Think I have one in my car.... « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

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Think I have one in my car....

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mangobirdie

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Oct 9 2011 22:33:31
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I am currently fighting what I believe to be a low level infestation in my apartment. My Landlady has had the exterminator out twice before, with another visit for treatment scheduled for tomorrow. Twice in the last two weeks I have had something bite my feet (I was in flip flops) while I was driving. The bites did not get as inflamed and red and painful as the bites I have had on my arms (I am highly allergic) but they were very itchy. I am afraid I have tracked one into my car. Not impossible, considering how much laundry I have had to do.

My question is: if it is there how can I get rid of it?? I do live in New Hampshire so soon it will be very cold but I have read several resources that say that just one freezing may not kill them. It has to be either a super-fast flash freeze or a freeze that lasts for weeks. It may be freezing out but not freezing in my car all the time due to the sun, etc. Any advice? I am have looked and can't find one but that is nothing new. In the months I have been fighting them I have only ever seen two live ones and three dead ones.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Oct 10 2011 17:32:08
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If you felt like you were being bitten while you were driving, it could be from a bite which happened earlier. (Or it could be another bug!)

Most people do not feel it when bed bugs actually bite, because they inject an anesthetic that prevents this. Many people seem to feel bed bug bites "appear" after the fact. It may be part of your body's allergic response.

I would not assume your car is infested or needs treatment unless there are signs presenting the car. Experts tell us they rarely infest cars.
help_me

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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Oct 10 2011 20:13:10
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Experts tell us they rarely infest cars.

I have been told otherwise actually, by the company that was here heat treating my home about three weeks ago. When I first discussed having the woman come out and do the initial K9 inspection I was told they inspect cars too. When she inspected our cars and the dog alerted in his car I asked what can be done about it and she said they will heat treat that as well because they are absolutely finding them there in cars.

I don't see why it would be so rare. We move around a lot, often going from sitting in places to sitting in our cars, sometimes for long periods. We have cushy upholstered seats, carpeting, and lots of hiding places. Being that most people carry with them lots of stuff to and from there houses to their cars and others places I would think it's rather high.

This scares me most. I change out of my clothes and put them into the dryer after I've been in my car. I go out to eat at restaurants and things and then get into my car. When they heat treated the cars they took the big tube and just held it in one of the opened doors. I did not think this was a very effective approach as having the doors open would make it less hot but they said it was a different type of heat. They used some sort of temperature reader to check the temps in various places all around the inside of the car. Under the seats, in the cracks between the seats, etc.

I asked if they had seen anything and they said no, they also did a really thorough visual inspection of the cars before heating them. She thought she had found a dead on wedged in the seat, it turned out to be a piece of tobacco from his cigars.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Oct 10 2011 20:25:31
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help_me - 9 minutes ago »

Experts tell us they rarely infest cars.

I have been told otherwise actually, by the company that was here heat treating my home about three weeks ago. When I first discussed having the woman come out and do the initial K9 inspection I was told they inspect cars too. When she inspected our cars and the dog alerted in his car I asked what can be done about it and she said they will heat treat that as well because they are absolutely finding them there in cars.

I did not say they never infest cars, but that we're told it's not common. I have heard another poster who was told this -- that it's not common --by a heat treatment company as recently as this week, so apparently it's not a universal idea. And apparently that firm was not trying to sell someone a service they were not certain was needed.

Remember you're getting this information from a firm that's trying to sell you on heat treatment of your car, and yet presumably has shown you no visual evidence of bed bugs there.

Dog alerts are not definitive. Visual evidence is.
BugsMustDie

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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Oct 10 2011 20:57:09
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I've also heard that they rarely infest cars.

Mosquitoes, on the other hand, love to live in my car! You may want to consider that as a possibility if they're a problem where you live.
mam417

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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Oct 10 2011 21:02:39
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OK, I was really really trying to avoid posting on here, because I know I'm NOT objective and didn't want to risk freaking the op out, but in light of Nobug's comment (which, I believe refers to me, although Nobugs you will kindly correct me if I'm merely being self-absorbed), I thought I'd chime in. I'm pretty sure there are bbs in my (old but new for me) car :(. I actually contacted a very reputable PCO, who I believe specializes in heat treatment, although I can't say for certain (I'm not certain of the rules about referring to a specific company, so I won't). According to the man I spoke to, who has been doing this for many years, it is highly unusual for bbs to infest cars. He has been doing this for 10 years (I think) and he said he's seen it only rarely. In fact, he would not let me schedule my car treatment, told me to put in a monitor and wait...I may not be able to wait, because I'm so crazed, but that was his suggestion. Oh, yea, that and "have a glass of wine...." lol...poor guy, he returned my call while I was crying and having a(nother) total meltdown...probably why he indulged me and let me drone on incessantly for almost an hour. Anyway, since I have first hand knowledge, I thought I'd share it, for what it's worth. Mangobirdie, the information I have, from multiple sources, is that you could get bit elsewhere and then just notice the bites after you've been in your car, leading to the erroneous conclusion that bbs have taken up residence in your car. I'm not saying you're wrong, but if you can throw a monitor in there, just to see if you catch anything, that's the advice I was given. David Cain (with whom I've also spoken about this - yea, I am a HIGH anxiety type...) suggested putting a passive monitor under the seat, and the PCO I spoke to actually suggested a Climb Up, of all things. He said if their moving around, they might wind up there. It's worth a shot. I'm so sorry you and help me are dealing with these hideous beasts. Best of luck to you both.
mangobirdie

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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Oct 10 2011 21:55:04
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Thanks everyone for the replies. One possibility that I failed to mention (I swear I have like bed bug tunnel vision) is fleas. I do not have fleas in my apartment or have animals that attract fleas but I overheard a coworker, who I share chairs and cubical space with, complain that his cats have infested his apartment with fleas and that the problem is really bad. It is possible I picked up a single or multiple fleas. I am pretty allergic to all bug bites so I am sure if I flea bit me I would react.

mam417, I am so sorry you are dealing with such a high level of anxiety. I fight that as well and have indeed had a drink on occasion to be able to sleep in my bed knowing they are there. I struggle with anxiety and depression anyway so this has been VERY difficult for me. I recently went to the doctor to change my medication and I think it is helping. It doesn't make the problem go away but I feel less overwhelmed and more like I can deal with this. But feeling like I always have to out smart the bugs is exhausting.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Oct 10 2011 22:19:19
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Mam417,

Yes, I was thinking of you and yes, it's fine to name the company you spoke with.

Most people do not know when bed bugs bite them because they inject us with an anesthetic substance that prevents this awareness.

Many report "feeling like a bed bug is biting them" and looking and seeing nothing, and I suspect this is because many of us seem to experience this as a kind of delayed allergic reaction to bed bug bites.

Of course, "feeling like something is biting you" could also mean something else (mosquito, flea) is biting at the moment. And if you're able to check, you'd see that happening.

Feeling like you were bitten in a particular location is not evidence there are bed bugs there.
mam417

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Posted 1 year ago
Mon Oct 10 2011 22:59:33
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Hi, Nobugs, thanx for clarifying. In case anyone is interested, I called AAA Superior, and spoke with Jeff Klein. As I said, he was extremely supportive, listened to me at length, and provided me with some strategies for figuring out what was going on. He echoed Nobugs' sentiment that "[f]eeling like you were bitten in a particular location is not evidence there are bed bugs there. " (not sure how to do the quote thing...) Although it's OT, I'll also add that he alleviated my fear about my current PCO's treatment regimen. That was a relief!! Anyway, he was SO nice and very helpful, and I am very appreciative. And, btw, that goes double for Nobugs!!

Mangobirdie, I'm sorry that anxiety and depression appear to be something else we share. I'm not on any meds, but you can only imagine howmany times I WISH I was! NEVER in my life have I EVER had panic attacks! N-E-V-E-R!!! And, as I think I may have posted elsewhere, they are now a nearly daily occurrence...it's so incredibly scary. I know exactly what you mean when you say that "trying to outsmart the bugs is exhausting." OMG, for me as well. And the fear that I will bring them anywhere, well, that puts me over the edge. And people just do NOT get it - I mean, the other night my significant other actually had the temerity to try and hide my cigarettes...WTF??? Is he insane? This is NOT the time to worry about my health.....I need to smoke (and drink) MORE!!! Lolol.... BTW, MB, wine is also my sleeping pill lately for the same reason as you. (I've considered drinking during the day as well, actually...would never do it, but have THOUGHT about it often...). So, you're not alone in how you're reacting, I assure you.

Help me, I can totally relate to your fear of bringing the bugs back into the house from places like restaurants. I have to take public transportation to work. I can barely sit in the (upholstered, cushioned, a-million-places-for-bbs-to-hide) seats. It will be a very very very long time before I can go anywhere without coming home and taking my clothing off in my plastic bin (thank you David Cain) and putting it immediately into a Zip Lock to be dryed to within an inch of its life. Sorry, I know this is also OT, but I just wanted to acknowledge what you said, and let you know you're not alone, either.