HELP! Everything is pointing to bedbugs but no signs....

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HELP! Everything is pointing to bedbugs but no signs....

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jborer

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Posted 3 years ago
Wed Jan 13 2010 18:43:34
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I bought a used mattress exactly a month ago (stupid of me) and immediately afterwards my girlfriend started noticing real itchy bites on her ankles and lower leg. We assumed something was going on at her house because i was not getting bet. However, as time passed we noticed that she consistently woke up with more bites on her ankles and legs.

I did some research and found that her bites looked like they could be bed bugs and it would explain why i wasnt getting bit and why they started soon after i got my mattress. HOWEVER, we haven't seen any scat marks, blood or skins. Today I had a perfessional come by and he examined my mattress and bed frame and said i would DEFINITELY be able to see more signs if i had bed bugs. I dont want to discredit his opinion but ive read hear infestations can start with no signs. I have a white mattress and there are no black marks anywhere!

Any advice? Is there anything else anyone can think of that could be causing my girlfriend to get bit for over a month? Should I consult a second opinion and still take precautions as if i had bed bugs (remove things from under bed, wash clothes ect.) Thanks
Nobugsonme

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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Jan 14 2010 1:25:32
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If they're ONLY on the ankles and lower legs, it might be fleas. A plugin flea trap can tell you if you have them. Just an idea.

I can't advise on how much you'd see if the problem was brought in only a month ago, but some of the experts may be able to.
jborer

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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Jan 14 2010 4:33:42
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Her bites are Mostly on legs and ankles....one exists on elbow. The mattress was brought in a month ago but probably contained them before making its way to my house. But still, its only been in my room a month and there are no signs of any bugs except bites.

My girlfriend is gonna spend a few nights at her place and see if anything changes. Hopefully if i do have bugs they havent traveled there...
BBcoukHome

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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Jan 14 2010 10:19:38
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Hi,

If you cant see any faecal traces, cast skins or live samples then I would investigate fleas and a dust mite allergy before assuming its bed bugs.

Bite responses are NOT and accurate diagnostic tool for bed bugs where are too variable to be used.

If you suspect fleas use a plug in flea trap and for dust mites a deep clean and the use of a dust mite mattress encasement.

David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited
Nobugsonme

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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Jan 14 2010 12:50:46
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Well, I should have said "if bites are mostly on legs and ankles..." flea bites elsewhere are not unknown.
jborer

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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Jan 14 2010 15:49:49
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Im going to go get a new mattress and see if anything changes. The bites started right after i picked up the new mattress so either there is some crazy coincidence or theirs mites/bugs/some weird creature in the mattress. Ive had white sheets since i got the mattress a month ago and havent seen the slightest trace of fecal stains or blood so we're now starting to think other causes. Thanks for everyones post.
somebugsinToronto

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Posted 3 years ago
Thu Jan 14 2010 15:55:43
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Also to note - if she is getting bitten everyday, it would mean there are alot of bugs, and you would think you could see some sort of evidence. I think a single bug only bites every few days or so.
You could also try getting a really good mattress encasement instead of a new mattress.

Good luck!
jborer

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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Jan 15 2010 21:44:24
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A little update....I did a thorough clean of my room, vacuum, dust, wash furniture with wood soap. Ive been sleeping in my bed, still haven't been bitten or see any other signs of bed bugs. My girlfriend has been sleeping at her place and has not gotten bit the last two nights.

Im in the market for a new mattress or just a cover, haven't decided yet which path im going to take. Im going to have her sleep here again in a few days and see what happens. Hopefully removing all the dust and dirt from under my bed removed some pests...

Im definitely leaning towards mites or some other pests but i dont want to abandon bed bugs yet and risk spreading them. Its still weird that shes the only one getting bit. Anyway, hope this mystery gets solved soon.
Spun

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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Jan 16 2010 0:18:58
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jborer - 1 day ago »
Her bites are Mostly on legs and ankles....one exists on elbow. The mattress was brought in a month ago but probably contained them before making its way to my house. But still, its only been in my room a month and there are no signs of any bugs except bites.
My girlfriend is gonna spend a few nights at her place and see if anything changes. Hopefully if i do have bugs they havent traveled there...
Please, tell her not to do this without taking every precaution not to hitch hike them to her place. She should thoroughly bath and where cloth's that have been heat treated in the dryer and encased in plastic bags or dress off location.
WheredTheyComeFrom

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Posted 11 months ago
Mon Jun 18 2012 17:36:53
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I don't have answers, but I do have a similar situation. I've been getting bites for around a month, starting roughly around the time that we stayed in a hotel. Mine are on my shoulders and ankles mostly, but they're in clusters or lines of three. The mattress looks completely clean. My boyfriend isn't itchy at all. Last week, we found a bed bug and are now in the process of trying to eradicate them.

I really hope you don't have them, but I thought it would help to know that in my experience, the clean mattress wasn't a sure sign of no bed bugs.
WheredTheyComeFrom

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Posted 11 months ago
Mon Jun 18 2012 17:38:05
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and neither was the fact that my boyfriend wasn't getting bit. Apparently not everybody reacts to the bites.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 11 months ago
Mon Jun 18 2012 19:04:49
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WTCF,

You probably did ot notice, it the posts you replied to are two years old. (You can see this by looking at the information under the poster's name.). You aren't likely to get a reply, and replying to old posts moves them "up" in the list of active topics, bumping others down, so in general, I would not recommend it.