Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
Bed Bugs in the UK
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Once_Bitten
newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 9
Posted 1 month ago
Sun Oct 4 2009 6:28:58
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I'm sure we have got the little buggers as our bites are in groups with red spots in the centre and, have found a few watery blood looking splodges on the white sheets but, even though we have searched for days we cannot find where they are hiding.
We are currently renovating the house so, there are cracks and gaps everywhere.
The bed is wood with slats (no boxspring) we have had it to bits and the torch & magnifying glass have revealed nothing.
We have searched the carpet and rug perimeters, nothing!
We have examined all furniture, inside drawers etc etc. nothing!I've spend days researching online so we feel sure we know what to look for.
We've moved the bed away from any walls and furniture, encased our matress in plastic (well sealed) and, have put double sided sticky tape on the legs and, are making sure the sheets never touch the floor, but we think we are still getting bitten although it is difficult to tell as we have so many bites and, it seems they can come out days later. Not seen any more splodges on the sheets though.Today we are going to take the bed to bits and examine it further.
We have bought a dry steam Vac and, intend to use this on the bed and room perimeter using low pressure so as (hopefully) not to scatter any hidden bugs.We want to get the professionals in but know we need evidence first so, if anyone can give any other suggestions we would appreciate it.
David in the UK, read everything on your site and all your posts on here, hoping you may be coming to the northwest soon (12 miles outside Manchester)?
If not, can you recommend anyone else in Lancashire/Cheshire?
Just not enough hours in the day to cope with this ourselves. -
Hi,
Red dots in the center makes me immediately think of fleas. Will you please try a plug in flea trap first to rule them out if you cant find any faecal traces.
Sadly I only have a short list of good pest controllers for bed bugs and they are all based in the south. I am however looking at some filming work in Manchester so may be up that way soon.
Either way a few things makes me think fleas first. If that comes back as clear contact me via the office and we can chat through some other options and maybe a passive monitor to get the evidence you are looking for.
Hoping its not bed bugs though.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
Once_Bitten
newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 9
Posted 1 month ago
Tue Oct 6 2009 1:58:51
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Hi David,
Thank you so much for your interest.
We did originally think 'fleas' as we had looked after a friends dog a week or so before being bitten but, we discounted this as our own dog was, (according to the mobile dog groomer) and still is, flea free.
Having said that, the friends dog did go into our bedroom whereas our dog cannot get upstairs so, maybe you are right.On Sunday we totally dismantelled the bed frame and gave it a good (but low pressure) steaming, ditto all the carpet and floorboard edges.
We even removed all the wallpaper searching for faecal evidence but, found nothing.
Everything in the room, including clothing and furniture has been sealed inside matress bags.
We now have only a few items of clothing which has all been washed and tumbled on high heat.
(Think I was bit again last night).
Next on the list is to rip out the fitted wardrobes (part of renovation process anyway) so we can look behind those but, having read your message I will try and locate a plug in flea trap and, will let you know the results.
Thanks again for your input.
L -
Once_Bitten
newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 9
Posted 1 month ago
Tue Oct 6 2009 8:52:33
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Hi David
I went straight out and bought a 'Gotcha' flea catcher/detector and plugged it in in the bedroom around 6 hours ago.
So far nothing (except a pretty light) and 3 more (what seem like new) bites
Is it best to leave it in the bedroom for 24 hours before I try it in another room?
L. -
Hi,
Yes, best leave it in an unoccupied room, if its the bedroom remove the sheets and covers and wash them at the same time.
The number of times I have found fleas actually living inside the layers of the sheets is a little scary but then again if I was a fleas I think I would find the closest spot to regular food.
After a day in one room move it to another and see if you get anything.
David
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Once_Bitten
newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 9
Posted 1 month ago
Wed Oct 7 2009 3:48:01
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After reading your post last night, before going to bed I moved the flea monitor to the lounge.
This morning I found it had captured not one flea but (drum roll)........
1 x tiny mothBed is now stripped (again) and the flea monitor is back in the bedroom awaiting any flea guests.
I know you said to try the flea traps first but, would it hurt to get bed bug monitors as well?
I've looked on your sites and, there does not seem to be any bed bug monitors (passive or active) available yet?I have found another site (TPCS - don't want to give the full link in case they are useless) selling both types, do you think it is worth buying these?
If we have got the orrible bed buggers, we really need to know as determined not to share them
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Hi,
Glad to hear you have caught one, hopefully it will be just fleas.
Yes it would be sensible to also do passive monitoring for bed bugs. We don't have full production versions available as we are waiting for the production line to be operational (next month) but we do have late stage prototypes which we have installed in about 1,200 locations and yes they work rather well. If you contact my office they will explain more about them and make arrangements to get one or two to you.
I don't think anyone other than us are capable of selling the passives at present as stock is simply not available. There is a company that have attempted to copy the passive concept but I do hear that the field trials are not going well and that 30 bed bugs in a sandwich box have ignored the other monitor for over 14 days, my legal team have also indicated that it is likely to be ruled as a patent infringement once we get ours granted in a few months.
We have used them in both commercial and domestic settings and can report that they work best when non insecticide has been applied to the areas.
Cost wise they are only £15 + VAT and come with instructions on where and how they should be used.
Even if it turns out to be fleas its a sensible thing to check for bed bugs on a regular basis because it is has not happened this time then its better to early detect and avoid where possible.
David
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Once_Bitten
newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 9
Posted 1 month ago
Wed Oct 7 2009 4:23:45
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Hi David,
Think you may have mis-read my previous post as we have not caught any fleas, just a tiny month
.
What I said is:
"This morning I found it had captured not one flea but (drum roll)........
1 x tiny mothI thought the other monitors looked dodgy so will phone your company shortly, £15 + VAT x 2 seems a small price to pay for peace of mind (or confirmation).
These bites itch like hell!
We have not used any pesticides, just lots of steam so happy to pay and try your prototypes -
Once_Bitten
newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 9
Posted 1 month ago
Wed Oct 14 2009 4:22:29
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Hi David,
The flea traps and bed bug monitors have now been in place for a few days but, there is nothing in either of them.
We are being bitten every night and, there are blood stains and smears on the white sheets each morning. (bedding is laundered every day).
I have found what look like 2 dead nymphsIs there a chance you may be coming near Manchester soon?
If not, can you recommend a company locally?Please feel free to PM if you feel it is more appropriate.
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Hi,
The flea trap should detect in a few days if the area is not occupied (fleas will travel for food and investigate). I would say check the passive weekly for signs and if you see nothing after 14 days with still activity of bites then its unlikely to be bed bugs.
I don't have current travel plans for Manchester at the second but am on standby for Vegas the week after next which I was trying to avoid but it looks like I will be dragged kicking and screaming with a moth to the neon glare.
If you save the nymphs and post them down to me I will have a look and let you know what they are, sample id sheets and instructions are on my website. Alternatively if you can take an in focus picture post a link on here.
David
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