Can bed bugs just... go away? « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

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Can bed bugs just... go away?

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socks_socks

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Posted 10 months ago
Sat Jul 14 2012 21:38:25
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About two months ago I started noticing the occasional bite on my skin--mostly my torso or arms. It was just random at first, one or two a week, but eventually it got to the point where I would have at least one every night. The bites didn't seem like BB bites (they were small, not round and shiny) but I was worried.

I washed all my bedding and tore apart the bed looking for evidence of bed bugs, but I found nothing. I intended to buy mattress covers and put them on the bed, but I work full time, am in college full time, and live by myself--finding the time to do it when I could get someone to help me lift the heavy mattress is tough.

About three weeks ago... the bites stopped.
Just cold turkey. I didn't do anything different. I'm just not seeing bites anymore. Dear God, I'm knocking on wood as I type this.

My question is: can bed bugs go away on their own? Is there anything else you can think of that would be a temporary infestation? Am I kidding myself thinking that the problem took care of itself?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks!
P Bello

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Posted 10 months ago
Sat Jul 14 2012 23:21:59
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Dear socks,

If you had an established bed bug infestation i would not think that it would simply "go away" on it's own. Perhaps this mite occure with certain types of mites but I'm unsure of this.

In any case, you are wise to remain vigilant.

I hope your situation remains as you currently report ! paul b.
lifekeepshappening

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Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jul 15 2012 0:13:38
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Maybe your bugs are biting you only when they can't get someone easier? Like, a neighbor or a sleep/housemate who happens not to react to the bites.

My kids' beds have infestations thanks to summer camp. The bugs bite me if the kids are away for the night and I'm alone. While my fiance stayed here I had no bites - I think they were biting him and he doesn't react to bites.

Do your bites coincide with someone nearby not sleeping there?
buggied

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Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jul 15 2012 0:38:15
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Maybe you only brought in a male bed bug and it died....that would be luck.
realbugger

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Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jul 15 2012 14:00:50
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I lived in a place with bed bugs. 1 roommate says he saw 1 bug and it bites him, he killed it.

after that, he never saw anymore bugs so 8 months.

when I moved in, the bugs thought I was something tasty and I was covered head to toe in bites.

another roommate moved in around the same time and had a few bites on his back. he freaked out and found another place 2 days later.
socks_socks

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Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jul 15 2012 14:35:12
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Thanks all!

I live alone, so I don't think there's anyone else they could be biting--I am in a townhouse, so they could have come in from the neighbor's, but the neighbors never really leave.

Found a bug on my windowsill today though, so I'm worrying. I posted a pic in another topic (hope that's okay, not sure of the etiquette here) so we'll see.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 10 months ago
Sun Jul 15 2012 20:41:31
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If you were getting bites every night, it would not be a single bed bug.

Paul mentioned mites. I wonder if it could also be bat bugs or swallow bugs. Both are close relatives of bed bugs. They move to humans when the bat or swallow is gone. We're told they can't start a colony while feeding on human blood, so perhaps they would fit this pattern of dying off?

I am definitely not an expert and am just speculating.