Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » General Topics
please please help need advice
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notacrazylady
newbite
Joined: Jun '12
Posts: 5offline
Posted 11 months ago
Fri Jun 22 2012 21:25:58
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Hello!
About 3 months ago I slept on our couch, got bites. Assumed spider bites.
Then a few weeks later, slept on couch again, more bites.
This has happened every time I sleep on couch; large itchy bites, classic bed bug style.
All bugs love me, btw!
These nasty bites last weeks and are so so itchy! I live with my husband, and two small children.
NO ONE else gets bit. It is like a running joke.
We had a certified bed bug sniffing dog come and they said: no sign of bed bugs.
I bought climb ups. Trapped some bugs (3) and brought them to the pest control company and owner said 'These are not bed bugs."
I am not sure if they were or weren't, they were unspecific small brown bugs.
Owner of pest control company said:
'You do not have bed bugs. At this point you would have an infestation and your children would be getting bitten as well. You can buy this fancy new contraption for $60 to try and catch them or you can save your money and go buy yourself some cocktails. You do not have bed bugs.'
He's hilarious.
That night I lied on the couch, feeling relaxed finally, watched tv with my husband and a day later had 3 new bites.
I do not get bit in bed and again, no one else has bites.
I want to get rid of the couch and clean the room but my husband thinks I am nuts and just someone who all bugs love.
PLEASE ADVISE!
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!!
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notacrazylady
newbite
Joined: Jun '12
Posts: 5offline
Posted 11 months ago
Fri Jun 22 2012 21:43:25
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And just to add:
The guy who came with the dog gave the house a good once over and said quite convincingly
"I really don't think you have bed bugs"
I continually check under our cushions for signs and don't find any classic bed bug blood, fecal matter, eggs etc.
But our down feather couch with millions of crevaces could be like a haven for them for all I know.
We have not turned the couch upside down though and checked under it.
I feel crazy, but know I am not.
Wish my husband would stop looking at me like I have 3 heads LOL
Thanks again
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,732offline
Posted 11 months ago
Fri Jun 22 2012 23:50:26
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Can you post photos of the bugs you found? Some people are allergic to carpet beetle hairs-- carpet beetles are are very common and don't bite.
Passive bed bug monitors may give you peace of mind, and I am not an expert, but I understand that after three months, there should be signs of fecal stains (usually in the region where you're bitten). A careful visual inspection should turn these up of present.
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notacrazylady
newbite
Joined: Jun '12
Posts: 5offline
Posted 11 months ago
Sat Jun 23 2012 6:56:22
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Thank you so so much for your response.
Unfortunately, I do not have the bugs I caught last weekend any more. I was convinced that the owner of the pest company was right, until I got bitten again of course!
I am including pics of the recent bites and something that could be a fecal stain. It is the only one I can find on the whole couch (the couch is green/brown but there is light brown fabric under the cushions so I could see this well).
When I slept on the couch in late March and a few times in April, I got 5 bites on upper leg, then 3 in a row on upper leg and then 7 on the front, side and back of upper arm. All were of this variety shown in the pictures above.
Thank you again and I understand you can not diagnose my problem this way but any insights would be greatly greatly appreciated!!
If I do catch any more bugs, I will post a pic.
Also, this feels like a timely matter because we have (wanted) house guests coming next week and I would really like to crack the case on this as you can imagine.
Thank you!!
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blargg
member
Joined: May '11
Posts: 338offline
Posted 11 months ago
Sat Jun 23 2012 7:17:00
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It's hard to diagnose bbs based on skin alone. That spot doesn't tell much either. It sounds like you may have some other reaction to something on the couch, like the material. Could be coincidental, too...
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notacrazylady
newbite
Joined: Jun '12
Posts: 5offline
Posted 11 months ago
Sat Jun 23 2012 7:24:08
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I agree. It's all so tough to figure out.
I think we are going to get the $60 monitor instead of getting a whole new couch.
If anyone has any experience with those (they release CO2 and phermones to lure and then trap bb), do share.
Thanks!
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notacrazylady
newbite
Joined: Jun '12
Posts: 5offline
Posted 11 months ago
Sat Jun 23 2012 20:17:45
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Hi...again
I have trapped another bug and it looks like the other bugs I trapped (but no longer have) from last week.
Upon research, it is possible it could be a chigger.
SOOOOO.....
if it is, would it only bite me?
It seems from research like they are 'woodsy' or outdoor buggers so why and how would they be in my couch?
My bites are waist, thigh, upper arm and once on toes so that I'm sure is completely inconclusive
If you have any info you think I should know, please do share.
Many, many MANY thanks in advance.
I'm so trying to crack this case before I truly do become a crazy lady!!!
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,732offline
Posted 11 months ago
Sat Jun 23 2012 22:53:51
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I can't assess if the suspected fecal stain is bed bug feces. (I am not an expert and there may be others who can here.) Suspected bites, as the other poster noted, can't be assessed.
Which monitor are you buying? Keep in mind, the Bed Bug Beacon (see Useful Stuff Page for a linked FAQ) can work but seems to do best in unoccupied rooms. For example, when you go away for a few days, or for a room no one is sleeping in.
It can work with people there but if there are only a few bed bugs, the beacon is going to be competing with you for their attention if you're in the room, and then remember too, each bed bug only needs to feed about once a week, give or take. So if you have three bed bugs, say, that's three opportunities for the active monitor to catch them, and you're competing with it each time.
If you're referring to the Verifi, I would hold off as these are brand new and we aren't getting any reports on effectiveness in the field yet from what I can see. Also, they seem to be quite costly to run -- with multiple monitors per room being recommended, and with some of the consumables lasting a very, very short time.
In an occupied room, you may have more luck with passive or interceptor monitors (again, see Useful Stuff Page for a linked FAQ on Climbup Interceptors TM and BBAlert Passives).
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