Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Reader questions (do not fit into other categories)
New Questions from a total bb newbie
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catsy83
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 14offline
Posted 3 years ago
Sat Aug 29 2009 15:05:36
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A couple of questions (three actually):
1) Why is it that I feel the burning sensation of a bite during the day with no bed bug in sight? (The burning sensation and a hive-like breakout seem to be my symptoms before the little red dot of a bite appears.) I've read somewhere that the bug's serum doesn't start to irritate the host until quite a bit of time has passed, so that the bugs can't be detected so quickly by the humans they feast on.
2) If I wait 5 more days (after waiting 3 already) for a good K9 canine inspector and his dog, will my infestation get humongous? I know I should continue to sleep in my bed to avoid spreading them (tho I made all the newbie mistakes and may have already spread them onto my couch), but I have so many bites, I am debating of sleeping in a tub full of water instead.
3) Would it be a smart idea to sleep during the day and spend the night awake and away from the bed? Most people seem to agree that bed bugs don't come out if the light is on, but I had all the lights on yesterday night, and I still woke up with what seemed new bites.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much in advance.
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Reallytired5
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 15offline
Posted 3 years ago
Sat Aug 29 2009 17:37:06
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catsy83
In response to #2, I would recommend contacting at PCO right away. I wouldn't wait for a dog to confirm or deny that you have bbs. The PCO can help you make a determination on how to handle your situation. Please do your research, though. Have an idea of what types of treatment you want your PCO to do to your living space before they get there. I had a PCO within hours of finding my first bug. I mistakenly signed a year-long contract with this company when I should have just contracted for bb removal.
In response to #3, I think that the bbs come out and bite regardless of the time of day. I think they typically come out at night because that is usually when you are asleep. A sleeping person provides a great meal for them.
Good luck with your situation. It will improve.
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catsy83
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 14offline
Posted 3 years ago
Sat Aug 29 2009 18:36:32
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Hi reallytired,
I called the PCO that recommended the K9 unit, but to be honest, I'm not sure they'd do a treatment without a sweep. I hate to wait till Wednesday for the sweep, but at this point, it seems to be my only option....I'm just wondering what to do to minimize the bites and amount of bugs. -
catsy83
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 14offline
Posted 3 years ago
Sat Aug 29 2009 19:03:31
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Just thought of newbie questions no. 4 and 5:
4) Should I shower before going to bed at night, or will that just attract more bugs?
5) I know folks said bed bugs can go into computers, but are those things likely to inside a laptop? I mean, laptops get pretty hot and these buggers don't like heat, right?
I have an old Dell PC, which I am happy to test in a Packtite or just chuck for that matter (tho it makes a great do-junk-on-and-download-sh...tuff-from-the-net Ersatz-laptop).
But, I am more worried about my practically brand new Mac. I got it last year for Christmas. I love it to death. I'd hate to part with it or fry it or otherwise have it adversely affected. It seems that most people on here think that Vikane treatment is the best option for electronics, but would my Mac baby withstand it? For that matter, would my external hard drive, on which I have almost 3 years worth of data? My iPod? My Canon PhotoShoot? My work Blackberry? (tho I don't mind chucking that last one out, to be honest...nice to not be bothered....;p)
Sorry to be whiny, but my electronics are my life a) b/c they contain my most important info on them and b) b/c they were all gifts from family, who means everything to me. That and my drawings. If I have to chuck or wind up damaging any of those things because of bed bugs, I am seriously going to start a new career dedicated to finding the means to completely eradicate the damn things even if it takes me a lifetime and a half!
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oldtimer
Joined: May '07
Posts: 1,969offline
Posted 3 years ago
Sat Aug 29 2009 20:01:11
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Catsy83
Your electronics can be treated in a packtite... Don't throw out anything that is valuable unless the cost of treatment is more than the cost of replacement...
#1 The burning sensation is due to inflammation which takes time to develop.
#2 Five days is not going to make any difference in the treatment strategy or the likely outcome.
#3 Day sleeping isn't likely to help. Try reading the FAQs on isolating your bed & get a set of Climb Up Interceptors to isolate and monitor the activity around your bed and couch... Consider encasing your box springs & mattress... Treat your bedding in a hot dryer frequently. If you isolate your bed successfully... the bites will be greatly reduced.
#4 Don't worry about showering... in theory it might make it harder for a bed bug to detect your scent.
#5 I believe you can treat your electronics safely in your Packtite... Be sure to back up the data first, but it is worth a try if your alternative is to replace it. Vikane is the safest, but heat is a close second. I'm not sure about the drawings... Try asking David James at Packtite
You are asking good questions.
Have you found any actual bed bugs? I get the impression that you are being bitten frequently?
Read the FAQs to educate yourself further.
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catsy83
newbite
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 14offline
Posted 3 years ago
Sat Aug 29 2009 20:13:48
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Hi Doug,
In the span of three days, my bites went from a few little red dotes, alarmingly linear in spread to a good two dozen dots all over my legs. So yea, I'm being bitten a ton. The reaction comes and goes - it's more annoying than anything else. And I'm torn between using things to keep them away/ isolating my bed and letting them come and bite me. If I isolate my bed, it seems that they will stay away and not bite as much - is that correct?
Also, I am worried about trying any home remedies before the K9 and the PCO come in. I don't want to jeopardize treatment options. I already made some newbie mistakes (sat on the couch, kitchen, etc.) before coming here and checking things out. I don't want to exacerbate my problem.
Further, I'd rather they eat me than spread around the rest of my place. If I let them spread, that means more treatment issues and more paranoia, as I my lease ends at the end of Sept., and I will be moving back to LA to my folks - and the last place I want to find bed bugs is in LA! There are not as many good PCOs there it seems.
As for finding bugs, I actually had a live one crawl over my chest just yesterday. I first thought it may have been a hair as I had just put my hand through it. Sadly, thinking the thing got into my hair, I freaked, squashed it, didn't examine it in detail, and flushed it. Stupid I know, esp. now that I know that bb don't generally go into hair, unless it's some sort of synthetic thing, like a weave or a wig (which I fortunately do not have).
As for electronics, I've been seeing posts in the forum here from David that they don't recommend putting electronics in Packtite, probably for liability purposes, but people have posted that they put their laptops and iPods etc. in Packtite, and they came out working just fine.....I think I will try to convince my PCO to take all my little "toys" and gas them thoroughly.
Thanks for the kudos on asking these random things, and thanks even more for answering them.
P.S. Btw, I sent a reply to your PM. If you have the time, please let me know your answer.
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