Do I have bed bugs?

by dleblanc

I received a brand new Sunbeam electric blanket for Christmas. When I laid it on my bed I found a dead adult bed bug in the center of it. I immediately put the blanket in a garbage bag and removed it from the bed room. However, the blanket had touched my other bedding and now I am worried I could have bed bugs.

I have a mattress encasement on both the mattress and the bed springs so that is good. I have tried to see if there are any blood spots on my sheets or bites on my body but I can't seem to find any yet. It has been one week now since this happened.

Any suggestions?

Editor Suggestions on Bed Bug in Blanket

Hi,

No need to panic, although you are smart to be concerned. First, bed bugs look like several other insects, so it pays to confirm that what you in fact have is a bed bug. Call your local cooperative extension or University to see if they have an Entomologist that could do an identification for you. If not, a local exterminator may be willing to help.

Next if it was only 1 bed bug, only a pregnant female would cause a problem since this is the only way they could lay eggs and reproduce. It takes two to tango.

You are correct to watch for the signs of bed bugs. If two weeks go by and you don't see any more, then you are in the clear. If you do see more, then call an exterminator as quickly as possible for an evaluation. A little precaution goes a long way when it comes to bed bugs.

Best of luck and let us know how you make out.

Jeff