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finding evidence - isolated bed

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seriously phobic

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Jul 27 2010 10:16:06
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Hi all,

In brief, I'm wondering if I should tear apart an isolated bed (with climbups, but no evidence in them) to try to inspect inside my box spring for bedbugs, if I think I might have them. Or would that just spread them? Would it ever make sense to get a canine inspection or active monitor w/ only bites but no specimen? I suspect a light (so far) infestation.

Long back story, in case you're curious....

A week ago I went over to the house of a someone who had stayed at my house in early July, and found a flat, dry dead bedbug on his bathroom floor. He swears he checked his bed and dresser that night and found nothing, and has not been getting bites, but I think he might not know how to look, really, and might just not react to bites (or at least these scenarios seem possible). I heat treated or ziplocked everything I had with me that evening (except my cell phone, but that was in my purse on a high kitchen counter...).

SO, now I'm paranoid, and check my body and bed every morning. I've had cases of "delusional bedbugs" (my term) before, but this time it seems more likely. On Thursday I woke up with two red spots close together on my knee and one on my arm. Sunday, had a big red thing on my arm. This morning, two red spots close together on one leg, and a red spot on the other knee. I don't see any blood spots on my bed, and I can't be sure there are black spots that weren't there before (old sheets). I'm trying to be very proactive w/o going crazy overboard, since I have a history of going bonkers.

Given that my bed is isolated (sheets off floor, away from wall and furniture, encasement on mattress but not box spring) I'm scared that if I have a light infestation, taking my bed apart to inspect the box spring will spread things. Or maybe I'm just scared to look.

How do I proceed? I can't imagine my (I suspect unresponsive) landlord would send a PCO without a specimen...

Thanks all for your sanity-saving help!!
seriously phobic

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Jul 27 2010 16:49:04
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Hm, well I inspected my sheets, blankets, mattress pad, mattress encasement, and turned my box spring over and took a look inside. I don't see anything amiss, but I'm really not sure I'm looking right.

I'm going to clean and re-dust my climbups later today to see if those catch anything. Otherwise, I'd be interested if anyone reading this can offer advice for detection in light infestations. I don't really want to wait and see, since right now I'm terrified to have anyone over, visit anyone's house, or to infest all the other places I go to work, eat, drink, etc.

Has anyone tried David Cain's on-the-bed monitor? How does that work? Or is it worth springing for a CO2 monitor? Those wouldn't attract BBs from neighboring apartments, would they? (Nor more than my breathing does, right?)
Intelligenery

newbite
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Jul 28 2010 19:29:07
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I have the same problem, I've done exactly what you did and I'm still being bitten. It's really frustrating isn't it. I've been thinking of setting traps for the hungry monsters.

Have you tried an encasement? They may be hiding inside of your mattress, an encasement allows one to trap bedbugs from going in and out, and there's no where for a bedbug to hide either.
Mofear

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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Sep 8 2010 13:09:55
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Same problem here. I desperately need help finding evidence. I have isolated the bed, encased the mattress and box spring. A couple of weeks ago, a PCO set up a Nightwatch in my bedroom, but only for 3 days. Also, we were sleeping in the room at the same time. I have just ordered the Climb Ups. I HAVE to put an end to this. I have a desperately ill child, and the stress is making things worse. I also think I am having weird reactions to the bites---getting bruises. Also, if anyone has a recommendation for an experienced PCO in Missouri, please please IM me. Feeling incredibly desperate.
Mofear
done in

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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Dec 18 2010 19:46:52
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Interesting that you mentioned bruising. I have had a Dr. at the clinic and my own Dr.look at me like I was nuts telling them about strange new bruising. Use to have to be knocked by a hammer to get a bruise, now have them popping up everywhere. In the summer I was getting bruises on my thighs. Now I have some itching on my back accompanied by bruises. Beginning to think it is hopeless, if Dr.s don't get it,who does?
nobugsplease

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Sep 18 2011 9:49:57
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Mofear - 1 year ago »
I also think I am having weird reactions to the bites---getting bruises.
Mofear

I went to the Dr. because of a bruise from a bite and she explained to me that it was due to the vein the bug got when it bit me. I bruise very easily, by the way.
I also don't really know what bit me and have found no evidence.
nobugsplease

newbite
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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Sep 18 2011 9:52:42
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nobugsplease - 16 seconds ago »

Mofear - 1 year ago »
I also think I am having weird reactions to the bites---getting bruises.
Mofear

I went to the Dr. because of a bruise from a bite and she explained to me that it was due to the vein the bug got when it bit me. I bruise very easily, by the way.
I also don't really know what bit me and have found no evidence.

Note: I suggested a bb bite and the Dr. told me it wasn't a bb bite. I wish I had said, "Listen here, Dr., everyone reacts differently. I think I will send her a note mentioning this site. She is not my regular Dr.
Buggybumpers

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Sep 18 2011 12:56:44
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What is with those climp ups I bought from an add on this site? They have only been under the legs of my single bed for a week [I could stand to lose a little weight but I am not obese and only 5'5"] and are all cracked in the middle already! I am afraid anything climbing down from my bed will crawl out and make a harborage under the climb ups. I am very disappointed with them.

As for "finding things", I am not sure what people are expecting to see. In my nearly-a-year of fighting the beasts I have seen very few adult bugs that are easy to spot. All I see is little black dots that only become bugs when you view them with a powerful magnifying glass. And then they are no longer black but a kind of brown. The small bed bugs are difficult to see--unless it is some other kind of bug I am finding.
bed-bugscouk

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Sep 18 2011 17:27:03
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Hi Buggybumpers,

You may have better luck with the bedbug moat (squarish shaped) interceptors as I believe they have a higher build quality and are less prone to cracking. Given the number of reports of this happening and the cost of the units I am amazed that they have not redesigned them by now to stop this from happening.

Hope you have better luck with the next set, I am still not a fan of this approach but if you are going to do it the product should at least stand up to average usage.

David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited