Bites but no bugs found by inspection--is self treatment the next step??

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Bites but no bugs found by inspection--is self treatment the next step??

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bugginginDC

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jan 13 2009 12:14:41
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So, I’ve been reading a lot on this website and it is very helpful. I understand that most people are against self-treatment but here is my problem. Before x-mas, I started itching. I thought I had dry skin, and bought some cream which I applied regularly. When I went away for x-mas, the itching stopped. However, upon my return 10 days later, it started again and after examing my legs, I saw what looked like 5-6 little zits in clusters of 2-3 on my legs. These bites tend to itch about 2 days after they appear. After some internet research, I realized that I have bed bugs. I have been getting about 4-6 bits a night. My husband, that lucky devil, either isn’t getting bites or doesn’t react. My husband thinks we can treat this ourselves, but I was sure we needed to bring in a professional. So, I brought in a highly recommended pest control company (I researched them on Angie’s List and they have a bed bud division). They came yesterday and could not find any bed bugs. They said that they will ont treat until they find evidence of bed bugs. The only option they gave us was to bring in dogs that are specially designed to sniff out bed bugs, but they want $250 for that type of inspection. The whole treatment of our upper floor (where I think the bed bugs are–I have not been bitten on the 1st or 2nd floor) is only $850 so this seems ridiculous. Have anyone tried using these dogs to detect bed bugs? Also, since they will not treat our house at this time, I have agreed with my husband and ordered the pest control products (the pest control company recommended using Mother D and Steri-fab), as well as the matress and box spring cover. I really feel like I don’t have another option. I have begun washing and bagging all my clothing and putting them on the second floor, away from any possible infestation, but I’m not sure what bags to us. Recommendations? Also, I’ve seen varying estimates on how long items have to be placed in the hot dryer for–is it 20 minutes or 2 hours? All the information out there makes it very confusing.
Marixpress

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jan 13 2009 12:37:23
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My advice to you is to set traps. Put each of your bed legs in a glue trap. Make sure your blankets are not touching the wall or floor. That way if a bug is crawling on your bed, it will have no choice but to walk across the glue trap. One thing that worked for me is to put clear packing tape over cracks, holes and baseboards. Eventually something will get stuck and you'll have your evidence.
meowcat

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jan 13 2009 12:47:00
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I am having the same problem as bugginDC. I am in Northern KY and I have a somewhat unique problem with my bed. I live in a furnished apartment. The bed is connected to the wall like in an old hotel(it can be flipped up out of sight) with lots of old wood. This leaves many nooks and crannies that are difficult, if not impossible to clean. There is no boxsprings, only a mattress sitting inside a wood frame supported by metal bar on the bottom. I could cover the mattress but 0Any suggestions on the wooden, non detachable frame? The landlord told me that the cost of extermination would be totally on me. The landlord has already sent a Terminix inspector to inspect my apt. bc I keep getting bitten. He didn't do a thorough job, to say the least:he only looked around the bed bc I asked shouldn't he check it? He told me there is a baseboard under the floor under the (furnished)couch and probably all kinds of bugs under there. I know bed bugs don't come out during the day, so how to see one?
parakeets

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jan 13 2009 14:12:59
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I have a similar problem. My landlord won't continue to treat my apartment with our new PCO firm unless the PCO firm sees evidence of bedbugs on glue boards. My bedbugs (I saw one on my comforter and accidentally squished it the other day--stupid me) avoid the glue boards. I keep getting bitten. It seems insane for me to pay for a bedbug dog when I've seen bedbugs, have had confirmed bedbug infestations in the past, and have been treated for bedbugs in the past but they were not totally eradicated.

I know I have bedbugs but my landlord wants proof on the glue board because the new cheap firm only will treat for bedbugs if they see the bugs on the boards. Heck, even if I bought in a bedbug dog, the landlord probably would believe the PCO firm instead simply because there were no bedbugs on the glue boards.
bed-bugscouk

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jan 13 2009 14:40:42
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Hi,

If the inspection was thorough and they said it was clear it could be something else that is biting you. If this is the case treating for bed bugs may not actually solve the problem as different pests need to be handled in different ways.

If you cant find any of the following:
- Live samples - notoriously hard to find
- Cast skins - often found in dark places
- Faecal Traces - as a rule you will find 1 faecal trace per bite so if you have had 20+ bites they should be visible if you look hard enough
If you cant find any of the defintive signs then I would suggest that you do the following:
- Use a plug in flea trap - it is not that uncommon to get a rouge flea brought in from outside
- Deep clean the area and check for signs of carpet beetles (the hairs can cause bite like allergic reactions
- Use a mattress protector in case you have a dust mite allergy
- Check with a dermatologist in case you have an allergic reaction top something
The fact is that if its bed bugs there will be evidence although at times it can be a small amount of evidence in light infestations. Only if you know for sure its bed bugs should you treat self or otherwise.

Treating for the sake of it is a waste of money and a crime against the environment.

David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited
http://www.Bed-Bugs.co.uk
Marixpress

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jan 13 2009 15:47:04
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meowcat - 2 hours ago » I know bed bugs don't come out during the day,

That is incorrect my dear.
Marixpress

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jan 13 2009 15:50:19
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parakeets - 1 hour ago »
My bedbugs (I saw one on my comforter and accidentally squished it the other day--stupid me) avoid the glue boards.

are you changing the glue traps frequently? If dust collects on them, the bugs can safely walk across without getting stuck. Also, make sure nothing is touching the wall or floor. It's possible they are coming from the bed frame, mattress, quilt or pillows. They could also be traveling into your bed via PJS or clothing. That is really strange to me that they are avoiding the traps.
meowcat

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jan 13 2009 15:57:18
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All the inspector did was look at the bug I caught on the carpet tape and say it's not a bed bug. I think that's all he was gonna do except I aske him shouldn't we checck the mattress!!!! I am getting bitten at night in linear fashion continuously. And I'm pretty sure something I showed him on the mattress is a bed bug egg-looked like a tiny rice grain-he said "oh that's nothing!" I'm going to check it again and save it.Any ideas on how to store it? I got the feeling maybe my land lord paid him off to go in and just tell me it's not bed bugs so she doesn't have to deal with me. There is a big smear on the wall base board too which I beleive to to be feces but he passed off as dirt-it is only in one specific area and it wasn't there when we moved in in august last year. Did I mention the couch sitting in front of it is furnished by the apartments and I suspect it brought them in-my land lord refuses to remove it!
Marixpress

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jan 13 2009 16:04:22
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hmm sounds convincing! Save the "egg" in a ziploc and in about 1 - 2 weeks, it might hatch. Does it look like this? More gray than white?

http://s358.photobucket.com/albums/oo28/MariRiver/?action=view&current=BBegg-vs-penny.jpg
BBcoukHome

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jan 13 2009 16:15:46
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Hi Meowcat,

Do you still have the bug so that you could share a picture of it.

If not have a look at http://www.Bed-Bugs.co.uk/carpetbeetles to see if it makes that.

If you can also take a picture of the mark you think is faecal with something in frame to give scale a visual identification may be possible.

If the couch is still there carefully inspect it and see if you find any of the previous mentioned positive sign of bed bugs. If dont find any signs then it could be that this is not a bed bug issue. They are not the only thing that bites or give a "bite like" reaction.

David
meowcat

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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jan 14 2009 15:24:34
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I am planning to inspect the couch tonight, and take off the bottom cover even though it's the landlord's but she is ignoring the problem. I'm afraid of what I might find inside. I bought a vinyl mattress cover, more tape, mouse glue traps, and sprayed 91% alcohol on all the wood on and around my Murphy bed last night, and rubbed 71% alcohol on myself before bed. Haven't noticed any bites yet today.

Thanks for the website BBcouk, unfortunately I don't have a home computer and my family members are freaked out so I can't even visit them to use theirs to share pics.
Your website says the spots on mattresses can be rusty/red colored. I have found several of these, but usually only one in each place, splotchy red spots.

My boyfriend hasn't seemed to been bitten at all but I have gotten at least 50 bites so far!! I am determined to find the little buggies if only to know I can get rid of them!!I ordered some BEST YET
meowcat

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Posted 4 years ago
Sat Apr 4 2009 16:02:13
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It's me again folks-this time, I can definitely [b]say I have Bed Bugs, as I was sure of as soon as I started getting bitten, months ago. Not that that's a good thing, but I'm glad I know why I was getting bites all up and down my arms and legs.

Well, I discovered them at 2am on March 16, though I know they've been here much longer. I had only the tv on, and was sitting on my floor, leaning on the Murphy bed in my apt, which has a wood frame and folds out of the wall. I saw a bug scurry, so fast across, the mattress, then disappear, I jumped up and screamed and flipped on the lights, whcih woke up my Boyfriend. I looked for the bug, and found a smaller one on the mattress. I made my boyfriend get up and help me search-I knew I'd found them! And what do you know, it looks like they had built their nests, or whatever, in the screws of the bed frame(which are recessed into the wood). Immediately we sprayed everything with Best Yet, which I'd bought but rarely used. Then went to the store and bought additional wood-boring insect spray-we saw them come out then-and there were pretty many-I've prob. found 100 at least (I'm guessing)-what does this mean?

Now I'm freaked out and afraid to visit family members, because I don't want to infest their homes- it seems like every couple days a few more bugs appear-could they be newly hatched? Does any one know how to GET RID OF EGGS? So I can get rid of them completely? My lease is up in August, and I'm excited to get out of here, but afraid I'll transport them!! Help!
spideyjg

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Posted 4 years ago
Sat Apr 4 2009 16:43:17
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Physical force, heat, or Vikane fumigation will, but Bedlam has shown it does has a fairly high kill percentage but not 100%.

Why did you get a "wood boring insect" pesticide. Maybe by chance it could kill them but isn't designed to. Sounds like it acted as a flushing agent.

If you found that many you need to aggressively attack that frame with tried and true anti BB efforts. Better yet get a pro to handle that. Catch some samples and get one in there.

A steamer would come in real handy about now based on what you describe. The frame and entire wall area that it lifts into should be examined with a fine tooth comb.

Jim
pleasenotme

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Posted 4 years ago
Sun Apr 5 2009 11:30:25
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How come bites are not considered a sign of bed bugs? It seem most PCOs won't treat without the proper "signs." But waiting until there are visible bugs makes it that much worse. I have had bites for a year and a half and have never seen a bed bug in my house. I've been self treating. They seem to be going away so I will continue this course. But time and time again on here folks say the pros are telling them to wait to treat. I don't think it's wise when people are getting bites on a consistent basis.
Just my 2 cents.
BugBoy911

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Posted 4 years ago
Sun Apr 5 2009 12:53:17
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First, just because you place glue boards around the room doesn't mean %100 that you will catch one. A company that "needs to see activity on (glue boards)," to believe you have an infestation doesn't understand this pest period. Upon meeting a new client and seeing bites wether on his/her arm, leg, neck, face, I can identify wether or not they have bedbug bites within 30 seconds of seeing the bite marks. Nothing else bites in 3's and patters like bedbugs period. Also, if you are indeed having consistant bites and the PCO says "we can't treat until we find more evidence," IMO this is an inexperienced bedbug PCO. They are not experienced enough to inspect for minor to moderate cases of bedbug activity, or just don't wana break a sweat and actually give you the time neccessary to complete an effective bedbug inspection.

Glueboards are not the answer people, yet they are effective and a neccessary tool when in the right PCO's hands to use during an inspection and after treatment. To find bedbugs either the home owner or the PCO will have to work to find them. Most of the time you will not find bedbugs during a 2 minute inspection and even if you do, keep looking for a good 45 mins to an hr, sometimes longer.

Also, you do not have to change glue boards that often at all for them to be effective, some going for 6 months without needing changing and still just as effective. If the area is dry and a little dusty, like most homes are, your glue boards will be fine for months. If you have a damp area or very dirty home or what not, then every month or 2 you will need to change them. IF the place is really wet, then don't use glue boards period. Roach monitors are far more effective than rodent glue boards due to the fact that they can be placed above ground and in cracks and crevices inside the bed, the frame, and furniture. Bedbugs are normally found more often above ground than on the floor.
buggyinsocal

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Posted 4 years ago
Sun Apr 5 2009 13:07:13
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Particularly in the United States, it is a liability issue on the part of PCOs. A pest management professional today doesn't use the wide spectrum insecticides of the past. As a result, exactly *how* a particular PCO treats is dependent in part on what specific pest is present. PCOs can't treat effectively until they have confirmation of what pest is present. And in terms of a litigation happy society, a PCO who treats for pests without conclusive proof of the presence of a specific pest, like bed bugs, as opposed to there being proof that there is a pest somewhere biting a family member, but no conclusive proof of which one or that the person is being bitten at home (instead of at work or a family member's house) is putting the business at serious risk. I know it doesn't make us happy when we're in the middle of an infestation, but that's the reality of life in the United States today.

And, for better or worse, even a dermatologist can't tell from looking at an insect bite what insect (or arachnid) made a particular bite--at least, not with enough certainty. A mosquito bite looks pretty much like a bed bug bite on a lot of people. There's so much variation between people that what one looks like on one person vs. another varies too much. So because a bed bug bite doesn't have a specific signifier that proves that it's a bed bug bite and not something else, PCOs can't rely on those alone.

In addition, the PCO you choose and the experience level that the particular technician and company have make a big difference. Many PCOs can find bed bug signs without finding live bugs and will treat a residence once those signs have been found even if live bugs haven't been. Without more details about your particular situation, no one here can really speak to why such signs weren't found in your place. Were the bugs a temporary migration from a neighboring unit or building? Were the initial bites acquired outside your house and only later the result of an infestation you brought home? The nature of bed bugs is that they are expert hiders, and it takes expertise to find them.

And although it doesn't happen often, the panic that the phrase bed bugs can induce in many people is strong enough that people sometimes mistake other pests besides bed bugs for bed bugs. We've seen plenty of people on these boards who don't have bed bugs but who have book lice or carpet beetles. Especially in the days of IPM (integrated pest management) the treatment for one is very different than the treatment for another.

I can't tell from your post whether you live in a single-family detached home or not, but the other reason for involving a professional is that if you have adjacent units that are infested in a multi-unit building, you will have trouble resolving the issue in your place unless all units in the building with infestations are treated. I don't say that to scare you as much as to let you know what other people here have found.

In general, people on these boards recommend against self-treatment except as a last resort. Self-treatment can be done effectively, but it takes an awful lot of learning over a pretty steep learning curve to do it effectively. In some cases, improperly done self-treatment can make a bed bug infestation worse and more entrenched, which can lead, ultimately, to needing to call in a pro in the end and having the treatment arc take longer and be harder over all. We're always happy when people get rid of their pest problems, and perhaps you've learned enough to self-treat effectively, but statistically, we see far more people for whom self-treatment doesn't work than we see people for whom it does.

Edited to Add: Parakeets is in a particular (And particularly awful) position in that she (wow, I've been here this whole time and don't know if Parakeets is a woman or a man! Yikes! Apologies if I get it wrong!) is dependent upon a landlord who uses a PCO who has defined "proof" in a very limited manner: bugs on glue boards, which with smart bugs, isn't much help. People who are stuck working with a poor quality PCO can be esp. screwed over by the "proof of bugs" requirement because cheap landlords or PCOs can narrowly define proof.

From where I sit, the solution to that is to come up with legislation or regulation to mandate definitions of proof so that negligent landlords and PCOs can be called to account for that. Because the pest control industry isn't going to, based on liability concerns, start treating without proof.

And by the way, I just want to reiterate--Parakeets is totally getting hosed in this equation.
pleasenotme

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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Apr 6 2009 9:41:51
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Yes, there needs to be a standard. But I believe that consistent bites where other pests are ruled out(you can rule out fleas by treating your animals and setting flea traps; you can rule out mosquitos by the fact that we don't find them in our homes often especially in the winter, spiders would have to be pretty obvious to be consistent biters) should be considered a sign of BBs. The consistent bites and interrupted sleep IMHO are a pretty glaring sign.
It just seems like many professionals want to write people off as delusional until the problem is way out of hand. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone here, by the way.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Apr 6 2009 10:51:31
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BugBoy911 - 21 hours ago »
A company that "needs to see activity on (glue boards)," to believe you have an infestation doesn't understand this pest period. Upon meeting a new client and seeing bites wether on his/her arm, leg, neck, face, I can identify wether or not they have bedbug bites within 30 seconds of seeing the bite marks. Nothing else bites in 3's and patters like bedbugs period.

bugboy911,

It is very difficult to diagnose bed bugs based on bite appearance, for two reasons.

I am curious how you react to clients whose bed bug bites do not appear in 3s or in patterns you might be used to. Many of us get single bites instead and may have patterns of three more rarely if at all.

I am also curious how you react to clients who do not get any kind of bite reaction. Entomologists tell us this may be 50-60% of people who are bitten. I hope you inspect as aggressively in those cases, because people with bed bugs are as likely to have no evidence of bites as to have some.
meowcat

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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Apr 8 2009 13:25:16
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Oh, I know dermatologist can't say crap about what it is-I went to one at the beginning of March for the bites-right before I discovered the Bed Bugs, unfortunately. I don't have health insurance so the visit cost me $255. They took samples(cut part of my skin with a scalpel-like thing that hurt like hell)Then I got a bill in the mail for $400 from the lab that I still haven't been able to pay.
All they told me is they couldn't diagnose it-it was probably an allergic reaction to a product-what a bunch of bull crap! So these bugs have already cost me around $1000, and I'm so sick of them.

My landlord had a terminix guy come in back in january, and he immediately said it wasn't bed bugs-I showed him the wall where it looked like they were coming from and he said nope-Now I know the bugs are coming through that wall from my nieghbor-HOW can she not know, or do anything??? I'm sure the landlord paid the guy $50 or something to say it wasn't them. I'm taking them to county extenstion office to confirm it's bed bugs in case she tries to say it isn't again.
I'm ready to talk to my land lord, see if she'll take off the cost of the spray I've bought, and mattress cover, etc, that I have receipt for. If she refuses, which I have a feeling she will, I'm going to contact my local news station. I only have 4 months left on the lease, can't wait. Wish me Luck!!
meowcat

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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Apr 8 2009 13:29:09
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Oh, by the way, I googled bed bug treatments, and one site (think it was a medical center) said to buy an insecticide with one of 3 ingredients to kill them-I bought the one that started with meth-. That's how I decided to get the wood-boring insecticide, spideyg.
BostonBugterfuge

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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Apr 8 2009 21:10:04
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meowcat,

I called a emergency room for a fairly large hospital and asked if they had any sort of biopsy to test for biting insects, particularly bed bugs, and they replied that they had no knowledge of any such test. I wonder if a) I am wrong and there are such tests and I was talking with someone who had little knowledge, b) there is no biopsy for bed bugs and the medical professionals were merely trying to cross off any disease symptoms or c) there really is a biopsy for bed bugs. It seems likely that there is, especially because there is a dermal reaction to the bite, and I guess this question will probably lead me to call several other local hospitals tomorrow.

If the extension scientist confirms they are bed bugs, you probably may want to consider getting it in writing to show your landlord. Even if you can't get your money back from the medical visits, at least you will be provided a professional to control the problem.

When the professional comes, take an active interest in the treatment (i.e techniques, products, and time spent). A good tech will have done it before and have a pretty good handle on what he's doing and why. A novice will not be comfortable with your questions and won't be able to give you any satisfactory answers. It also sounds like your situation is pretty difficult to treat vis-a-vis the murphy bed. I would consider dismantling the murphy bed to gain access to areas that were previously un-inspected (and therefore not treated).

From what I have seen, it unfortunately benefits having a experienced professional survey and inspect each infestation, because every situation is different. As someone who studied insect behavior, it always shocks me when I hear someone say how insects invariably follow predictable behaviors. Of course bed bugs follow some broad predicted patterns (i.e feeding on blood, hiding etc), but there is much of their behavior that is not patterned. Makes experience all that much more important in determining how these things are treated. A website like this helps you learn what you need to learn to guide the right treatment protocol. And seeing as how you have been receiving the wrong kind of help from the landlord and inspector, it it even more important for you to guide along the process.
DougSummersMS

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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Apr 8 2009 23:34:38
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MeowCat

Could you list the full name of the chemical that you bought from the label?
bugbasher

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Posted 4 years ago
Thu Apr 9 2009 21:31:12
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Doug,
I was wondering why pco's in general don't use flushing agents more than they do,which is apparently never. Would'nt it make more sense when dealing with the excellant hiding abilities of this particular insect to try this,even if a visual is negative. Is there some down side to the procedure that I'm not aware of? I've always been curious about this,as I can think of no better way to get them to show themselves.I can see not using them on an established population,but to see if thier there in an early infestation I would think it could do no harm? Like I say I've always wondered about that.
KillerQueen

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Posted 4 years ago
Thu Apr 9 2009 23:50:30
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bugbasher - 2 hours ago »
Doug,
I was wondering why pco's in general don't use flushing agents more than they do,which is apparently never. Would'nt it make more sense when dealing with the excellant hiding abilities of this particular insect to try this,even if a visual is negative. Is there some down side to the procedure that I'm not aware of? I've always been curious about this,as I can think of no better way to get them to show themselves.I can see not using them on an established population,but to see if thier there in an early infestation I would think it could do no harm? Like I say I've always wondered about that.

I would like to answer this if I may.

I don't use flushing agents because:

1. If you are talking about during an inspection, the odor is intense and most people are home for the inspection process. I don’t allow people to be exposed to chemicals while I use them.

2. If you are talking about for treatment, I feel you can push the bug deeper into hiding. Yeah you may flush a bug from hiding but you can't guarantee what the direction the bug will move in. Out in the open to be killed or away from the product to live another day.

3. Bed bugs will smell product put out to kill them and sit by and pass the time to avoid contact with the chemicals.

Like the glue on a glue board .. they will avoid these areas .. That is why I don't use glue monitors for bed bug detection.. it is only luck that you will catch a bed bug on a glue trap. You can't use them for evidence of clearing a home after treatment. Only physical inspection will provide you with the results you are looking (or not looking) for.

I see techs talking about them as an effective monitoring tool and I laugh. The best is the bug that will walk under the board and avoid the glue all together. Ask the next PCO who talks about glue monitors if they have masking tape in the truck to make sure they can tape them down to avoid that. I'll bet they only have cans of Dforce with them. Another useless product I feel .. just my 50 cents

It’s a bug that leaves evidence where ever it hangs out. You don't need a miracle to locate them. Just a person who has time to look.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 4 years ago
Fri Apr 10 2009 15:54:11
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charlesduran, you just quoted an entire post by killerqueen.

Did you mean to add something?
meowcat

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Apr 14 2009 13:35:40
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Doug,
Well, the pesticide I use actually has over 5% PERMETHRIN, and the info I got comes from Mayoclinic.com, as quoted below:

"Dismantle and either treat with insecticides or discard any old furniture, including bed frames and mattresses. Use insecticide sprays containing dichlorvos, permethrin or malathion around cracks and crevices in your home. Lawn and garden insect control sprays may contain these insecticides. However, professional inspection and extermination may be best. "[quote]...

http://mayoclinic.com/health/bedbugs/DS00663/DSECTION=prevention

Sorry, I have to use library computer and don't remember the brand name. I spray it on the baseboards of the wall where I know they're coming through, as well as the couch in front of it-I think it's a lawn spray but I'm not worried about the couch-it's the landlord's and she denies there is a problem. For now we are sleeping on the furnished mattress with a cloth allergen cover over it and not using the couch.

I am trying to find the best way to reclaim the money i've spent on keeping the bugs out of my apartment-take it out of the rent, which I'm sure landlord will charge me late fees and not recognize my reason for doing so-someone told me to put the amount of money in an escrow bank account to prove I didn'tjust NOT pay the full rent. Does anyone know anything about that?
OR
Try to get out of the lease early and worry about it going down on my credit(which is currently good) and then take her to court(small claims?...Idk) to try to get reimbursed for the bedbug costs.
OR
Live in the apartment till lease runs out i August then take her to court.
ANY ideas??
Twocatsandme

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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Jun 6 2009 22:07:54
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Hi-New to this site! -For the past year, I have had bites and an intense allergy (horrible sneezing, rash, itchy eyes, etc), from to what I think is ...bedbugs! I wash every week my hardwood floor with Kleenfree (active enzymes), I trap taped my bed frame feet, and still get bitten...Is it possible for the damn bugs to travel through my cats (who are lounging all day on my bed), are all my furniture and books infested now, will I be able to get rid of this pest naturally ( as I do not want to harm my cats)?
Please help me-:)
Nobugsonme

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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Jun 6 2009 22:24:55
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Twocatsandme - 14 minutes ago »
I trap taped my bed frame feet, and still get bitten...Is it possible for the damn bugs to travel through my cats (who are lounging all day on my bed), are all my furniture and books infested now, will I be able to get rid of this pest naturally ( as I do not want to harm my cats)?

I would get a plug-in flea trap to rule out fleas.

I would also get some Climbup TM Interceptors to place under bed legs -- which will trap, rather than deter, any bed bugs climbing onto or off of bed.

Look for what looks like ink stains on mattress and bed frame, and around baseboards or corners of ceiling.

Some people might use a bed bug canine scent detection team, but be aware they may have false positives or may not detect bed bugs. Nothing is fool proof. A really good PCO who inspects for hours is a great option, but they are not easy to find.
Hollygolightly

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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Jun 6 2009 23:05:15
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I started getting bites back in December....I waited it out and went to see a dermatologist in March who said "You have bed bugs, my dear."
Since I have a house, I called in a K9 team to try to get a a pin-pointed location as to where they where hanging out. The dog alerted to 5 different areas of my home. I had no visual confirmation from the PCO but because I was already in panic mode and so tired of being bitten and depressed I lost all sense of logic and booked cryonite treatment, demand spraying and DE. Spent loads of money on treatment.
Long story short: months later I am still being bitten and was also abandoned by the PCO that had been spraying all along. At my wits end, I contacted KillerQueen, (who I must say is THE BEST), who came out and did an inspection. After hours of inspecting my home with no finding said that not only do I not currently have bed bugs but I NEVER DID.

Moral of the story: The dogs don't always get it right. In my case, the dog got it completely wrong. Be careful.
losingit

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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Jun 8 2009 10:41:01
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Hollygo: if you don't have bbs, do you know what, if anything, is biting you? Are you still having skin problems? I have a very similar problem so I'm curious...
KillerQueen

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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Jun 8 2009 21:50:37
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Thank you Hollygolightly! I'm glad I was able to help out. As more and more K9's work the field it's getting harder and harder to find good reputable handlers. There are more than enough K9's/ handlers... getting it wrong. I'm seeing about 2 or 3 a week. PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH WHEN LOOKING FOR K9 inspections. The yellow pages or TV commercials will not land you the best choice. (Often the worst)

Again .. the dog out of the gate is a great tool .. But it’s just that, a tool. The handler still has to confirm what the dog is alerting to. If the dog “hits” on the bed … you still need to open your box spring for confirmation, which alone can take a half hour. If you find your handler rewarding the dog without evidence, stop your inspection and request your money back or ask him to find the bug. IT CAN BE FOUND! THE DOG IS PUTTING HIM IN THE AREA THE BUG IS, OR SHOULD BE IF THE K9 IS IN FACT PICKING UP ON A BED BUG AND NOT ANOTHER TYPE OF INSECT.

As good as the k9 can be … the handler still has to know how to do physical inspections for bed bugs and too many of them don’t!
bedbugsbad

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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Jun 8 2009 23:29:39
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I totally agree with KQ. The dog is only a tool and in reality should make the job of the inspector incredibly easy. (much easier than for a human inspector). When I had my canine inspection there was one area in question. The dog indicated but the handler did not think the indication was 100% her typical reaction. Additionally, the second dog (they use two) did not indicate in the same area. Nevertheless, the box spring was flipped, opened up and a detailed physical inspection performed. Nothing was found and Erik the handler explained that without finding physical evidence there was no way he could confirm bedbugs and that I should not treat. As part of his service he explained that because of the inconclusivness he would be happy to return in 10 - 14 days at no charge to do another inspection. I didn't ask for this he suggested it. He spent almost two hours at my house and it's small with very little stuff. He took the time to explain everything to me and answered all my questions. This is the type of service I would expect from a good canine team and company.
BugginOutWestVillage

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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Jun 11 2009 14:02:50
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Hollygolightly - 4 days ago »
At my wits end, I contacted KillerQueen, (who I must say is THE BEST), who came out and did an inspection. After hours of inspecting my home with no finding said that not only do I not currently have bed bugs but I NEVER DID.
Moral of the story: The dogs don't always get it right. In my case, the dog got it completely wrong. Be careful.

HollyGoLighty- Very interesting indeed. I just had a K9 inspection that got a hit on my bed and nightstand. I can find no visual signs, but then again I have not looked for hours, nor am I a pro. An hour after the inspection I got a call from Killer Queen and he reiterated that it is kind of useless to have K9 inspection without visual proof. I too, was a bit loony when the K9 and handler were here and didn't even think to ask for a visual confirmation.... EVEN THOUGH I read that here yesterday!

So, I'm not really any further along, just more freaked out! Not sure what to do next.... I have 'issues' with hives etc (albeit these were def bites I woke up with- about 12 or so- 3 each arm and 3 on ankle) and also I was at a farm over the weekend. Is it possible I could have gotten mosquito bites that didn't present/itch until 2 days later? Further, my bathroom window is open 24/7 with no screen.

I didn't get any new bites last night. I can't treat without visual proof. I am thinking this:

1) talk to neighbors and see if they are having similar experience
2) bag mattress just in case
3) do a lengthy inspection on my own
4) beg the VERY busy KillerQueen to check it out??

Any other suggestions or refutations?

Damn I wish the city could get a handle on this!!! I'm way at the point where I itch everywhere and there are psychosomatic symptoms... I feel like it's 1920. Recession and bed bugs. Yay!! : /