Protecing the face from BB attacks? « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

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Protecing the face from BB attacks?

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bugration

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Posted 4 years ago
Fri Jun 27 2008 7:01:03
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Hi there,

First off my compliments on a great information resource!

Like so many first-time posters here I have a suspicion of BBs (bites mainly) but no proof as yet. Obviously it's too early to go isolate the bed let alone treat - currently the plan is to search for more conclusive evidence and/or try to catch a live one - but in the interim is there any way to protect the face from bites (if that's indeed what they are)? I understand that the best way to catch a live one is to use yourself as bait, but yeah the one thing that bothers me when going to sleep at night is them crawling on and biting the face. I mean, hypothetically if I once woke up and found 18 new welts on my arm, that wouldn't be too bad, but 18 on the face most certainly would! (fortunately am nowhere near this volume yet but you never know)

So yeah, is there anything out there that would at least heavily discourage BBs from trying the face in favor of other exposed areas? For example, what about those mosquito net hoods you see around, would those work? I know that a BB could bite through fabric if desperate, or could somehow find a way to slip through, but if there was easy to reach exposed flesh nearby then why would it bother?
bugration

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Posted 4 years ago
Sun Jun 29 2008 11:19:08
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No one has any ideas?
theprey

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Posted 4 years ago
Sun Jun 29 2008 19:15:40
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I used to rub Tiger Balm on my face before bed. Even though I avoided the eye area, it stung my eyes and generally felt unpleasant. But while it didn't completely prevent bites, it helped reduce them significantly.

I learned this strategy from a friend who battled bed bugs in two different apartments for several years back in 2001 - 2003, before new treatments had really been nailed down.
verysad

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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jun 30 2008 0:45:42
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Usually they have a preferred area on you they like. If they have gone at your arms before, leave your arms easily assessable at night. Hopefully they will bite there and that's it. Generally I don't believe they are too fond of faces, just make sure you leave them other options. The Tiger Balm will definitely help to discourage them too.
moonchill

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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jun 30 2008 19:47:26
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They hate lavender oil and won't bite where it is applied.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 2:28:15
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Don't try to cover the rest of your body fully, otherwise they will go for the face.
bugration

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Posted 4 years ago
Wed Jul 2 2008 7:23:22
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Thanks for all the replies. I would indeed try to offer arms, legs, feet etc uncovered so as to maximize the repellant effect of anything I rub on my face. Unfortunately I don't think Tiger Balm is easy to get here in Europe. Is lavender oil widely known to work vs BBs? Nobugs I recall you mentioning in another thread how lavender oil wouldn't work? Although I believe that was more in the context of trying to cover all exposed parts with it (when in the end they would be prepared to bite through most anything) as opposed to using it as a "targeted" repellant?
evel18

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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Sep 25 2010 13:16:57
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I want to bring this thread back to the top and see if anybody has any fresh insights? This is one of the things that has me most scared. Bites showing up on the face and neck. I work in a profession that's pretty driven by the face and image. Any tips on helping avoid the face being bitten?

Does Tiger Balm really work? I'm concerned about putting that on the face when there's nothing really wrong with it. Worried about side effects.

Vaseline?

Deets?
OhDearMe

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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Sep 25 2010 13:45:13
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Yes I have the same question as well. Regardless of profession, I don't think anyone wants to be bitten on their face. :/
cilecto

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Sep 26 2010 13:03:30
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Could you improvise some kind of hood with thick enough fabric or a gap between the fabric & the skin? How about one of those plastic masks and stockings like robbers use in movies?
Just brainstorming.
scaredsilly

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Sep 26 2010 14:40:15
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I have the same issue and tried Lavender oil spray on the sheets. It only worked a night or two and then bugs got over it and ate me alive. However, I got some Skin So Soft (original) lotion from the Avon lady and that seems to work. I use it only on my face and feet so they can go for other areas (or they can eat my non-reacting hubby!). I recall being told that the lotion works for mosquitos so I tried for BB and have had some good luck. I didn't use it last night and got a bite on the bottom of my foot