Possibly Not Bitten? « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug bites, skin, etc.

Possibly Not Bitten?

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ukulelejack

newbite
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 13

Posted 4 months ago
Mon Jul 13 2009 21:39:02
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I understand many people are non-reactive to bites, and I may be one of them. I did not know I had BBs until my girlfriend, who spends weekends at my place, woke up with terrible bites. Both Sat and Sun morning, she woke with bites AND found a BB fleeing the bed. We caught both of them and were able to identify the situation right away.

But since she went home for the week, and I've slept alone, I've had no signs of BBs. No visible bugs and no bites on me. Is it possible they're not interested in me and are staying in hiding? Or are they feeding on me without my knowing it?

I worry because the exterminator is coming soon and what if the BBs don't come out of hiding for me? Am I bad bait?
Just itching to get rid of them

member
Joined: May '09
Posts: 124

Posted 4 months ago
Mon Jul 13 2009 22:50:48
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They are biting you. You just don't know it.
buggyinsocal

oldtimer
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,130

Posted 4 months ago
Mon Jul 13 2009 23:32:39
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It's a pretty common scenario for people not to react to bites.

Before I say anything else, I should add the following disclaimers. Since people mistakenly believed that bed bugs had been eradicated for several decades, until they made their recent resurgence, there wasn't a lot of research done on them, so there's a lot we don't know. And, I'm not a pest control pro or an entomologist, just a really interested amateur. I got bed bugs over a year ago, had thermal treatment, and haven't seen them since. I still around the boards because I travel frequently, and given that fact, I know I'm likely to encounter bed bugs again somewhere. I figure looking at pics and keeping up with recent developments will give me the tools I need to fight them if I encounter them again.

So the estimates that I first saw on the boards were that up to 60% of people don't react to bites. A while back someone posted an article that was scholarly research that suggested that people were more likely to respond to bites after repeated exposure, so if you're problem is in its early stages, there is a chance that over time, you'll begin to respond.

On the other hand, there may be a portion of the population who just doesn't respond at all. It's hard to say conclusively since there's not as much research on this as you would think.

However, don't worry about being "bad bait." The bugs will happily drink your blood whether you respond to their bites or not. And remember, that's the key point. They go looking for your blood not because they have a preferred type. It doesn't matter to them if you react or not. If they're hungry, they'll bite you.

And if the PCO knows what he or she is doing when it comes to bed bugs, it's more about knowing where to look and what signs to look for than needing you to act as bait during an inspection.
ukulelejack

newbite
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 13

Posted 4 months ago
Tue Jul 14 2009 6:34:04
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Thanks for the helpful info. It's just so odd--when my girlfriend was here, on both mornings, we saw and captured a blood-engorged bug. With her gone, it's like...nothing. I bought white sheets and blankets--they are pristine, no blood smears, fecal spots. I almost want them to appear so I know they still exist! I have ordered the Climb-Up Interceptors, so maybe some will turn up in there.