Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
About 50 bites over 10 days, should I be able to see signs/
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MiseryLovesCompany
newbite
Joined: Jun '11
Posts: 3offline
Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 19 2011 19:00:40
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I have bites (or so I think) all over my torso, and scattered on arms and legs. Each one itches intensely off and on for days, particularly at night. I started off with a few about 10 days ago, I think, and more and more have built up since then. The last couple of nights I haven't really been able to sleep. Had to wait until daytime before I could. My husband has bite marks also, but not as many and his aren't really itchy.
I have carefully examined my bedding and mattress. I flipped my box spring over and took off the backing to look inside. I've checked my nightstands and along the baseboard. I've looked at the picture frames in our bedroom, the bench at the foot of the bed. All we have is the metal frame for our bed, no headboard or anything.
I found cobwebs with carpet beetles (and/or skins) under the nightstand. Kind of gross, but not too surprising. None of the bites are on my feet or ankles, so I doubt I'm reacting to them, esp. since we've been here three years, and husband is showing bite marks also.
I was actually pretty amazed how clean the inside of the boxspring was. That was nice to see, although it didn't solve my problem. I took a handmirror and looked on the inside of the slats.
For my efforts I found one possible fecal stain, about the size of a pinhead. Not too convincing.I've also washed our bedding a few times and checked the lint trap in the dryer, nothing.
How far afield might they be staying? How bad does it have to be before we should expect to find evidence? We live in a ranch, so if we have them they live here, not at a neighbor,s. We don't have kids so I assume they would be in our room, somewhere.
I've considered that it might be bird mites, because we had a robin nest on our ac unit this spring. Also I had a skin reaction like this for a couple of weeks at this time last year, and then it just went away. I couldn't find anything then, either. (it wasn't as bad, so I didn't look this hard). I haven't noticed any mites, either, though, maybe they're tiny enough that I'd miss them.
If it's something from outside it has a delayed reaction, because yesterday I never left the house and still got bites.
Kind of going crazy here. The not sleeping is really stressful, and I'm having trouble deciding what to do next. I don't know if I should get some detectors, call a professional to come in and check too, or wait another week and hope it goes away like last time. It's weird to find yourself wishing you'd find bed bugs! I just want to know what's biting me!
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oldtimer
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 6,739offline
Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 19 2011 19:21:39
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Hi,
From what you have described my first thought is dust mite allergy rather than bedbug or bird mite.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
MiseryLovesCompany
newbite
Joined: Jun '11
Posts: 3offline
Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 19 2011 19:48:55
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Wow, I knew dust mites are one of the most common respiratory allergens, but I never even heard of people reacting to dust mites with an itchy bite-like rash. Is it likely that my husband and I might both start having this reaction at the same time?
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whatsbitingme
newbite
Joined: May '11
Posts: 33offline
Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 19 2011 21:11:11
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I've had an almost identical situation for a month and a half now. I know exactly what you're going through and it's awful. I suggest allergy encasements for mattresses and pillows, steam cleaning carpets, using your A/C, vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum and purchasing a HEPA air filter. My bites have stopped since the day I did that (a few weeks ago now). Although I can't come up with a definitive answer to the cause...carpet beetles and dust mites are my two leading culprits at the moment. I don't think I'll REALLY feel confident for a few more weeks. But, I feel a little better everyday that I wake up with no bites.
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MiseryLovesCompany
newbite
Joined: Jun '11
Posts: 3offline
Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 19 2011 21:52:45
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Thanks for your help, David.
I think we're going to start doing all of that, whatsbitingme. This experience is no fun, huh? I'll report back as to how it goes.
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whatsbitingme
newbite
Joined: May '11
Posts: 33offline
Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 19 2011 22:37:53
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No, it's no fun that's for sure. I'm forever changed regardless of the outcome. And, I've felt like a detective trying to piece together the clues. I find that exterminators, doctors, dermatologists and allergists are a waste of time in helping solve the mystery. I was almost at the point of hiring a K9, but I was hesitant to pay the fee for someone who may/may not be able to produce actual evidence. I decided to self-treat with extreme cleaning first and it's worked thus far. I hope you have the same result. Fingers crossed.
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