight has gotten tedious real fast. But I don't know what else to do. I really appreciate any advise that anyone has. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/perspective#post-62648 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:52:55 +0000 soscared 62648@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Btw - I snapped out of my crying fits and my depression about this when I heard on the radio about several children dying of the swine flu. Bedbugs or not, my situation is much better than having that happen. THAT would be truly tragic. Bedbugs are just a temporary annoyance and inconvenience. I don't mean to diminish the anguish, itching, pain, anxiety, feelings of loss of control, etc, they cause. I feel that too, although much less than I used to. I just mean that it could be so much worse. And, it's not a permanent state. It will get better. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/perspective#post-62647 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:47:58 +0000 soscared 62647@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Ooops, I meant my husband told HIS coworkers. I have no coworkers, as I am a stay at home mom. Which, incidentally, made this experience doubly hard emotionally at first, bc i spend ALL DAY at home, and my mind rarely gets a chance to wander to other concerns for a prolonged period of time. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/perspective#post-62646 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:46:42 +0000 soscared 62646@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I deal by telling all my friends and relatives. My husband told my coworkers. We are in NYC, and people need to know. They may think we're "dirty" now, but as newspapers and shows cover this more and more, and as more people get them, people will change their minds. I don't care what they think, I am not ashamed of sharing the truth with them. I am more surprised by how many people I've told who either have had them themselves or know people who've had them or encountered them in hotels. Also, I am surprised (and disturbed) by the level of denial that some people have shown. By that I mean just conviction that they're fine and there's no need to check things out or change their lives at all. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/perspective#post-62643 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:46:38 +0000 noway 62643@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>How do you deal with the embarassment and stigma of bed bugs? People still associate them with "dirty" homes and cheap motels, despite that fact that very upscale hotels in big cities are battling the nasty little biters. I'm new at this and still not sure what we have, but I haven't told a single person. We just haven't gone into anyone's house since this started in Oct. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/perspective#post-62632 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:45:05 +0000 bugbuster 62632@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Thank you soscared. I needed to see this today. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/perspective#post-62625 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:21:32 +0000 BBcoukHome 62625@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>soscared - 15 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/perspective#post-62621">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> The upside is - I got rid of a lot of crap I've been meaning to discard for years, and my house is cleaner than it has ever been. </p></blockquote> <p>Every cloud no matter how dark has a silver lining.</p> <p>David </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/perspective#post-62623 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:18:31 +0000 cilecto 62623@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Ci Lecto likes this… </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/perspective#post-62621 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:04:34 +0000 soscared 62621@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am sad to see so many posts about people freaking out. I mean, I did it too, hence my name on here - "soscared". But look, even if what you have is bedbugs, it's not the end of the world. It's not. You or a loved one can get some disease tomorrow and die. All sorts of things can happen. Yes, bed bugs suck, but it will pass. Work on it, and it WILL go away. </p> <p>Right now I am in the waiting stage, my baby and I still get the odd bite-like mark every once in a while, after 3 PCO treatments. But I am over it. I am working on it, of course - vacuuming, hot washing and drying, packtiting stuff, etc. And I am patiently waiting to see if I can find some evidence or a bug - so far nothing, or if the pattern of "bites" changes. We HAVE had blood stains on our bedding, but my husband and I are both bleeding out of various scratched up bites or stress hives. I can't exclude the possibility that the blood stains are from that.</p> <p>But I am emotionally just done with it. I am not crying anymore. It WILL end eventually. They are not allmighty and supernatural. Life goes on. It's not the end of the world to make sure you're wearing stuff straight out of the dryer when you go to people's houses. It's not the end of the world to check and repowder the climbups every once in a while. The upside is - I got rid of a lot of crap I've been meaning to discard for years, and my house is cleaner than it has ever been. </p> <p>Be strong, everyone. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61821 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:23:56 +0000 watkinsnewan 61821@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>ThisBItes.. Very satisfying watching my husband destroy the bed and spray paint all over it...Sound like you are a vigilant as me in getting rid of BB.. I went as far as wiping my walls down W/ Bleach water mixture so I can see if I had any on there....<br /> Ciletco do you think she could just use the ddvt strips... I wouldn't know how to tell her to do it safely..<br /> Which I would like to know more about... I have a 6X9 shed I don't want to touch cause I am scared BB might be in there.. I have stuff packed in there Loosely... MY Christmas decorations are in there.. In boxes and totes closed .. And a lot of loose stuff mirrors pictures 2 old Bed frames Nothing really important All materialistic stuff... Would this sound like a good place to put them... Nobody ever goes in there But my hubbie ( Yes that one3) And had two locks on it.. and is very far away from the house.... now you can laugh I know you want to... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61819 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:03:04 +0000 cilecto 61819@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>offsides1971 - 4 days ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61541">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite>...PCO had us wrap all the peices of the oak headboard that they took apart. He'd done three treatments on it. He had us put it in a storage unit wrapped up for the winter. We are in the midwest United States so will definetely get below freezing for days. He said take it out about May or so. We just put it in there on Oct 10th after he'd treated. He felt they were so packed in it that it would be safer...and frankly I think he thought it would lessen my paranoia.</p></blockquote> <p>Offsides, I hate to freak you out, but why May? Does it go below 0 where you store? If so, would't it be better to remove them at their coldest, before they get the opportunity to be re-infested from another storage unit? What's the PCO's rationale? Is the time span based on BB survival or, (my fear) the length of his warranty? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/de-diatomaceous-earth-and-heat-pipesradiators#post-61789 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:47:15 +0000 als 61789@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>what about in/behind older hot water rads? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-it-possible-to-get-bed-bugs-internally#post-61733 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:48:38 +0000 Nobugsonme 61733@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>shughes wrote,</p> <p>"i'm blowing them out of my nose in large amounts."</p> <p>This is not bed bugs, as there would not be large amounts of them. One, once, maybe.</p> <p>(Yes, it is possible to have bird mites and bed bugs, but there is no evidence of bed bugs mentioned in the original post.)</p> <p>shughes, I hope you will seek a doctor's advice about what's coming out of your nose, and also get a knowledgeable PCO in if you have bird mites or other pests. You're welcome to post a new thread if you have other questions.</p> <p>I am closing this thread because I have already had to delete one kind of offensive response, and because I think we have reached the limit of helpfulness on this one. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-it-possible-to-get-bed-bugs-internally#post-61731 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:12:16 +0000 Vell23 61731@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Ummm hold up, if bed bugs crawl in the ear, can they lay eggs in your head or something? I'm freaking out, someone plz tell me I'm being paranoid. Damn what if I smoked weed? I would be bugging out </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61717 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:59:53 +0000 twitchyscratchy 61717@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>poor itchy! that's awful! </p> <p>lol wchicago- it'a amazing how quickly you go from blissfully ignorant to longing for what now seems like luxury. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-it-possible-to-get-bed-bugs-internally#post-61701 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:17:47 +0000 bait 61701@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Bed bugs have been known to crawl into ears. I have had bites in my belly button. A bug certainly could get into your nose, but it would be rare. </p> <p>Mites on the other hand do crawl into the nose. </p> <p>You can have both BBs and mites at the same time. They are not mutually exclusive. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61699 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:32:13 +0000 cilecto 61699@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Winston: aren't you on the west coast? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61698 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:30:23 +0000 Winston O. Buggy 61698@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>cilecto - 4 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61670">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite></p> <blockquote><p><cite>Nobugsonme - 7 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61657">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Sorry to hear about this.<br /> Here in NYC they have professional nit pickers...</p></blockquote> <p>…about 9,000,000 of them.<br /> Thanks for the setup, NoBugs.<br /> :)</p></blockquote> <p>You beat me to it! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61694 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:58:52 +0000 Itchy-Scratchy 61694@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>Nobugsonme - 1 hour ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61687">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite></p> <blockquote><p><cite>cilecto - 3 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61670">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite></p> <blockquote><p><cite>Nobugsonme - 7 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61657">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Sorry to hear about this.<br /> Here in NYC they have professional nit pickers...</p></blockquote> <p>…about 9,000,000 of them.<br /> Thanks for the setup, NoBugs.<br /> :)</p></blockquote> <p>Nice catch, cilecto!</p></blockquote> <p>LOL, I agree! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-it-possible-to-get-bed-bugs-internally#post-61688 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:56:51 +0000 Nobugsonme 61688@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>shughes,</p> <p>If you have bird mites, you should additionally contact an experienced pest control firm, as they will need to be gotten rid of.</p> <p>I would start with the doctor though. And try to catch a sample of what you've got in a ziploc bag for identification. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61687 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:53:42 +0000 Nobugsonme 61687@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>cilecto - 3 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61670">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite></p> <blockquote><p><cite>Nobugsonme - 7 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61657">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Sorry to hear about this.<br /> Here in NYC they have professional nit pickers...</p></blockquote> <p>…about 9,000,000 of them.<br /> Thanks for the setup, NoBugs.<br /> :)</p></blockquote> <p>Nice catch, cilecto! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61683 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:43:25 +0000 Itchybutdealing 61683@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Please don't say it! That will happen next. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61677 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:32:10 +0000 soscared 61677@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>Itchybutdealing - 10 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61654">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Now my daughter and I have lice, thanks to infested friends at school. I am a walking mini zoo. Add fleas and I could charge admission. Please tell me life will change.Thanks.</p></blockquote> <p>Hey, at least there are no bird mites living in your nose. Apparently that's possible. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-it-possible-to-get-bed-bugs-internally#post-61675 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:26:07 +0000 soscared 61675@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>That's lovely. Please god, never let me get bird mites. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61670 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:34:48 +0000 cilecto 61670@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>Nobugsonme - 7 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61657">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Sorry to hear about this.<br /> Here in NYC they have professional nit pickers...</p></blockquote> <p>…about 9,000,000 of them.<br /> Thanks for the setup, NoBugs.<br /> :) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61669 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:27:48 +0000 watkinsnewan 61669@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>nit pickers... I am guessing it is some one who picks the eggs out of the hair.. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61663 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:41:01 +0000 Itchybutdealing 61663@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Thanks guys. Wow nit pickers what a job! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-it-possible-to-get-bed-bugs-internally#post-61661 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:21:44 +0000 spideyjg 61661@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>More likely bird mites. They will crawl into the nose and ears.</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-it-possible-to-get-bed-bugs-internally#post-61658 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:59:16 +0000 Nobugsonme 61658@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>shughes,</p> <p>I don't think it's possible for bed bugs to live in your nose.</p> <p>I would strongly suggest going to a doctor and showing them -- by demonstration if possible -- so they can investigate what's wrong.</p> <p>Good luck to you. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61657 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:57:23 +0000 Nobugsonme 61657@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Sorry to hear about this.</p> <p>Here in NYC they have professional nit pickers... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61656 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:01:18 +0000 Louise 61656@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>For your lice issue, you may want to check out the<a href="http://www.robicomb.com/?gclid=CNr6meqW850CFR4UagodYl4aMA"> Robicomb</a> - it electrocutes the little suckers as you comb through the (DRY) hair. </p> <p>I have seen it at work, and it (almost) made me wish I had a reason to use it. Well, maybe not even almost. But I did purchase one for a rainy...um, make that a "lousy"...day...</p> <p>Louise </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61655 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:06:00 +0000 wchicago 61655@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>sympathies!!!!<br /> and i probably shouldn't be lmaoing, but i kinda am, NOT because i don't sympathize, i TOTALLY do -but because i too have an Animal Planet TV show happening in my apartment so trust me, i am laughing *with* you not at you. first, i got bedbugs courtesy of BRAND NEW sofa. then found ridiculous number of carpet beetle eggs. now (due to bedbugs, i assume) got giant bad a**centipedes IN MY BED (well ok, that only happened once -when i was awake -but once is MORE than enough!). </p> <p>your life will change. mine too. our lives WILL get better. they HAVE to. right?<br /> remember living in a blissfully bug-ignorant world? yup, me too. sure, i was annoyed at the random quickly glimpsed centipede or fruit fly -but i had art on the walls, threw dinner parties, slept in on sundays and lounged around in a bathrobe and read the paper. had clothes in a dresser instead of ziploc baggies. didn't have to go through full decontamination procedures everytime i wanted to set foot outside my apartment to go to work or see friends. our lives will get back to normal, sometime. and then think how much more we'll appreciate it.</p> <p>in the meantime, really really REALLY sorry about the lice. they're easier to get rid of then bedbugs though. thats something, anyway. hey, i'm having a glass of wine. new nightly habit since the bugs (required for relaxation, but only one per night). join me? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/adding-insult-to-injury#post-61654 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:45:15 +0000 Itchybutdealing 61654@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Now my daughter and I have lice, thanks to infested friends at school. I am a walking mini zoo. Add fleas and I could charge admission. Please tell me life will change.Thanks. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/is-it-possible-to-get-bed-bugs-internally#post-61653 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:32:47 +0000 shughes 61653@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>long story short, i just move into an apartment building in sept. i noticed german cockroaches from time to time and though the black specks were roach droppings. now after the bites i've been getting i've come to the conclusion it is bed bugs.<br /> my question- is it possible to get them up your nose? and i mean, way up there if you are breathing them in for a long time? i swear to you, i'm blowing them out of my nose in large amounts. they are darkish brown with hints of red which makes me think it's bb... but not full on adult bed bugs but i'd say fresh ones. or is it possible that these are yet another type of bug? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61647 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:04:43 +0000 ThisBItes 61647@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I too am OBSESSED with these little SOB's. My whole entire life is dictated by bbs. I have had five treatments, the last one being on the 2nd and that night saw seven of the nasty things. Granted, five were dead (YES!) but two were not and since that night I have seen seven of the little nymphs that look like red specks until you squish them. The reason I found them is because of my obsession with constantly looking for and scanning my place every freaking second for bbs. I despise these bugs and the paranoia they have given me as well as changing my whole entire psyche due to their existence. The only place in my apartment that has them is a couch that is now isolated and according to the PCO, they are "under control" but that is not the same as being annihilated. Every place I go, I look for bb shaped things where I sit on the bus, at work, at the grocery store, etc. The minute we get home I open the door to our balcony where I put all of the clothes we wore that day in the laundry hamper and it's also where our shoes and coats are kept as well as my backpack. All laundry, including bedding is done daily in hot water and all clothes are constantly kept sealed until we wear them. We shower right before leaving and dress in the kitchen and never wear the same thing two days in a row. If we come near the couch we go brush off outside. I vacuum twice a day and inspect the couch often every day to see if there are bbs on it. My living room looks like a crackhead's; it has a TV on a stand that has no hiding place for bbs, the couch of horror and a plastic lawn chair. There is also a hide abed section that was part of the couch but is now across the room and amazingly bb free. I want to get rid of the infested couch but there are several factors inhibiting this: 1) I live alone with my two year old and have no help in getting it out of my place, 2) When I do get rid of it I want to destroy it by slashing/breaking, spraypainting BEDBUGS on it, etc. and hauling it away from my building and I have nobody with a truck to help me. This is a living nightmare and would not wish it on anyone. Thank god for this website--I know I'm not alone out here. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61635 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:50:23 +0000 watkinsnewan 61635@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>OOH some PCO's (Pest control Operators) do A free initial inspection !!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61634 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:48:37 +0000 watkinsnewan 61634@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello Nani... Hold on an get ready for a ride if it is BB.. The first hing you need to do is get A PCO out to verify it is in deed BB You dont want to jump the gun if you don't have to.. With that being said You described exactly how I found out I had them... Pins and needles at 3 am.... I rubbed my legs down with Rubbing alcohol It helped a lot just be careful if you or any one else Smokes it is flammable..With you being so new you probably dont know to go to the FAQ at the top of the page... I really will answer A LOT of your questions and if you cant find an answer just start a new thread and someone will jump in an help.. There is also a search box... Also if it is BB DON'T PANIC... It will be okay I want psychotic the first few weeks... but am okay now...I am well on my way to being BB free and you came to the right place this web site save me from having a nervous melt down just 5 weeks ago.. </p> <p>Just come up with A game plan it really helped me... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61628 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:05:03 +0000 offsides1971 61628@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi Nani,<br /> I know nothing about Pennsylvania except the Penquins are my favorite team! I do feel your pain however. I'd say call someone quickly..either your landlord to get a PCO or your own PCO and get the bug ID'd. Also, maybe it wasn't your son..if you live in an apartment they may have migrated. The faster you jump on this the better your chances. Psychologically, it's very hard. It's downright scary and it feels almost sureal to not be able to feel safe in your own home. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/de-diatomaceous-earth-and-heat-pipesradiators#post-61621 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:05:06 +0000 DougSummersMS 61621@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Avoid placing any DE in the heating ducts... It isn't the heat, rather it is the movement of air that will create a problem. We don't want to inhale DE particles or get DE in our eyes.</p> <p>Be careful to apply very small amounts of dust in cracks &#38; crevices where the dust will not be disturbed and made airborne. There should not be any visible dust. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61620 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:00:46 +0000 Nani68 61620@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi, I'm new to this forum but I really need to vent. I moved in with my son and his room mate. Apparently they have a bug problem at work (they both work at a casino/hotel). Well, they brought these bugs home with them. Their supervisor told them that they were carpet mites. I did a little research and I have found they are not mites. I was changing the sheets on my bed (my son sleeps there when I go to work in the morning as we are on different shifts), anyway when I took the fitted sheet off there was one of these bugs crawling on the feather bed. I caught it and I have it in a ziploc baggie. I looked at the pics and I am 99.9% sure it's a bed bug. I have bites on my ankles, fingers, wrists and forearms. I have in the past few weeks been woken up several times during the night with what feels like a sharp little bite. In the morning I have new red welts and then the itching begins. I am beside myself now that I know what this infestation is. I mean I feel like I'm about to lose it. I have read what others have written about the psychological effect and it's real and it's scary. I don't have health insurance. I barely make minimum wage. I also noticed that someone mentioned that the landlord is responsible for professional treatment in most states. Does anyone know if Pennsylvania is one of these states? I would appreciate any feedback/support anyone may have. I'm sorry to babble on but I am distraught about this whole thing. Thanks for letting me vent. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/de-diatomaceous-earth-and-heat-pipesradiators#post-61608 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:31:58 +0000 never_again 61608@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I am DE-ing the perimeter of my new apartment as a prevention method for possible future infestations. There are quite a few heating ducks around and i was thinking about dusting under/around them, but i just wanted to make sure there wasn't a health risk to doing so.</p> <p>Could the heat release DE particles in the air consistently or is it pretty safe to dust there? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61584 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:12:34 +0000 offsides1971 61584@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>NoBug, I should also tell you that I mark easily. For instance if my dangling earring touches the side of my neck when I shake my head, it'll leave a little mark and itch for a minute. I scratch and get a hive and it goes away in an hour. I've been like that for 25 years. That's why it's so hard for me to confirm a single bite. Now when I was really getting bit up right before we found them..that I knew. But to say "gee, this little pimple thing on my ear could be a bite"...it may be gone the next day. I think that's why I'm so hypersensitive psychologically</p> <p>2Many, our headboard was $2400...it's about 10 foot long with cabinets, etc. Storage is $50/mo so much cheaper to store, though I'm not sure i can ever sleep on it again. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61582 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:29:06 +0000 offsides1971 61582@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>NoBugs, if I get a bite, wouldn't I see some sign of blood/fecal matter on the sheet or pillowcase? I look every day and see nothing. Have one little pimple thing on the back of my ear but it hurts like an ingrown hair or pimple. When I was getting bitten, it was intense itching and marks like mosquito bites that welted out. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61578 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:44 +0000 2manybb 61578@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi offsides 1971<br /> I am in the same boat as you. I also have a single house. The bb were (are?) in my son's room. A visitor brought them to us.<br /> I have gone crazy. It is all I think about. I constantly do laundry. I have emptied all three of my childrens' rooms. They are all sleeping in there beds. No bites, since we first found the bugs in September. I threw out my son's bed. Encased the mattress. Am using the crawl ups to isolate the bed.<br /> I wonder why you are storing your bed for the winter? Is the bed that expensive? I would look at the cost of storage vs. buying a new bed.<br /> My husband thinks I have gone crazy, he has no trouble sleeping at all. Even though no bugs or bites have occurred outside of my son's room. I always wonder is today or tonight the night they are going to start to travel.<br /> We have had 3 treatments, I found 1 live one in my son's bathroom last week (it is attached to his room). I hope, hope, hope it was a lone survivor. I still have it in a ziploc under a rock way out in the yard. I want to test it with double sided tape.<br /> I also check my children like they are a science project. They don't know we have the bugs, I don't want to have the mental stress. They think my son had an allergy to something and that is why I threw away all of his stuff, he is also 11. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61570 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:20:33 +0000 Nobugsonme 61570@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>offsides1971 - 8 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61534">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Why do you ask NoBugs? Does it give me a better chance when my house isn't hooked to another one?</p> </blockquote> <p>If you are in a standalone home, then is often easier to treat than an attached home.</p> <p>Since you yourself reacted to bites, it's a good sign you are not reacting right now. (It is not definitive that you're not being bitten, or that child or husband aren't, but it's a good sign.)</p> <p>On the other hand, you still get the odd red mark, you say. When do you last think you were bitten? If you are getting red or itchy marks now, how often? They may not be bites, but you want to be alert and make note of them. </p> <p>You should keep a detailed log of when they appear and where on the body. You might want to do this a bit longer. Over time, you will see a pattern. Bed bugs bite once a week. If they start multiplying, bites should increase in number and frequency over time. In this way, you may be able to say the odd red mark is probably not a bite.</p> <p>If you reacted and then went a month without bites, I might start to relax a bit, though still, if the bed bugs were in the child's room they could be biting without you knowing. And they could even be biting you, if there were one or two left, say.</p> <p>In other words, I think you have reason to be very positive -- and I would try not to obsess -- but I might not unpack bags of clean laundry yet. The PCO is right that there should be signs a month later if there are bed bugs, but not SEEING a bed bug in a month does not mean they are gone. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61558 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:49:58 +0000 Vell23 61558@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Wow I thought I was bad, I was walking the street this morning and I saw a mattress thrown on the side walk( of course I walked far as hell from it), and saw all the bed bug eggs and bugs, looks like they have a bad infestation. I was like damn, do they know what they are in for? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/seriously-i-had-to-get-medication-for-stress#post-61549 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:15:33 +0000 offsides1971 61549@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Xanax..I'm on it. 2 1/2 mg in the morning and 2 1/2 mg at night. It takes the edge off but I still am obsessing. My husband was eating a chocolate coated ice cream bar. ..dropped a tiny peice on his white tshirt..1 minute later I saw it and freaked thinking it was a bed bug. Does this sound like a woman on Xanax to you? I think not..lol </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61547 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:31:30 +0000 watkinsnewan 61547@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>LOL I need me a BCO too sometimes.. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61541 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:05:28 +0000 offsides1971 61541@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I reacted to the bites and we saw them...our big headboard (oak and similar to the old style big waterbed headboards) with mulitple drawers/cabinets was filled with them. My son never seemed to get bites and they didn't see them in his room. My husband had a few but never complained and thought they were mosquito bites. I reacted big time though...swelling all over my wrists/arms and welts. I had also noticed an increase in my asthma that corresponded with the timing of the bites. They were on my side of the bed under the mattress. They were only in our room..they searched all the bedrooms and were very thorough. Then sprayed everything/powdered, etc. in all the bedrooms anyway since we couldn't stay in there with my asthma.<br /> Mattresses are gone and our PCO had us wrap all the peices of the oak headboard that they took apart. He'd done three treatments on it. He had us put it in a storage unit wrapped up for the winter. We are in the midwest United States so will definetely get below freezing for days. He said take it out about May or so. We just put it in there on Oct 10th after he'd treated. He felt they were so packed in it that it would be safer...and frankly I think he thought it would lessen my paranoia.<br /> Thank you for all your kind words. It's nice to know there are people here who understand. I have scheduled an appt with a therapist though for Friday. I'm hoping he can give me some strategies also to relax. I have a tendency to get worked up over something and worry easily so if it's not the bedbugs, it'll be something else someday..a little professional help can't hurt! lol I'll call him my BCO (Brain control operator) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61537 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:53:58 +0000 watkinsnewan 61537@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>the odds are a little better in single dwellings then those who live in apartments which can can get re infested with BB... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61534 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:31:22 +0000 offsides1971 61534@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Why do you ask NoBugs? Does it give me a better chance when my house isn't hooked to another one? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61509 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:14:58 +0000 offsides1971 61509@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Yes I am. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61505 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:46:18 +0000 Nobugsonme 61505@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>offsides,</p> <p>Are you in a standalone home?</p> <p>Did anyone ever react to bed bug bites in your home or did you only see them? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61500 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:07:01 +0000 NewBlood 61500@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hey offsides1971,</p> <p>I too feel the same way at times. Generally when I wake up in the morning I have a new bite on me, haven't seen any bugs, have seen no casings or blood specs or marks or anything of the sort. But each morning at roughly 3:30 in the morning, or 6:00-7:00 the night before I notice new bites showing up on my arms. Almost like clockwork now.</p> <p>I don't let it get to me all that much - I suppose since I have a wee bit of money tucked away I'm hoping that by hiring the right PCO, following whatever treatment instructions they have given me and having a little luck I can be free of these insects after a year or so. Unfortunately for me I also live in an apartment complex and my neighbors aren't being checked for these bugs, nor treated. Odds are until I move out I'll be dealing with them - and my landlord is not letting me out of the lease, nor doing all that much to treat the place. </p> <p>So for me - I don't worry too much because well... there's nothing much I really can do about it. I've warded my family/friends away from me and where I stay because of this - and I won't be seeing them on Thanksgiving. I've also gotten used to living out of bags now - although I need to perfect my bag strategy. </p> <p>I - and I think most of us here - can understand you. Most of us here seem to be like you in your train of thought, we're paranoid, worried, and upset about these bugs and how much of our life has suddenly been turned upside down because of these insects. They're expensive. They're very hard to see/find/locate. They're difficult to be rid of once you have them unless you have a great PCO and eliminate all sources of the infestation. You have to suddenly throw things away, bag things you own, etc. The mental damage the bugs do to you is amazing isn't it?</p> <p>Also - don't feel bad about comparing them to a terrible disease. I had prostate trouble a year ago, suffer from Crohn's disease, almost died from DVT/PE two years ago, and also had benign tumors appear on me earlier this year (that gave me quite a scare). I'd consider these bugs to be on similar level of discomfort/distress as any of those things.</p> <p>I've been through alot - but got through it all. These bugs are just the latest thing to me and I'll be over it eventually, and you will be too. :) </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61489 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:40:09 +0000 watkinsnewan 61489@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>offsides1971.. I fell the same way I am that exact same way.... What I have learned is YOU CANT let them rule your life you just have to relax an take a huge breath and count backwards from 10 slowly... IF you don't have any bites and have not seen them since OCT. 1st you are close to the finish line... Slow and steady wins the race... You are not alone... A lot of us fell psychotic when dealing with BB me especially me... You PCO is right.. you may relax A little But still take precautions.. I have learned that long showers<br /> do the trick sometimes...You can inspect your son LESS than you probably are... if your son knows what the bites fell like he can tell you if he has gotten one... HE is 11...Go to your sons ball game and relax... Remember he is more important than some stupid bug.. And you will only have so much time with him... You can always get rid of the bug BUT will never get the time back with your family they need you to be strong .. ... Believe me the grass is NOT always greener on the other side... even tho on the out side looking in it looks perfect... SO GO right now and give your son a kiss on the forehead and tell your hubby you love him and thank him for putting up with your psychotic ways ...( I HAD to do this)Take a long hot shower and relax for the night... You are well on your way to being BB FREE...YEA!!! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/ive-become-obsessed-and-think-i-need-to-talk-with-someone#post-61485 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:11:09 +0000 offsides1971 61485@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>We've had 3 treatments in 30 days, maybe 4..I lost track..Our last full treatment was Oct 1. Baseboards, ceilings, every light switch/plug, every drawer, in our master bedroom. He also did the entire upstairs (two more bedrooms, bathroom, hall, laundry). They were basically in our master; however, once he sprayed (both stuff to kill and stuff to sterilize them and also dusted everything) we did have about 10 escapees into the hall, etc. trying to get away from the poison. We had to move out of our master where they were because my asthma kicked up which is why he didi the rest of the rooms to prevent them from "coming to look for us" in the guest room and son's room.. We've laundered, bagged, etc. The master bedroom is nothing but bear bones and waiting to be repainted. Then had carpets cleaned at 230 degrees, the entire house on Oct 7. Then PCO came and sprayed all the baseboards again Oct 11. We've not seen one bug since Oct 1. ....and I am obsessed. I'm obsessed because I haven't seen any. You'd think I'd be thrilled but I can't stop thinking one is lying in wait for us. Our PCO says we got them and that the chances of them "lying waiting hungerly to move back into our Master suite" is not realistic. He states in 30 days we would have seen some sign of them migrating. I can't stop though. I have a flashlight on everything and even everybody. Every little twitch, itch or red mark (and my skin marks easy) I'm sure is a bite. I inspect my 11 year old like he's a science project. My husband is ready to put me in a rubber room I swear. I'm thinking I might need to talk with a professional as it's clearly taken over my life. I can't smile, I can't enjoy my son's ballgames or activities. Everyone I meet on the street I think "I wish I had their life so I didn't have these bugs". I feel guilty for being so upset about these when my friend is going through cancer. I'm sure she would be thrilled to have bedbugs instead of what she is fighting. I go ballistic if anything touches the floor anywhere, even a pencil that falls on the floor from doing homework in the kitchen. Does anyone feel like this? Is it just me? I don't know how to be normal again. I even freak out when my poor child checks out library books at school...and they are required to so I can't stop it. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/avoiding-bedbug-stress#post-61385 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:05:14 +0000 Counting Again 61385@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hey BBBB, I've talked to my mother before, on a night I was particularly stressed about going to bed with them again, and she would say "just go now, it's the same as it was before, only now you know" Well, once you know it makes the task that much more difficult. And certainly after I saw them. I saw when they found the first seven by inspection underneath the board underneath my mattress. </p> <p>After I started getting up three times a night though, and inspecting the bedding, square foot by square foot (they run in open space but will sit still or slow down if covered by a crease, or if underneath the blankets) I could go back to bed after I knew I'd killed all the ones that were out. And I'd set the alarm 1.5 hours later, when I figured, they had enough time for more to come out, but if I kept myself wrapped tight enough, they might not be able to get under the blankets to bite me yet. A lot of the time that worked. </p> <p>The My Little Ponies... Not sure if that will help me sleep, since I know I'm kidding myself, but it was a wonderful thing to chuckle at in the middle of this nightmare. I played a solitudes CD every night for the first two weeks, at a loud-ish volume just to try to force my mind into a bit of distraction, in the beginning. After that, I became a little 'braver' - either that or a little more exhausted and it took less to fall asleep, but I still stay up much later before forcing myself to go to bed at night.</p> <p>Most nights, after inspecting the bed briefly before climbing in, I imagine walking along the beach on a warm summer night, where there's sand between my toes, and water nearby to run through if I feel like it. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/avoiding-bedbug-stress#post-61383 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:05:01 +0000 bitebedbugsback 61383@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Earlier this week when I thought there was a good chance I had them, I wasn't as stressed. I was seeing bed bugs as no different than getting mosquito bites when you window is open while you sleep. How quickly things change in a few days.</p> <p>On Thursday it was confirmed that I have them and was kind of creeped to sleep in my bed. By the end of the week, though, it seems the bites have been happening a lot less. I figured they were mostly (or all) in my living room futon, which I stopped sitting on; so the whole idea wasn't bothering me as much.</p> <p>Then last night I found the first live one (thought I found one earlier but it may have been a flea). I woke up about 4am and decided to turn my light on to inspect, not really expecting to find anything, since I haven't yet. Didn't see anything on the mattress. Then I turned over my pillow. There was one!!! Unmistakable bed bug. I encased it in wrapping tape and looked at it for a bit. Then went back to bed with the light on.</p> <p>The bed bug is still sitting on my dresser in the tape, still alive and trying to get out. Now I don't want to go to bed tonight and I'm exhausted. Plus I'm also stressed trying to get all the prep work done before the PCO comes back on Wednesday.</p> <p>Anyway, my point is, I wish I could go back to viewing them as really no different than mosquitos biting me at night and not being so creeped out by them. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/avoiding-bedbug-stress#post-61335 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:58:46 +0000 wchicago 61335@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>my little pony. . .lmao :)<br /> or maybe care bears? or smurfs? they are AT LEAST as annoying as smurfs.</p> <p>actually, to reduce the creep-out factor for myself, i've started referring to them as "little goth ladybugs," as if somewhere in evolution, some ladybug's little sister just went all bad-ass and rebellious. kinda like angelina jolie pre-her UN save the children transformation, when she still wore a vial of blood around her neck. indeed, should i ever (unlikely unless forced to do by PCO for repeat treatment) do what some here have done and catch and keep one live in a ziplock baggie, i shall name her angelina. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/avoiding-bedbug-stress#post-61333 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:00:16 +0000 BB_Slayer 61333@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Don't think of them as nasty annoying biters. No... instead... imagine....</p> <p>Bed bugs are magical creatures. Only a select few are lucky enough to be Chosen to receive the magical Kiss of the Bed Bug.</p> <p>If you could see one up close through a magnifying glass, they look like My Little Pony. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-as-an-allergy-catalyst#post-61257 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:10:45 +0000 bedbuggery 61257@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>No DA, you are not imagining it.</p> <p>After months I am finally feeling the way I did b/f the bugs and I know I've<br /> recovered from something drastic. </p> <p>Before I offer some perspective on my situation, I will say that you should pursue this with your doctors (and specialists if you have the resources) as much as possible, because the medical community needs documentation on this and it will help others.<br /> What I think is going on here is that our skin is sending distress signals to our immune system which is then attacking our skin and causing other more serious reactions. My simplistic understanding of things is that we need to take care of our skin to nurse it back to health (after all it is one continuous functioning organ.)<br /> Sooo... use moisturizing lotions, not on bites, but all over. Eat lots of protein and consider whey, soy, or rice protein supplements that will help your body reproduce skin cells.<br /> Maybe vitamin C like carrots and oranges would be good too, also fresh air.<br /> Anything good for the skin must help in some way I figure. </p> <p>Also, try meditation if you like. Take a few deep breaths and visualize your immune system and your body cooling or calming down. </p> <p>I also had acupuncture before I actually knew what was going on but it took away the sick feelings. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-as-an-allergy-catalyst#post-61248 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:02:13 +0000 Bugbitten Meg 61248@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'll add a kid-related one:<br /> my 4 yr old was almost always dry overnight. Then he started having occasional problems. About when he was 'usually not' dry overnight was when my husband and I started noticing bites. Problems continued up through treatment. About 2 months later? I can't quite remember the last time he had a problem.<br /> ...although it may or may not be an actual allergy, it's just as likely sleep disruption. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-as-an-allergy-catalyst#post-61233 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:41:17 +0000 Deathlyallergic 61233@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>bait - 46 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-as-an-allergy-catalyst#post-61224">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> My bites also appear different on different parts of my body. My hands - like paper cuts, chest - pimple-like (w/o pus), feet - round and raised like mosquito bites, legs and arms - tiny pin holes (sometimes w a tiny tuft of skin poking out) with 3, 4 or 5 close together, belly - larger, redder, wider and deeper, face - hardly noticeable except they last much longer than a blemish would. All itch. When I scratch the itch, I get a temporary bright red streak. Also, my eyelids swell - are puffy and translucent on the side of the body I got the bites.</p></blockquote> <p>Yes exactly, and what is so frustrating, is that they keep just popping up days later from one bite episode </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-as-an-allergy-catalyst#post-61224 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:53:29 +0000 bait 61224@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>My bites also appear different on different parts of my body. My hands - like paper cuts, chest - pimple-like (w/o pus), feet - round and raised like mosquito bites, legs and arms - tiny pin holes (sometimes w a tiny tuft of skin poking out) with 3, 4 or 5 close together, belly - larger, redder, wider and deeper, face - hardly noticeable except they last much longer than a blemish would. All itch. When I scratch the itch, I get a temporary bright red streak. Also, my eyelids swell - are puffy and translucent on the side of the body I got the bites. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/heres-how-far-you-can-over-react-go-ahead-and-laugh-in-hindsight-its-funny#post-61211 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:28:29 +0000 offsides1971 61211@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Thanks you guys, and I did call his boss the other day. I need to write a letter though so I know it's in writing for him. lol..I'm sure the poor guy was shaking his head when he left, but he always lets me know to call him and he'll come right out. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/heres-how-far-you-can-over-react-go-ahead-and-laugh-in-hindsight-its-funny#post-61206 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:28:16 +0000 BBCOUKonTour 61206@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi, </p> <p>I am with Jim on this one, please call his boss and pass on the praise, also spare the time to write a note about his level of support and work. In this day and age we are all too happy to complain but few write to say thanks.</p> <p>I know I am always happy to pass on a good letter of praise and always find a way to reward the technician who did the work.</p> <p>David Cain<br /> Bed Bugs Limited </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/heres-how-far-you-can-over-react-go-ahead-and-laugh-in-hindsight-its-funny#post-61203 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:50:33 +0000 bitebedbugsback 61203@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Kind of a funny habit I got into over the past couple of nights: I often wake up in the middle of the night, so now when I do, I do firm "snow angels" in my bed and vigorously rub my arms and body to try and squash any bugs that may be on my mattress or body. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/heres-how-far-you-can-over-react-go-ahead-and-laugh-in-hindsight-its-funny#post-61201 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:02:18 +0000 spideyjg 61201@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Moron? Nah, you inspected, found something suspicious, and had it confirmed.</p> <p>That is as far from moron as you can get. </p> <p>I still do it.</p> <p>BTW call that Orkin guys boss and praise that kinda service.</p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/heres-how-far-you-can-over-react-go-ahead-and-laugh-in-hindsight-its-funny#post-61200 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:50:41 +0000 offsides1971 61200@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>After posting that I think we are bug free..we've seen nothing for 4 weeks. I got to looking on this site more.After reading about people who had themin their sofa, I decided I should look. Keep in mind, it's two levels down and on the other wing of a 3000 square foot house from where we had the problem. So after turning the furniture over and conducting a thorough search, Ifound these little brownish red looking things (about 15) in a little pile. I should also mention here that I have some problems seeing small items close up due to an eye condition. Anyway...I freaked. I called Glenn, my Orkin guy. He said, "that would be odd, don't panic and I'll be over". He was here in thirty minutes. He looked all over in the area I found them on the floor under the couch and said "Mrs S., these are little bitty rocks..kinda looks like peices of sand gravel or something". OMG...I was embarrassed. The poor guy still checked the rest of my living room for me anyway and said "I'm 100% sure with all of the sprays we did we've got them all." He left with a smile on his face and said, but if you see anything else, please call.</p> <p>So I feel like a moron, but I swear I have the best PCO in the world. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-as-an-allergy-catalyst#post-61175 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:11:23 +0000 Deathlyallergic 61175@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>bedbuggery - 21 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-as-an-allergy-catalyst#post-61086">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Hi, D A.<br /> I had the strongest attacks with my first few sets of bites I then went a long period (prob 4 months) experiencing bites with little reaction. Then I started getting the sore joints (very sore like someone had punched me in the arm with the bites on it) The asthma showed up at around 5 months and thats when I moved out because I thought it was some kind of weird mold exposure even though when the bites first started showing up my LL mentioned BB's and I had a PCO check for them (with no results obviously)<br /> The weird attacks and urticaria seemed to show up when I took time to get away from the infestation for about about two weeks. Hence my theory that my body had been turned on itself, BB's or no.<br /> I'm curious if you find yourself developing a tolerance to the bites.... BUT, considering you appear to be a lot more allergic than me, I think it's <em>extremely</em> important you avoid this process entirely.<br /> If you have a backyard set up a tent and dryer anything that follows you in.<br /> Even if you have a PCO treating, sometimes the initial treatments will make the bugs go crazy b/f they die. In my state (Oregon) there is a law that a Landlord has to provide a dwelling if yours is temporary unliveable, I think you would def. qualify for that here.</p></blockquote> <p>Thank you for your input, all those symptoms, that you describe, haven't taken but a couple of weeks to manifest in me, miserable for the most part like I have the flu, but its definitely different and related to the bites, I thought I was imagining things til I read your comment.<br /> I show no signs of tolerance yet, Im hoping I will but my body grows more and more tired and fatigued each day. Im on my second set of bites after free for 2 weeks thinking the treatments worked and wear just a tshirt and shorts to bed verses the full body coverage.<br /> Im exhausted over this and just don't feel good, function fairly well but.....<br /> my apartment complex will let me relocate, problem is, I don't want them to follow me.<br /> so still trying avenues til Ive exhausted everything. Ordered the "climbups" from usbedbugs.com, I need to know where they are hiding.<br /> thanks for the support, I need it. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/do-i-have-bedbugs-or-am-i-paranoid-and-this-is-something-i-have-to-live-with#post-61170 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:11:24 +0000 3rdfriggintime 61170@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm certainly no expert but I will add my previous post to this site. Everything I did in that has been by learning from the internet. As for the pimples, do they itch? If they do, then it must be bedbugs. Are you paraniod? No, everyone is paranoid once they first experiance bed bugs. It slowly goes away once you fix the problem.</p> <p>1) Yes, they'll move when the group/colony gets too big and when they haven't eaten for a while (no host). The distance, I'm sure. They can live for something like 30 days without food and can travel far to find it.</p> <p>2) I don't think it matters. If the bugs are there, they will find her.</p> <p>3) Again, if the bite itch, I think you have them. If not, stop worrying. </p> <p>4) For the most part they seem to like the lower torso, sometimes upper. It appears that they rarely bite the head. I've been mostly bitton on the legs in the past but my recent ones have been under my shorts and yes, one under where the elastic band was.</p> <p>If you have bed bugs, I think spray and fogging would be best. If you do read the instructions on the products carefully. Be sure to protect all food and pets prior. Wash all exposed clthes after. Please respond.</p> <p>My post from another forum:<br /> I've survived these bloodsuckers twice now and am preparing for a third time. I lived at my brother's house about 12 years ago when he awoke to something crawling over him and had blood on his arm (must have squished one). His waterbed (bed bugs like heat) was full of what we later found to be bed bugs..I didn't think they existed until then. We also found a lesser amount in my waterbed. After alot of internet research, we found that they could be beat by spraying all baseboards, matresses, and crevises with a product containing pyrethins and fogging with the same. We did this with a spray product from Home Depot manufactured by a company called Safer and I forget who made the fogger. It worked but we still couldn't sleep so we called in an exterminator who agreed we had won and charged us about $500. That was the last until about a year ago my wife and I came home to our house after a vacation in NH. We actually had felt the bugs on us in the hotel that night but felt we could be safe as we kept our clothes away from the beds and immediately washed all clothes in non chlorine bleach upon return. My wife was a little less cautious and tossed a bag on the couch. I like to sleep on the couch some Sat nights (It's like camping ;) after coming in late and found I was again getting bitten...I did more research. We threw the couch, recliner, and chair out on the back porch for two nights where it was rain free and below freezing. End of problem again....</p> <p>We returned from a nice hotel in NH a couple of weeks ago and I awoke today to my 2nd and 3rd itchy bite. I haven't been able to find anything at Home Depot so I stopped in at a Lowes. I found that HOT SHOT IS NOW SELLING A BED BUG AND FLEE SPRAY AND A BED BUG AND FLEE FOGGER, both containing Pyrethins....YAHOO! It appears to be isolated to our bedroom right now so the plan is this weekend to close the room after spraying and fogging. I'll tilt the mattresses against the walls, open all drawers and make sure that all clothes will be exposed to the fog. We'll know if they are gone if we get no more bites. I have heard that some people do not show signs of the bites but we certainly do now (we didn't originally). My wife will be sleeping on the couch until afterwards and I'll stay in the room as the bait until then. These buggers are known to move to other areas if they cannot find a host. They are also not known to carry any diseases. We'll have to wash all exposed clothes afterwards but I'm confident that we'll beat them again. We are seriously considering never staying in another hotel again. Another tip I've learned from another couple who went through this in their log cabin home. Do not allow bird nests to be built that contact your home. Bed bugs like these, not that they feed from the birds but because they are warm. They then find an entry point into your warmer home. Hope this helps someone else. </p> <p>Jim </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/do-i-have-bedbugs-or-am-i-paranoid-and-this-is-something-i-have-to-live-with#post-61087 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:53:51 +0000 fr0st003 61087@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Ok so heres the short version of the story.</p> <p>I move into apartment, new room mate starts getting bitten, by what are thought to be mosquitos(this was in august). We decided without finding any evidence it must be bedbugs and she only gets bit while sleeping. Pest control guy comes says he cant see anything but it is possible. We have him return and spray her entire room. While she is stay at friends house I decide to check on room, and low and behold I found a dead bedbug confirmed definite yep its a bedbug. We toss everything to the street that was in her room, she had a cheap futon and some random other items she didnt mind tossing as she keeps most of her stuff in closet. So her room is empty and she has been sleeping on an air mattress in the floor since. No bites that I know of or she knows of.</p> <p>Being the paranoid psycho that I am everything in my room that is able to either bagged or boxed is, I spent a small fortune on mattress covers pillow covers, space bags, you name it. My stuff is all sealed and once a week for the past 3 months I remove everything from my dresser and spray rubbing alcohol and clean and flip my mattress etc etc. Sometimes in the middle of the night I wake up turn all my lights on flip my bed and do all that craziness. About 2 weeks ago I notice a pimple on my inner thigh and then a few days later another and then like a week later another so over the period of 2 weeks I got this nice little row of ingrown hairs(this feeds my paranoia). I am mindful I have very thick hair and I have been riding bike quite a bit prior to it get cold and those pimples are right where they should be, well they are more like ingrown hairs from my pants chaffing my leg, but point being I have a line of them. Now fast forward to this week I haven't had anything, nor have I been biking tonight after a longer session at the computer doing work than I normally would be I felt that soft sweet spot, right where my butt cheek meets my leg and I had 2 or so little welts kinda feels like a little swollen rash, and this too happens to be right where my underwear elastic wraps around my leg and where I would normally sweat.</p> <p>My questions are these, could these.<br /> 1) My room is about 500 ft away from my room mates she lives in the back room of the house and never comes towards my side, could they migrate that far?<br /> 2) Would she be more prone to being bitting sleeping on the floor?<br /> 3) I have had the Pest control team come 3 times and spray and explore the apartment moving all the furniture and making my life a living hell, only to find nothing, srpay this chemical all over the place, make me take apart my bed(Which I dont know how many more times I can do before I strip the bolts) etc etc. Is there another way I can prove to myself I dont have them? The pest control guys dont convince me ever.<br /> 4) And lastly do bedbugs try and bite open skin like arms or legs, or skin that lies under elastic bands?</p> <p>Sorry for the poor grammar and typos its 4:40am and I just got done doing a full shake down of my room. Will I ever be sane, I swear the day I see a life bedbug I am going to shriek and scream like a little girl, the only one I have seen was dead. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbugs-as-an-allergy-catalyst#post-61086 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:45:34 +0000 bedbuggery 61086@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hi, D A.</p> <p>I had the strongest attacks with my first few sets of bites I then went a long period (prob 4 months) experiencing bites with little reaction. Then I started getting the sore joints (very sore like someone had punched me in the arm with the bites on it) The asthma showed up at around 5 months and thats when I moved out because I thought it was some kind of weird mold exposure even though when the bites first started showing up my LL mentioned BB's and I had a PCO check for them (with no results obviously)</p> <p>The weird attacks and urticaria seemed to show up when I took time to get away from the infestation for about about two weeks. Hence my theory that my body had been turned on itself, BB's or no.</p> <p>I'm curious if you find yourself developing a tolerance to the bites.... BUT, considering you appear to be a lot more allergic than me, I think it's <em>extremely</em> important you avoid this process entirely.</p> <p>If you have a backyard set up a tent and dryer anything that follows you in.<br /> Even if you have a PCO treating, sometimes the initial treatments will make the bugs go crazy b/f they die. In my state (Oregon) there is a law that a Landlord has to provide a dwelling if yours is temporary unliveable, I think you would def. qualify for that here. </p>