Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
Benefits of VERY early detection?
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Bluemoon71
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Dec 2 2010 12:51:24
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Over Thanksgiving, I visited a friend in Boston. Of course, before going to sleep, I checked the mattress, box spring, and surrounding area for any signs of bugs and saw nothing. My stuff had to be on the floor because there was nowhere else to put it. Even though I hadn't seen any signs of bugs, when I left, I placed all of my stuff into garbage bags in my car. When I got home, I placed my stuff in the bathtub (briefly removed from garbage bags) until it could be packtited. Had to packtite twice and didn't have a chance to do them back to back, so some stuff hung out in the bathtub for about 24 hours. Got home on Sunday and on Tuesday evening, I found what I believe to be a bed bug nymph on my towel that had been hanging on top of the shower nozzle. The potential nymph has been sent to be analyzed by an entomologist, and I should know by early next week, but it looked very similar to pictures online: clear with a dark material inside of it.
My question is, assuming that what I found is a bed bug, what would you do next? To my knowledge, I have not received any bites (however, I understand that not everyone reacts, although I typically react very strongly to insect bites) and I have found absolutely no evidence of bed bugs in or around my bed. I'm guessing this bug came from my trip to Boston since it was found near where my stuff was being stored, but I guess it could be from anywhere. Would you call a K9 at this point? What if the dog only marks one or two places? Is it still necessary/recommended to perform all of the bagging, vacuuming, spraying, etc. if just a small number are found? If so, I'm wondering if I should wait to see if any more signs appear or if this was just a rouge bug.
Thanks so, so much for any advice!!
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SearchandDestroy
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Dec 2 2010 18:38:22
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Boy, I hope it's not a bb. Did you call your friend and ask if they are having a problem?
Hard to believe since you were being so careful.
In any case, I would get some passive monitors for your bed. I'm sure you've treated everything that you took on the trip (by now). Not sure what else I'd do at this point...maybe if your friend say, "yes..problem.." then you know to go after it full barrel but then again, maybe it was just 1 nymph and you are okay. The monitor will tell you in a short period of time...if there are more, they will come to your bed. (I'm assuming the bath is nearby).
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Bluemoon71
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Dec 2 2010 18:52:16
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Thank you so much for your reply! No, I didn't ask since I don't want to freak her out at this point since I'm not even sure that it was one yet, and I think if she were aware of a problem, she would have let me know before I stayed there. I'm getting a passive monitor and I will keep checking the mattress itself. Now I am wondering if it was from my coat was actually hanging on the shower nozzle (not in a bag) which would explain how the bb could have gotten up onto my towel since I didn't think they could climb the shower wall! My coat unfortunately was not bagged in the car, so I'm wondering now if that could be infected . . . I feel like I want to act on the one hand, but on the other, I don't want to spend a lot of time or $ unnecessarily if there really isn't a problem.
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SearchandDestroy
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Dec 2 2010 22:15:09
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Well...so wait to see what it is and then if it is..you should still tell her because if she has them (assuming you picked it up there) and doesn't know, then she needs to know. Right? It's hard to tell people, but I find in the end..it is best for everyone.
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Bluemoon71
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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Dec 2 2010 22:34:15
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Very true. Thanks, SearchandDestroy!
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Bluemoon71
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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Dec 4 2010 11:34:21
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So I just found out that my friend is having guests again this weekend! I am still waiting to get a positive identification on the bug, and it may not have even been from her place. I'm not sure what they would do if I told them - the guests are already there, so is it worth freaking them out potentially over nothing? ANY advice is greatly appreciated!
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Jacksfullofaces
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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Dec 4 2010 12:44:39
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what a dilemna ! not an easy one to answer. If the guests are already there then precautions need to be taken until you know the answer. It may not be a nymph but I think you must tell her as the guests would freak even more at a later date if they spread bugs into their homes. You might have picked up the bug from travelling and it might be just a lone bug. My instinct is for you to tell her. That way the guests have the opportunity to take precautions and maybe avoid spreading them.
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Bluemoon71
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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Dec 4 2010 13:15:34
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Yeah, I think you're right. I have to say something. What do you think about telling them tomorrow (the day they leave)? That way, I would not completely ruin their weekend, but it would allow them to take precautions before they get home since it might be a false alarm anyway?
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Jacksfullofaces
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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Dec 4 2010 13:17:15
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That is excellent timing. They might frsak but their weekend won't be ruined and hopefully they won't potentially spead anything.
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Bluemoon71
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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Dec 4 2010 13:25:45
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I'll plan on telling them tomorrow then. I'm thinking about telling them to put their luggage in their shower/bathtub, wash and thoroughly dry all clothes, and carefully inspect any other items and the suitcase itself. Am I missing anything? Thanks so much for your help!!
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