http://bedbugger.com/forum/ Bed bug support forums en Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:33:13 +0000 http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/possible-bed-bug-feces-found-in-couch#post-172337 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:24:42 +0000 samrose 172337@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>So I was potentially exposed to bed bugs 6 months ago when I borrowed someone s vacuum who had them. I have severe anxiety issues so lately I have been so scared I have bed bugs. I thought I had laid this fear to rest after insanely checking my bedroom to find no signs. well I decided to flip my sectional fabric couch and check. One the portion where my recliner is I found about 4 not small but not bigger then a pencil eraser sized black spots on the wood. I was able to easily chip one off, and I read that their poop is just digested blood and to try wetting it. its perfectly flat, and doesn't change in water even when I rub it. does this still sound like it could be feces from one? no other signs have been seen but I am still so paranoid </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/after-the-bed-bugs-whats-the-next-step-with-photos#post-172336 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:48:44 +0000 SteamingMad 172336@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Sounds like the landlord wants to find someone to spray. My understanding from everything I've read here is once they're in furniture (the tag above is off my leather couch), heat or gas is pretty much the only option?</p> <p>Sleepless and not hopeful. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/confused-and-tired#post-172335 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:19:32 +0000 Bittenandlosingit 172335@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'm honestly confused. I can't count how many times I have checked the entirety of my apartment for bed bugs! I saw one crawling in my bed and once I got rid of it, I began my search. I came out empty. No fecal stains, no skins, no eggs and definitely no live bugs. But for the past two months I have been bitten like crazy! The thing is (a I know it's not wise to go by others photos considering we all react differently) my bites look like nothing I've seen of bed bug bites. Mine are huge! They're not fine, swollen points. They look more like I got hit with a baseball or something. They're darker in the center, about an inch in diameter. Then the surrounding area is a lighter shade of red, again about an inch in diameter. I currently have two on each of my ankles, five on my thigh, two on my arms (wrist area and elbow area) and two on my hips. What I've actually seen more than bed bugs in my apartment is these hideous spiders. Huge freaky looking spiders. </p> <p>Funny thing is, I did the search and came up empty; a few weeks later and I see another one crawling on my bed. Searched again: no result. </p> <p> I had bed bugs when I was very young, so I'm not concerned with how to deal with them or spot them. I'm just confused with what is happening to me. Has anyone else ever had bites like mine and can you tell me what it might be? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bug-id-needed-18#post-172334 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:02:49 +0000 KillerQueen 172334@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>Ireallyhatebb - 4 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bug-id-needed-18#post-172333">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> Still need a expert but those do look like bed bugs</p></blockquote> <p>Please leave the ID's for the pro's .. I know you're trying to help but you can send people over the edge with bad info or thoughts. </p> <p>THESE ARE NOT BED BUGS! They are psocids. Harmless, don't bite, and are attracted to moisture. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bug-id-needed-18#post-172333 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:57:15 +0000 Ireallyhatebb 172333@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Still need a expert but those do look like bed bugs </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bug-id-please-77#post-172332 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:51:39 +0000 Lbuggy01 172332@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Thank you KillerQueen! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bug-id-needed-18#post-172331 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:50:21 +0000 bbug140 172331@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I know the picture is not great. I've found many of these small (1.5mm) bugs on my baseboards. My husband and I are covered in itchy red bumps and I'm really hoping this is not bed bugs. We just bought a brand new sealed mattress from Macy's 2 weeks ago....</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97657184@N07/9071199897/" title="photo by bbug3, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/9071199897_85d08293dd.jpg" alt="photo" /></a> </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbug-infestation-in-my-condo#post-172330 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:34:28 +0000 KillerQueen 172330@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>cilecto - 7 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbug-infestation-in-my-condo#post-172329">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> KQ, notwithstanding that there are problems with the (alleged) PCO's approach, isn't it fair to say that not all good PCOs have you bag and certainly not "everything in the house"? I'd hat to have the OP start doing unneeded work just because you called out his PCO.</p></blockquote> <p>Correct - Not everything needs to be bagged for the right type of treatment. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbug-infestation-in-my-condo#post-172329 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:26:11 +0000 cilecto 172329@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>KQ, notwithstanding that there are problems with the (alleged) PCO's approach, isn't it fair to say that not all good PCOs have you bag and certainly not "everything in the house"? I'd hat to have the OP start doing unneeded work just because you called out his PCO. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/thoughts-from-pcos-or-anyone-else-problem-with-hotel#post-172328 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:18:29 +0000 rs1971 172328@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <blockquote><p><cite>fingerscrossenobb - 49 minutes ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/thoughts-from-pcos-or-anyone-else-problem-with-hotel#post-172323">&nbsp;&raquo;&nbsp;</a></cite><br /> In fairness to my K9 inspection, they do look for visual confirmation after an alert. He took apart the bed and looked around but could not find anything.</p></blockquote> <p>That's to his credit I guess, but really, in the end, what service did he provide you? I mention this only because at least anecdotally on this board, your experience seems pretty common, though often the handlers don't even *try* to find the evidence. I'm just not sure how k-9 companies can justify charging people for this outcome which is of absolutely zero value to the consumer. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/a-worthy-opponent-bb-story-in-am-new-york#post-172327 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:15:37 +0000 cilecto 172327@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p><a href="http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/new-yorkers-not-letting-the-bedbugs-bite-1.5495781">Today's AM New York ran a story about falling complaint and violation numbers</a> implying that the city is making strides against BB.</p> <p>NYC Council member Gale Brewer (who helped spearhead NYC BB advisory council) and Cornell entomologist Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann are quoted.</p> <p>Article refers to pest pros as "exterminators": No "PCO" or "PMP" here, we're "old-school".</p> <p>Illustration in the article shows PCO either vacuuming or steaming, but caption reads "inspects".</p> <p>Special credit for correctly using a BB silhouette on the paper's front page. </p> <p>I liked the quote from Standard Pest's Gil Bloom: "They're a worthy opponent." </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/id-needed-found-crawling-on-bed#post-172326 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:05:38 +0000 Blue_Ox 172326@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Looks exactly like the stored grain beetles I found in a sublet I stayed in once upon a time. Strangely, I noticed the first ones on the rug in the living room. Once I investigated and found out what they were (stored grain pests), I then went into the kitchen and started inspecting bags of rice, dried beans, etc. and I found thousands of them in those bags. I had to throw most of the food away. </p> <p>I did find a few stragglers in the bedroom, but you should check your kitchen cabinets asap. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/thoughts-from-pcos-or-anyone-else-problem-with-hotel#post-172323 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:26:21 +0000 fingerscrossenobb 172323@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>In fairness to my K9 inspection, they do look for visual confirmation after an alert. He took apart the bed and looked around but could not find anything. I have a black mattress, though, so fecal stains, at least, would be difficult to find anyway. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/anyone-else-freak-out-at-their-first-mosquito-bite-of-the-season#post-172322 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:11:18 +0000 help_me 172322@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I was working in my yard on a really muggy night last summer at dusk, trimming hedges and such. I saw the mosquito on my arm and it was very stubborn, it kept coming back until I finally killed it. Not long after I finished up and went into the house to wash up and there were three large itchy bumps in a row on my forearm. I showed my mother and even though i had seen the damn thing biting me there, I still couldn't get over the pattern on my arm and was very uncomfortable about it. </p> <p>I tend to break out on my back, or so it seems, and maybe it's just my brain doing this but I seem to always find some sort of symmetry or pattern to any marks/bumps on my skin. It's very easy to jump to conclusions and see what we want to see or automatically think the worst. I don't WANT to see anything related to all that but it's the first thing my brain calculates and I doubt I'll ever recover. I try like hell to use logic and reason and find alternative answers but always fear I am lying to myself or something if I do that. I feel like it is a fine line between heightened awareness and vigilance and suspicion and paranoia. Like tonight, I just posted something. I keep getting little pimple type things all over me and I noticed three in a row and it seems so pronounced and I keep trying to find other reasons and keep worrying, examining them, trying to find similar marks nearby that might debunk any fear. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/concerned-i-rendered-my-bb-alert-useless#post-172321 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:35:28 +0000 KillerQueen 172321@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>One monitor at the head of the bed between the mattress and box spring is fine. </p> <p>The monitor should rest flat ... I wouldn't recommend velcro because the bottom surface would be raised up and the bugs would more then likely take up refuge under the monitor along/in the velcro.</p> <p>You should be able to use gorilla tape to stick the monitor where you want. But the monitor you have should still work perfectly.</p> <p>PS. David has been away for a while so I'm just helping where I can with common sense answers. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/found-egg-and-larvae#post-172320 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:29:52 +0000 KillerQueen 172320@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Nothing Bed Bug related in the pictures I've looked at. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/some-questions#post-172319 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:28:22 +0000 KillerQueen 172319@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Best advice would be to spend some time reading the facts on the site to get a better understanding of Bed Bugs. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bedbug-infestation-in-my-condo#post-172318 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:26:38 +0000 KillerQueen 172318@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Every inch of what you wrote sounds all wrong. In fact, it is all wrong and the company that is feeding you this trash should be ashamed. </p> <p>I'm a PCO in NYC so I don't want to come off as a sales pitch to you. I'm hoping Paul Bello or another pro can give you advice via here or with a phone call. </p> <p>Spraying yourself and electrical outlets with alcohol, really??? Good lord!</p> <p>Nobugs - maybe you can alert some other pro's outside of NY to help this person. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/safe-to-assume#post-172317 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:17:57 +0000 KillerQueen 172317@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Bed Bugs feed once or twice a week. It's bug season and you can be bit by anything, at anytime, in any pattern. </p> <p>If the "bites" continue then I would recommend getting a professional in to inspect. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-just-need-to-vent-and-ask-if-im-doing-the-right-thing#post-172316 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:13:52 +0000 KillerQueen 172316@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Encasements and cleaning does not solve Bed Bug problems. If it was a bug, maybe it was a bug, could have been a bug, maybe it was something else ... we're in the dark with that type of info. </p> <p>If you suspect Bed Bugs remain vigilant and keep a watchful eye on all resting areas. If you suspect you may have a problem but can't find solid evidence call in a professional for an inspection. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/blood-smears-on-sheets-id-needed-photos-included#post-172315 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:08:39 +0000 KillerQueen 172315@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Pictures of the stains are not Bed Bug related IMO. I can't help you with the info regarding the "bites". </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bug-id-please-77#post-172314 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:06:08 +0000 KillerQueen 172314@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Nothing Bed Bug related. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/concerned-i-rendered-my-bb-alert-useless#post-172313 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:02:37 +0000 bbterrified 172313@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Thank you Canuck... I, too, am hoping for a word from Mr. Cain. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/thoughts-from-pcos-or-anyone-else-problem-with-hotel#post-172312 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:53:16 +0000 rs1971 172312@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>In my opinion, the only entity you were had by, was the firm that provided you with a positive k-9 inspection but no visual confirmation. You don't even know if you have bed bugs and even if you do, you don't know that you picked them up at the hotel. If the person you spoke with at the hotel, lied to you knowingly, then that's wrong on general principles, but still, I don't really know what you expect from them. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bumps-and-marks-on-skin#post-172311 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:47:10 +0000 help_me 172311@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I have been in very high alert lately. Just heightened sense of fear and all. On Thursday I noticed on my stomach where my stomach would sort of fold over in my seat, there were three tiny red pin prick type marks in a row and I was startled. It wasn't there before and did not look like remnants from a healing scratch. They didn't itch and are already almost totally faded. I had been wearing a tight stretchy body shaping undershirt all day that goes down to the hips so I thought that would be awkward except when I am sitting forward there is a little space under the fabric along the crease in my stomach. So that really worried me. </p> <p>Just now I noticed a vertical row of three red bumps on my right shoulder along the edge of my straps. I was wearing a different bra and shirts earlier and was also at the dentist for about an hour. I continually checked around me as I sat there but noticed these bumps just a short while ago. They do not itch at all and I tend to get little pimples of this sort all over me, especially in summer when it is hot and I am sweaty and wearing sun screen but the fact that they are in a perfect row and all the same size really has me worried. Having had those three marks on my stomach on Thursday and now this has me terrified. I put all my clothes that I had been wearing into the dryer when I got home and didn't really see anything. </p> <p>Obviously there is no way to know but do you think a break out on ones body in this sort of pattern is likely or even common from perhaps the straps rubbing against my skin? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/thoughts-from-pcos-or-anyone-else-problem-with-hotel#post-172310 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:39:15 +0000 fingerscrossenobb 172310@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>So I stayed in a hotel room for 4 nights in NYC. I was careful with my stuff while I was there, but about 1.5 weeks later I noticed a cluster of red bumps around my elbow, and then over the next several days more bumps appeared on my other arm and leg. I suspected bed bugs. I had a dog come, and it alerted to the bed; however no visual confirmation was found. I contacted the hotel I stayed at to let them know. I didn't want others who stayed in the room to take any of the little buggers home like I probably did. I spoke with the manager and explained to her what had happened, and she seemed a little doubtful--as she expressed it, the room had been occupied since my stay several weeks before, and no one had complained about any bites. But she said she would have a third party inspect the room, and she would get back to me. 5 days later she phoned and said the room was inspected and no bed bug activity was found. She offered to email me the third party documentation, and I said please do. I got it the next day. That's when I started to feel a little suspicious. The form was for termite inspection, for one thing. And another, in the "date job scheduled" box, the person had filled in the date I CHECKED IN to the room, which was 5/10/13, not the date that the inspection likely would have been scheduled, which would've been 6/5, 6/6, or 6/7. Why would a pest control company, the third party inspectors, fill in the date I checked in to the hotel? How would they have even known that was the date I checked in?</p> <p>I called the pest control company from the form the manager emailed to me to see if they could confirm that the room had indeed been inspected by them. But I was told they couldn't give me that info for privacy reasons. Does that sound plausible? I guess it does, but I'm curious to hear what other PCOs think.</p> <p>I contacted the hotel manager, asking her about the date discrepancy, and she said she would look into it with their housekeeping director and get back to me as soon as possible. Well, it's been 5 days and not a peep.</p> <p>I wasn't looking for anything from this hotel except for them to deal honestly with me and take my concern seriously. However, now I feel like I've been had. I'm curious about what other people's perspectives, especially PCOs, are on this situation? Thanks for any and all replies! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/concerned-i-rendered-my-bb-alert-useless#post-172309 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:03:57 +0000 Canuck 172309@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>bumping for David Cain's input; I am curious about the velcro... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bug-id-please-77#post-172308 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:17:18 +0000 Lbuggy01 172308@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Are either of these pieces of bedbugs?</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/95687406@N02/9071762700/" title="040 by Lbuggy1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5540/9071762700_56a8ae5668.jpg" alt="040" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/95687406@N02/9071766142/" title="002 by Lbuggy1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/9071766142_742c42b5d9.jpg" alt="002" /></a></p> <p>Thank you so much for your time! </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/i-just-need-to-vent-and-ask-if-im-doing-the-right-thing#post-172307 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:38:35 +0000 Ireallyhatebb 172307@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Hello? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/id-needed-found-crawling-on-bed#post-172306 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:02:54 +0000 loubugs 172306@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>It's a small beetle. If it were clearer and more magnified it would be possible to tell you which family or species. Could be a silvanid or cucujid beetle, many of these are stored product pests. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/blood-smears-on-sheets-id-needed-photos-included#post-172305 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:47:16 +0000 lolasmom 172305@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I found this blood smear and streak on my sheets yesterday which is odd.<br /> I also found a blood spot several days ago. I was hoping someone might help confirm that this is likely not bed bug related?</p> <p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97663442@N06/9068158227/" title="smear172 by cloweskaren, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/9068158227_8ced62fe45.jpg" alt="smear172" /></a><br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97663442@N06/9070380144/" title="smear17 by cloweskaren, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/9070380144_3c3f43e923.jpg" alt="smear17" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97663442@N06/9070424248/" title="spot by cloweskaren, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/9070424248_54ecef43cf.jpg" alt="spot" /></a></p> <p>I also included some itchy bumps in a line on my neck I noticed this morning but find that challenging to diagnose as I get various little bumps and such quite often. It's just scary when they are in a line on one side only.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97663442@N06/9068202463/" title="neck by cloweskaren, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7345/9068202463_703db5330f.jpg" alt="neck" /></a></p> <p>Thanks in advance. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/id-needed-found-crawling-on-bed#post-172304 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:57:46 +0000 KillerQueen 172304@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>Not a Bed Bug ... picture is not clear enough for ID. </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/concerned-i-rendered-my-bb-alert-useless#post-172303 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:56:20 +0000 bbterrified 172303@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>I'll try to keep this short. The space that I live is "below" grade. We've had a lot of rain recently and there is a dampness in the air. My boxspring is old and also now somewhat damp...so the bb alert would not stick to it. I also tried to affix it to my mattress (a memory foam) and it also would not stick properly. In an effort to achieve a stronger adhesive, I attached double sided carpet tape to the back...and I think that now (based on some of the other forums I have seen) my monitor may be compromised -- and the double sided tape did nothing to fix the issue. Am I correct in this assumption (that the monitor is compromised? )Should I order another one? I currently have the monitor placed on the top of the boxspring at the head area between the matress and the boxspring. I really, really hate to lose the time invested here most of all -- it took 6 days for the monitor to arrive...but I don't want the monitor to be empty just because I screwed it up. </p> <p>I am overwhelmed at the thought of bbs. Can you please help me? </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/help-36#post-172302 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:51:22 +0000 waiting. 172302@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>bugman stopped by said he is 100% sure it is a lousse. update... </p> http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/id-bad-picture-hopefully-someone-can-help#post-172301 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:50:16 +0000 waiting. 172301@http://bedbugger.com/forum/ <p>bug man confirmed lousse. They like my hot, damp window by the sun. </p>