Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Introductions
intro and questions: "minor" problem? partner precautions?
(3 posts)-
geoclintwash
newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 2
Posted 1 month ago
Sat Oct 3 2009 2:25:43
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hi, this is my first post. a couple of nights ago i came home, looked at my bed, and actually saw an adult bed bug crawling across my sheets, calm as you please. i trapped it in alcohol and taped it up to verify it was indeed a BB and sure enough it was. a pretty cursory examination of my bed turned up a concentration of bugs on my box spring on the far side near the wall -- the matress and sheets looked oddly pristine. i had received some mysterious bites before but only on my legs, not anywhere else on my body, and concluded due to other places i'd been hanging out and the shape and frequency of the bites that they were just from mosquitos. i got in touch with my Super next morning and he immediately called my building's PCO -- they went in with my permission while i was at work and made an inspection. now, a few days later, the same PCO is scheduled to come in and administer treatment -- i don't know exactly what he plans to do but he recommended i prepare by getting mattress encasements for post treatment, and also advised to my relief that he believes it to be "a minor infestation." i definitely plan to ask him to come back for a secondary examination and treatment a few weeks from now.
one reason i'm posting my story is that i'm hoping a few facts will be helpful for others: one, that my bites had little to no resemblance to pictures of bites one might find online -- infrequent, mostly single bites, and concentrated on one area of my body. this is just a reinforcement of the facts on this site, that no two people manifest the same reaction or symptoms of bed bug bites. two, as a sort of hopeful story for those living in big old buildings in brooklyn -- my super was very responsive and the fact that the management company retains the services of a professional PCO is also very encouraging. if you get on it right away and practice candor and respect you may very well have an easier time of it.
the second reason i'm posting is to ask some questions:
1) what do people think about the "minor infestation" diagnosis in light of the fact that i actually SAW a bed bug crawling around? this seems pretty rare from all i've read and was at first suggestive to me that it was a pretty serious problem. of course i was relieved to have a pro contradict this, but i still have my doubts.
2) my significant other has already ordered encasements for her own bed -- she has experienced no suspicious bites and has as yet been unable to find any evidence i carried any of the little devils over to her place, but she wants to be vigilant and is thinking of having an inspection either by human or by a trained dog. does anyone have any advice for her on this? if she has no circumstantial evidence of bugs does it make sense for her to throw down for a dog?
thanks so much in advance. i have really appreciated having all the info on this site at my fingertips at the last few days, it's made me feel more grounded and in control. i'll also report back when i know more about my PCO's methods.
GCW
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BBsonme
junior member
Joined: May '09
Posts: 50
Posted 1 month ago
Thu Oct 8 2009 20:20:30
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I was actually searching for information on carpet beetles when I stumbled across a site called bugspray.com; The site starts with the biological information one needs to know about bed bugs; which, if you've spent any time on this site you will probably become all too familiar with. It also offers methods for self treatment. David Cain and others have repeated the importance of positive ID before beginning treatment. They have an electric heat trap that they state has proven effective in also trapping bed bugs. It works by simulating the body temperature, the bugs crawl onto the the surface and are trapped by glue. It can then be used to show your PCO for identification purposes.
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BBsonme
junior member
Joined: May '09
Posts: 50
Posted 1 month ago
Thu Oct 8 2009 20:25:38
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This site offers a wealth of information. You just have to search, unfortunately not all topics have tags and sometimes finding your answer is harder than finding a bed bug. See the link below on how infestation is graded.
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