Bedbugs, anyone?

Posted: Tue, Sep 14 2010, 12:05 pm Post subject: bedbugs, anyone?

I think I just found a bedbug crawling up my wall! Then I went online and this website has a list of favorite hiding spots for bedbugs and I found a shedded bedbug skin inside my clock radio! I'm petrified? I don't know what to do next. Any advice?

Silver Member Joined: May 24 2010 Posts: 597

Call an exterminator who specializes in bedbugs. Wash all your sheets and clothes in very hot water and keep in garbage bags until your house is bug free. You will probably need to replace your matresses if infested. There was an outbreak in my mother's building several years ago. The exterminator came with a dog who sniffed out all the bedbugs. However, if nobody in your family has bites, it may not really be bedbugs. An exterminator could tell you for sure.

Posted: Tue, Sep 14 2010, 12:24 pm Post subject: re: bedbugs, anyone?

OP- Well, I'm not sure about the bites. One of the kids had a few tiny scabs in a cluster that I suspected were bites. That was last week and they've disappeared by now.

Silver Member Joined: May 24 2010 Posts: 597

Chances are if you really have bedbugs, people would keep getting bitten, although it would start slowly with one family member getting a few bites. Did you kill the bug you saw or is it still on the loose and reproducing? If you really think you have bedbugs, get an exterminator. Also, check your kid's bed. Chances are that's where he/she got bitten.

Posted: Tue, Sep 14 2010, 2:00 pm Post subject: re: bedbugs, anyone?

When we had bedbugs there were tiny blood spots all over the sheets, good way to tell. Good luck.

Posted: Tue, Sep 14 2010, 2:04 pm Post subject: re: bedbugs, anyone?

OP here- thanks. I haven't noticed blood spots on the sheets. Yes, I did kill the bug I found. I actually put it in a ziplock bag to compare it with pictures online, and it died on the way in. Now I feel itchy all over, but I don't see bites anywhere.

Posted: Tue, Sep 14 2010, 2:08 pm Post subject: re: bedbugs, anyone?

op again. I just spoke to dh who spoke to the guy in charge of the building. He said to bring over my baggy with the bug inside for inspection. I'll have to fish it out of the garbage.

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48156

Your dermatologist can culture you and prescribe treatment, while you clean your house, clothes, couch, toys and bedding.

Posted: Tue, Sep 14 2010, 4:22 pm Post subject: re: bedbugs, anyone?

If you live in a building it is definitely possible!!! We had this problem also!!! We were getting it from our smelly gross downstairs neighbor!! Get an exterminator asap!!! But your mattresses in plastic covers. wash all the linen from all your rooms! Empty all your closets and put everything in the dryer. All cloths and bedding as well!!!! Its not an easy process and know that its not you!!! Has nothing to do with cleanliness!!!

Gluck!!!

Beginner Joined: Aug 31 2009 Posts: 20 Location: NY

If you live in a building, the management is responsible for getting rid of the bedbugs. They usually work with an extermination company that specializes in bedbugs. Because the bedbugs can spread easily through an apartment building, the management company may also send a dog to each apartment, to sniff it out and check for them.

If it turns out that you don't have bedbugs, you should buy mattress and box spring protectors anyway, so that you won't have to throw your mattresses out if you ever do get them. They have them at bed bath and beyond, they're expensive- about $70 for each, but in the end it's much less expensive than buying new mattresses.

We just had a bedbug infestation in our building- I know it can be very stressful! I hope you don't end up having any! Good Luck!!

Posted: Tue, Sep 14 2010, 5:46 pm Post subject: re: bedbugs, anyone?

Thanks everyone. The manager doesn't think it's a bed bug, and neither does the building's exterminator, but they're sending it to a lab for testing. I don't know how long it will take to find out for sure. When it was alive, it looked like a bedbug. Now that it's dead it looks different.

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48156

Do you wake up at night insanely itchy on the trunk area of your body? If so, then you have bedbugs. It takes at least a week to be itchy if you haven't been exposed before. You can use an overnight cream or an anti parasite to rid them from your body.