Is it bed bugs?!?! « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs

Is it bed bugs?!?!

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bcat0788

newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 1

Posted 1 month ago
Mon Oct 19 2009 1:07:03
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I'm pretty sure that I have bed bugs, but I would like to get some more advice! About a month ago I had, what I thought at the time, was a spider bite on my thigh. The next night, I got another one on my other thigh. Then, I broke out in hives on my chest for 3 days that would appear in the morning, seem to be pretty much gone by night, then back again in the morning. Two of those nights, someone else slept in the bed with me and did not get bitten. I have gotten a few bites since then, but they were not as swollen or painful as the first bite, and looked/itched/felt exactly like a mosquito bite. These bites were on the front middle of my left thigh (where the first bite occured), on my upper thigh, and on my buttox. Each bite was by itself, except twice there were 2 together on my buttox. I have also gotten a few smaller "bites" that resemble tiny pimples on my face and my arm. I don't have a bed frame or headboard, just my box spring and mattress on the ground. I searched my mattress/covers (especially in the seams) and did not find much. On my pillow, which is very old, there were 2 little stains that looked like they might be blood. I immidiately threw my pillows away, I moved my bed, vacuumed it, cleaned/disinfected the whole room, got rid of any clutter, emptied the drawers, got an allergy mattress cover and allergy pillow cover, and am in the process of cleaning all of my clothes in hot water. When I was cleaning, I saw no sign of bed bugs, casings, or eggs. I rent a house with 7 other girls, and no one else has had any problem. I haven't been sleeping in my bed for the past few nights, and have not had any bites. There is a couch directly outside of my bedroom door, and no one has gotten bites from sitting/sleeping on it. I have been in my room (just to clean) and spending all of my time in the house in the room directly outside of my door, and no bites. I called the landlord hoping he will help, but it is doubtful because when we had cockroaches in the bathroom it was a mess. I'm just looking for some advice because I'm terrified of bugs! And I think it's odd that they were biting me where my skin was not exposed (except if they were the culprit on my face) and that I'm the only one out of 8 people in the house with any evidence! Whenever I think of them I feel like I'm itching all over, which does NOT help when you're paranoid you have bed bugs. I also have not been able to sleep and am just paranoid about them all the time...if someone please has any advice I'd really appreciate it!!
upagain

junior member
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 164

Posted 1 month ago
Mon Oct 19 2009 9:10:24
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Most recommend that "bites" are not a clear sign. Are you sure that the "bites" on your legs are not pimples? I get a lot of things like that. Reading this site always made me feel itchy. Check out some of the other posts on how to isolate your bed. confirm signs before you freak out.
buggyinsocal

oldtimer
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,130

Posted 1 month ago
Mon Oct 19 2009 9:55:19
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There are a lot of other bugs and skin conditions that could be causing the symptoms you're describing.

I'm not saying that you conclusively don't have bed bugs. I am saying that nothing you described above convinced me that you definitely have them.

I would start by reading the FAQs at the main site to educate yourself about what the signs of a bed bug infestation look like. If you're not seeing fecal matter, I wouldn't leap to the conclusion that you have bed bugs.

conversely, the fact that "no one else is getting bitten" isn't proof that you don't have bed bugs either, since many, many people don't respond to the bites.

On the other hand (I know I'm about up to four hands here. Apparently, I'm an octopus), I know that when I got hypervigilant about bed bugs, I was convinced that razor burn was proof I was getting bitten, when it really did turn out to be razor burn.

You yourself have said that you're very bug phobic. As you assess your situation, you need to keep in mind that people with strong bug phobias are more likely to become overly anxious about bed bugs even when the signs observed don't suggest bed bugs.

None of us are there to inspect the place you live, and bed bugs are masters of hiding. However, in the vast majority of cases, if you have enough bed bugs to be getting regular bites, if you look hard enough and long enough you will find signs of bed bug activity if you know how and where to look.

Bed bugs will generally go for exposed skin rather than unexposed skin, unless people are covering their skin up in an attempt to get away from the bugs. That also suggests ruling out different pests and causes first to me.

I would rule out allergic reactions to a changed detergent or soap, carpet beetles, and fleas before being more than usually vigilant about possible exposure to bed bugs myself if I were in your situation. I'm not telling you you're crazy or that you shouldn't educate yourself and inspect your sleeping area monthly. I am telling you that nothing you've described set off any red flags that make me go, "oh, wow, that definitely sounds suspiciously like bed bugs."