Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
Bat bug or bed beg?
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freaked-out
newbite
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 5
Posted 5 months ago
Mon Jun 22 2009 22:12:42
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Hello. I found a bug in my daughters bed. I thought it was a bed bug but I went through EVERYTHING and vacumed and I didnt find anything else. I had a PC come and look at the bug and at first he said bed bug, then he called and said he thinks it is a bat bug. They are very similar. I have had 2 bat in the last few months come in the house. Today I had a bat guy come today and I have a roost in my attic(since there are a chance of babys I cant do anything until August to be sure all the babys can fly).
Has anyone had any possible bat bugs and if so should I be just as worried as when I first thought it was a bed bug?
If it was a bed bug, is it possible that there isnt any visable trace of them other than the bug I found? -
your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,547
Posted 5 months ago
Mon Jun 22 2009 22:30:37
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First, you may wish to read other threads labeled "bat bugs."
The main difference with bat bugs in my understanding is that you both need to treat the bat bugs which are probably now harboring near you and feeding on you, as well as removing the nest(s) and bats which are the source.
The great thing is that you know about the bats. A bad case would be a PCO who did not consider this cause, treated the insect infestation, but did not find and remove the bats which are the source.
(Note: you may want to have them verify this is DEFINITELY a bat bug; they can do so by looking closely at a sample under a mircroscope -- the differences can be spotted by those in the know. Even if it's bed bugs, if you have bats, you'll want those bats removed to make sure you do not GET bat bugs on top of bed bugs.)
It's possible to have either a single bed bug or bat bug, but in most cases, seeing one is no proof there are not more. Many people have lots of bed bugs and are "lucky" to see one.
How thoroughly, and for how long, did the PCO root around in your home (bedrooms, livingroom, etc.)?
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freaked-out
newbite
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 5
Posted 5 months ago
Mon Jun 22 2009 22:44:00
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The PCO looked thoroughly in my daughters room. Then he looked in my room and we flipped the mattress and he look along the frame and all over the floor. He peeked in the living room and examined the bug I had found(which was in a double ziplock and still alive after 5 days). The PCO called today and cancelled the appointment to spary based on me not finding anything else and the bat situation. Should I buy the home defense spray to be sure they dont migrate down, or if they are breeding to get rid of them? He said I would have to wait to spray the attic until august when we can exclude the Bats. I havent slept in days and I am about to lose my mind!!
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,547
Posted 5 months ago
Mon Jun 22 2009 23:32:31
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Hmmm.
First of all, you said he thinks it's a bat bug. If he can't verify it 100%, I would find someone who can. There are knowledgeable PCOs who should have an ento on consult they can check with, and you can even pay a guy at Harvard $25 to do it by mail if needed.
I would defer to the PCOS here (hopefully some will comment soon about what they would do), but if one bat bug came down from the nest to feed on you, others may be there also. They're visible, but may not be easy to locate.
You could also call another PCO and get a second opinion on what to do. You can search here for recommendations based on location (can't remember where you are). Let us know.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,547
Posted 5 months ago
Mon Jun 22 2009 23:48:34
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By the way -- what needs to be done if a bat bug is found -- until the nest can be legally removed -- great question to tweet to Cooper and White tomorrow if you can, just after 2 pm EST.
See: http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/live-bed-bug-q038a-on-twitter-623-at-2-pm-est for details and twitter-for-beginner instructions :-)
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freaked-out
newbite
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 5
Posted 5 months ago
Tue Jun 23 2009 19:51:46
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I am in NY near Albany. I am thinking of getting the ortho home defense spray for now to keep them from coming in my house or killing them if they do. I cant get used to the fact that there isnt anything that can be done until August. The Bats freak me out but the Bugs are making me insane!!!
At least my house is super clean and I have downsized alot of clothing and things that I didnt really need! If anyone has any ideas about how to kill the bugs with out hurting the Bats Please tell me. Or if anyone knows an effective way of keeping them out of my living space if I have to deal until august.
I dont remember any other summer where I have been wanting so bad for it to be over. I hope the parinoia wears off and I can sleep and relax. -
freaked-out
newbite
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 5
Posted 4 months ago
Tue Jul 7 2009 23:01:41
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Ok so I cleaned everything, was satisfied and almost able to sleep, then I found a dead bug in my closet. Prior to the first bug when I vaccumed my bed I didnt see any signs so I just vac the box spring I didnt rip the black protective on the bottom, well when I found the dead bug I ripped it off and the only thing I found was what looks like 2 cast skins.....I am lost at what I should do.
1- do they just die without any intervention from you? We didnt put down any repellent I just vaccumed and cleaned with Dr Bronners.
2- My tenent downstairs insists he had not seen any signs, Can I inspect the bedrooms my self or is that not legal?
I have noticed an unusual smell through the bathroom(before it was sealed up by a mad women at 2am-lol). Also the smell in the hallway It smells sweet and moldy. From reading everything about these damm things, some people say they have a smell.
3- If it is a bat bug Do I just have to deal until I can rid the house of bat?
4- What are your thoughts on steaming everything? I was thinking of going to lowes tomorrow and getting this-Wagner 905 Power Steamer. I was advised by a PCO that I would drive them to where they couldnt be reached and they would multiply and come back in a few months.
Thanks for any advice!!! -
Did you ever get a qualified professional to identify the specimens?
Are you sure the insects are bat bugs?
The smell might be bat guano .... There is a mold that can occur due to the moisture from the droppings.... That is strictly a guess based on your description of the smell, of course.
Do you have a lease with your tenant? Does the lease address pest control or landlord inspections with notice?
If the bats are still present... Bat bugs will tend to prefer to feed on the bats .... I would think that a PCO could still treat your living quarters with dusts & residual sprays to kill any bugs that migrate into the occupied space until the bats can be removed.... There may be additional restrictions due to the protected status of the bats.... I would go with a professional that has field experience with Bats.... that also has experience with Bat Bug eradication.
I'm not sure why your PCO said that steam would drive the bugs where they couldn't be reached ... Were you talking about a specific location for utilizing steam or was that more of a general observation?
Bat bugs can die from natural causes.... Dead bugs in the box springs are a sign of previous activity ...
Given the issues with the bats .... I'm not sure this is a good do-it-yourself project
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freaked-out
newbite
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 5
Posted 4 months ago
Wed Jul 8 2009 22:13:59
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The Bat guy I had come to the house said he was pretty sure it is a bat bug, but he said w/o looking under a mic he couldnt say for sure.
I do have a lease and it says inspections with notice, but I dont know if that would include searching the beds.
I bought a steamer and I wanted to steam everything I can to put my mind at ease, I have a three year old daughter and I dont want her to get bite. I also havent been sleeping for weeks and I am falling asleep cooking and driving but I still cant go to sleep at night!! I guess he was saying that the steam wont kill them it will just move them away farther into the walls. I am also plannig on putting DE down everywhere I can.
I didnt find any bugs alive or dead in the bed or boxspring, but I did find 2 shells that appear to be the shape of a bed/bat bug. Would we be seeing more signs of activity if we had an infestation, the first one I noticed was 3 to 4 weeks ago? Thanks for the reply!!
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I will assure you that steam will kill them , if you make direct contact with the bugs ... It may cause some dispersal from any area that is treated.... Use it carefully.... Do not blast areas with high pressure.... Use a tip that distributes the steam over a broad area at low pressure or wrap a towel around the tip.... You are heating up the surfaces to kill the bugs.... Steam is a thermal treatment....Go slowly to allow the heat to penetrate ....
Spraying a household insecticide can create even bigger problems in term of driving the bugs to new locations ....
DE is a good product, but it needs to be applied properly .... it should not be visible or in an area where it can be disturbed and made airborne .... Think microscopic shards of glass .... Keep it out of your eyes & lungs.... Use a respirator mask & eye protection when it is applied
I would have a qualified person examine the specimens under magnification to confirm the identification .... Lou Sorkin at the American Museum of Natural History can make a positive ID on the specimens or cast skins.... Send me a PM if you want his contact info
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