Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
Bites at same time each year
(3 posts)-
Pizzahut
newbite
Joined: Aug '11
Posts: 3offline
Posted 1 year ago
Wed Aug 17 2011 4:07:59
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Hello, here is my story. I hope I can get some info!
~I live in Wisconsin where summers are hot and often muggy. In August 2010 I moved into a landlord occupied flat. I moved in with my boyfriend whom I had been living with, but we started sleeping on his mattress (on the wooden floor, boo.) versus mine. There was no biting up until the move. I started getting bites in groups of 1 - 3, a few new ones every other day. I usually didn't notice them until midday so don't really know when they are occurring. They are approx 1 cm in diameter and itch a few hours after discovery, but the itching goes away within a day. Almost all bites are on my stomach and upper thighs. So far none on neck, face, arms, etc.
With this evidence I was sure that our new apt had bed bugs, or his mattress (which was in his bed bug free apt.) I searched high and low and found zero evidence. I used double sided tape around the bed and built a dry ice trap. Nothing. And two weeks after the bites (if that is what they are) started they stopped just as abruptly.
Now it is exactly one year later and they are back. I've gotten maybe seven or eight so far, over a period of a few days. Boyfriend never seems to have any bites, we rescued a cat in November and he seems fine too. We haven't traveled anywhere that I can think of.
I've started checking again and still no evidence. Now here's the sad part. We do live in an old house with lots of nooks and crannies for bugs to hang out. We are always finding spiders, centipedes, beetles, ants, you name it.
I'm currently in the process of washing the bedding in case some other bug got in the sheets, my bf was so tired he went to sleep on the mattress. I've checked a few times to see if anything was taking the "bait" but nothing. I am kinda joking here, but also not really! I am a terrible person.
What are my next steps? Please help, as you know this type of problem makes you feel like a monster. And leaving my bf for bait seconds that idea.
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BedBugBlogger
junior member
Joined: Jul '11
Posts: 39offline
Posted 1 year ago
Wed Aug 17 2011 4:27:00
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I am far from an expert so I will just give my opinion. A muggy environment could mean mosquitoes. Any stagnant water around? mop bucket? windows with loose or no screens? I had, and could be having a second run of bed bugs and I know how you must feel. It is an overwhelming experience. I know for a fact that bedbugs do not carry diseases.
I am lucky and react within 30 mins of bed bug bites and they look exactly like mosquito bites. How I plan on testing my furniture is to first check my entire body and note any existing bites, then strip almost naked and lay on my couch for at least 4 hours straight playing xbox then get up and check.
Then I will sit in my chairs, one at a time in my boxers and repeat the steps. same with my bed.
Maybe you can do something similar? I know that sounds gross, and you probably imagine a ton of creepy bugs crawling all over you but if you do not see any obvious signs of bed bugs, and cannot really figure out where they are coming from it might be worth a try.
I do not know if this is the best advise, I am just replying to your message to give you peace of mind someone is reading and give you something to read until a better answer comes along if applicable.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,738online
Posted 1 year ago
Wed Aug 17 2011 10:07:43
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Is it possible you were bitten in a public place (cafe, library, friend's home). The timing may be coincidental. Those vicious Wisconsin mosquitos seem like a big likelihood too.
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