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newbite - listen to me whine about bugs & bites in new apartment
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ladybugnyc
newbite
Joined: May '12
Posts: 4offline
Posted 11 months ago
Thu May 31 2012 0:27:50
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Just signed up today and I am glad to know I am not alone. I want to give you guys the whole story but will also try not to be too longwinded.
I should start by letting everyone know that I am an itchy/sneezy person by nature. I should also let you know that I had a bed bug infestation back in the 90s when I lived with family in a building where it seemed the tenants were the only ones who ever heard of having bed bugs in this day and age. I am familiar with bed bugs, how the bites felt, what they look like, etc. I moved out, was starting from scratch and didn't seem to take the bed bugs with me. Family eventually moved as well and never had any problems again. We never treated with the methods that are now known to be successful - just what was readily available at the time (which didn't work). We never spoke about the bugs except to each other, practically in code.
Due to that experience, I was always aware of bed bugs even though I never had them again. Fast forward about 15 years and I find myself itching one night. This is not an unusual occurrence because I have bad allergies and sometimes react to things I eat/smell/feel. But I woke in the morning to little red welts on my breasts. Thought I had scratched in my sleep, though I sleep in a bra and that didn't make much sense. But then I noticed some bumps in pairs and recalled my bed bug bites from 15 years ago. I cried. I itched. I called my mother. I cried and I itched some more. Over the next few days I noticed more bumps popping up and the dreaded nightmare had begun again. I started googling now that so much info is I also started retracing my steps and looking for signs. I already knew what to look for and where to look but now I had the benefit of modern info to guide me with ideas.
I moved in my apartment about a month ago. I realized that I had neglected to take any sort of precaution like protecting mattress, sterilizing blankets borrowed from moving company, inspecting truck, etc. By coincidence, my boyfriend has beeen bugging (no pun intend) me to buy a new bed for my back. So the week that the bites started I caught a memorial day sale and ordered a new bed. Sheer coincidence that I would be bitten the week I'm getting a new bed. I was first bitten while the old bed was still in place. I never saw any signs of bed bugs on the old bed, just the bites in pairs. The bites in pairs made me think it was bed bugs so I contacted a pest control company and was advised to do my own check first.
I learned online about monitoring (not just visual inspection) and I have been monitoring, for a week now. No signs. I am ready to just called a pest control company and let them look. Can't afford a dog right now but will get a pro in here. I itch all the time, sometimes just because of the thought of bugs, looking at bugs all day, thinking about them, etc. Meanwhile, the bites keep showing up - some in pairs, some single. They are on my thigh, near groin, upper arms near shoulder, forearm, breasts, butt, hip. I'm depressed and itchy and pessimistic.
We had a particular hot and humid memorial day weekend so my boyfriend and I decided to put one of the air conditioners. I had been leaving the windows open and left myself open to little bugs. I always live in houses or buildings with nice greenery so I am used to (and not terribly grossed out by) the kinds of bugs that make their way inside apartments, especially on lower levels. But these little black bugs were all over my windowsills in the bedrooms and living room and on the walls. They even flew onto some of the boxes I have yet to unpack, My boyfriend sprayed with roach/ant killer and we killed about 30 little black bugs. They were harmless but in such large numbers they were a nuisance. I continue to see dead ones here and there.
While conducting my bed bug search I found one sitting on my headboard. I thought, what is this thing? 100% positive it is not a bed bug so that never crossed my mind. Then while reading some entries here I realize the little black bug is an adult carpet beetle. I have tons of them so I'm now wondering if I am having an allergic reaction to them (in addition to or instead of) the BBs. I understand that by having so many adults in my home they are laying eggs and I probably have the larvae too even though I have only seen the adults.
My question to you all: should I hire someone to come do a bedbug inspection? If so, when? Or should I clean like a madwoman to see if I get rid of the carpet beetles? I feel like I am itching everywhere even when/where I'm not. Felt something crawling on my arm and thought it was just my imagination so I waved my arm and one of the little black beetles flew off. In the past week I have managed to get about 30 bites and counting.
Help!I am happy to post pics of my bugs and bites if anyone wants to see. Just signed up for photobucket.
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rs1971
senior member
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 539offline
Posted 11 months ago
Thu May 31 2012 0:37:59
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Hi lbnyc,
I don't think that it necessarily makes sense to pay for a bed bug inspection at this point. Nor do I think that anyone is going to be able to tell you much based on photos of the marks on your skin. But it would probably be worth the effort to post a photo or two of the little black bugs so that one of the experts can give you a definitive id. That might give you a better idea if they are related to what you're seeing on your skin or not.
Good luck.
-rs1971
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ladybugnyc
newbite
Joined: May '12
Posts: 4offline
Posted 11 months ago
Thu May 31 2012 1:10:08
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rs1971 - 28 minutes ago »
Hi lbnyc,
I don't think that it necessarily makes sense to pay for a bed bug inspection at this point. Nor do I think that anyone is going to be able to tell you much based on photos of the marks on your skin. But it would probably be worth the effort to post a photo or two of the little black bugs so that one of the experts can give you a definitive id. That might give you a better idea if they are related to what you're seeing on your skin or not.
Good luck.
-rs1971
Thank you rs. In the meantime, should I be treating my apartment for bedbugs or carpet beetles? I mean, what do I do? I read some great ideas here about DE powder and alcohol. But I want to confirm the presence of BBs before I start trying to get rid of them so I can contact my landlord and do it right. Also, it seems that BBs respond to DE powder but not boric acid and beetles are hard so they don't respond to DE powder. Just confused right now. I have more bites and I can't go on like this.Appreciate everyone for allowing me to whine a little.
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rs1971
senior member
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 539offline
Posted 11 months ago
Thu May 31 2012 10:22:07
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ladybugnyc - 9 hours ago »
rs1971 - 28 minutes ago »
Hi lbnyc,
I don't think that it necessarily makes sense to pay for a bed bug inspection at this point. Nor do I think that anyone is going to be able to tell you much based on photos of the marks on your skin. But it would probably be worth the effort to post a photo or two of the little black bugs so that one of the experts can give you a definitive id. That might give you a better idea if they are related to what you're seeing on your skin or not.
Good luck.
-rs1971
Thank you rs. In the meantime, should I be treating my apartment for bedbugs or carpet beetles? I mean, what do I do? I read some great ideas here about DE powder and alcohol. But I want to confirm the presence of BBs before I start trying to get rid of them so I can contact my landlord and do it right. Also, it seems that BBs respond to DE powder but not boric acid and beetles are hard so they don't respond to DE powder. Just confused right now. I have more bites and I can't go on like this.
Appreciate everyone for allowing me to whine a little.I'm not an expert - just a long time lurker on this site - but I think that the general consensus would be that you shouldn't do anything until you figure out what you've got.
-rs1971
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ladybugnyc
newbite
Joined: May '12
Posts: 4offline
Posted 11 months ago
Thu May 31 2012 13:20:13
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Here are some pics:
http://photobucket.com/bugsyuck
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