Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » General Topics
any other explanation?
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buggymummy
newbite
Joined: Apr '10
Posts: 2offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Apr 23 2010 1:16:18
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Hello! My five kids and I discovered bites that look just like bed bug bites. The odd thing is that we all got started itching within 24-36 hours of each other. 4 out of 7 of us have 10 or so bites that are quite itchy. One kid has 2 bites and one kid has none. Hubby has none. If it is bed bugs, would we all get them just all at one time? We all have separate beds, although at times the little ones will come into the adult bed...but they are the ones with the least # of bites. My big kids never come in our bed and yet they have more bites...odd, isn't it?
And, most of the bites are on spots that are completely covered with clothing. In bikini area, in hair on head, or under long pants.
I've searched the bed matresses in all the rooms and in drawers, behind peeling wall paper and I can't find anything...
Any suggestions?
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buggedout16
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Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 193offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Apr 23 2010 5:54:54
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Unfortunately it's impossible to tell if it's bed bugs just from the bites.
-Have you been spending a lot of time outside lately? It's getting to the time of year where a lot of the outdoor biting insects are "waking up" and being active.
-Are you sure it's bites; being under clothes makes it sound almost like a rash?
-Does it look anything like scabies? -
oldtimer
Joined: May '07
Posts: 1,969offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Apr 23 2010 7:47:02
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Consider biting lice or mites.
Lice and some mites often prefer areas under clothing and hair.
I agree with Buggedout16... we can't tell by the wound appearance, but the under clothing and hair pattern would be unusual for bed bugs.
I agree with your observation about the timeline of the bites... I would think that it would be unlikely that bed bugs spread throughout your house in less than 36 hours.
A nit comb may be useful to check hair and scalps.
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paulaw0919
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,159offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Apr 23 2010 8:52:27
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As stated above, could be mites, lice or an allergy etc.....
It's spring time in the North East. This brings alot of bugs this time of year here. If you and you family have been out in the yard, a field, a park etc... it could also be chigger bites. They tend to bite around the waist, angles, folds of skin areas and where clothing fits tightly. Google up some research on them. If kids were playing in grassy areas or if hiking ect...this could also be the culprit.
Of course I would not rule out bed bugs. I would look up the FAQ's section here and maybe get some climbs ups for the bed legs and pull the beds away from the wall. I would also get a plug in flea trap to rule out those just in case. If the beds are isolated, all bedding, pillows etc washed/dried on hot...and the bites continue at the same rate or more...then I would get a professional PCO to come in and do a good detailed inspection. (look up the FAQ's here on how to hire a good bedbug PCO) If the bites stop after this I would think it was an incident of bugs from outside, a one time occurance. Hope this helps and best to you.
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buggyinsocal
oldtimer
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 2,440offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Apr 23 2010 13:32:28
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If I'd had to guess, I would have said that it was possible that buggymummy wasn't in the US. I think it's possible she's in Canada, the UK, or Australia or New Zealand (or had otherwise had at least a passing familiarity with British English elsewhere.)
Mummy is more commonly a Britishism than an Americanism.
I only mention this because allergy seasons are different in different climate zones and hemispheres.
However, I do agree that this sounds more like another pest than it does like bed bugs.
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buggymummy
newbite
Joined: Apr '10
Posts: 2offline
Posted 3 years ago
Wed Apr 28 2010 0:44:24
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I'm in Calfornia! Thanks for all of the suggestions! I've torn apart my bedroom - literally! I've begun peeling the wallpaper off the walls to look for these creatures. Don't worry, I'm not totally insane. It needs to be taken off anyway...this just motivated me more.
Well, we are certainly spending more time outside right now. It's softball/baseball season, so I'm in the bleachers quite a bit. It was the *lines* of bites that got me thinking bed bugs. But I've turned my matresses upside down, searched every nook and cranny, in the dressers, etc. I vac'd every bit of that room.
I am no stranger to lice, unfortunately. We had a community outbreak here a few years back where nearly everyone I knew had it at the same time. Through church, play groups, schools, everyone. I have developed quite an eye for small bugs. These aren't lice.
I appreciate the advice. I'll keep checking on things.
Good night!
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