The bed bugs had come to my house uninvited!!! I am packing everything in plastic bags, so the exterminator can do his job easily tomorrow...!
This is the 5th time this is happening to me... this is an old building, and I am sure that I am not the only one infected, since I live on the 4th floor... and I am obsessed with having a clean and sparkles apartment!
I am scratching my whole body and feeling an invasion of these little bastards all over my body as I type this message! I hope I don't get diagnosed with insanity by a psychiatrist! :)
Wish me luck everyone, because this is going to cost me time, money and a lot of psychological stress! And this is not a good time for neither of these real nightmares!
Ciao!
Oct 06, 2010 Rating
Steve, I completely understand. by: Sheri
I have been living in an "extended living" building for over two years, and have had bed bugs living with us the whole time. I went through a pregnancy, and am trying to raise two children in this place. The bugs are so severe that I have panic attacks several times a week knowing that they're there. Knowing they're biting me and my family. And knowing that I have no choice to accept it. I seem to be the only one who is allergic to their bites, as I'm the only one who has visible bites all over my body.
I've bought spray after spray. My room has been treated four times. It seems like it's impossible to get rid of these disgusting things. Even used steam cleaning methods, which were the highest recommended ones. Didn't work. They're still here. We cannot afford to move and can't afford to buy our own treatments as often as we have to. It's weighing on me mentally as well, as I have bi-polar disorder, and my anxiety is always highest at night, knowing what I know. It takes a lot of strength to deal with these creatures, mentally. Those who don't feel or see the effects of the bites won't know what I mean, but the ones who do, will. It's one of the nastiest and most nerve wrecking thing to go through. There is guilt involved, also. I feel guilty that my kids are subjected to this, and there is nothing I can do....We need help, but can't find any. God Bless you, Steve, and all others going through this situation. Good luck. Sheri
Aug 30, 2010 Rating
A Trevelers Bed Bug Bites by: Anonymous
I stayed at a hotel in Cancun (Hilton Golf and Resort Spa) I woke up with a lots of itching and saw lots of bites on my elbow, legs, neck in rows and some in cluster. I reported it but they put me on hold.... Terrible experience. I'm kind of paranoid now on traveling.
Editor Bed Bug Travel Tips
Thank you for sharing your story. Every traveler should learn how to inspect a hotel room and cruise ship cabin for bed bugs.
Simply, before bringing your luggage into the room, check the mattress by pulling back the sheets. Look along the seams for brown/red marketing or spots. See this page for a bed bug mattress picture.
Travelers should can also protect themselves by keeping their luggage off the floor and by avoiding the use of drawers in the room. A simple tip is to pack Ziploc big bags. These bags are bed bug proof and can protect an entire suitcase. This way you are sure that no bed bugs will hitch a ride home in your luggage.
Aug 21, 2010 Rating
Monsters in your bed by: B&S1987
Steve,correct me, but you stated you contacted the building mgmt and they have sprayed your apartment? Then someone is helping. Many including myself have dealt with management that refuses treatment. I did it on my own. There are affordable alternatives on top of the sprays your pest control company is using. This will help you keep your furniture and sleep without being bit, believe me, I've laid in my bed, knowing there are bugs and had to bite the bullet, they left scars, so you are not alone.
Be sure to vacuum thoroughly, use the attachment hose to scoop them up (remember to dump cup/bag immediately). Buy mattress/box spring covers, the editor suggests one like Wal-Mart's MicronOne mattress BedBug proof mattress covers which will run you anywhere from $20-$49 depending on size of mattress. Also, J.T Eaton's BedBug Powder is a very effective tool and natural, no chemicals and safe to put on your bed and furniture. You may be able to find it at a local home depot or cheaper online (link added by editor).
Also, hand held steamers are very effective as they kill on contact.The steamer i bought was $39.99 gets up to 120 degrees. Hold directly on surface of fabric for deep steaming , bed bugs burrow themselves. They die on contact. It does require this to be done at least once everyday or every other day for at least 2 weeks ,but if you want to know they are gone its better safe than sorry, overkill on the steaming, it will give you a sound mind to sleep again.
If you do not have a way to purchase online Wal-Mart has prepaid debit cards which are only about $3-$10 to purchase. if you purchase the bed covers plus the bedbug powder or steamer you will want to steam and/or put powder on mattress before putting in sealed cover on. Just in case anything happens to cover, bed bugs can live up to a year without food. If you only purchase mattress cover I suggest buying 2 covers just in case it rips, otherwise you will have to go through this all over again.With all 3, or just 2 or 1 of those options on top of your pest control's sprays will be effective.
With hand held steamer, floor steamer (only had to do once), bed bug powder, mattress cover and vacuuming/steaming bed once a day it took me 3 weeks. It is a battle that can be won with perseverance.
Moving the furniture is hardest part of the process, everything else is tedious. Maybe have the pest control firm move the furniture out from walls and leave them that way so they are easily accessible. Just an idea, I know I've written you all a novel by now.
