Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug bites, skin, etc.
Am I infested?
(6 posts)-
verbal59
newbite
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 3offline
Posted 4 years ago
Wed Nov 5 2008 22:42:39
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Hello, Please forgive me for starting a new thread on this...but I am FREAKING OUT right now. For the past 2-3 weeks I've been waking up intermittently with some very large welts around my midsection and legs...like mosquito bites that last for days. Mostly in succession. Their proximity and abnormality from my normal skin woes lead me to believe they may be bedbug bites. After reading all the faqs I've searched for all the normal warning signs. No bugs in sight yet (no big surprise I guess) but a sweep of my bedding did lead me to some susicious dark smudges around the bottom of my boxspring:
The dark spots seem to be mostly around the staples in the bottom of the boxspring.
Any thoughts? Look familiar? Please let me know...I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thank you.
PS we had a mouse in our house recently, and I knew it had been in my room...not sure if that means anything.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,698offline
Posted 4 years ago
Thu Nov 6 2008 0:59:31
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No one can diagnose based on bites alone. It can take a while to see signs. The concentration of the black marks around the staples looks like it could just be dirt, but again, impossible to say. The bites sound suspicious. I'd call your landlord if applicable, or a PCO if not, and get an inspection. You might try a bed bug k9 which can be more effective at detection when there are not obvious signs. On the other hand, an experienced PCO may be better at finding signs than you are -- and they may be inside the box, or elsewhere. Did you lift the mattress and box?
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oldtimer
Joined: May '07
Posts: 1,969offline
Posted 4 years ago
Thu Nov 6 2008 1:31:33
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Be sure to have the interior of the box springs inspected. If bed bugs are responsible for the dark smudges then the odds are that they are harboring inside of the box springs.
I can't be sure from the photos, but it looks like some other type of smudge. The marks are rather uniform looking around the staples.
Try examining the areas under greater magnification & it may become more obvious.
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verbal59
newbite
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 3offline
Posted 4 years ago
Thu Nov 6 2008 10:07:00
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Thank you for the replies. I agree that the spots don't seem to completely be bedbugs, and since I've only been dealing with the welts for 3 weeks I don't know if that is enough time for them to make that much of a mess. The concentration around the staples is suspicious as well.
I rent from a friend of mine so there's no true landlord situation...I'm going to stay vigilant and hope that I just have a crazy rash. Will post more information if I have it...again, thanks for replying!
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oldtimer
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 6,739offline
Posted 4 years ago
Thu Nov 6 2008 10:20:50
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Hi,
If the smudges were photographed without any water or liquid being applied to them before hand then I am 99% sure they are not BB related.
The colour, shape and general appearance is just wrong they look more like pen marks than bed bugs.
David
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verbal59
newbite
Joined: Nov '08
Posts: 3offline
Posted 4 years ago
Thu Nov 6 2008 19:17:03
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Thanks David. After browsing this site and then finally inspecting my mattress and then seeing the dreaded discoloration, I freaked. I'm sweeping the rest of my room to hopefully find out IF they are hiding where they are...and will anxiously await the results. Going to check the inside of my box spring first.
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