Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
2nd Time Around - Need Advice!
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becomingparanoid
newbite
Joined: Feb '12
Posts: 8offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Feb 16 2012 1:37:40
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I recently moved into a new apartment and am afraid I brought bed bugs with me.
About 2 weeks ago I moved from my old apartment, where we have been living with bed bugs for approximately 8-9 months. I thought I was having an allergic reaction to something, because the "bites" were never more than one or two at a time and my boyfriend was not having any reaction at all. Once we discovered the source, we threw away our bed, heated all belongings that could be put into dryer and bagged them, and continued vacuuming each daily (3 hours each day). During this time, we also had 3 chemical treatments (2 weeks apart). Finally, after 2 months of this our landlord agreed to the heat treatment which occurred almost one month ago. We were assured that would get rid of the problem, and we had bed bug sniffing dogs come out a week later to confirm. The dog sniffed out one area of the bedroom behind a electrical outlet, but the technician said he did not see anything there and told us the smell was likely a "remnant" from the bugs being "baked" during the heat treatment. As I could not wait to get out of the apartment, confident that my furniture was now bed bug free, I moved into the bedroom of a new apartment in early February. Yesterday, I noticed a welt on my arm and have been itching throughout the week (although I have not particularly noticed any other bites).
Does this seem like another infestation? Should I pay for the bed bug sniffing dogs to come out or a regular visual inspection? I am currently sleeping on an air mattress, so I have not been able to notice any bugs but I'm becoming paranoid and need advice. Any other suggestions that might be cheaper? Recommendations for the Los Angeles, CA area?
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 14,081offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Feb 16 2012 3:19:06
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I have a question -- was your original problem in the old home confirmed as bed bugs with visual evidence, identified by a knowledgeable and experienced professional?
(You don't mention if you ever saw a bed bug or if anyone else did, or if fecal stains or other evidence was found.)
Also, I have no personal experience with them but some here have recommended Isotech in LA.
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becomingparanoid
newbite
Joined: Feb '12
Posts: 8offline
Posted 1 year ago
Fri Feb 17 2012 3:06:58
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Yes, not only were they were confirmed bed bugs by pest control technicians but I ended up catching several with tape
Isotech came today and did a visual inspection but saw nothing here (I am sleeping on an air mattress so I believe it might be hard to tell). I am having them use a k-9 tomorrow because I need some explanation of why I am itching/getting bitten.
Does anyone have experience with red circles (not raised welts) appearing and then disappearing within hours? Could these be bites as well if they itch initially?
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theyareoutthere
oldtimer
Joined: Sep '11
Posts: 2,051offline
Posted 1 year ago
Sat Feb 18 2012 21:17:22
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Hope the K9 went well (or goes well). Since the age of 30, my allergies have become more severe. I have welts in the inside of my arm (other side of the elbow if that makes sense) that go away the same day. I keep a journal and we have trouble tieing it to anything. I'm now allergic to about 40 things..including cats and dogs
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becomingparanoid
newbite
Joined: Feb '12
Posts: 8offline
Posted 1 year ago
Sat Feb 18 2012 21:32:15
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The K-9s alerted to bed bug activity in my couches (which were still pretty well wrapped with plastic from the move from the prior apt), which means that the heat treatment I received from Precision Environmental just weeks before FAILED. I was told that it appeared they were not very thorough because they had failed to remove the cotton ticking from the bottoms of the couches and the heat likely did not penetrate deep enough.
Isotech recommended a chemical treatment in the room (this makes round 4) and heating the couches only (with steam). They did this all yesterday, but this morning I noticed another small red circle around the wrist area. It was not itchy, not raised, and disappeared hours later. I'm extremely confused and upset about this whole situation.
I will post after I am able to tell whether Isotech effectively treated... Unfortunately, I was told they cannot bring dogs in for 30 days to confirm whether bugs are gone because of chemicals. Has anyone else used Isotech here? I initially wanted to heat the entire place, but the handler said it would be an overkill since I have only been in this room for a couple weeks and the dogs didn't smell anything near my sleeping area..
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