Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
Should you always hire a professional right away? [photo ID a: bed bug]
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manue
newbite
Joined: Jul '12
Posts: 20offline
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jul 27 2012 1:29:28
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Hi,
I'm new to the whole BB nightmare, and here is my situation. My boyfriend came back from a trip 6 days ago. On day 2 of his return, he asks me to take a look at some marks on his body. He has about 10, small ones more or less aligned in two places on his body. I have two bigger ones on my thigh. Ok, this is suspicious stuff, but there are mosquitoes around here. The next day, I find a dead bug on the bathroom floor (I kept it; it REALLY looks like a BB). I go into full freakout mode.
Here is what we did since the discovery:
- Sealed his suitcase in a bag and put it outside.
- Vacuumed over the entire mattress and bed frame meticulously on two different occasions, yet found absolutely no evidence of BBs.
- Sprayed the mattress and bed frame with isopropyl alcohol.
- Vacuumed the entire apartment and mopped it with diluted bleach (though it probably doesn't help, it calmed me down).
- Dry heated all clothes at highest temperature for more than half an hour (carefully putting them in a bag before moving them and throwing out the bag after).
- Dry heated all pillows, sofa covers, towels, etc.
- Changed sheets daily and put them in bag before washing them with hot water.The thing is, 3 days later, we haven't found any hint of a BB infestation. We haven't had any more bites, though we carefully inspect each other every day. We haven't found any fecal/blood stains or any trace of the bugs anywhere else but that dead one. We do not even know where we were when the bites occurred (though maybe not in bed since there were no stains).
So I guess my question is:
Is it at all possible that we introduced just one BB in the apartment and solved the problem?I keep reading that BBs are better eradicated if you act early, but is it ok to wait a few days to get another bite before calling my landlord and/or the exterminator.
I mean if there ARE some BBs, they will eventually bite us again soon, right?
Bottom line, if the exterminator comes and finds nothing, I will feel dumb for the expense. Yet if I wait and it gets worse, that will cost even more. I read that the first month, the breeding takes a while to 'take off' before they build population...Thanks for any advice!
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manue
newbite
Joined: Jul '12
Posts: 20offline
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jul 27 2012 1:54:38
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A picture will surely be helpful (sorry for the low resolution)
http://imgur.com/SVssi -
theyareoutthere
oldtimer
Joined: Sep '11
Posts: 2,018offline
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jul 27 2012 2:52:14
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I don't think there are any experts on right now. You can PM Paul Bello, David Cain, Killerqueen..there are other experts if you don't get a response.
I'm not an expert but the picture is kind of difficult to see. The experts may do a better job but if you are able to take front, back, side..it may help.
Some questions that may help the expert:
1. Do you live in a major city? You don't want to give too many identifiers here, but New York and LA have some experts on this site.
2. Have you read about passive monitoring? It may be good to put them on a sofa and the beds..anywhere you hang out a lot.
3. The obvious thought is to blame it on the trip, but if you have neighbors or have friends that have visited, that can be the source. The dead bug on the bathroom floor is odd. The experts can weigh in. Bedbugs usually are attracted to beds, sofas, etc. They like to be close to you. And, the fact that it was dead is odd. If he picked it up on the trip and it wasn't an "old bug", it is odd that it would come to your house..somehow move to the bathroom (unless that is where his suitcase or dirty clothes from the trip were) and expire...The experts can weigh in on this issue more.
4. Read the FAQs and the bite primer. It's hard to diagnose from bites and some people don't react for a while.
5. Do you have birds, bats, etc. near your home? -
theyareoutthere
oldtimer
Joined: Sep '11
Posts: 2,018offline
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jul 27 2012 3:16:36
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I should say..if you are in New York..Lou Sorkin identifies. You do want to keep your speciman. Don't let a PCO take it if you do choose to go that route. I'll let the experts weigh in on next steps. Just thought I'd ask some of the questions I see.
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manue
newbite
Joined: Jul '12
Posts: 20offline
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jul 27 2012 7:34:57
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I tried taking a better picture:
http://imgur.com/D14CoStill no bites/stains this morning.
I had just taken off my clothes to shower so the bug on the floor may have been on me, though I read that they do not like hanging out on people.
I live in Montreal.
I will look into passive monitoring...
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oldtimer
Joined: Nov '11
Posts: 2,515offline
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jul 27 2012 10:53:10
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Dear manue,
I'm sorry but based upon the photo you sent, it is a bed bug.
You can always call a professional in for an evaluation & estimate.
Keep us posted on your progress, hope this helps ! paul b.
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manue
newbite
Joined: Jul '12
Posts: 20offline
Posted 10 months ago
Fri Jul 27 2012 11:12:05
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Alright, I will get right to it then. I guess with BBs, safe is always better than sorry.
I will keep you posted.Thank you!
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