Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug bites, skin, etc.
will bb bite through clothing?
(7 posts)-
I have searched the internet over and cannot find anything telling if bb's can bite you through your clothing. I found these creatures in my bed end of August and have been battling them since, not realizing they were also in my SUV, which I believe to be where they started since my mothers bldg became infected and I had been doing her laundry at my house for months by then, transporting it with my truck. So I think my battle has gone longer than it would have since I wasn't aware they were there, surely carrying them back in with us. My daughter and I are the only 2 in the house showing reaction to them and both have gotten bitten on our bottoms! Always in areas that had been covered with clothing when other skin was exposed. So does anyone know if they do get to you through your clothing or is it my dogs fleas that decided to eat on us too? I'm going insane at my house. Having to wash everything constantly and taking nerve meds along with sleeping pills just to rest. Also I always feel like bugs are on me when they are not! What is that all about? Or feels like needles stick in my skin periodically all day long with nothing there! I have never felt so alone and defeated in my life! Become paranoid about everything! Girls up the street have had head lice and I'm convinced that's now headed our way too! Help please
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BB_Slayer
newbite
Joined: Nov '09
Posts: 19
Posted 1 week ago
Fri Nov 6 2009 20:04:15
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I don't think they can bite through clothing, or perhaps they're too stupid to try.
As you observe the bugs over time you learn more about them and will get better at spotting and killing them. I had bugs coming out near the head of my bed so I just rotated my position and now they come out at the foot. They're too stupid to know I moved. And they're easier to kill now, being further away from their food source (me.)
I started getting up around 3 a.m. when I learned that they are the most active around this time (anywhere from around one to three hours before sunrise is when they seem most active.) I'll get up, turn up the light, and wait for them for at least 2 hours. For awhile I was killing 12 to 15 bugs per morning. After doing this for eight days I was "only" seeing 4 or 5 bugs per morning; and fewer big ones. Today was day 10 in my battle against the bugs. Yesterday I thought they might be totally eradicated but I did execute 2 young adults and one nymph.
Since I'm seeing fewer bugs as I continue getting up early to hunt them, I suspect it is possible to get rid of them this way. It's just a mathematical game of killing them faster than they can reproduce.
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watkinsnewan
newbite
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 329
Posted 1 week ago
Fri Nov 6 2009 20:45:59
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Very enlightening an I am so sorry but I really had to laugh at how stupid the bug is...It seem you have gotten to know there habits very well...The funny thing is I haven't found any in the night or early morning ( I wake at all hours by habit..)(Kids)(now BB)I did found two unfed babies two days ago At 1 in the afternoon.... Panic mode....me or the kids have not been bitten at all... I... think... We dont have any bit marks.... I had a friend tell me that one bit them through there clothes...I think if the clothes are thin and light enough they might... just think about it.. You have to have a special Encasement... WHY... cause they can poke there needle through it And take you blood with out permission... Doesn't the DR even have to have permission to do this..... I hope I am wrong but This is my thought for now... BB are stupid...
It has been A week and 6 hours since my first treatment... -
buggyinsocal
oldtimer
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,129
Posted 1 week ago
Fri Nov 6 2009 23:49:49
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My understanding is that they can bite through clothing but that they prefer not to.
We've heard many, many stories about people going to bed in long sleeve shirts, pants, socks, and even gloves, only to then develop bites on their faces because that was the only exposed flesh.
I know that some of the bites I got were places that had clothes covering that skin while I was asleep, although more of the bites were on skin that was exposed.
Once you know about bed bugs, it's very common to think you feel things crawling on you when you don't actually have things crawling on you. In short, you become hypervigilant. After a while, I realized that the "things crawling on me" sensation was actually the air stirring the fine hairs on my skin--which happened all the time even though I didn't notice the sensation until I started worrying about the possibility of bugs all the time.
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^^ the same thing happens to me. it doesnt help that my bites dont show up until HOURS after ive woken up, showered, gotten dressed and gotten on with my day. i constantly feel like im being bitten in the middle of the day. even if im wearing freshly hot washed + hot dryed + straight outta the ziplock clothes that should for all intents and purposes be 'uncontaminated'.
so, yeah, i feel you :/
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BB_Slayer
newbite
Joined: Nov '09
Posts: 19
Posted 1 week ago
Sun Nov 8 2009 20:29:29
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Rather than biting through clothing I suspect what they're doing is crawling under the clothing. You've seen how flat they are.
I think it's better to leave your forearms and lower legs exposed so they won't crawl up onto your face.
I've killed close to 200 (around 40 adults and 160 nymphs) in 12 days and haven't seen one in 7 hours so I think perhaps I am close to eradicating the pests. Hatching eggs remain a possible problem.
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Hi,
There has been a fair amount written on this subject over the years but to give you a summary:
- Bed bugs are capable of biting through thin material - it is one of the ways that they can be fed in captivity, in the wild / more natural environment it is not usual behavior for them and they almost always go for exposed skin.
- Bite responses can be delayed and triggered by other factors such as environment and temperature, therefore it is possible to get bitten during the night and the bite to only appear later in the day.
- Bed bugs are mototaxic organisms and they don't like living on non solid surfaces, as such they are unlikely to live in or on clothes unless the infestation is heavy and there is too much competition for food, this usually takes 9 - 12 months.
Far from being stupid creatures bed bugs are highly evolved and highly inelegant, they have survived on this planet longer than humans as a species and have found a perfect niche in feeding on humans.
If you even suspect fleas please use a plug in flea trap to identify them, its the most effective way of dealing with the odd rogue flea that gets into a property and is extremely cost effective.
Hope this clears things up.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited
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