Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug bites, skin, etc.
Need some advice
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goawaybugs
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 126
Posted 9 months ago
Thu Jun 18 2009 13:39:53
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Hi all,
ok, I'm need of your collective wisdom and sage advice again. I posted here a few weeks ago because I was thinking of caulking preventatively. But before I could pursue it, I got delayed by a few weeks and then, just when I was about to get back to it and these forums, I started getting bitten! Everyone has been so helpful in the past. I need your calm and reasoned thoughts again!
So, here's the deal: A week ago, I woke up frantically scratching to find a white welt on my left elbow that went away after two hours. I washed all bedding and vacuumed thoroughly around the bed. I inspected the night table and sheets and what I could see of the mattress (box spring was too heavy for me to lift). I didn't find anything. Everything is already encased. Six days later, I woke to find a very mild red welt on my chest. The next day, a non-itchy (even when scratched) flesh-colored welt on my right arm. Both also disappeared within two hours.
I probably wouldn't even have noticed the last two welts if I hadn't been looking. Two years ago, I wouldn't have thought twice about them even if I had seen them. But it's not two years ago.
On the other hand, there's this:
1. For the past couple of months, I've been overrun by carpet beetles. I've only seen a larva once but, presumably, where there's a beetle there used to be a larva. Lately, the numbers seem to be decreasing but they're definitely still around. Could it take this long to develop a reaction to larvae? How do I know if it's carpet beetles versus bbs causing my reactions?
2. Is a gap of six days, then one day consistent with bbs? I thought it took longer for eggs to hatch and things to escalate.
3. I had a bunch of skin reactions six months ago. After an inspection confirmed it wasn't bbs, I was so relieved, I admit I got lazy and never tracked down the cause of the skin irritation. And then, after a while, all the skin reactions went away. However, those skin reactions were on my torso and appeared at night in the living room so they may be different.
So, what now? Do I head straight for inspection? Do I wait and collect more data? I can't neurotically get an inspection every time I have an itch (KQ, if I can even get him, will think I'm crazy), but neither do I want to delay when I should be acting.
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Consider trying one of the inexpensive passive monitors, for now... Continue to look for evidence.
You can always escalate to a good professional inspection... if you are not able to identify another source for your welts... The best way to identify an insect source is to capture a specimen.
Consider all possible sources... try not to be tunnel visioned... Here are some articles that mention some other sources to rule out.
http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/publications/bb_guidelines/files/bb_guidelines_nyc1.pdf
http://citybugs.tamu.edu/FastSheets/Ent-1012.html
Six days could be a second feeding for the same bug... I don't have any experience with reactions to Beatles... David Cain posted some instructions about performing a simple skin test some time ago, but I don't have it bookmarked.
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goawaybugs
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 126
Posted 9 months ago
Thu Jun 18 2009 17:06:52
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Thanks Doug. Yes, I had that thought about the six-day gap, but I was confused by the fact that it happened again 24 hours later.
I've been debating the climbup interceptors, but I wanted to wait and see what other monitors become available (e.g., David's, or the ones that Sean posted about) before making a purchase). I can't move the mattress and boxspring by myself, which means I probably can't put the interceptor on the middle leg of my frame. I think there was a post a few days ago that suggested this made the interceptors much less effective. Moreover, from what I can tell, I would have to wrestle the interceptors off and on the legs periodically to check what accumulated in there. My bed is too unwieldy for me to be able to do that easily. (Besides, as an Apple store rep once said to me, it's never a good idea to go with the first generation of something!)
Will something always eventually show up in the sheets?
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lil_bit_obsessed
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Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 495
Posted 9 months ago
Thu Jun 18 2009 17:24:06
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re: placing monitors under the bedlegs - i used a bottle of laundry detergent to help me install mine. ;) my bed also has six legs (two in the middle that are difficult to reach) and i had to install them alone. so i took a heavy plastic bottle of liquid laundry detergent that is about two inches higher than the bed frame, lifted the frame slightly, and scooted the bottle under the edge. with the bed propped up slightly, i was able to wheedle those bb monitors under the middle legs and the two legs on the propped end. then i did the same on the other side, to install the last two.
naturally you want to be careful not to be under the bed yourself, in case the propped up bed slips! i just slid the middle monitors underneath using a flashlight, so that i wouldn't have to crawl in.
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goawaybugs
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 126
Posted 9 months ago
Fri Jun 19 2009 12:48:22
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lilbit,
Interesting. I've been trying to figure out how you did that. My frame doesn't extend all the way to the end of the mattress which means I have less leverage in lifting up a corner. I'd really have to lift a side. Where did you put the detergent? Seems like I would need to put a bottle on each side or it will just slide off, but how do you put it on both sides at the same time?
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lil_bit_obsessed
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Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 495
Posted 9 months ago
Fri Jun 19 2009 13:37:35
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ahhh, i see. my frame does extend to the edge of my mattress. i placed the bottle under the edge of the frame in the very middle (although one on either end probably would have worked better). probably a big stack of books would serve the same purpose (maybe in a ziploc if you are anxious about having books close to the bed).
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goawaybugs
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 126
Posted 9 months ago
Sat Jun 20 2009 22:30:59
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Hmm, I think maybe you're stronger than I am! I can't seem to make it work. Guess I'll have to keep thinking about it. By the way, how long is the diameter of the inner cup? I have wheels on my frame, and I'm wondering if they would fit in the inner cup.
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lil_bit_obsessed
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Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 495
Posted 9 months ago
Sat Jun 20 2009 23:04:15
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or maybe your bed is just heavier than mine!
the diameter of the inner cup looks to be approximately 3.5 to 4 inches. i have wheels on my frame as well and they fit in easily with a bit of room to spare.
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goawaybugs
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 126
Posted 9 months ago
Tue Jun 23 2009 19:45:50
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I think I'm just a wimp. (And afraid to jostle my encasement!) But thanks for the info. My wheels look to be about 3.5" so might be a tight squeeze if that's what the cups are. On the other hand, good to know that yours at least fit (shouldn't bed frame wheels be standard?)
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Coppertop77
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Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 4
Posted 7 months ago
Tue Jul 28 2009 19:44:38
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If you have seen CBs, it is most likely those that are causing your welts. I have been living in this house for over a year, and just started getting welts all of a sudden a couple months ago. After all the stress of worrying about bed bugs, we have a confirmed case of carpet beetles. My husband does not get the welts at all, but I looked like I had the chicken pox for a while (only my legs)!
I have found that just a little natural bug repellent on my legs (or the sheets) is keeping them away. (Since CBs are not there to bite you, I think they are more easily deterred than BBs.) I wouldn't recommend that solution for BBs, but if you know you have CBs and just want them to leave you alone, this has been working for me. I've been using Buzz Away Extreme. I also rented a carpet steamer (you can rent them from BiMart, Home Depot, etc.), which may have helped. Good luck!! :)
You can read my recent post if you like:
http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/carpet-beetles-vs-bed-bugs-happy-ending?replies=1#post-54506
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