Are they ON me and/or my dog?? « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

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Are they ON me and/or my dog??

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lmnop

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Joined: Feb '12
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Feb 22 2012 11:52:26
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I am about to start the laundering process (pco hasn't been here yet) but I feel I am contaminated just by handling the clothes and linens. Do I need to keep my dog off the bed so she doesn't spread them around the house? Do they get on dogs and spread that way? My friend is dropping her dog off this weekend so I can watch him while they are away. Should I tell her "no" because her dog might bring them in to her house? Are they on ME during the day? I feel like I should just quarantine myself in my bedroom with the BBs for 6 weeks to avoid spreading them!! I mean, do I stay off my bed except at night? Also, I kind of feel like "what is the point" of laundering the sheets if I have to just put another set on when I sleep. Do I have to launder sheets/pajamas every day until the pco treatments start kicking in? Especially the pillow and comforter... I mean...it's cold in February and I don't want to clean and pack my comforter... do I need to wash it and the pillow every day?? I'm not sure when the pco can come to do the evaluation let alone start treatment. What do I do with my bedroom items between now and when treatment starts? So far, it's a light infestation (no stains; just ferocious bites; and captured a BB in a plastic baggy last night which was the only actual sighting). If I start all the laundering, do I keep it in a separate room and dress there? Or will I risk spreading it to other rooms the more I use the other rooms?? Are they "active" only at night?? Is there some reprieve during the day? Ugh. Not sure if any of this makes sense. What a pain in the arse.
bed-bugscouk

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Joined: Apr '07
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Feb 22 2012 12:09:52
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Hi,

OK there is a lot to take in and yes you have lots of questions, the best way to get through this is with knowledge and understanding.

Therefore stop reading the forum and focus on the FAQ's it may take a little longer to read the answers but you get them and the logic around them which is the ultimate lesson.

They are extremely unlikely to be on you or your pet unless you are living in bedbug ground zero and have been for a few years.

I would say you first need to confirm what is going on by finding:
- Live samples
- cast skins
- Faecal tarces
Only when its confirmed do you need to start planning and doing your prep work, and then only as instructed by the professional you are going to work with as some have extensive lists while others say do nothing.

Hope that all makes sense and gives you some logic and structure.

David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited
loubugs

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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Feb 22 2012 12:37:21
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Hi David,
What's Faecal tarces? Just being a pest. But, don't forget it may be better to state bed bug waste (including fecal and uric acid waste, i.e., dark and light droppings, respectively).
Imnop,
Clean clothes don't need to be washed and dried, but only dried.
bed-bugscouk

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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Feb 22 2012 12:42:56
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Hi Lou,

Yeah sorry a typo, I am on smaller keyboard than I am used to.

Given that most Pro's cant ID a ureic trace and they are outside of the easy detection range of most people I think its one of those where technical detail can take a back seat to clear and concise communication. I know the purist may burn me as a heretic for saying it but sometimes we in the biz get too focused on the detail to effectively communicate with those who are in a heightened state of stress or distress.

Prime example is the consumers guides that run in at 200+ pages with no clear simple images or the eBooks with no images at all.

David
BitingMad

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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Feb 22 2012 23:03:19
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I know that bbs don't live on pets, but isn't it possible the occasional bb might hitch a ride on/in a pet's fur, and thus get spread around a bit more than otherwise?

I'm in the tail-end of a pretty bad infestation, but the bbs have remained centered in my couch. I've only found a couple of bbs anywhere else in my apartment; come to think of it, the non-living-room sightings have been split pretty evenly between my bedroom and the bathroom.

So one night I was trying to go to sleep, and my cat jumped onto the foot of my bed, walked up to the head, then leaped over my head so that she could lie down beside my pillow per usual. A few moments later, I opened my eyes to look at her, and spotted a disgusting dark speck beside me on the sheet! And when I leaned in for a closer look (wasn't wearing my glasses), it tried to escape!

Now, it's possible that bb was already on the bed with me, but isn't it also possible that it fell off my cat?