Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
Please help - do these sound like bb bites?
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kingfisher111
newbite
Joined: Mar '11
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Mar 28 2011 14:04:00
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I have read so much info but I'm still not sure...
Two days ago I woke up with one bite at the base of my tailbone. It was quite large and pretty itchy, raised and similar to a mosquito bite.
Today I woke up and have another bite at the base of my beck that is similar to the one from a few days ago but there are also three bites on my left side - ribcage area. These ones are different, smaller, redder and there's two above and one slightly below.I am freaking out that there are bed bug bites. I am not sure if fleas bite in three's like the ones on my rib cage but I read that flea bites are insanely itchy so I really don't thikn these are fleas.
Help?
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Mar 28 2011 15:01:06
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You can't identify or rule out bed bugs or fleas based on what the suspected bites look like.
You need to find the pest that's biting you, or evidence of it.
A plug-in flea trap can help detect fleas. These methods can help find evidence of bed bugs (which is harder, but not impossible).
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kingfisher111
newbite
Joined: Mar '11
Posts: 21offline
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 29 2011 1:20:23
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I just now discovered 3 more bites just above my ankle. They are in a row, very small red spots that are not itchy...
I checked the mattress today and did not find any signs of bed bugs but have read that it is very hard to find them in the early stages.
Should I call a PCO right away??
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 29 2011 1:34:04
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It can be hard to find them at the early stages. Even though a PCO should have an easier time than you of doing so, it may still be hard.
A good human inspector may be able to spot the problem, and if you have bed bugs, they may even have been there longer than you think, even if you did not react at once. Remember, each bed bug is going to bite about once a week.
I note that you've been bitten on four body parts in three days. That suggests the work of at least four bed bugs.
(We're told one bed bug may bite more than once in a row, but I would suspect this would happen all at once in the same area. Your three-in-a-row might be from one bed bug, or more.)
You may also use a canine scent detection team, which can work, but make sure the handler visually verifies any dog alerts by finding physical evidence (per our FAQ on dogs). Don't just "take the dog's word for it."
You might want to employ a passive bed bug monitor like this one.
Remember there's a tiny possibility you're being bit outside your home. Bed bug bites -- if that's what they are -- can take hours or even days to appear. However, looking in your own home is the most obvious first step.
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kingfisher111
newbite
Joined: Mar '11
Posts: 21offline
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 29 2011 1:45:50
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Do you think it worthwhile using a flea detector first or should I go straight for the bed bug steps?
Is it true that bed bugs will usually bite more than once each time? Breakfast, lunch, dinner....or is it normal to just have single bites too?
If they have possibly been here longer than I think, would there be blood spots, fecal matter etc? No sign of any of that.I keep telling myself maybe they're fleas because the bites are so small and not at all itchy - but I know the bite is not indicitive of the culprit.
I really truly appreciate your help.
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 29 2011 2:25:39
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Single or multiple bites occur with bed bugs.
Re: fleas: bites on the lower part of the body are most common, unless you have a pet, in which case I think anything goes (e.g. if fluffy or fido is ever anywhere near your side or your neck, or on a bed or sofa you are on at the same time or later, etc.).
There should be fecal stains if they have been there a while. You may not necessarily find them easily, but they should be there.
Keep a log of your bites, when and where they occur. It may be helpful to know.
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kingfisher111
newbite
Joined: Mar '11
Posts: 21offline
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 29 2011 10:12:21
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Two more on my ankle. On separate sides of the foot.
Checked the bed this morning and so signs of blood or fecal matter. -
your host
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 29 2011 13:08:20
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kingfisher111,
Although bed bug infestations usually begin and are concentrated initially in the area of the bed, other patterns are possible.
Imagine you brought bed bugs into your home in a bag you set on the sofa, for example. They might hang out there and bite you while you watch TV or read.
Or imagine you had someone in your car who brought bed bugs in there; they could be biting in your car as you drive.
Those are just possibilities.
Even if they are in your home and in your bed, someone with more experience may have an easier time finding signs.
Since you are getting bites nearly every day, I would consider having an inspector come in. Either a human who really takes their time to inspect, or a canine team that visually confirms all dog alerts by searching for bed bugs at those specific sites.
You haven't mentioned if you have a pet. Fleas are possible without one being present, though where you're bitten might be different in that case. Since flea traps are much cheaper than an inspection, you might want to have a go with one of those first.
Passive bed bug detectors are another option.
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kingfisher111
newbite
Joined: Mar '11
Posts: 21offline
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 29 2011 13:21:16
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We just ordered a couple of the passive bb detectors online and I have called a few pets stores to see if they have flea traps and no one seems to have any...
I do have a dog although she hasn't really shown signs of having fleas. I thought maybe I could pick up a flea comb and see if I find anything. -
your host
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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 29 2011 13:41:07
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I think hardware stores stock the plugin flea traps.
There are also two models of plugin flea detector on Amazon (also linked from the Detection section of this list in the Useful Stuff page).
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kingfisher111
newbite
Joined: Mar '11
Posts: 21offline
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Mar 29 2011 21:18:30
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Two new bites - one on my calf and one on my lower back right side.
I am not sure when these ones happened.It will be two weeks for the passive monitors to arrive. I also gave the dog a good brush with a flea comb and found nothing. Just went over the bedframe, floor and mattress with a flashlight and tweezers to see if I could find anything and nothing so far.
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kingfisher111
newbite
Joined: Mar '11
Posts: 21offline
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Mar 30 2011 18:24:35
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No new bites today.
I did read this article posted on the site and found it really interesting.
http://bedbugger.com/2007/04/20/bitefest3/
The bites that she was getting before the "bitesfest" is exactly what mine look like...
Did she ever find out what was biting her? -
Court716
newbite
Joined: Jun '12
Posts: 1offline
Posted 11 months ago
Sun Jun 17 2012 10:41:19
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I have been getting mosquito like bites for the past week some nights I don't but the are big and itch. When I get the bites its on the left side of my body mainly my arm and leg somtimes on my stomach. Help!!!!!
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