Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Uncategorized
Probably all clear!
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bittenandtired
newbite
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 14
Posted 1 year ago
Sat Sep 6 2008 17:18:49
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Just heard from Sean that if we've been getting bites for seven years we'd have thousands of bbs by now and definitely see evidence. I've shared on this forum before that we don't see any other signs than bites, no bugs, no blood on the sheets.
So, it looks like it's not bbs! We still need to figure out what's biting us, but I'm so happy to rule out this nightmare. We've already ruled out scabies, so I'm wondering about mites. We've got traps out under the beds from Terminix, we'll see what, if anything, they turn up.
Of course, it's also possible we're getting bitten by bbs that are a recent infestation, and different source than the bites we've gotten in past years, but I'm going to hold the thought that it's unlikely.
Thanks so much to all of you on this site for all the great info that's gotten me this far in detective work. Great work, Nobugs, and I voted for the site on the blog awards site!
I know we're not guaranteed to never get the critters, and I feel so much better prepared now if, God forbid, it ever happens to us. I know where to come if I need it!
Good luck, everyone!
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buggyinsocal
oldtimer
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,130
Posted 1 year ago
Sat Sep 6 2008 17:56:41
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You know what the most amazing thing about bed bugs is? Once you're either cleared of ever having had them or convinced that you're clear of your infestation? Things that used to be a big deal seem so minor.
I'm vaguely annoyed by our annual summer Argentine ant invasion, but mostly I'm like "Eh, they're not bed bugs. Big deal."
Congrats. I will cross my fingers that you find the source of the bites and that whatever it is, it's easy to treat.
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bittenandtired
newbite
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 14
Posted 1 year ago
Sat Sep 6 2008 20:50:59
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Buggy, you are so right! We just figured out a couple of days ago that my son has pinworms. Ans it was just 'okay, give me the medicine, okay, wash the clothes and bedding' (I'm used to that by now... heh). No big deal. When he had pinworm 4 years ago I was a total stress case about it!
Nice to have a little perspective.
I'll check in if I ever get a clear diagnosis of what's biting us. And if it IS bbs, you'll be hearing from me a lot more....
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BedBugBopGun
newbite
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 8
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Sep 9 2008 8:31:59
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I must say that having BBs has instantly cured my arachnophobia. I used to lose sleep when I'd see a spider in my bedroom. I'd have to kill it and check the whole room thouroghly to assure that there wouldn't be any more that would get me when I was sleeping.
I realized that they were my friends after all when I was cleaning our bedroom and ran across a small spider web with two small dead BBs in it. Can't hate them for that!
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TryinginBK
newbite
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 15
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Sep 9 2008 13:54:49
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After finding 3 bites on my ankle last week, I'm in the "not sure yet, but taking all precautions just in case" mode. But I've often wished I could have a trained pet spider to send on search and destroy missions. If only.
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spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,405
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Sep 9 2008 14:25:54
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TryinginBK - 29 minutes ago »
But I've often wished I could have a trained pet spider to send on search and destroy missions. If only.Be sure to let all roaming predatory spiders live. Running Crab, small wolves, and jumping spiders are about the right size, 1 CM, to look upon a BB as lunch and whack it.
A species of Running Crab spider in Greece was said to be a voracious BB eater. My gravatar is of one of the US relatives that is in the same family Thanatus.
Spiders rarely bite and even then short of an allergic reaction, or a bite from a Black Widow, Brown Recluse, or Hobo, bites are harmless.
I think a BB infestation will go a long way to cure any arachnaphobe. I wish there was a video of a spider taking one out. There are some vids on youtube of jumping spiders taking down prey. They look, get situated, and pounce.
Jim
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allinmyhead
newbite
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 14
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Sep 9 2008 15:15:33
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Keep the spiders?
I tend to think spiders are our friend, also--they've obviously found a bug source and are eating them.But now I have bites, and don't know if they're from bedbugs (been 4 weeks, no signs of blood, etc. on bed and nothing on double sided tape; also, don't get bitten every night) or spiders or what.
So now I have to clear out the spiders, to eliminate them as a source of the bites...
Sigh.
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spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,405
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Sep 9 2008 15:33:20
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allinmyhead - 14 minutes ago »
Keep the spiders?
I tend to think spiders are our friend, also--they've obviously found a bug source and are eating them.
But now I have bites, and don't know if they're from bedbugs (been 4 weeks, no signs of blood, etc. on bed and nothing on double sided tape; also, don't get bitten every night) or spiders or what.
So now I have to clear out the spiders, to eliminate them as a source of the bites...
Sigh.Well since spiders just suck their victims dry you may want to look look in the nooks and crannies for dried corpses.
They may be doing you favor in leaving the dead remains of other bugs, and hopefully your biters, around if you can find them.
If you have web weavers see what is tangled, and or under their web. Spiders will keep their web neat by tossing out the remains.
Maybe put a white sheet on the floor and take off the couch cushions, smack them down to look for spiders, then overturn the couch on the sheet and see what comes out.
Jim
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Thank God for spiders (and ants!). But God, why Bed Bugs???!!!!????
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