Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Tales of Bed Bug Woe
DId they follow me?
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notagain
newbite
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 4
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 6 2007 11:23:06
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I never thought I'd be facing this again but here I am. I had bedbugs in D.C., a pretty bad infestation plus a pretty bad PCO which equaled months of a kind of hell we all know. But I had an out because I had to move to san francisco so I got rid of furniture, washed and dried all my clothes and bags and packed up every other little thing which was sealed and moved into my parent's basement. I came to san francisco with three bags of clothes, my laptop adn not much else.
About two weeks later, started getting a little paranoid, found one "bite" on my wrist, but I've had one there before so I didn't worry too much. Then, this past friday there were three or four marks on my leg in a line. I proceeded to cry. This whole ordeal made me stronger, more able to deal with many things, but I didn't think I could face bedbugs again, anything but bedbugs. Especially since I was just staying with a friend, not even in my own place yet. Another roommate had two itchy bites that he thought were spider bites, he got the two bites in about a week...around the same time I got mine.
I'm afraid I bought them in my laptop so I'm getting it cleaned. I have't gotten any new bites nor has the other roommate, and we have washed and dried hundreds of dollars of laundry this weekend and steamed a lot of other things.
The bites I got weren't really itchy but it seems foolish to try to believe they are anything else.
My plan is to have a PCO come inspect, but I am guessing the infestation, if there, is so small they won't find anything. And if they say they won't treat, I'll get some DE and we will live out of bags for a few weeks until we know for sure.
I am already sleeping on an air mattress, so that's easier, but this is an old house with lots of cracks.
Any suggestions? IT's cold here right now so I know the little guys aren't in their favorite climate, but it's supposed to get warmer in a month or so.
Ahhhhhh it's hard to remain hopeful! -
Bugalina
senior member
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 508
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 6 2007 11:43:04
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notagain...I would remain very proactive...what else can you do !! If the PCO will give a proactive treatment, I would do it...also how long are you planning on being in this "old house"...if you are planning on staying there for a while then maybe you should consider making it as bed bug UNfriendly as possible....like caulking as many cracks and crevices as possible and removing any peeling wallpaper and dusting all of the electrical outlets with DE , investing in a decent vacumm, and removing any carpet and sealing the wooden floors with a good coat of polyeurthane...these are some suggestions...so sorry for your plight...bed bugs are awful..deb
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willow-the-wisp
banned
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 1,530
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 6 2007 11:55:01
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Hi notagain, Could it be that the new place had the bugs? More and more, I'm reading how when people, taking decisive and very correct actions before moving, find they still have bed bugs. I'd not wait a few weeks: I'd remain vigilant for at least a full month. Remember the breeding cycle ... The little ones that can live for up to 6 weeks, without feeding, under favorable conditions is one of the roots of this many rooted problem.
I would keep an eye out for 2 months, based on that one fact alone.
I'm tired of this wait for two weeks without signs or symptoms of any Bed bug activity.
It is way too short in my books. I saw no signs for over 2 months--yet they are back.I am the bait, yes, but I am the bait that does not want to (nor needs to) bet bitten.
It takes more than a proactive mindset--it takes guts determination and so much patience (not to mention money, mental and physical scars--and the entire social stigma that goes with Bed bug infestations.) Keep watchful for at least a few months. Regardless of what any PCO says—That’s my sound advice to you and to all! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Bed bugs literally sweep thru neighborhoods. People do not treat 100% + the extra time needed to remain vigilant. This fact is reflected in my local Laundromat. 4 months ago—lots of people were in there in a semi panicked state. Lately … many of them are now back doing all of their laundry AGAIN. Now …? It is a bit less like a freak-show. I hope they have learned it takes MUCH more than MERELY doing laundry to get rid of the little blood suckers. Even the way we do laundry needs to be specific. See laundry FAQ here and do not veer from it. The other FAQS are good and sound practices too!
I’m sorry this is happening to you yet again—me too, it has re-occurred. So at least you are not alone. Many find this out the hard way—It sounds like you did everything right the first time.
For me—they are just in the area so a potential re-infestation remains until all are made aware and government funds are put in place, for education and irradiation.
Please keep us informed. -
A lot of PCOs will treat. Many people say th first PCO they saw found no signs, but the second or third was willing to treat anyway (meaning they thought it was plausible for some reason, either the prior infestation, the bites, or whatever). Also, you may have gotten a new infestation: SF is very infested. i'd get a PCO in and have a few inspect if you need to.
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notagain
newbite
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 4
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 6 2007 18:39:29
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Well I just scheduled a PCO who will come tomorrow morning. I think I will also order some DE. By any chance do you know which chemicals are helpful in proactive treatments?
Has anybody ever heard of them stowing away in laptops? I wonder if something else is happening and I'm just being paranoid and maybe over reacting a little but I'm also confident that it's soon enough that if they are there I can get them before it's too bad. Or maybe that's just as naive as thinking they are something else...
Caulking sounds like a pretty good idea, too. I will look into how much that costs.
Now, I just have to remember how to keep on enjoying life while I possibly go through this again.
Thanks for the advice! -
I would hold off on self-treating with DE or anything until you have the PCO. Some of them don't want you to use DE or other self-treatments and others will want to lay down guidelines. But fresh water food grade DE can be good for prevention or in the new home in a case like yours, IMHO.
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notagain
newbite
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 4
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Aug 7 2007 12:08:07
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The PCO came adn said he found no signs and I still haven't gotten any new bites, neither has the other roommate so I'm starting to think there aren't any. I think I will get some food grade DE though and sprinkle it in the cracks, I just don't think getting PCO after PCO until one says they will spray is economically worth it especially since I'm not completely convinced I have the bugs (and it wouldn't take that much to convince me). It's just so hard to say...but I feel like these steps, and living out of bags for a little while, might be satisfactory for the low level of possible activity.
hmmmmmmmm....where are the bed bug umpires to tell me I'm safe or out of bounds? -
Bugalina
senior member
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 508
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Aug 7 2007 14:20:38
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notagain....Its your call....your money...Is your bedding all encased with the protective covers??? As well as your pillows?? I would get some Kleen Free and spray clean ...and vacuum and use some DE ..in a sock..and hit it...so that it makes a light dusting...I want to believe that you don't have them, but also I would think that in the early stages any traces of them are hard to find....keep looking in bright lite and with a flashlite...hopefully , time will pass and you will feel more certain that you don't have them...
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notagain
newbite
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 4
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Aug 7 2007 15:31:35
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The bed I'm in is an air mattress, has been the whole time. The other person who maybe had bites has an itchy back now, but they look different then the two bites from before...just sort of pimply...
i just don't know what to do. I will look up kleen free, i'm never heard of it.
thanks all -
Was it a careful inspection, NA? I would have another PCO inspect at the first additional sign, a second opinion if you get any other bites or signs, and I would monitor and search carefully myself of course. Keep a bite diary. In this circumstance, it is best in my opinion to clean thoroughly rather than wait for anything that might be there to take hold.
A bug in a laptop is said to be not very likely but it is certainly possible, no question. But it could have been any other thing that you brought with you, so remain vigilant. Don't worry about being paranoid. You can relax when you are certain it was a false alarm.
Good luck.
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