Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug bites, skin, etc.
Help! Tell me I am not crazy.
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suspicious
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 34
Posted 12 months ago
Sat Mar 21 2009 1:51:57
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I have been seeing black specks on the floor, sheets and some on walls and doors in our apartment for about four months now. I found some black dots on the chair that our cat always lays on in the living room. She does have fleas but the spots are like tar dots rather than the flakes that I am used to seeing from flea poop. Don't think it is litter from her paws because on the floors and material it is really stuck on there like it was dropped there wet and dried...again it is like tar and very hard to get out of the material even after washed and I must scrap it off the floor or rub super hard with the mop to get it up.
I have found a small amount of blood splattered like paint on the floor near my side of the bed at the head. I figured my cat had caught some bug or had hurt herself but still thought it strange and it puzzled me. I have since found a couple blood smears and one was in the shape of a circle.
We all have bug bites (my husband, my three kids and myself) while my six year old daughter has three small bites together on her wrist with a rash of dry red skin all around. The rest of us have small dot like bites that are slightly red around on our chests, backs, arms and hands. Not so much on our legs or feet.
I started reading this forum as well as the website (great resource) a few days ago. I read somewhere that BB love wood. We have an old wood dresser and mirror that I figured BB would love to hide in because they are located not too far at all from the end of our bed. I found some old spots like the black ones I have been finding but these were brown (I assume becaues they are old) located inside one of the top side drawers. Next, I checked the front of the mirror (it is not attatched to anything and sits upright against the wall) but didn't find anything. I flipped it over and started examining the back with a small flashlight on my cell phone. I put the light on what I thought was a white speck but then the thing started to crawl and I could clearly see that it was a very small clear flat bug. It resembled a small tick but was clear. It did resemble the photos of BB nymphs I have found here but I don't remember seeing a black colored center in the bug. I went to get some tape to capture it but when I came back it was gone...no surprise. The bug didn't move quickly but crawled along rather slowly. I have read that BB are fast so I am not sure if they are slower at this nymph stage or not. My husband called the landlord but he has never even heard of BBs before. We live in Switzerland. I know about them because I grew up with the old "goodnight, sleeptight, don't let the BB bite". He asked that he be allowed time to research what they are and in the meantime he would like us to try and catch one. So, I went in our room and took the mirror apart. I was terrified that once I lifted the back up I would see several BBs together in a colony as I have seen in photos of mattresses and behind baseboards. However, I found nothing. Not even the missing bug I saw earlier. I couldn't get the mirror backing apart without breaking it permenately out from the frame which would make my husband angry I am sure. Otherwise, I would have. There is the mirror in front and then the backing for the mirror which is glass behind. So, I wonder if it is possible for the BBs to be in between these two pieces of glass but they aren't suppose to like glass much right?
I didn't sleep in our room last night for fear of them searching out someone especially since I may have disturbed them. I left my husband in there alone while I stayed up most of the night for the second time in a row. I will see if he has new bites this morning. :) I know the couch is most likely full of them too but I woke up with any crawling sensations. Unfortunately, I woke up often whether the sensations were real or not. I am, also, worried that they will migrate to another hiding place because I took the mirror apart if they were inside.
I am constanting itching and looking over every single speck of black, red, white or brown. I haven't found any real evidence other than the black spots like tar on the sheets and floor next to the beds, the blood slatter on the floor along with a couple blood smears and one spot on our sheet and the small clear bug on the back of the mirror which it dissapeared into. My husband thinks I am crazy but he must be suspicious as well since he did call the landlord to tell him that I thought we may have bedbugs and ask if anyone else has found them in our building. I have seen two couchs go out the building plus a mattress. One couch was fine with nothing I could see wrong with it but I saw the owner taking in a "new" couch that was leather with a hole taped up on the side. That did not make any sense to me. Who switches out a perfectly fine couch for one with a big taped up hole? He left the old couch in the hallway (stairwell) for three weeks before he hauled the new one in and took the old one out. His apartment is right across from ours. The woman above us replaced her couch recently but I have no idea who got rid of the mattress I saw sitting by the road to be picked up. My husband told me to quit speculating and that even if we do have BBs we can only work on getting rid of them and making sure that the landlord tells all the other tenents. It doesn't matter who brought them. But, I am scared because if we do have them it doesn't look like people here have much experience with it (perhaps even exterminators) since I can't find much info in the local language online in regard to BBs. I am, also, worried they will not take it seriously since many people may not know about it or will be too embarraced to admit they have it even if the landlord is asking. I can see my neighbors not owning up to it for fear that others outside the building will find out and just spraying thinking that it will be taken care of that way.
My questions are:
Is there anyway that the tiny clear bug I saw is some kind of spider, mite or tick that lives in a house on wood furniture? I searched the internet but none of the pics look like what I saw. Has anyone seen this kind of insect in their home that was NOT a BB nymph?
If we have had BBs for as long as I have seen the black spots (about four months) shouldn't I have found a BB somewhere? I have read about others seeig them on pillow or the seams of the mattress. I have looked everywhere and turned all the mattresses upside down carefully searching along the seams for anything that looked like photos I have seen online. Nothing. Wouldn't they have made a nest on one of the mattresses or one of the beds by now? We have a simple futon mattress that is filled with cotton sewen together inside.
If we do have them based on the evidence I have found then they are most likely in the entire apartment since I have found the black spots in almost every room but the bathroom and kitchen. How long does it take for BBs to spread over a three bedroom apartment with three small kids running from bed to bed not to mention the couch playing?
If we do have BBs is there a chance my two girls will pass them on to friends or classmates? My girls are in the same classroom.
I am sorry this is so long but I wanted to get up as much info as possible. I feel like I am going crazy and should just stop worrying about it but I don't want to let it go until I am sure that we are clear because I don't want it to spread.
Thank you beforehand for any information or help you are willing to take the time to share.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 6,167
Posted 12 months ago
Sat Mar 21 2009 2:25:30
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Bed bugs are everywhere.
In the last six months, we've had 198 different visitors to this website from 132 Swiss cities and towns. The largest numbers were in Zurich and Geneva, but they were from all over. And of course, many people probably have bed bugs in Switzerland and are not looking at an English website, or any bed bug website at all. SO I would expect Switzerland has a significant bed bug problem, just like everywhere else, even if people are not talking about it much, or don't yet understand it.
It is possible to have bed bugs and be bitten for four months without seeing a bed bug.
It is also possible that the small clear bug you saw was a nymph.You should rule out fleas and any other possibilities.
The largest, most well-known pest control firm may be more likely to have encountered bed bugs. But if you really have looked carefully and seen no signs, then it may be early stage and be difficult to detect. There is a possibility you are being bitten somewhere you all go regularly, also.
Although glue boards are not very effective at catching bed bugs, they would certainly not hurt. You might place them surrounding the feet of beds, as long as pets would not make contact with them. Others may have additional suggestions.
Sometimes a university entomologist will be helpful also.
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suspicious
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 34
Posted 12 months ago
Sat Mar 21 2009 5:08:42
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Thank you for your reply. I agree that Switzerland probably has the same problem as the rest of the world. I think people just don't talk about it or really understand it.
I think we are going to have to wait until I either find a bug or drive my husband so nuts he will hire someone himself to come look at the apartment. Honestly, if these bugs hide that well I think many people do have them and don't have a clue.
Is it possible to go forever without knowing? That is scary.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 6,167
Posted 12 months ago
Sat Mar 21 2009 22:57:43
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No, I don't think you can go forever without knowing. In the absence of any other detection methods, I'd at least make a stab at the glue pads. They are not likely to catch lots of bed bugs, but why not try?
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suspicious
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 34
Posted 12 months ago
Mon Mar 23 2009 10:06:32
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I have photos of the black spots I have been finding as well as two bugs and a possible shell of a larger one. I am not sure what I caught is a bedbug or not or if the photos are good enough to tell. I hope they are. I haven't slept much the last four days.
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww20/suspiciousandwatching/
Nobugsonme - 1 day ago »
No, I don't think you can go forever without knowing. In the absence of any other detection methods, I'd at least make a stab at the glue pads. They are not likely to catch lots of bed bugs, but why not try? -
spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,614
Posted 12 months ago
Mon Mar 23 2009 10:30:19
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Wait for a real expert to venture an opinions but it looks too segmented and elongated to be a BB.
Nice shot for ID though.
Jim
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Hi,
I have had a look through the images and only 1 of them shows something I would suspect could be BB's and that is image 25 the black mark just away from the finger is classic BB appearance.
Most of the marks on the white sheets are washed in a few times and too diffuse to identify accurately. The intake tar like ones do not appear to be BB faeces to my eye and I have a collection of several thousand images to compare against.
Now I cant explain why but I would say that is the mark in 25 is BB related it is at least 6 months old. I would do a Q-Tip saliva rubbing test on it to see what colour it goes.
If you can collect some of the black tar like flecks please let me know via PM and I will give you a postal address to send them to. I have a new digital microscope set up and waiting new and exciting things to examine.
Hope that helps, the best thing however will be to try and capture a sample for positive identification.
Regards,
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
suspicious
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 34
Posted 12 months ago
Mon Mar 23 2009 17:22:10
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Hello! I don't know if it was clear that the longer "bug" is actually two bugs together. One of the bugs was attatched to the other bugs bottom and didn't want to let go.
spideyjg - 6 hours ago »
Wait for a real expert to venture an opinions but it looks too segmented and elongated to be a BB.
Nice shot for ID though.
Jim -
suspicious
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 34
Posted 12 months ago
Mon Mar 23 2009 17:30:10
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If I find another one I will be sure to send it to you. Thanks.
BBcoukHome - 2 hours ago »
Hi,
I have had a look through the images and only 1 of them shows something I would suspect could be BB's and that is image 25 the black mark just away from the finger is classic BB appearance.
Most of the marks on the white sheets are washed in a few times and too diffuse to identify accurately. The intake tar like ones do not appear to be BB faeces to my eye and I have a collection of several thousand images to compare against.
Now I cant explain why but I would say that is the mark in 25 is BB related it is at least 6 months old. I would do a Q-Tip saliva rubbing test on it to see what colour it goes.
If you can collect some of the black tar like flecks please let me know via PM and I will give you a postal address to send them to. I have a new digital microscope set up and waiting new and exciting things to examine.
Hope that helps, the best thing however will be to try and capture a sample for positive identification.
Regards,
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
suspicious
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 34
Posted 11 months ago
Sun Apr 5 2009 4:44:18
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I have used double sided tape under the legs of my bed and in front of my doorway into my bedroom. I caught a springtail and another bug that I think may be a BB. It was caught going out of the bedroom at the doorway. It is located in the middle of the photo at the top edge of the tape a little to the right. The photo starts at 30 percent but you can enlarge it to 100 percent. I can email it to anyone who would like an even close look. Thanks in advance for your time. I appreciate it more than you can imagine.
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww20/suspiciousandwatching/?action=view¤t=033-3.jpg
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Hi,
I have had a quick look and initial suspicion is a Pscocid, it would help if you could let us know the size of the squares on the tape.
I will post more when I am not rushing out of the door.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
suspicious
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 34
Posted 11 months ago
Sun Apr 5 2009 5:40:07
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I just took another shot of the bug after I had pulled up the tape and attatched it to some paper. I can now see that it may have what looks like wings. Boy, you are good to tell so quickly what it is! :)
Do these need to be exterminated and will they damage wood items in the apartment? Do they bite humans?
Thank you so much, David!
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suspicious
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 34
Posted 11 months ago
Sun Apr 5 2009 5:40:40
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Link to new photo of bug with possible wings.
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww20/suspiciousandwatching/?action=view¤t=052.jpg
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buggyinsocal
oldtimer
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,259
Posted 11 months ago
Sun Apr 5 2009 9:34:28
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I'll feel better when I hear this from one of the experts on the site, but it looks like book lice are nuisances that don't really do damage to wood or people.
http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/booklice.html
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I confirm it's a book lice (Psocoptera)
http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/foltz/eny3005/lab1/Psocoptera_2.jpg -
suspicious
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 34
Posted 11 months ago
Sun Apr 5 2009 12:02:03
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Thanks everyone! I feel better now about everything. My kids are still getting bites on their faces but we do have fleas in the home. I am still not ruling out BBs because of some black spots on sheets and floors. However, I am feeling more and more confident while keeping in mind that doesn't always mean we are in the clear.
Thanks again for all of your help. I have been reading this forum over the last month and I have to say that it is supportive and helpful in so many ways such as information and encouragement.
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suspicious
newbite
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 34
Posted 11 months ago
Thu Apr 16 2009 3:15:19
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I found another bug. I don't know what it is. I found it while I was sweeping off the frame of my son's bed. It is a kids bed from Ikea that you can pull out to make longer. So, I pulled it out to sweep inside the frame that is usually pushed in since my son is only around four years old. As I was sweeping I pushed the bed frame over and found this bug under the frame on the floor. I thought it strange because I had just swept the floor before I started on the frame. We have that new kind of wood flooring so it is super easy to see things on the floor.
I put the bug inside an old camera film container along with various other bugs and lent that I thought might be bugs :) that I have been collecting over the last month. If it looks suspicious I put it in there until I can photograph it so that I can see what it is up close.
The black bug is at the top of the container. In the first two photos it is flipped over on its back. In the last two it is up right. There are four photos which can be enlarged to 100 percent.
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww20/suspiciousandwatching/
I don't think it is a BB because of the antenna which are short. However, I have never seen a BB and don't want to dismiss it without having someone that knows look look at it. Because of how I found the bug after I had pulled the frame apart makes me want to be more careful.
I am still finding black spots on the sheets and there are still bites. But, I have not found anything else besides this bug and the other misc bugs and lent that are in the film container.
Do fleas leave black spots that don't come up out your sheets and clothes? These spots do not wash out. The majority of the spots are on the bedding (mostly the bottom sheet) but I have found them on our clothes (mostly shirts), one on the back of my son's jacket, two on my youngest daughter's cloth gym sack, sleeping clothes, and some on the covers I put on our couch and chair in the living room. The sizes of the spots vary between tiny specks the size of a pin to as large as a blob half an inch long.
Can BBs explode in the dryer causing larger blobs on the material?
Thanks ahead to anyone that takes the time to look at the photos and/or comment back.
I am still watching for signs of BBs because of the spots on our sheets and clothing. I cannot figure out how these spots are getting there. I thought it may be from the washer or dryer but since I have been watching for that I know it isn't from there. So, I am still suspicious and searching for an explanation to these spots. Our bedding and clothes are getting ruined by them.
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It's an adult carpet beetle, possibly from the genus Anthrenus.
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