I think I might have given them to my parents! « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

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I think I might have given them to my parents!

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lagirl31

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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Sep 2 2011 16:15:40
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Sigh. My ongoing bb saga isn't quite finished yet, despite all the amazing help I've received here.

Background, for those who don't know it - I was having sporadic bites for several months, then suddenly they increased and I found an infestation in my bed slats (this was shortly after my adjoining neighbor moved out of her apartment, and we share a bedroom wall). I went through all the steps - notified my LL and my neighbors, got treatments, had the neighboring apartments inspected and treated. Now we are partially clear. As in, we go for a few weeks or a month with no bites and then get bitten once or twice (and frequently manage to locate the offender right away, because my partner and I both react). I believe we are dealing with re-infestations from a local source and we are going to get it worked out.

Why am I not working it out immediately? I'm getting married in one week (yay!) and my dad is sick and we're trying to get him on the transplant list and I have to take him to all his appts, so I'm overwhelmed with other stuff. Currently, we have the bb problem on the back burner (haven't been bitten in a while) and we just routinely keep our clothes isolated and take measures so that we don't have any chance of spreading them.

Whew. So, the new issue is that last weekend I stayed at my parents' house for the first time in a while and right before I went to bed (exhausted) I noticed some stains on the sheets in the guest room where my mom will sometimes sleep. I'm pretty good about IDing stains at this point. I went to bed anyway, figuring that at least if I got bitten we would have more evidence.

I woke up in the morning, seemed clear and felt a little better. But that evening after I had left I noticed that I had in fact received a bite. I have two types of bite responses, oddly. One is immediately itchy and I will actually wake up as soon as it happens (love this, because I can catch the biter). The other kind is not all itchy but shows up as a raised red welt that will last for up to two weeks. This was the raised welt kind, which is why I didn't find it immediately.

I panicked, called my mom right away and started asking questions. She says no one has been bitten, so they are probably non-responders. I'm terrified that I could have brought the bbs to her house but it would have to have been sometime before the beginning of May. Before I was aware of our infestation, I would routinely toss my duffel bag on my bed to pack up and also bring laundry over, so it wouldn't be surprising. Since we figured out we were infested, we've always practiced safe travel. Only heat treated clothes and luggage go anywhere out of our house and we keep all our clothes isolated all the time.

I'm going to inspect when I go over there tomorrow (wedding prep with the family!) and I'm going to make sure my parents are fully educated on the signs. There weren't enough signs for a whole population to have been living there since May, so I'm hopeful that maybe I brought over a lone male straggler back then and he's been happily living in the guest room, which my mom will usually sleep in at least once a week.

I don't really need anything, I have all the tools I need from this amazing community. I'm just posting to get it off my chest and for a little support (even though I know almost everyone will be out enjoying the long weekend soon!). Trying not to freak out too much, because I don't have the energy to waste on freaking out right now. If I inspect and find anything, I'll get the ball rolling on their treatment. Luckily, they live in a single family home, and they'd been talking about tenting for termites sometime soon anyways, so we could potentially do a heat treatment that would take care of everything.

But I feel so horribly guilty. Just thinking that they might have bugs and that if they do they probably came from me makes me want to throw up. But I will make sure it gets taken care of.

And, on an reaaaalllly petty note - I'm supposed to stay with them this weekend and I really don't want to get bitten the week before my wedding! My bite response is ugly - big raised welts. I'm just picturing one of those patches on my chest in all my wedding photos. But I feel like the worst person in the world saying - "Sorry! I gave you bedbugs and now I'm too grossed out to sleep in your infested home!" Which absolutely isn't the case - I am willing to get bitten, especially if it helps identify the problem, I just really don't want to get bitten this particular week.

Sigh. At least I'm a pretty good bb inspector at this point. And honestly, I think my mom will understand because I'm pretty sure she doesn't want me to be covered in bites for the photos either.

I'll post back with updates at some point, but probably not until after the wedding. The wedding is a huge deal for my family, particularly since my dad has been so ill that we didn't think he would be there. I just need to get through this last week.
Saturn

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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Sep 2 2011 16:38:25
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lagirl31,

I don't think you should feel guilty at all. It truly sounds to me like you did your best to prevent them from spreading, so there's nothing to feel guilty about. And I'm sure your parents don't blame you at all. If anything, you've been a model daughter to help your parents out so much.

It's not petty at all for you to try and avoid getting bitten the week before your wedding. Most people want to avoid getting bitten at all, ever! You've got a very big event coming up, and no one wants you to be covered in bites. I'm sure your family will understand if you want to sleep somewhere else.

And last, but not least, best wishes on the upcoming wedding! Just try to relax and enjoy it!
UnheardBanshee

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Sep 4 2011 3:14:14
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i agree you shouldnt feel guilty. i understand tho. i had a similar situation. id have my apartment treated and not get bitten for a little while and then they'd be back. i had my 7 yr old sister spend the night with me and she went home with welts. my mom washed and dried her clothes and bedclothes immediately. my mom didnt want me sitting on her furniture or anything. mostly i was just upset my sister got bitten. we have similar reactions to bug bites. big ugly, painful welts that sometimes blister. ive got bandaids all over my legs right now from misquito bites lol its just soo much of a hassle and you sound like youre being really careful but i do understand you feeling guilty. just try and remind yourself its not your fault. you didnt do it on purpose and youre actively <i>trying</i> not to pass them along. IF they even have them.
UnheardBanshee

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Sep 4 2011 3:14:53
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well poo on my italics...jeez...