Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Reader questions (do not fit into other categories)
hives
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Janell
newbite
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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 0:02:32
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I got hives from my bites. Im going insane. Im waiting on my spray to spray the heck out of this place and my things.
My question though is do hives still appear if the bugs are gone?I dont know if i still have some somewhere or if hives just dont go away right of way
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lil_bit_obsessed
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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 2:19:40
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hi janell. a bit of background might help, how many treatments have you had so far? how long have you had the infestation?
when i was at the height of my infestation, i still got hives even when i wasn't getting bit (for example, when i was away traveling for three weeks). there are posts on the website about lingering sensations, it IS likely possible that you could still have skin reactions without any new bites. however that having been said, if you haven't been treated yet, or have only had one or two treatments, it might not be a good idea to let your guard down just yet...
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Janell
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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 5:06:35
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I couldnt find any posts on the matter. I think I noticed the hives late november and just recently discovered it was bedbugs. I sometimes saw these bug but didnt realize what they were. No one was diagnosing me with anything. I have a med that was not working so I stopped taking it.
Thanks to google I saw the pic of the bug and I for sure have them. They were mostly in my couch and a few in my bed. I have found some here and there in other areas. I have double sided tape along the floor boards and beds. I cleaned and vaccumed everything but waiting on my bed bug spray.
I thought they were gone or at least a good portion since my hives and bites were going away. THen i found a bunch of new ones today. After I made this post I found one under my chair and a couple on the lamp.
I just want to scream and cry. -
fightorflight
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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 5:51:36
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LilBit is right.
I am still getting hives, months later, in addition to all kinds of other bite marks. Or what I think is happening is these are the old bites manifesting themselves anew. And a lot of them still flare up with itchies then subside. This is generally seconded by our community - lots of different bite manifestations on the same person, often lingering longer than the active biting.
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Janell
newbite
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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 13:42:47
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Well that is kind of a relief to know they can happen without the bugs but then again it can paranoi you.
Thanks for the input. -
lil_bit_obsessed
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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 14:26:09
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you said you are waiting for your spray, do you mean you are waiting for a PCO to come in? or are you waiting for a do it yourself spray to arrive? you should take a look at the FAQs on hiring a PCO. if you are seeing that many, chances are there are many more. not to freak you out or anything. but professional help is likely the best way to go.
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currentinsomniac
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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 14:59:16
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I still have bites appearing on me after the fact... but I have noticed that some are in exact places that I previously had bites. So either bugs really like the same place, or the old bites occasionally flare up.
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Janell
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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 16:30:25
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its thwart bed bug do it your self spray. Ive gotten rid of furniture and whats left is gonna get sprayed. Plus every basebored, trimming nook and cranny is getting sprayed. Then im sticking everything in the wash and dryer and then taping the floor boards for a year just in case. If for some reason there is some after that then Ill get a professional.
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Anonymous
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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 18:27:09
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We have not heard of anyone who has used Thwart Bed Bug Repellent spray successfully to eradicate bedbugs.
I'm sorry to say, and I do so advisedly, that I don't think your plan will work. You should get professional help.
We have heard from someone who, if I recall, used a combination of contact killers and freshwater diatomaceous earth (DE) and thorough and frequent cleaning and monitoring. I would add steam to that recipe, but my thinking is that this DIY method is likelier to work if you catch your infestation early and it is relatively contained.
I doubt that any single spray product can be a reliable solution. But you should update us on your progress if you are going this route.
And read the FAQs for good information and help (click the orange bug below).
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Anonymous
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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 19:34:56
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Also, not sure if you are in a detached house or not.
If you are in an apartment building or attached house, bedbugs can travel between apartments and it is best to involve the landlord to coordinate treatment across all affected units and to inspect all adjacent units.
Otherwise it can be difficult to completely get rid of them.
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Feb 9 2008 19:47:08
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I agree with hopelessnomo.
In addition, I am thinking there is a difference between bite marks and hives.
Any allergic reaction to bed bugs should be carefully monitored. If it gets worse, or you ever feel you are swelling or having difficulty breathing, you must seek emergency medical assistance. It is rare but we have heard from people whose reactions got worse and who ended up in the ER, unable to breathe.
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fightorflight
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Posted 5 years ago
Sun Feb 10 2008 4:31:45
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Maybe I should back off a little bit on this. What I have been experiencing are probably not hives, but a rash, an itchy rash. I have not seen a dermatologist, so I don't know. As for the classic "how do I know if they are new bites or old bites" dilemma, I should also say that, while I still experience symptoms that could indicate new bites, overall the marks on my body seem to be lessening or maturing (= many new freckles). A month ago, I had rashes so huge on my upper body that I couldn't even detect them as that. It just seemed my chest, shoulders and upper back were all red. Now the red patches have shrunk and in some cases turned into just old, individual bite marks. So even though I still see seemingly new marks which itch, my body does display evidence that the bite marks are fading or old.
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mangycur
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Posted 5 years ago
Sun Feb 10 2008 16:42:39
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I am still getting hives but I think they're due to the stress of constant laundry and worrying. It is clear to me that I have hives and not bites.
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IveBeenBugged
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Posted 5 years ago
Sun Feb 10 2008 18:02:25
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Jannell please try to take advantage of the Thwart money back gaurantee. The main active ingredient in it is 2% tea tree oil - that's it that's all nothing else. You can buy at any health food store 100% tea tree oil for 1/3 of the price they charged you for Thwart.
Take it from someone who has been trying to fight them on my own (not by choice) it will take a professional to help with bed bugs. My LL finally got someone in and even though I used products that are proven (something Thrwart cannot document) I could not rid myself of them.
If you live in an apt building it's not just you that needs help but the building.
I think the stress of the bed bugs and everything that goes along with it probably makes some people break out in stress related rashes (hives).
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Janell
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Feb 11 2008 4:20:59
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We got a really good deal on the thwart. Tea tree oil only kills on contact I thought... Either way we will be taking advantage of the money back. We have friends who eliminated their problem just with sticking their furniture out in the cold for a few days. There is no carpet here and the trimmings and outlets are sealed tight. The only places of concern would be the floor boards and the the dresser and night stand. I have inspected as much as I could. There is no numbers for exterminators in this city. Nothing. I phone places and they say we have pest control but no numbers were givin to me and there is nothing in the phone book. Its really frusterating.
Im in a basement suit of my parents. They arent taking this very seriously. They think as long as they dont see them the problem is gone. They are no realizing that these dumb pests can live so long or hide so good. Its rather frusterating.
Ill be spraying everything and once again putting everything in the washer and dryer after spraying.
Ill be placing carpet tape along all the floor boards and wedging it under. Keeping it there for a year. My bed is taped off with double sided tabe at the moment.
I can only hope that this works. Otherwise it could be a long look and wait for a professional to come by.
Another friend had a pretty bad infestation and all they did was get their carpets cleaned and rid of the infested furniture. All clothing went to the dry cleaners.I will keep posted how things go. When my couch was in here I had hives everyday and bites everyday and I often would see a bug.
Since I discovered them and got rid of the couch and such I have had no hives or bites. Untill two nights ago I had new bites then rediscoverd those 3 bugs I told about. Since taping off my bed and ridding those bugs I have had no new bites.
*crosses fingers* -
persona-non-bugga
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Feb 11 2008 10:40:46
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Janell,
Where do you live that there are no professional exterminators?
I hope you reconsider your strategy. Bedbugs need a to be attacked in a comprehensive full-out onslaught. This means treating the entire home& its contents with a full arsenal of tools including correct application of appropriate PESTICIDES.
Doing it the way you're planning - throwing out a piece of furniture every couple of weeks, spraying some home remedy contact kill like tea-tree oil -- you won't eradicate every bedbug in your home. The ones that remain will entrench themselves even more deeply. Your problem will be that much more difficult to treat. Then, after all the work you did with laundry and spraying, after the expense of losing your possessions, you will feel all the more frustrated and self-defeated when the bedbugs are still there.
Also, a lot of people report here that they never caught a single bedbug with carpet tape.
For a case study of someone who went at bedbugs this way and has been "living with" them for three years or more, see this blog:
http://bedbugsnyc.blogspot.com/
He gradually threw out a lot of his furniture and books. Every once in a while he sprayed something and went into deep-cleaning mode. The bedbugs are still there.
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lieutenantdan
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Feb 11 2008 11:52:19
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I have not seen a bed bug since January 2007 but my body still shows reactions to something. I believe that I may have a slight alergy to pesticide because after I spot treat I react the next day. Either that or I still have some bbs somewhere that the pesticide stirs up and they become active again. This is all part of the mystery bite/skin reaction thing that many of us are now experiencing.
Sorry that I could not be of more help. -
Janell
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Feb 11 2008 14:18:06
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Im not catching them with carpet tape. Im taping up my base boards and wedging the tape in underneath so that there is no way at all a single bug could ever find its way out.
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Anonymous
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Feb 11 2008 17:32:57
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Janell,
If you want a method that really works that you can do yourself: steam.
You can educate yourself about how best to do it (there are resources linked in the sidebar on the blog; I recommend the Australian Code of Practice) and go for it.
If you are willing to be very thorough and very patient, steam, properly applied, kills all life stages.
It's a proven method.
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Janell
newbite
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Feb 11 2008 17:38:27
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Thank you! Im very patiant and thorough. Ill go look it up right now
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Feb 11 2008 18:40:39
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Janell, if the active ingredient of Thwart is tea tree oil, as IveBeenBugged says, then it does not do anything but kill on contact (meaning you have to spray bed bugs directly).
I agree with others that you either need traditional pesticides, professionally and regularly applied, or professional thermal treatment, or vikane fumigation. If you insist on doing it yourself, steam can work, but I would recommend a dry steam machine, since using normal wet steamers can cause mold to grow and this poses its own set of health hazards, even more difficult to get rid of than bed bugs.
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Janell
newbite
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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Feb 11 2008 19:18:46
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I am not paying for a professional. The entire house would have to be done and no just the suite to which I would have to pay for and this place is massively huge.
I think the majority of the infestation was in the sofa which is gone. The things I have gotten rid of are nothing that break the bank or of concern. I dont have carpet or much unsealed trimmings.
I never heard of dry steam. I will be applying the spray often. I have heard success stories on it. If I can find a steam machine that is what is described best to use in the Australian way then I will also do that. Profeesionl steam cleaners are comming to do the furniture in the house ( matresses and couches) the matresses have been out in -45 degress celcius weather for 5 days and since the temp has warmed a tad they have still been out there now waiting to be steamed.
It will be do it yourself from here on out unless for some reason something happens and the landlords give in and pay. -
fightorflight
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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Feb 13 2008 3:08:09
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Nomo - is not the problem with steam (only) that, what if they are living in walls, behind baseboards, in the middle of the box spring or sofa innards? Aren't there places where they can live and insulate themselves from the steam?
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senior member
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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Feb 13 2008 8:37:52
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Janell,
If you insist on spraying yourself with something,might I suggest Bedlam spray.It's a contact killer,but will also kill the eggs if sprayed on them.It's also been used by quite a few here in between proffessional treatments and is proven to work by independant research done.Something Thwart has not.Steam is good for certain applications,but as fof points out it does have it's limitations as well.The reproductive abilities of these bugs are nothing to sneeze at,eggs are laid at an alarming rate.Since you already have sitings all over,it's my opinion that you will need a proffessional to beat this.You can hire one now or wait till you have thrown out everything and they have nowhere to go but the walls and floors...but they will still be there and harder than ever to eradicate.Please make sure you read the faq's to avoid spreading them to others,also.Good luck -
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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Feb 13 2008 8:41:01
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Janell,
I forgot to ask,where are you that it's -45 deg. celcius,and there are no exterminators? -
Anonymous
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Posted 5 years ago
Wed Feb 13 2008 12:56:59
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FoF,
I have to stand by my advice to Janell.
I read the whole thread, what she described, the steps she has taken, what has already been suggested, what she intends and, more important, what she has (now repeatedly) rejected out of hand.
If you note, I referred her to the Australian Code of Practice, which (instructions and caveats) I have naturally read. Have you?
I thought it constructive advice that took into account her circumstances.
I know you have often expressed the view that we give bad advice here. I have no answer for that other than the research I have done.
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Janell
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Posted 5 years ago
Fri Feb 15 2008 2:16:20
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All furniture that had bugs is gone. Things have beeen so far soo good. Just a waiting game now.
Im in Alberta Canada. This month has been a cold winterhopelessnomo quite assuming things. I didnt say anyone gave bad advice. You treat me like a idiot. Ive done my research.
Thanks again -
your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Fri Feb 15 2008 2:52:23
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Janell, apparently hopelessnomo was not talking to you, but FoF (fightorflight). I think she and everyone else is just trying to help.
i understand not feeling able to afford an exterminator, believe me. i think myself and others are just trying to suggest alternatives which might make your fight more successful than Thwart or Thwart alone. i think we are all trying to help.
Dry steam is produced by special steamers. They do cost more than regular steamers, unfortunately, but mold can be a serious problem for your health. Dry steam does not cause mold growth as regular steam can when applied to wood. We have a FAQ on steaming and other methods of killing bed bugs. I think you might find lots of the FAQs helpful, Janell. There's a FAQ button below. They link to items like the one hopelessnomo provides, sources of good information (including how to do it yourself the most effective ways).
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Fri Feb 15 2008 2:55:28
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FoF,
I feel steam has limitations and so using it and then when dry(!), applying Bedlam or another pesticide cautiously, and then also applying food grade DE cautiously in appropriate places, are all possible ideas for someone on a budget. Multi-pronged approaches are best, IMHO.
(I am not a professional, do not recommend DIY pest control, etc. etc.)
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your host
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Posted 5 years ago
Fri Feb 15 2008 2:58:18
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Janell,
The CBC has a website that explains who is liable to pay for treatment in various provinces in Canada.
We link to it from our FAQ on who pays for treatment according to geographical location:
http://bedbugger.com/2006/10/22/faq-tenants-landlords-owners-and-bedbugs/Here's the dish on Alberta:
"Alberta's public health act and housing regulations require a landlord to provide a tenant with a healthy and habitable environment. A tenant with bedbugs is advised to report the dwelling to the regional health authority. Health inspectors will then assess the problem and in most cases order the landlord to take care of it."
http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/webextras/bed_eggs/landlord_tenant.html?bed_eggs
I'd stop treating and cleaning (so as to preserve any evidence) and call an inspector. Looks like your landlord WILL be liable to pay.
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fightorflight
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Posted 5 years ago
Fri Feb 15 2008 7:30:01
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Hopelessnomo -
> I know you have often expressed the view that we give bad advice here. I have no answer for that other than the research I have done.
Nomo, I'm really sorry if I have led you to understand that I think you or this forum give bad advice. That is not what I think at all. I am utterly convinced that this forum and the advice offered in it are essential and invaluable to those going through this.
However, it’s a forum, not a handbook, guide, protocol or sacred text. People ask questions, discuss, investigate, brainstorm and do their best to offer some useful thoughts. My question about the steam was an honest question. The Australian Code you mention says this about the use of steam:
“The greatest disadvantage is that steam is non-residual. Thus bugs that are not directly killed (and it is prudent to assume that a certain percentage will not be contacted) will not be exposed to any further control influence unless an insecticide is present.”
And also this:
“As steam is composed only of heated water, some clients favour this treatment over chemicals, particularly for their mattress and bed. However, control can not be achieved with steam alone.”
Maybe you think I disregard the collective wisdom and experience offered in this site because I had twice read members suggesting that five minutes in a dryer could be sufficient for ridding fabric items of bedbugs and eggs - although I know in the FAQs it suggests to err on the side of caution and dry longer. I’m sorry if you felt I was giving attitude or negating this site, but really I was trying to warn readers *again* that 5 minutes will probably not do it in the real world. My issue was not at all that this resource gives bad advice, but more specifically with the notion which still seems to pop up, that 5 min’ll do ya.
As it says in the forum introduction:
“A warning: this is a public forum. Anyone at all can come in and post their suggestions. Take it with a grain of salt, listen, ask more questions. Some suggestions may be dangerous and may even make your problems worse–you must use your judgment and decide what to do.”
As I have stated several times, this site is a tremendous and irreplaceable source of information and support for people really in need of it. But even bedbug professionals and researchers don’t have definitive answers, so how can we be expected to?
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IveBeenBugged
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Posted 5 years ago
Tue Feb 19 2008 15:00:27
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Meanwhile I've been out of town and just got back. Hmm, I wonder how tonight will go the last time I posted anything I had just had a week free of bites. I still have some healing - they seem to last longer these days for some reason.
Which brings me to my question.
Janell how are your bites doing?
I was just wondering. I hope the stuff the doctor gave you helped.
If your still treating yourself I hope you will try the Phantom recommended. I am ordering this myself as I still do not trust that they are gone and am hoping that by doing my own place they still stay away until the end of May when my lease is up. I know self treating isn't the way to go. I'm just trying to do follow up the LL will not do.
Then onto having my things commodity fumigated but that's a different post.
Hope you feeling better.
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Red
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Joined: Oct '08
Posts: 16offline
Posted 4 years ago
Fri Oct 31 2008 12:12:40
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Hi, I'm new here...
I 'm a flight attendant and was attacked by bed bugs 2 weeks ago in a hotel while working. I didn't show bites until the day after I arrived home, but know it was from the hotel because I had blood splatters around my pillows. I freaked out and tossed all luggage, did all laundry steamed mattress and base boards. I had over 200 bites. I thought they were going away but had a bunch of red bite marks appear again. These "new" marks seem to be in old places but look just as menacing as they did when I first noticed them 2 weeks ago. My Partner has no bites at all. Am I just going crazy or could a bug have bitten me.
I see no signs of bugs anywhere.How long does it take once introduced to start becoming a problem?
Thanks
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BugsInTO
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Posted 4 years ago
Fri Oct 31 2008 16:12:03
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Hi Red:
Sorry to hear about your experience. I think it might be too soon to know if you brought bedbugs home or not. Bites can continue to appear for a while.
Read the Traveling FAQ's. Some people don't react, so your Partner's lack of bites isn't a good indication. You've done lots of work already, but I would also encase your mattress/box spring too. It'll make it easier to see the sign of infestation if you get one. Then, keep monitoring and inspecting.
I am curious, because you got these while working. Has your airline done any Health & Safety training for you on bedbugs? I think this is going to be become a more common occurence and people in your industry are going to be continually exposed. If you are unionized, talk to your rep.
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