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only in the summer?

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aterry

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Posted 6 years ago
Thu May 17 2007 17:40:11
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My daughter got bites several times last summer. We couldn't tell if they were bb or mosquitos. I cleaned thoroughly a bunch of times and had her wear mosquito bracelets on one ankle (at night) for a couple of weeks and then the problem went away. Over the entire fall and winter and early spring: nothing. Now, with warm weather coming back she's waking up with bites again. She got 26 over a two-day period. I have not seen BB but have not seen mosquitos either and we have screens on the windows which I've checked. No one else in the house has gotten bites. Also during the last round of bites, they itched badly for 3 days and then they flattened out completely and looked like maroon circles with a dark dot in the middle. She goes to school in Jackson Heights which was listed in an article in the New York Times as being one of the problem areas so I'm wondering what about winter? Do they go away in the winter? and what about the maroon circles? Thanks for any comments.
Anonymous

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Posted 6 years ago
Thu May 17 2007 18:37:43
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Bed bug bites look different on everyone. You can check the blog and look at the bite photos there.

It's difficult to say whether you have bed bugs or not based on what you describe. Bed bugs are not seasonal. One explanation might be that, since some light infestations are known to respond to "cleaning" efforts, you could have eradicated a very small infestation last year and these new bites could be a new infestation.

If you have bed bugs, other signs that you might find are black or rust colored specks on the sheets and bedding from their excrement, or blood stains that can be small and circular and fresh-looking or like small pinpricks.

You should take apart her bed and inspect very carefully. Turn over the mattress completely, look underneath the box spring, etc. Inspect the bedstands, the edges of the room if it is carpeted, anything that is under the bed. You will likely find something, some excreta, cast skins or other signs. Please read the faqs, especially the what do bed bugs look like? faq to see photos of all bed bug life cycles.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 6 years ago
Fri May 18 2007 1:07:27
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Aterry, when you say "maroon circles" you do not mean a target-like pattern, right? (That can be ticks, and you'd need to get her to a doctor right away.)

Bed bugs do tend to thrive more come spring (though they can be active all winter, they will incrase in warmer months). It could be school, it could be a friend or relative's home, or even a neighbor they're coming over from.

IF it's bed bugs and if your daughter had 26 bites in two days, you have a lot of them. I would get a Pest Control Professional in right away. If you're a renter in NYC, your landlord will have to provide professional treatment. (See FAQs).
aterry

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Posted 6 years ago
Mon May 21 2007 13:10:42
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Thanks for the replies. I've read all the FAQs (did that before posting). So far our situation doesn't match what I've read in the FAQs but I realize an infestation can take different forms. I can't find any signs: blood stains, smears, casings, etc, but nothing else (including mosquitos) explains the bites which is why I'm thinking BBs. Regarding the maroon circles, the bites turned into this pattern after 3 days. I know a lot of people who've had tick bites and I've never heard of it taking that long to make a bulls-eye pattern, plus being itchy and looking like mosquito bites first. Luckily she hasn't had any symptoms that are remotely like a tick-born illness. She hasn't had any new bites in over a week but I'm trying to be proactive.
lieutenantdan

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Posted 6 years ago
Mon May 21 2007 14:46:53
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aterry,
I live in queens too. Call assemblyman Gianaris' office and see if their have been reports listed on her school.
Ask for Maggie. 718- 545-3889. Gianaris has introduced a bill about bed bugs in the schools. You can find all of this on this site.

Also speak to reporter Nathan Duke at 718-229-0300 he is a reporter at the Times Ledger.com and has reported on bed bugs in queens.

Let these people know of your fears, concerns and the stress that the bed bug epidemic is causing you. As far as I know Gianaris is the only politician in this country that has taken a big step in the war on bed bugs.
Note that I was not reacting to bites for months, my wife was.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 6 years ago
Mon May 21 2007 19:31:21
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HI aterry,
I haven't heard of anyone getting a bull's-eye pattern from bed bug bites. Just to be safe, I'd follow up with the doctor--they may be able to test for lyme and/or give preventative treatment even though some time has elapsed.