Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums User Favorites: Never gonna get bit again

EffeCi on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

EffeCi — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:48:45 +0000

<blockquote>Very hard to tell from the images. </blockquote> Not that hard, if you're an entomologist. <blockquote>I cannot tell if the sample has a head.</blockquote> Cockroaches often keep their heads under the pronotum, so you can't see them. <blockquote>I also so not see any antenna. Roaches all have distinct antenna. </blockquote> And so do Bedbugs too... But a dead, dried insect is very fragile, and antennae tend to break easily. Body shape and presence of cerci tell us it's definitively a cockroach.

adeluca on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

adeluca — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:44:37 +0000

Very hard to tell from the images. I cannot tell if the sample has a head. Bed bugs have a very distinct head. I also so not see any antenna. Roaches all have distinct antenna.

tare on "Delayed bedbug bites or something else?"

tare — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:26:57 +0000

Thanks, newbite. The thing that's driving me crazy is I'm the only one getting bit!

Never gonna get bit again on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

Never gonna get bit again — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 01:31:17 +0000

Yes, again, I apologize. I honestly mean no harm and have definitely learned from my prior mistake. I am new to this site, and my life has been somewhat screwed up as of late, and though I make no excuses for my previous post, I do hope that anxiousaboutbb accepts my apology.

Nobugsonme on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

Nobugsonme — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 01:03:16 +0000

<blockquote><cite>Never gonna get bit again - 58 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/id-needed-1#post-150410"> » </a></cite> What a rational thinking person would have said is, "bag it up and take it to a PCO for a positive identification. I know how horrible of a feeling it is to wonder about a bb infestation and sincerely apologize for bestowing that feeling upon you. I am truly sorry. </blockquote> I appreciate the apology, NGGBA, and but I just want to note in response to your comment that having a bed bug identified by an expert here may be more useful and/or quicker (and sometimes even more accurate, unfortunately) than getting a PCO to ID it. It is perfectly appropriate for people to ask for bug IDs here, so I would not send the OP to the PCO, but it's best if we leave it to the experts. Most people here don't have the experience to ID bugs. Those who do include Loubugs, EffeCi, Bedbugscouk, p bello, Killer Queen, Thebedbugresource, and a few others. And even then, bed bug experts will defer to other entomologists like Lou and EffeCi with their wide-ranging knowledge. I have been running the site for six years and I don't even try to ID most bugs, though I do for those few which I am sure about-- again, after looking at photos for years. A few other non-pros will do this also -- rs1971 above is another non-expert who, like me, will ID some bugs, some of the time. Another Bedbugger, spideyjg has pretty extensive knowledge.

Never gonna get bit again on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

Never gonna get bit again — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 23:53:06 +0000

I'm sorry. I was having a bit of a rough morning and perhaps wasn't thinking as I should have been and didn't even look at the second picture. Please accept my sincere apology. What a rational thinking person would have said is, "bag it up and take it to a PCO for a positive identification. I know how horrible of a feeling it is to wonder about a bb infestation and sincerely apologize for bestowing that feeling upon you. I am truly sorry.

theyareoutthere on "Bed bug bite?"

theyareoutthere — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 21:19:16 +0000

You can't diagnose from bites, and some people don't add to the registry for fear of landlord or hotel retiliation (there have been lawsuits). You may want to put a passive on your bed and monitor once a week.

bed-bugscouk on "Bed bug bite?"

bed-bugscouk — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:35:42 +0000

Hi, Question? Do you think Bedbug registry, tripadvisor, local paper or any media for that matter are more accurate than you looking at the time you need to when it matters to you? If you rely on others to help you avoid bedbugs you only have yourself to blame if you get exposed to them. Bedbug avoidance is only of value when you do it yourself when it matters to you. I always check a room myself and NEVER check the registry because it can never be 100% reliable but I can. David Cain Bed Bugs Limited

ItchyNYC on "Bed bug bite?"

ItchyNYC — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:28:49 +0000

I just want to add something, don't go by what's listed on the Bed Bug Registry because I tried to add my address and it won't let me. I also tried adding a couple of other addresses out of curiosity (they were similar to my address) and it also wouldn't let me and I tried numerous times. Plus not everyone lists places on there to begin with, so you can be staying at a hotel with bed bugs or moving into a building that has them that is not listed on the BB Registry.

anxiousaboutbb on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

anxiousaboutbb — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:26:57 +0000

<blockquote><cite>rs1971 - 14 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/id-needed-1#post-150316"> » </a></cite> <blockquote><cite>Never gonna get bit again - 2 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/id-needed-1#post-150304"> » </a></cite> Ooh...I'm no expert, but it looks like a bed bug to me.</blockquote> One doesn't need to be an expert (I'm sure not) to post in the ID threads, but if you can't even tell the difference between a roach nymph and a bed bug, is there really any point in chiming in when the only possible thing that you can accomplish is causing undo stress to the original poster? -rs1971</blockquote> The non-expert positive ID from Never gonna get bit again did stress me out. False positives on the ID thread is not very helpful. Thanks rs1971 for this comment.

anxiousaboutbb on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

anxiousaboutbb — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:24:21 +0000

<blockquote><cite>EffeCi - 1 hour ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/id-needed-1#post-150308"> » </a></cite> It's a dead little roach nymph...</blockquote> Phew! Thanks EffeCi. Obviously I will stay super vigilant due to the threat from next door, but for now I can relax a bit.

rs1971 on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

rs1971 — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:10:42 +0000

<blockquote><cite>Never gonna get bit again - 2 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/id-needed-1#post-150304"> » </a></cite> Ooh...I'm no expert, but it looks like a bed bug to me.</blockquote> One doesn't need to be an expert (I'm sure not) to post in the ID threads, but if you can't even tell the difference between a roach nymph and a bed bug, is there really any point in chiming in when the only possible thing that you can accomplish is causing undo stress to the original poster? -rs1971

rs1971 on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

rs1971 — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:08:39 +0000

<blockquote><cite>anxiousaboutbb - 2 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/id-needed-1#post-150302"> » </a></cite> Hi, We just moved into a row house and found out that our neighbors are battling bed bugs. They had a heat treatment a few days ago. Our row is quite old and there seems to be a solid brick wall between the homes. However, I'm still nervous that the bugs will spread. Today I found a dried out dead bug on the stairs that looks alarming. It is very dead; dry and brittle. It could easily have come in from outside on someones shoe. Does it look like a bed bug? Thanks for your help. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87140073@N04/7979965109/in/photostream/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/87140073@N04/7979965109/in/photostream/</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87140073@N04/7979965025/in/photostream/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/87140073@N04/7979965025/in/photostream/</a></blockquote> I"m not an expert (EffeCi is) but that specimen has cerci and is obviously not a bed bug. -rs1971

EffeCi on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

EffeCi — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:23:22 +0000

It's a dead little roach nymph...

anxiousaboutbb on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

anxiousaboutbb — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:18:25 +0000

Can someone with a little more expertise offer an opinion? Thanks.

Never gonna get bit again on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

Never gonna get bit again — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:46:45 +0000

Ooh...I'm no expert, but it looks like a bed bug to me.

anxiousaboutbb on "ID needed [a: cockroach nymph]"

anxiousaboutbb — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:40:12 +0000

Hi, We just moved into a row house and found out that our neighbors are battling bed bugs. They had a heat treatment a few days ago. Our row is quite old and there seems to be a solid brick wall between the homes. However, I'm still nervous that the bugs will spread. Today I found a dried out dead bug on the stairs that looks alarming. It is very dead; dry and brittle. It could easily have come in from outside on someones shoe. Does it look like a bed bug? Thanks for your help. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87140073@N04/7979965109/in/photostream/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/87140073@N04/7979965109/in/photostream/</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87140073@N04/7979965025/in/photostream/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/87140073@N04/7979965025/in/photostream/</a>

brooklynbedbug on "Bed bug bite?"

brooklynbedbug — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:03:38 +0000

Thanks for your response even if it's not exactly what I wanted to hear :( I have a bed bug dog scheduled to come over this afternoon. I'm hoping this is just some sort of fluke and my new apartment is BB free. If so, I'm definitely planning on dousing the place with DE to prevent any other hitchikers. I will keep you posted on what the dog finds. Thanks again for your response.

Never gonna get bit again on "Delayed bedbug bites or something else?"

Never gonna get bit again — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:13:59 +0000

I have heard that bites can take as long as a week to show up, even though mine show up within a few hours. I would remain on high alert for a while, continue checking your bed frequently, and bagging up the clothes you wear to visit your SO before going home. What I did for my car is parked it in the hot sun with a full tank of gas. I ran it for 7 hours (perhaps a little excessive) with the heater on. I did the first 4 hours with the back seats up, then last 3 with the seats down to penetrate the trunk. I stuck a thermometer in the trunk which only went to 120 degrees, and it was there for 3 hours, so I feel pretty confident that it would have worked to kill and bugs and eggs that may have been in my car. This was only precautionary, as I dont think I had bbs in my car, but didn't want to reinfest my house after my heat treatment.

Never gonna get bit again on "Bed bug bite?"

Never gonna get bit again — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:48:25 +0000

That looks very muc like how my bites started out. I got one here and there for a couple weeks, about every 4 or 5 days, then about 3 weeks into it, I woke up with 7 bites on one of my legs. I'm not saying that yours is, in fact, a bed bug bite, but I recommend that you stay on high alert for a while. If you see another bug, DO NOT KILL IT!! Instead, put it in a jar and take it in to a pest control company for identification.

brooklynbedbug on "Bed bug bite?"

brooklynbedbug — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:41:26 +0000

Hi all, I just moved to Brooklyn over Labor Day weekend, and have been getting a series of bites. I’m hyper paranoid about BBs – I got them while traveling and thank god they didn’t follow me, but I’d just like to get some input from people who’ve been there. Some more background info: I took over a lease from a friend who had never had any problems (to her knowledge) with BBs. I also spoke with the landlord before hand who also said there have never been any reports. Looking up my address on Bed Bug Registry confirmed this - though there are infestations just a few streets away. Another important note: The night before we moved in, I spent the night in a hotel in New Jersey (also not listed on BB Registry). However, after inspecting the mattress I found what looked to be a blood stain and then the following morning woke up with a few bites on my feet. Unfortunately, my bag was open right next to the bed (I wasn't thinking), so now I'm scared I may have brought some BBs with me to my new place. Anyway, the "bites" I've gotten have been pretty mild - a few on my legs and feet and nothing has been clustered. They seem to be inflamed for just an hour or two and then go away by the end of the day. They are usually only itchy once I wake up, and I'm wondering if even that is psychosomatic. I do have sensitive skin and am prone to weird inflammation, but given the circumstances I am on higher alert. One last thing: So far, I have yet to find any evidence such as fecal stains, cast skins, BBs themselves. However, after doing a thorough cleaning of my room I did find a clear small bug that I squashed right away. I wasn't able to get a picture of it, but it COULD have been a nymph. I know everyone's skin reacts differently, but I thought I'd include some pictures of my bites and see if anyone thinks these look suspicious. I am debating on calling in a canine inspector, but I really don't have the extra funds for that at the moment. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thank you! <a href="http://imgur.com/a/pz406#RhM59" rel="nofollow">http://imgur.com/a/pz406#RhM59</a>

tare on "Delayed bedbug bites or something else?"

tare — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:28:55 +0000

Hello all, I would like some opinions on whether the bites I've been getting are likely to be from bedbugs. Thanks in advance. Backstory: My SO's apartment was medium-infested around June and treated in the beginning of August by a PCO. The landlord initially blamed my SO for bringing them in, but an inspector discovered that the just-vacated apartment above was heavily infested. (Apparently, the bugs had migrated down when the tenants moved out. ><) The landlord went with their contracted PCO who sprayed both apartments twice after finding no signs in adjoining units. (Not sure how experienced he was with bedbugs...) Now, throughout this, I had been getting a few bites on my legs but had assumed they were from fleas at a dog park I frequent. (Actually caught a few of the buggers.) During the infestation, we were careful to bag everything, street clothes never touch the inside of the apartment, etc. However, I would continue getting bites. I visit my SO on Saturdays, and always leave before midnight. The bites would appear on the following Mon-Wed. Even after the treatment, I would get bites. I've inspected my mattress and sheets, and have found no signs/skins. My SO hasn't found any new signs or live bedbugs since the second treatment. Could this still be bedbugs? The only other place I can think of getting bitten is the car, but I can't imagine a bedbug crawling up my torso to my arm, biting me, and then scurrying back down in the maybe 1 hr I'm driving. I do somewhat suspect the previously infested couch, but the same scenario applies. Thanks again for any insight! - Tare

Nobugsonme on "Dear BB Diary, Day 4 post heat...."

Nobugsonme — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 16:55:39 +0000

Bedbugly, I suspect you will be quite confident within a few months. Please do come back and update us when you are. <blockquote><cite>Never gonna get bit again - 4 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/dear-bb-diary-day-4-post-heat#post-147296"> » </a></cite> I, myself, am thinking of having a heat treatment in my 1600 sq ft house. I am quite interested in the results of your treatment. So far, I only have BBs in my couch, and have isolated my bed with margarine containers lined with Vaseline. I used propoxur and sprayed the hell out of my living room furniture and the perimeter of my living room and bedroom. I have a 50 lb bag of DE that I am in the process of distributing through my house. I have set a month and a half time limit on my own efforts, and if I am still getting bit, I will be getting a heat treatment. Please keep posting with your results and good luck </blockquote> Never gonna get bit again, I hesitate to comment at length because this thread is on another topic. I would encourage you to start a new thread to discuss your situation. I would also strongly suggest getting advice from experts here if you must DIY (you can read the Comprehensive Guides in the <a href="http://Bedbugger.com/links">Resources</a> page, and private message Paul Bello who often seems to offer such advice, etc.) Paul Bello and David Cain also have books which may help you DIY. However, you should definitely not be applying a 50 lb. bag of DE to your home (if you really meant the whole thing). Please do your research on DE before you start -- the <a href="http://Bedbugger.com/faqde">FAQ on DE</a> is a good start. Most people overapply or misapply DE and most aren't aware of necessary safety precautions. Isolating beds in the manner you described may be counter productive. I won't comment on your off label use of propoxur except to say please be careful. If you want to discuss this further, please start a new thread and I will respond further there. Others may have suggestions or comments also.

Never gonna get bit again on "Dear BB Diary, Day 4 post heat...."

Never gonna get bit again — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 12:27:26 +0000

I, myself, am thinking of having a heat treatment in my 1600 sq ft house. I am quite interested in the results of your treatment. So far, I only have BBs in my couch, and have isolated my bed with margarine containers lined with Vaseline. I used propoxur and sprayed the hell out of my living room furniture and the perimeter of my living room and bedroom. I have a 50 lb bag of DE that I am in the process of distributing through my house. I have set a month and a half time limit on my own efforts, and if I am still getting bit, I will be getting a heat treatment. Please keep posting with your results and good luck

BedBugly on "Dear BB Diary, Day 4 post heat...."

BedBugly — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 04:40:59 +0000

Thanks, FH3B, but I wouldn't call it a success story just yet. Maybe after a year and after I get new furniture and it stays BB free for a while, then it will be an official success.

feelinghelplesswith3 babies on "Dear BB Diary, Day 4 post heat...."

feelinghelplesswith3 babies — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 23:32:29 +0000

Thank you bed bulgy I didn't go for the heat treatment as you know but I did the chems 3 total and though it's fairly too soon to tell the every night bites are seemingly a thing of the past no bites on my boy for 9 days and the last sucker that bit me at 130 am was last Sunday and might I add he was starving and slow looked like a 2 or 3rd instar half dead. So with all that said I suppose I've progressed greatly. I'm happy you are getting in the swing of things. Thanks for sharing once I've done a whole 6 months of being bb free I will write a success story post.

Nobugsonme on "Dear BB Diary, Day 4 post heat...."

Nobugsonme — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 20:41:07 +0000

Thanks for posting our experience. Please update us as time goes on. To answer your question-- it's fine to review a provider here as you did as long as you're a genuine paying customer, no connection to the company, declare any compensation or freebies, etc. It can help others find a good company to use.

BedBugly on "Dear BB Diary, Day 4 post heat...."

BedBugly — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 19:55:31 +0000

Hi my lovely, lovely, loves! Been meaning to post sooner, but have been busy at work cleaning and putting my place back together, and finally catching up on some much needed sleep. Sleep finally came a bit easier after heat treatment Tuesday, though, I'm still so skeptical. But I think I was at the point of sleep deprovation that bedbugs or no, I had to close my eyes for a few days. I apologize now, this is going to be a doozey of a post...... So Tuesday was THEEE day, I hired Top Dog (not sure, am I allowed to say company names here?) here in LA after being ignored by other PCO's that just seemed too "busy" to return phone calls and emails. Top Dog specializes in heat/canine and only does bedbugs, no other pests. They are a little pricier than others, but you certainly (so far for me) get what you pay for. They were on time, inspected my furniture which was already tossed outside in plastic, were super descreet (no advertising on their trucks and were vague when neighbors inquired to what was going on), and were very understanding and friendly upon encountering a nutty and anxious me operating on 3 hours of slumber. They brought two dogs with them (Dean and Sinatra...LOVE Sinatra!) to sniff all boxes set outside with things that were not treatable (candles, makeup, pictures). They also brought baskets and hanging racks to loosen up drawers and closets to ensure maximization of treatment. They even answered my crazy texts the weekend prior to treatment when I was preping. I live in an old 4 plex and just did my apartment as they (and other PCO's) assured me that the bugs were not likely make the exodus to the other apartments during treatment, but gave me a ton of monitors and traps for my neighbors at the end of treatment just in case. I decided to get some stuff done while treatment was going on (cats groomed, DMV, etc), during which my downstairs neighbor kept an eye on things for me. He said there was always at least one person here monitoring, even when the other guys went out to lunch, and they came in four times with the dogs to inspect during the heat. While I was out, they kept me updated with texts. My neighbor also said that surprisingly, his apartment got COOLER during treatment (we don't have central AC units, so everyone here kind of suffers through summers with small window units). Likely because heat rises and they were sucking up all the hot air to expose my upstairs unit to maximum heat. Funny. They went for 6 hours, when I returned, my place looked better than I had left it. Hotter than Jamaica or Hell, but that was fine by me! Took a nice cold shower. They left me with traps for myself and all my neighbors to monitor any movement, DE'ed my room, and even left me with some tangerines... I offered them beer and hugs, they took the hugs. lol. They shall return in two weeks time with dogs to re-inspect. They have a 30 day warranty which makes me feel a bit better even though it's really not alot of time at all. I'm not sure what I'm feeling now, it's a sense of relief, but also dread that I will find it did not work after paying a small fortune. I haven't been bitten by bed bugs yet... though funny enough that night, I was outside cleaning something and got bit by a friggen mosquito, bastard (yes, you can definitely tell the difference between bites, it twas a mosquito)! And I've only found a few dead BB's around. The only thing I've caught in the traps (first response monitors) is a silver fish. Now I am left with the aftermath of putting things back on shelves, tons of laundry (you actually don't need to do this with heat treatment, I'm just being extra careful), tossing stuff and becoming a bit more "Ikea" rather than "museum chic", etc. I definitely feel much more "aware" of my surroundings now. I went to a clothing store during treatment just to kill time and wandered through the aisles and racks, and felt like I didn't want to touch anything or ever shop again. I wanted to get out of the hot sun (it was 105F that day) and just sit or sleep, then thought to myself, why not go watch a movie, then thought, "hell no, BB's are there!!". I wonder if anything normal like that will be enjoyable again? Then the other day, I hear an Orkin commercial on the radio at work about BB's, which I've never heard advertised before here in LA, strange. THEN I went to go have a beer with a friend I hadn't seen in over a year, and she was covered in bug bites. She thought it was mosquitos that had bit her at her bf's place, but I know better, mosquitos don't make such tracks all up and down your back like that, especially in a downtown LA loft, thank you very much. I almost went running for the hills. Are they really THAT out to get me?? Sheesh! I've spent so much money on these little suckers between treatment, pre/post prevention stuff, laundry, bought the Zappbug, etc. Yes, I know, packtite is more recommended than zappbug, but I thought I'd give a 30 day go and see what happens, I wish packtite closet wasn't so... non-refundable and spendy, at least you can return the zappbug in 30 days if you don't like it. I'm sure the packtite is awesome, it has such rave reviews, but I'll be your guinea pig on the Zappbug, anyone else try it yet? I know David Cain is going to test it soon. Tried it for the first time last night, it got up to 140F in about an hour. Put my area rug inside of it. So far so good. And lastly, excellent news, my boyfriend's apartment was just inspected with canines today, ALL CLEAR! woohooo! So there's that for hope. And which also makes me wonder how easily do BB's hitchhike and get around? I mean, I hung out there every single weekend for months and months probably while I had BB's and didn't even know yet. There has been mucho traffic between my place and many other friends' before I discovered my problem, and so far, I have heard no complaints, most of my friends now know of my problem, so it's not like they are keeping it from me out of shame. Anyway, I'll keep you guys posted on progress. Thanks for being here for me, bedbugger.com!

karen608 on "Heat Treatment My Story"

karen608 — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 23:30:09 +0000

Yes, God can help us in our need. I found BBs just a few days ago but I already had DE powder in the house to use in the basement to dry out bugs. God already had part of my solution for me. Since I just treated, I have to wait and see how God deals with this. I actually thanked God for the lessons He will teach me during this trial. Nothing happens by accident. I believe this is for a greater good, since I know who infected me, and am aware of many people complaining of 'hives' and I know it is BBs... so I can alert others to check for BBs so maybe many more will be spared of this trial. This one man sat for hours in many public places and sad to say I think he and his son accidentally have caused an outbreak. I learned compassion so far from this. God loves that man (unsaved) and this just made me pray all the more for him and his grown son!

seca46 on "Heat Treatment My Story"

seca46 — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:16:55 +0000

Congratulations on being bed bug free and sane. Don't forget to post your experience with that company on Angies list - it will really help those of us still looking for a company we can trust.

theyareoutthere on "Heat Treatment My Story"

theyareoutthere — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:36:49 +0000

Thanks for sharing your story. I think there is a tendancy to feel that it is somehow the person's fault who got the BBs, that God wouldn't let this happen. It reminds me of Footprints...God...or your higher power in whatever name you think of (sorry, from a multi-ethnic family and I see more similarities than differences in religions)...is there to support you during this crisis and to help you heal. Thank you so much for the reminder.

bedbuganxiety on "Heat Treatment My Story"

bedbuganxiety — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:23:46 +0000

Babsalow, Thank you for posting your story!! It was just what I needed to read I try to remember that if God brings us to it, he'll bring us through it. I haven't had bed bugs; just a scare last summer after staying at a resort. But, bed bugs and the prevention thereof are always on my mind (husband travels several times a month for business). I, too, pray about bed bugs and dealing with the anxiety that they bring. Your post reminded me that even though I am trying to trust God with this matter, I am not helping by stalking this forum. Maybe it's time for me to worry less about bed bugs and put all that energy into loving life again. Thank you again for your post. I feel that God provides us with the message that he is trying to give us in any manner in which he can get our attention. Your post got my attention I think your story was meant for me to read today!

jean127 on "Heat Treatment My Story"

jean127 — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:04:51 +0000

God is Good. He can easily handle bed bugs. It's many of us who are too afraid to let go and fully trust. I'm working on it though.

Babsalow on "Heat Treatment My Story"

Babsalow — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:32:44 +0000

One year ago almost to the day, my two sons left home, a friend died of Melanoma and I found a bedbug in my washing machine. All three events combined to make it the summer of my discontent, to say the least. But since those who visit this website are most likely in the throes of a bedbug situation, here is my story, as concise as I can make it. I hired a bedbug exterminating company after doing my research online. The company I hired had rave reviews, even getting high marks on Angie’s List. So the professional with the beagle came to my house, and the dog “alerted” to five areas in my house: the upstairs, the main floor and the basement. Great. Just great. As I conversed with the professional dog handler, he freely shared details about bedbugs like “thousands (I don’t remember his exact number. But it was large) of eggs can be laid on the head of a screw” and that bedbugs “freak me out and I have nightmares about them.” Really. As if I weren’t already a bit distressed by my life, I had a so-called bed bug professional not really doing a whole lot to calm my fears. Then, he hit me with the next little bit of information: the cost of treatment. I was assured that heat treatment was a must for my home--with chemical in the basement due to basements not being able to be heated due to the cement floor sucking up all the heat—which would all come at a price of $2,800. That included one complimentary after-check by the beagle and its handler. I was near hysterics, I am not proud to admit, due to too much time on the internet researching bedbugs, as well as the frenzy the comments that the bedbug professional put me in. So I signed $2,800 dollars away (I mean, I was sick of bringing a change of clothes with me everywhere and terrified of infecting neighbors and tired of not being able to have people in my house) and had the treatment. But let me back track before I explain the treatment. Two days before the treatment, we had a huge dumpster delivered to our driveway and threw away a lot: some due to paranoia over what may be lurking (couch, chair, two mattresses that were more than ten years old) and much household stuff that should’ve been got rid of years ago. Now, I will say this to all of you who are protesting that you are a clean freak. I am not a clean freak, but I have a clean and orderly, albeit small, home. So there was some clutter (the woman doing the heat treatment assured me my house was nothing compared to the clutter she’s seen in most houses). I maintained a comfortable and clean home, but was not anal about cleanliness. I live in a great neighborhood, and my house is only ten years old. So how did I get bedbugs? Well, take your pick: we had traveled to and stayed in a total of 4 hotels between the cities of Chicago and Spokane in the time previous. My son had come home to visit from his college dorm, and my other son had been working weekends at a rustic Bible camp (he had a suitcase he was using for this purpose stored under his bed, and the place I found the ONLY SIGN of bedbugs other than the washing machine up to that point was on his mattress. I found them underneath the mattress pad and on the side of the bed that is pushed up against the wall. The room has since been rearranged and the bed no longer hugs any walls. Plus we got a new mattress). Also, my husband was traveling to LA on business, staying in a hotel, and my son had gone on a mission trip to Kenya, dragging his luggage back into the house after the trip. So you tell me where these things came from? It could very likely have been from a hotel in Chicago, where I woke up one morning with what appeared to be bedbug bites on my arm. I reported it at the front desk and got a free breakfast. But the bedbug professionals who treated my home thought the infestation was more recent than my trip to Chicago, so who knows. The point is we are a family who travels and are out and about, with constantly changing college living situations and jobs at summer camps, and so I cannot worry about the fact that I got bedbugs. The main thing is, getting rid of them. Which brings me back to my heat treatment. I literally pulled an all-nighter getting my house ready for the professional’s 7:00 a.m. arrival. A man and woman came, and I left the house. They were very good about removing my art pastels from my walls, which the literature provided by the bug company did not warn me to remove. But I’m sure there would have been melting damage at 100+ degrees. I forget what the professional said he got the house up to, but a few months later I found all my vintage holiday candles from the 1950’s that I had stored in a kitchen cupboard melted. So I know it got pretty hot. Well, the dog handler returned with the beagle two days later and the dog cleared the house. The man shook my hand and I’m sure thought that was the last he would see of me. However, in the weeks following treatment, I had the professional dog handler back into my home, because my husband and I were still getting fresh bites. I was also finding spots on my bed sheets. I paid the fee for the dog to return, and wanted to set up an every-three month visit with the dog to make sure we took care of the problem. The “professional” dog handler was all in agreement to my face. Yet he never got back to me on setting up the future dog checks, and when I told his boss my husband and I were still getting bites and I was seeing signs on the bedsheets, and that I wanted the dog back to check the home, the bossman said he discussed returning with the dog handler, who said it wasn’t necessary. They then said they considered my house clear and would not be coming back. Now this is really ironic, since, on the day I first contacted the company and spoke with the bossman, his exact words to me were “we will not leave you high and dry.” Yeah, right. I dropped more than $3,000 on “treatment” with their company and they did, indeed, leave me high and dry. I decided to turn the other cheek, and I ceased all contact with this company. Being a strong Christian for 10 years, I turned to the One who will never leave us “high and dry,” God. I spent the month of July and August praying to God, and reading the Bible, which reminded me of God’s protection and care. My husband and I left for a two-week vacation at the end of August, and I prayed the entire time that the bedbugs and all sign of them would be gone when we returned. God gave me a vision of a dead bug on my vacation, and when I returned home, the very first thing I saw lying on the hallway floor was a dead bug. Now, it wasn’t a dead bedbug. But it was for me God’s confirmation that the bedbugs are gone. And I swear to you by His grace and mercy that it is true. I have not had one bite or seen any sign of bedbugs since returning form that vacation. However, I now still a distinct fear of bedbugs which I also had to turn over to God. Gradually, through His strength, I stopped obsessively checking under the couch cushions and under the mattress every day. I started to begin to go a day or two without even thinking of bedbugs! And one year later, God has released me not only from bedbugs, but from fear of them also. I still go to an occasional movie, and we travel more than ever, having just returned from Washington state, Texas and Israel, where we stayed in multiple hotels. My sons continue to visit from college, and we have other college students as guests, and I refuse to make everyone leave their luggage in the garage or change their clothes before entering my house. I know that if the bugs return, God will have my back. Which leads me to what exactly I would do if bedbugs ever return? I would not, I repeat, NOT have the heat treatment. Why? It is exorbitantly expensive for one thing. I was under such duress in my initial fear of and reaction to having bedbugs that I did not sit down and clearly think out just how much traveling and visitors to our home that we have that could so easily re-introduce bedbugs. So after $3,000 worth of treatment, I could go on vacation and bring back another bug. Yes, my husband and I do leave our luggage in the garage when we return from a trip, and we do change out of our travel clothes in the garage before coming into the house. I even have luggage now that is completely washable in the washing machine (encourages one to pack light!). But I am not going to request that guests who are visiting park their luggage in the garage. So, if I get the bugs again, so be it. I will go the route of chemical treatment if that is the only solution. The best thing is, I will be able to handle the second time around, God forbid there be one, cured of the fear that debilitates. I can confidently meet any bedbug crisis by standing firm in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who warmly entreats us to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30