Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Reader questions (do not fit into other categories)
Can one positively identify bedbugs by the bite?
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SuitcaseBug
newbite
Joined: Apr '07
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Posted 6 years ago
Fri Apr 6 2007 14:35:32
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Wondering if an MD or ER nurse can identify bedbug bites or is the only way to positively identify an infestation from evidence of the actual bugs. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks.
(We're all bitten and on the road...)
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Bugalina
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Posted 6 years ago
Fri Apr 6 2007 15:18:05
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They are doctors who might be willing to...If you are in America...I wouldn't count on it...Their pathology in terms of bed bugs is limited...( I speak from experience ! )... depends where you are...but its worth a try, the only thing is that if they tell you its not a bed bug bite....it's your word versus theirs...having evidence is best...take some photos....do the the bites itch?? are they they evenly spaced ?? In multiples or circles ???
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Bugalina
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Posted 6 years ago
Fri Apr 6 2007 15:46:57
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I just saw your post that the bites are on your tummies and tushes....without any thing to go on..but this..i will say that a favorite spot to bite is the stomach...that's where I got the most of my bites...Since you are in the States you have access to Ziplocks etc...
I thought you were out of the country....Get some Murphy's Oil Soap with Citrus..and wash everything down...take your clothes to a dry cleaners asap..( tell the dry cleaners the truth)...upon picking them up seal everything..wire brush everything down...tell the hotel you are in...maybe they can help you...It's so much better for everyone if you tell them....Is so unfortunate...people take trips and this happens...and what beenbugged says is true...better to throw something questionable away than to keep it and suffer a potential infestation...welcome to the world of bed bugs...probably !! Oh and another thing..report that cheapo motel asap to the local health dept...please.. -
your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 6 years ago
Fri Apr 6 2007 16:55:07
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The appearance can vary WIDELY. I have heard some people say they were getting some kind of biopsy from a doctor, I am not sure what they meant. I think doctors can test whether an insect caused this, and that may be enough for you--coupled with appearance--to say its bed bugs.
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S
Bite Researcher
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 185offline
Posted 6 years ago
Fri Apr 6 2007 18:30:52
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Hey Suitcase, you might want to look on the main blog, bedbugger.com, and click the link for "bite photos." There are a couple photos posted there, and a bunch of links at the bottom to other bedbug bite photos.
That said, they seem to look different on almost everyone.
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Bugalina
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Posted 6 years ago
Fri Apr 6 2007 19:10:53
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one common occurrance in the bites..is that even line...not all bites show up like this..but that even line of one, two three...that's pretty indicative...Also I ask people , of all the traveling you've done and all the years you've lived, have any bites like this ever shown up on you and your family members after having stayed in a "cheapo" motel ( as you put it)....when there is an epidemic of bed bugs...This is the big question you have to ask yourself Suitcase..
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SuitcaseBug
newbite
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 8offline
Posted 6 years ago
Fri Apr 6 2007 23:16:57
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Bugalina--
Yes, I've had bites like this before. I've thought mosquitoes or even fleas from a movie theatre once. But I remember swatting the mosquitoes and the flea bites were only on my ankles. This time, I've been outside in bugs quite a bit, but nothing like what is developing on my legs now. There are no clusters, just hard raised bumps. I think I have to guess that they are bedbugs and deal with it. Now that you know I'm in the States, do you think I should scrub down suitcases and shoes with Murphy's or 91% alcohol as you said earlier?
Again, many thanks to you and everyone who is taking the time to respond. -
Bugalina
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Posts: 508offline
Posted 6 years ago
Sat Apr 7 2007 6:39:32
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Fleas bite usually only on the lower parts of body...I never had fleas but a friends Mother did..and remember him getting bitten on the ankles...If these bites are on all of your family, and on the tush and tummy..well that's indicative to me....Yes I would wash everything down with Murphy's Oil and/or 91 percent alcohol...and put everything into sealed ziplock bags...and if you think you can..I would throw the suitcases away...Are you driving home??? As S mentioned, sorry to second the bad news, bed bugs can infest a car...so be very very careful...If you are staying at the hotel for a week or some days, maybe you can order some Bed Bug Terminator...or Kleen Free...second day UPS or overnite...and even some DE...the sellers of these bed bug products advertise on this site I think, and on the web.....google them...Kleen Free and/or Bed Bug Terminator...they are enzyme cleaners...you can spray/soak your stuff down with them...and they don't hurt fabric..they are only contact killers, but can be useful to get into hard to see places...and then you can order some DE..fresh good grade...and dust it lightly into the bags or the trunk of your car...I am going away for the weekend so I won't be able to reply...but be very proactive..please...my thoughts are with you..>Deb
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yikes33
newbite
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1offline
Posted 6 years ago
Mon Apr 9 2007 2:37:41
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i've been getting bites for over 2 years now. My cat's have had "fleas" or so my mom assumes.. but they wont go away! we've giveen them baths and beyond. i first started getting the bites on my ankles.. and now they have slowly moved up. I'm a very paranoid person and always believe there's something wrong. My mom has always told me "i don't know what to tell you, they can't be the fleas, they're not biting anyone else but you" and then i read the article on SF chronicle.. and asked her what she thought, and she yelled at me again this time sayin it is the fleas. I looked through the pictures.. and found that some looked just like the bites on me. I just want an explanation. I've been dealing with the itchy bites for so long, and have scars all over from them. I just wanted to know if bedbug bites leave scars? My mom has bought stuff to prevent itching.. from bug bites, but says nothing about bed bug bites.. and does not work to prevent the itching whatsoever. i've seen the bugs.. but i cannot tell if they're fleas or bed bugs! HELP!!
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 6 years ago
Mon Apr 9 2007 3:02:09
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Yikes33,
My hunch is that if you had fleas for 2 years, you'd eventually see one.
If you enter a room with fleas and flip the lights on, I've heard you should see them hopping.Also, in two years, you'd probably catch one on your skin or wherever they were biting you. Others have said they can infest bedding, though it appears more usual that they live on the floor or in carpets or on pets (as Bugalina said, they often bite ankles). If your cats were infested you'd see them on the cats.
While many or even most people see bed bugs at some point (esp. after a long time), some don't, especially if they are not looking. You should click the button below that says FAQS and read the Bed Bugs 101 FAQs, which should help you know what to look for.
If you're renting, your landlord is probably liable for treating this.
People experience different levels of allergic reaction to bed bugs, which is why the bites don't always look the same, and why some people have bites but no itching, or no visible bites. (Some may not be bitten, but I am pretty sure many are bitten and just are not producing a visible histamine reaction.)
Hope that helps!
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keli449
newbite
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 4offline
Posted 5 years ago
Sat Aug 25 2007 13:06:06
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My bites almost always occure on my legs and arms 1 time on my back but out of over 1 hundred bites have occured on my legs.
keli
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