Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
How Can You Not Know You Have Them?
(4 posts)-
BugParanoid
newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6
Posted 9 months ago
Wed May 27 2009 15:06:42
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So I came across this site while looking to identify a bug I find in my apartment from time to time (which is not a bed bug at all as it turns out - Although I did see a little bug the other day before coming to this site and now I am probably unjustly worried) Anyways, I got interested and started reading the posts on this forum- which may have been a mistake :P Now I feel paranoid! I always thought if you had bb's it would be quite obvious. After reading this forum - I find out this is possibly not true!?!
So I guess I pose the question. What are the odds of having them and not knowing it? Out of paranoia I scowered my mattress and box spring yesterday - as I hear if you have any that would be the place to find them. Didn't find any of the signs (stains/bugs/skin casts). Although i didn't cut away the under fabric of the box spring to look inside it - I am tempted to do that today just to be sure. I don't have a bed frame. Also checked the couch in the living room - nothing.
I also don't seem to have any bites. But i hear some people don't react or react very little. I do get pimples from time to time on chest and upper back but I am 99% sure (well up to ready this forum) that's what they are...lol.
I am curious to know how many people on the site turned up to have bb's with no bite marks and no visible signs of infestation. If so, what led you to finally detect them? It just seems weird that some people find live bugs shortly after infestation while others seem to go oblivious to their presence. How are some so much more stealthy than others.
Just a curious and paranoid poster :)
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Hi,
This is a bit of a difficult one to answer because it sort of answers itself.
If you feel you have done a thorough inspection of the area and have found no signs, no faecal traces, no cast skins or live bed bugs and are having no reaction then I think it is safe to assume you don't have a problem.
It is actually harder to explain a situation where non of the confirming signs are found despite a thorough search and yet there are bite symptoms or an itching feeling.
There are of course various monitoring options available, soon to be available and on the drawing board along with other services such as a professional inspection or a K9 scent investigation. Either way from what you have described I would be more tempted to investigate all those options before removing the fabric from the base of your bed or destroying anything.
Its good to be aware of the issue of bed bugs and one of the best things you can do is a self inspection of your sleeping area as you clean at least once a month and always check a bed away from home.
I hope most would agree that the underlying ethos of this forum is one of help and support when it is needed but if you are clear then learn to self inspect and keep a watchful eye. I can not stress enough that early detection is the key to dealing with this problem and as long as you are not coming into contact with an undetected source on a regular basis a little knowledge applied does a long long way.
Because it is an issue that can affect neighbours and work colleagues in an ideal world communication would be open and everyone would understand the fact that this is a problem that needs attention and awareness. It is also unfortunately a pest with a lot of miss conceptions, most notably that they have anything to do with dirt. If there is a take home message its simple, whether you get bed bugs from a hotel, a trip, a friends house, a neighbour, a lover, university, college, mass transit, the office, a restaurant, and item of clothing, an item of furniture new or second hand, a book, a CD, a record or somewhere you have no idea that bed bug may it be alone or numerous does not care what you home is like when it hitches a lift.
Be bed bug aware but don't let them rule your life if possible.
I hope you remain free from them for ever but enlightened about them at the same time.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
DragonFlight
banned
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 233
Posted 9 months ago
Wed May 27 2009 18:59:10
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Educate yourself, if you do happen to pick up (1) lone bed bug and it hides away most of the time eventually you may eventually find it as it comes running towards you in desperation or it will just die on it's own. As mentioned if you checked your bed very very well and don't see any stains, shells or live bugs I hope it's safe to say for you and others that you don't have bed bugs, but still education yourself and learn how these bugs are and don't be too lax where you sit or anything because you don't want them period, let alone a major infestation.
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BugParanoid
newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6
Posted 9 months ago
Thu May 28 2009 1:44:55
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Thanks for the posts everyone. I am glad I found this site to educate myself about the critters, but at the same time the info is a bit scary. Just talking about them makes my skin crawl. It is an eery thought you could have them crawling and biting you for months, even years? and not even know it. That is the scariest thought. And too boot they seem extremely difficult to get rid of. I think I would take cockroaches over bed bugs any day..lol.
I think it is safe to say I don't have them (site just made me a bit paranoid) but after reading this site and learning about them I think I will get in the habit of regular vacuuming around the bed and mattress checks as a precaution. My heart goes out to those of you battling these bugs. I hope I never have to go through it. I would probably lose my mind.
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