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carriekim on "Question about harborage"

carriekim — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:10:25 +0000

I live in Brooklyn and was bitten by "something" last month. A zig-zag pattern of bites that turned into extremely swollen and itchy hives. I actually became very sick later that day and threw up and could not keep down water. This exact situation happened a year ago in the same apartment. I'm wondering if it's possible my neighbor has bed bugs and when she goes on vacation, they come after us. Is this possible? Would they return to their original harborage without leaving any fecal matter, cast skins or significant blood? Our bedrooms are basically back to back with one walk-in closet between us and the building is very old (with many cracks and crevices I'm assuming). I noticed two small blood spots on my pillow, but I suppose that could have been anything (zit, scratch, etc). I hate to be so paranoid, but my reaction to these bites was very extreme (much more extreme than mosquitoes or fleas), so I would like to know about this before signing another year-long lease. Also, my partner and I have a wooden bed that her father built - so getting rid of the wood bed frame is out of the question. Thanks to everyone at this site for being such valuable supports and resources!

Louise on "bed bugs identified. :-("

Louise — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:07:00 +0000

<blockquote><cite>killbugs - 3 hours ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/bed-bugs-identified-#post-172476"> » </a></cite> So for people still reading this post... this is for you. Saturday I bought 2 bottles of 91% alcohol and put alcohol all around the bedrooms, I almost drenched my mattress with alcohol my box spring was still in the plastic it came with from the manufacturer but i put alcohol all over it anyways I did the same for my sons bunk beds.</blockquote> For people still reading this post: PLEASE DON'T DO THIS! Alcohol is extremely flammable, and drenching mattresses, furniture and flooring with this stuff is a fire waiting to happen. This is simply NOT recommended. Beyond the fire hazard, the fumes aren't good for anyone to be breathing in on a regular basis, it dries out skin and hair, and the 91% stuff has been known to melt plastic on occasion. I know the desire to rid ourselves of bed bugs can be overwhelming, but let's temper that desire with a desire to do so safely, without needlessly risking either property or people's health. </public service announcement>

KillerQueen on "Hotel bugs--please identify"

KillerQueen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:50:48 +0000

I'm on my phone so I can't see much without the picture getting distorted. Maybe someone will ID from a PC. From what I can make of it - it doesn't look like a bed bug.

rkeenan on "Bug ID needed [a: psocids]"

rkeenan — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:49:47 +0000

REJOICE! BRING ME MY LIBATIONS! HURRAY! Although I'm still being bitten by something....

KillerQueen on "Bug ID needed [a: psocids]"

KillerQueen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:47:08 +0000

Psocids - not bed bugs.

rkeenan on "Bug ID needed [a: psocids]"

rkeenan — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:47:03 +0000

Upon further research within this very helpful forum it appears that these guys could just be some type of Psocoptera? Any input would give me piece of mind.

Bedbugmiserable on "So disgusted!"

Bedbugmiserable — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:40:02 +0000

I don't have any pictures but they are confirmed adults by PCO. Also found a dead baby one last night. The bonus room is a guest bedroom that family stays in about once a month. The PCO is using transport ghp. Is that good? How long do you think that it will take for these to be gone? I keep finding dead ones every day. About 10 so far. Is this a serious infestation?

alwaysworrying on "Fecal Spotting? & other questions, some about BB Alert [a: mold]"

alwaysworrying — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:22:15 +0000

David, thank you so much for clearing that up about the spotting. I really appreciate that you and some of the other experts here are so supportive and willing to help others on your off hours.

Bedbugmiserable on "So disgusted!"

Bedbugmiserable — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:21:41 +0000

hybrazil on "Hotel bugs--please identify"

hybrazil — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Sorry--thanks for letting me know. I can see the pictures for some reason--I'll try plain text links. <a href="http://s13.postimg.org/4xjeynipv/image.jpg">http://s13.postimg.org/4xjeynipv/image.jpg</a> <a href="http://s13.postimg.org/nolc8tdab/image.jpg">http://s13.postimg.org/nolc8tdab/image.jpg</a> <a href="http://s13.postimg.org/56gzokvib/image.jpg">http://s13.postimg.org/56gzokvib/image.jpg</a>

upallnight on "Found 3 bugs, no other known signs"

upallnight — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:53:12 +0000

Oh, one last thing to ask (for now lol). What should we do about our pillows? I am taking our bedding and pillow cases to the laundromat tonight, but Im not sure what to do with our pillows. With all the stress of whats going on, being able to at least sleep with our pillows would be great, but I don't want to do anything to risk spreading what appears to be only in the bedroom. Thanks again

Blackheart on "Unown bug - please help me identify"

Blackheart — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:47:41 +0000

Your welcome Lou! :) I will never forget those hideous things. Last time I saw them I was at a Wasaga Beach Cottage. The guys had gone to the town bar and left me at the cottage. There was a power outage and the only light I could get in the cottage was by leaving the front door open. Well that didn't last long I had about thirty or so of these June bugs flying into my face, was a horrendous experience. Finally decided to shut to door and keep a bottle of wine handy to calm my nerves until I wasn't alone any longer a few hours later..... :) These things have the appearance of huge jumbo size and very fat cockroaches! And even worse than their size is the fact that they fly!

upallnight on "Found 3 bugs, no other known signs"

upallnight — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:42:59 +0000

Ok, here are some high res images of what Ive found. Youll notice the tip of a small sewing needle in the photos for size reference. Also, the photo with multiple bugs in it, the bugs were less than 1/8th of an in apart (again, for reference). <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9088876772/"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/9088876772_635e26b76a_o.jpg"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9088876772/">IMG_3708</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/97733152@N05/">drupallnight</a>, on Flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9088877902/"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/9088877902_d3b32e4f19_o.jpg"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9088877902/">IMG_3707</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/97733152@N05/">drupallnight</a>, on Flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9086660779/"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/9086660779_cd1d386825_o.jpg"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9086660779/">IMG_3706</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/97733152@N05/">drupallnight</a>, on Flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9088880060/"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/9088880060_58517b37f8_o.jpg"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9088880060/">IMG_3705</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/97733152@N05/">drupallnight</a>, on Flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9088881312/"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/9088881312_a7293f6db4_o.jpg"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9088881312/">IMG_3704</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/97733152@N05/">drupallnight</a>, on Flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9086664397/"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/9086664397_c6c202b741_o.jpg"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9086664397/">IMG_3702</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/97733152@N05/">drupallnight</a>, on Flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9086665659/"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2831/9086665659_b39b500207_o.jpg"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97733152@N05/9086665659/">IMG_3701</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/97733152@N05/">drupallnight</a>, on Flickr

rkeenan on "Bug ID needed [a: psocids]"

rkeenan — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:20:18 +0000

Found these guys hanging out in cracks in the paint by many of my apartment windows and one or two on a wall. Haven't seen one in or around my bed or on my person though. I have however been bitten by something multiple times over the last two weeks. Itchy, small, redish welts, similar to mosquito bite. Really hoping these aren't bedbugs. <a href="http://postimg.org/image/me44wuddj/"><img src="http://s15.postimg.org/me44wuddj/bedbug.jpg"></a> <a href="http://postimg.org/image/52amka543/"><img src="http://s21.postimg.org/52amka543/bedbug2.jpg"></a>

loubugs on "Unown bug - please help me identify"

loubugs — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:12:22 +0000

Scarabaeidae, Subfamily Melolonthinae is good. Phyllophaga is the genus of june bugs or june beetles and these unknown beetles fit that group better. Thanks Blackheart. I will change my initial ID to this one.

loubugs on "Hotel bugs--please identify"

loubugs — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:05:30 +0000

your photos aren't visible, not linked.

hybrazil on "Hotel bugs--please identify"

hybrazil — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:20:49 +0000

Hi all, Got to a new hotel room this morning and did my standard check, didn't find anything. Later I found one of these things crawling on me. Is this an instar? The head was as red as the body; it was crawling around this card for quite a while before I squished it. Unfortunately the squishing mostly disintegrated it. I'm worried. Thanks for your help. <img src="http://s13.postimg.org/4xjeynipv/image.jpg"> <img src="http://s13.postimg.org/nolc8tdab/image.jpg"> <img src="http://s13.postimg.org/56gzokvib/image.jpg">

Blackheart on "Unown bug - please help me identify"

Blackheart — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:11:39 +0000

I remember something that I haven't seen in a long time looking like these. Ugly June bugs. (They probably have a more technical name). They usually came out in early Summer.... hmmm.

loubugs on "Unown bug - please help me identify"

loubugs — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:07:27 +0000

Looks like one of those scarab beetles of one type or another. Maybe a cetoniine scarab, but just a guess.

upallnight on "Found 3 bugs, no other known signs"

upallnight — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:06:28 +0000

David, Thanks for the prompt and detailed response. Ill try to get some detailed shots up later today. The "tech" came out today, looked at the samples, said "yup that's bedbugs, Ill tell the office", and then left. Im not too pleased with that outcome. He also said he was checking the other apartments in the building, especially the vacant downstairs. I definitely read through a lot of the site before I posted this, and I found a lot of helpful info, thank you for accumulating so much info in one place. My gf works in the apartment property management business, and has had to go through several detection and prevent classes, so that helps as well. When we took out the trash this morning the carpet from the apartment below was in the dumpster outside our building and showed definite signs of infestation. After thoroughly spraying the bedding, mattress, and box springs last night I went back over the mattress and box springs with a bright LED flashlight. I found two more young bedbugs, and a couple more casings, but they were only on the box springs, and there was no indication of any on the mattress or bedding. Should I go ahead and launder my bedding and the few clothes I had on the floor? Or should I wait for a tech to come back out and assess the situation?

poplokiz on "Unown bug - please help me identify"

poplokiz — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:44:23 +0000

Hi there bug experts, I would really appreciate your help in regard identifying this flying bug. Its start flying at evening around 19:00 or so. <a href="http://imgur.com/a/qlkB7#7" rel="nofollow">http://imgur.com/a/qlkB7#7</a>

killbugs on "bed bugs identified. :-("

killbugs — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:32:44 +0000

So for people still reading this post... this is for you. Saturday I bought 2 bottles of 91% alcohol and put alcohol all around the bedrooms, I almost drenched my mattress with alcohol my box spring was still in the plastic it came with from the manufacturer but i put alcohol all over it anyways I did the same for my sons bunk beds. I then covered them with encasement's. Monday the exterminator came and sprayed, both mattresses (he took off the encasement's, after treatment we put the encasement's back), bed frame, walls, outlets, my sons bedroom. They put DE on basically every crack in both rooms. When they came they found just one dead BB between the box spring and mattress. I guess i killed it with direct contact with the alcohol in my alcohol frenzy. They looked all over my mattress and box spring and no eggs, nymphs, or bugs were seen anywhere anymore. (I seriously hope I got all these suckers) Today is Wednesday and I have not gotten one bite since Sunday nor my kids! I know victory is not mine yet I still check both rooms everyday multiple times a day especially at 4am when I am getting ready to go to work. The exterminator will be back next week to check on the progress. So far I have found one dead beetle, one almost dead caterpillar looking bug. So the DE is definitely working on bugs walking across it! I pray everyday these bugs leave us alone before my newborn gets here 7/16. I ask everyone to send prayers to my family so we can get rid of these bugs. This problem has made me lose sleep, and weight. You often forget what a good night sleep is when you are dealing with this. **fingers crossed***

Notimeforthis on "Continued exposure.. Can I really keep from getting them again?"

Notimeforthis — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:58:35 +0000

Because of my daughters necessary out of state medical care we stay at a Ronald McDonald house that is plagued with bed bugs. They treat but seem to stay infested enough that we get bitten every time! We cannot afford a hotel for the time that we have to stay there so we bring only clothes in a backpack that we bag when getting off the plane and the entire time in the room. We then dry everything even before washing and throw the bag away outside away from our house. We also dry our clothes before we leave for the airport so we then grab our bag and leave. We know we are not bringing them back and forth to them for two reasons...one we get no bites at home for awhile and two we take the same precautions when leaving our house....drying clothes bagging backpacks Ect. So if this really works then theoretically we should be clean correct? Anything else we should be doing? Also should I bring something with me to keep from getting bitten while I'm there? I check the beds but they are covered so I'm pretty sure they are in the walls. Thanks this is like a continued nightmare thankfully they are only taking our blood not carrying disease.

us494 on "ID Needed (better images)"

us494 — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:25:43 +0000

Lou, was able to scan these for better quality images. Do you mind taking a look? Apologies in advance for the paranoia. I very much appreciate your help! (bottom view) <img src="http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p712/ny8792/bottom_view_zpsa11a520d.jpeg"> <a href="http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p712/ny8792/bottom_view_zpsa11a520d.jpeg" rel="nofollow">http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p712/ny8792/bottom_view_zpsa11a520d.jpeg</a> (top view) <img src="http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p712/ny8792/top_view_zps98ad371e.jpeg"> <a href="http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p712/ny8792/top_view_zps98ad371e.jpeg" rel="nofollow">http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p712/ny8792/top_view_zps98ad371e.jpeg</a>

bed-bugscouk on "Can they see?"

bed-bugscouk — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:22:27 +0000

Hi, Yes bedbugs have eyes and vision but it is a little more complex than what we would naturally think of as sight. Many insects have an adapted visual detection range and in the case of bedbugs its skewed heavily towards the infra red which is why they are able to hone in on exposed flesh so well. there have been previous electrophysiology studies to work out what wavelengths of light cause stimuli but the exact level of definition and "sight" is not fully understood. Technology still has a long way to go and expect science to hopefully focusing on cracking the human eye and how to tap into them visually first. I would advise a quick brush up on the FAQ's and visual signs so you can conduct a self-assesment. Its always worth keeping an open mind as to the cause of the skin reactions without confirming the 3 classic signs below: <ul><li>Live samples</li><li>Cast skins</li><li>Faecal traces</li> </ul> Chances are by understanding what to look for you will also pick up on any other potential causes of the reaction at the same time and posting pictures here means you can get an ID quickly. Hopefully the landlord will see the logic that monitoring can if done correctly negate future treatment as regular inspection can help you resolve an infestation before it takes hold. Hope that helps. David Cain Bed Bugs Limited

bed-bugscouk on "What is this bug ? [a: firebrat]"

bed-bugscouk — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:22:29 +0000

Hi, It is a firebrat, very similar to a silverfish. 100% not bedbugs. David Cain Bed Bugs Limited

whybedbug on "What is this bug ? [a: firebrat]"

whybedbug — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:33:07 +0000

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94714053@N06/9086262588/" title="IMG_0240 by valkyrie.payne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/9086262588_e5ae7bd92a.jpg" alt="IMG_0240" /></a> Please help identify. Thank you

AbsolutelyFreaking on "Moving from infestation"

AbsolutelyFreaking — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:48:12 +0000

Hi y2j514, Here's one thread that discusses moving, there are many others. I know that in some places Vikane treatments and heat treatments are available for your belongings in route to moving to your new place. I do not know if that is available where you are located. Good luck! <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/moving-without-bringing-bed-bugs-to-your-new-place" rel="nofollow">http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/moving-without-bringing-bed-bugs-to-your-new-place</a>

Blackheart on "Can they see?"

Blackheart — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:47:59 +0000

Yes, I tend to agree that they can see. I can clearly remember seeing the first adult when I became aware of what these creatures actually were. I had been sitting at my dining room table and was looking at my laptop, clearly on my right side is a small side table. I saw the bug come from the underside of the table. I sat perfectly still without moving, and be damned if that thing took off like a shot outta hell when it saw me there. It was Paul Bello who said something like "of course it moved, it saw the landscape had changed"!

AbsolutelyFreaking on "Expert help needed! [a: not fecal; additional questions for David]"

AbsolutelyFreaking — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:44:13 +0000

@TheP: Hi, I noticed that the original posts asking for fecal ID were two weeks ago . . . I was just curious if you have found any more marks on the sheets since then or any on your passive monitors? <blockquote><cite>bed-bugscouk - 1 hour ago <a href="http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/expert-help-needed-are-these-fecal-stains-on-sheet#post-172462"> » </a></cite> I am working on some resources to allow people to invest their own time to look through archives of images to compare and contrast but than in itself would be a full time job for one person to set the tags and filters. David</blockquote> @DC: Do you pay well?! Are you a good boss?! Are there any other benefits?! Just say'n!!

AbsolutelyFreaking on "Where do I draw the line and just let it go?"

AbsolutelyFreaking — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:39:10 +0000

Hi aumakua, There are also passive monitors called BB Alert k/n/a Packlite Passive Bed Bug Monitor for ongoing bed bug monitoring purposes. They give a lot of posters on the forum peace of mind. They are pretty inexpensive, especially in exchange for said peace of mind. If you buy them from USBedBugs at the tab on the right, a small amount goes to support this site. Good Luck!!!

bed-bugscouk on "Moving from infestation"

bed-bugscouk — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:22:50 +0000

Hi, Dry ice sublimation does not work in asphyxiating bedbugs and neither does a complete air replacement with controlled CO2. It may stun bedbugs into appearing dead but it will never be a reliable way of 100% killing them. There are FAQ's on moving precautions and steps that you can take to decontaminate as you pack. Hope that helps. David Cain Bed Bugs Limited

TheP on "Expert help needed! [a: not fecal; additional questions for David]"

TheP — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:06:43 +0000

I apologize for taking up so much of your time, Mr.Cain. I know you said this would be your last post, but I’m not sure that I understand your answer. You say that if the detail of pictures is not good enough, one has to guess. I realize that the 12 pictures were not as clear as you would like, but can you still say that all of them are not fecal? If you cannot say that about all of them, which ones can you say it about? Thank you!!

y2j514 on "Moving from infestation"

y2j514 — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:34:01 +0000

I moved into an apartment building (about 40 units) last year with no knowledge of an infestation. 2 weeks later the building manager knocks on my door to spray. Needless to say I was extremely unhappy. I have been suffering for the past year with this problem, and am now moving. I do not want to take them with me. For the past year I have been using the CO2 homemade traps, and have a mattress/box spring mattress but I know there are still bugs in the building and I occasionally get a bite here or there. So I've read on the net on how to move out, and the general recommendations, but it essentially all says to look over your stuff and be careful - pretty terrible advice. I have packed up most of my house and I want to put each box in plastic bags and put some dry ice in the bag to asphyxiate the bed bugs. Leaving them sealed do it again in 2 weeks. The boxes I'm using are 3 cu ft, and obviously the contents take up some of the volume as well, so how much dry ice is needed to completely fill the box? Is there a more practical way to do this? I live in Montreal - any other service available? If not, any suggestions? Thank you for your help.

bed-bugscouk on "Found 3 bugs, no other known signs"

bed-bugscouk — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:30:43 +0000

Hi, It sounds like it is identified early, low level of sample numbers and few corresponding skins which means you most likley have had them in there for a few weeks. As to how they got into your home its best not to guess and to read up on the subject so you can asses and find out. The FAQ's and useful tools resources will help you to understand the basics of bedbugs and how people can either accidentally bring them into their own homes or or can come through from neighbours. They are an exposure pest, they could have been exposed first or you could the odds are generally a lot closer to each other than people assume. Reading up will show you ways to work with them to make sure they are clear, that you get the correct treatment and that you all understand why avoidance is best, early detection and understanding come close second and third. Its not a bad case from the sounds of it and might even be the kind of situation where simple treatment with DE and a thorough inspection would resolve on the day of the first visit if the technician is skilled enough. To that end research and understanding will also teach you what to look out for in a professional and you will certainly be int he best position to gauge their technical knowledge and competency. If can provide decent resolution in focus images of what you have found we may be able to go a little CSI on you and do some walk back analysis to be more accurate on the likley infestation date and at least confirm the sexes of the samples although from a fine detail statistical modeling perspective on the sex of the adults in first generation infestation are key rate limiters. Hope that helps. David Cain Bed Bugs Limited