OMG! I had no idea that these things were real! I always say it to my son before we go to bed, but I really didn't mean it. I've already thrown out a mattress and box spring as well as the sectional in my living room, they were taking over. I just about moved out of my apartment and into my sister's house until I close on my new home. Anytime I pick up clothes from the apartment, I take them directly to the laundromat to wash them in hot water and dry on high heat...(read that on the internet). Well this morning, my son swears he saw one on the bed at my sister's. I am going CRAZY! How do you get rid of these things?!?!? I had the apartment exterminated, but did not want to take anything I had already washed back there, for this very reason. What do I do before they infest my sister's place and what should I do to prevent taking them to my new house. I am seriously on the verge of a nervous breakdown. PLEASE HELP! I will feel awful if she has to throw out mattresses b/c of me.
Just heard that they can be as hard to get rid of as fleas!! Just heard a story recently of a woman that spent over $1,000 to rid them of her house!! Good Luck!
Bed bugs are pretty touch to get rid of, unfortunately. They are visible to the naked eye and can even be as big as a pencil eraser. They usually are very good at hiding, though, so most people never see any. They live in mattresses, but also in floorboards, walls, even behind picture frames. It sounds like you have done all of the right things. If you haven't actually seen any but are very itchy, you might also consider scabies, which are treated with a cream on your body.
Rachel Ray is doing a feature on bedbug and how to get rid of them tomorrow on her show. Maybe you could get some tips from that. Good luck - you have my sympathies. They said this year there is the worst outbreak of bed bugs in years.
I just googled your question. It said to encase all mattresses in protective plastic cases that are designed for dust mites. Any bed bugs left will die within the year due to lack of air. Keep unused cloths and linens in plastic tubs. These bugs can follow you from one place to another in your hair! Wow, I'm learning a lot today. I'm so sorry that you are going through such a thing. Hope this helps.
I think you can find information online - but take it all with a grain of salt. I'd recommend contacting a reputable extermination company. From what I understand - they not only can 'nest' in the seams of the mattress, but the headboard, floorboards, under picture frames or any place that can allow them to hide in a room. The biggest place of concern are typically hotel rooms. Luggage should go into the bathroom and you should check the bedding and the above mentioned places for dark stains - blood and droppings, which is an indication of infestation. Also - they tend to 'bite' along the body in a line, so marks are not really scattered. And, they are only out to 'feed' around the early hours of the morning - like 3am - 5am from what I recall reading.
But they are very hard to eradicate if the infestation is bad.
It could be bed-bugs, but if you have not traveled or had anyone stay with you that has not (with luggage being in hotels/etc.) - then it could be something else.
powder everything, bugs hate powder...
Here's some sites that may help (others came up with a simple "bed bugs" search):
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/bedbugs/
http://www.bed-bug.net/
http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/bed-bugs.htm
http://www.bedbugsguide.com/
I don't think you can actually see them though.
I'm having the exact same problem wtih fleas. We've bombed, cleaned carpets, bathed, sprayed and used drops adn collars on all of the pets. Enough about my issues...I haven't had a Bed Bug expierence, but I've read that Borax (the powdered laundry soap)kills them. you have to sprinkle it everywhere and leave it on for a week or so. GOod Luck!
