2 questions that you all can answer- for a fellow bbuger's peace of mind

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2 questions that you all can answer- for a fellow bbuger's peace of mind

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somethingnew

newbite
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 23 2010 12:10:46
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Questions first, story second. Please answer the questions if you can- my long story is not needed- it's just for my peace of mind in sharing the full story with someone that might understand the frustration.

1. Did your bites change in what they looked like/itched like after the first week or so of bites? If so, how? Was it a permanent change, or something that just changed for a couple bites? (did you react less/more to the bites?)

2. If you successfully treated, has the anxiety ever lessened? If so, what did you do to help yourself feel in control and alright with the situation? What do you do if you get a mosquito bite?

Thanks!

Long story that is not needed for the questions:

Short version: So, I caught an infestation super early, had treatments, didn't have people over for 8 weeks during/after treatment, have been assuring everyone that things are fine, and had a super crappy summer on top of the bed bug thing. Called new pest guy after mice, brought bed bug dog, "passive/false" positive, still no signs, went on vacation, came home- 4 days later, maybe a couple of bites. Now I'm feeling crappy.

Long maybe confusing version:
Now I still feel like I'm on the edge of a breakdown everytime I get a mosquiot bite or I am outside. Outside is where I want to spend my time, but it always fills me with this anxiety- because if I get bit by a mosquito- how can I be sure it was a mosquito? I went out of town for 14 days with my boyfriend (after hours of prepping with the paktight and laundry to ensure no transfer to the cabin) and when I came back there was no immediate activity. I think there hasn't been activity since our second treatment, but with bed bugs I am never very confident. Then yesterday (four days home) I woke up in the morning to an itchy fresh-looking bite of some sort. I was outside the night before, but this one is suspiciously up on the leg just a little too high. While I was wearing a skirt the night before- the bite looked "freshly" swollen. I of course took apart the bed and everything, to no avail. Today I noticed that there are 2 other non-itchy bite-like things that make a triangle with the "fresh" one. I hadd a mini meltdown from feeling helpless, etc, etc- we did everything right the first time! I won't even know if there IS one hanging around! (feelings most of us, I'm sure, have gone through). I can probably count all the actual bb bites I have gotten on my two hands. Combined with my SO's, we probably are right around 20. These recent bites don't seem to be nearly as itchy, but whenever I think about them they do. Psychosomatic, I know...or maybe not? Our first ones lasted for 4 days and seemed to be a bigger deal, but because we haven't been getting bit, we don't know.

The orginal PCO guys were really surprised that I found a live bug so early (it was stuck in my SO's ratty pillow I always told him to throw away). There were NO signs anywhere on eaither of the two beds we sleep in, we had been getting bite for less than a week, and we had no known source. No peppering, no molts, no fecal smears, no blood spots. During those treatments my roof started to leak and I learned it needed to replace it (I bought the house in February, with no signs of any of this crap). While the roofers were replacing the roof, the paneling on the attic ceiling (my bedroom) came down and dropped a mouse nest on my bed (haven't been many signs in the house- we are relatively clean people, and do not- while it sounds like we do- live in a crappy house or neighborhood). Then our basement flooded along with half of the midwest. All of our bagged belongings were down there, and it was a pain. I called a different pest company that also had a BB dog, they came out- couldn't find signs of any bed bugs, and signs that mice had at one point/probably still lived in the insulation in the attic/bedrooms. I broke down (rough week, you know?), the dog had an "false" ID scratch at my couch and bed upstairs. I am still not sure if they felt bad for me, or really did feel confident that because they couldn't find any signs(they looked for about 1.5 hours, and were VERY thorough) the dog must have been bored/smelling DE- but they gave me a certificate anyway.

And now it's now. I'm anxious, on the verge of crying when ever I think about the work we still have to do, and questioning everything. What if they are in my car? What if my dog has been getting bite this whole time and it's not allergies (she's been itchy- but she usually gets allergies this time of year). I don't want our house to be off limits again- it was really hard to live that way. I called the last pest guy that was here about the mice thing, and he asked about the BB. I told him the short updated version, and he tried to assure me that "waiting and seeing" was the best option- because there are still no signs. He also suggested I used a different, more residential PCO that he is also licensed with if something does come up (the old place does mostly multi dwelling unit stuff... but does that sound weird to anyone? Like they don't want to deal with me, or aren't confident they could get rid of them with no signs/think I am crazy :) ?)

Thanks for your support. While this is my first time posting, I have been reading for the support since our discovery.
bugginMPLS

newbite
Joined: Aug '10
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 23 2010 18:15:23
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Wow. That was a long story. That sucks- and I feel you about support. I just joined too, and am also from the midwest. Maybe someday I'll post my long story

But question answers:

1. Mine are mostly the same. Swollen in the morning, not so much by the afternoon given that I do not itch them. I'm sure you have seen that person to person it varies a lot!

2. I can't answer this one yet, but when I can I will!
Intelligenery

newbite
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 23 2010 20:21:44
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1. Hmm different size bites can also mean different amounts of bedbug saliva injected. For example, I believe a nymph will inject less saliva than an adult.

2. ditto to the above.
Allipat

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 23 2010 21:35:03
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1. my bites were always consistent...
2. I had a mosquito in my bedroom about a month ago and woke up with a bite on my arm the next morning. I was a little panicked, but felt pretty sure that the bite was from the mosquito. When no new bites occurred during the next few days I was able to relax. Yes- the anxiety does lessen. Every day that you don't see a bug or get bitten it gets a little better, so just hang in there.
somethingnew

newbite
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 23 2010 23:29:16
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Thanks for the replies so far! I do know it varies from person to person, I was just wondering about the reaction just from one person. Unfortunately for comparisons, my boyfriend hasn't been getting bite this second time around- even though he sleeps right next to me! He isn't convinced that they are back/were never gone yet (although he is being very supportive and helping me prepare as if they are here)

@intelligenery- that's probably it. This last suspicious bite I got is itching like I remember the first time I noticed it before treatment (late May), so I'm wondering if I've only had 3 adult bites, and the rest nymph?

I'm interested in other people's stories about mosquitoes and bites!