First bed bug problem, and I don't trust my exterminator

by Dawn
(Tahlequah, OK, USA)

I'm 50 and never had this problem in my life till now. My neighbor had them but the apartments only treated hers, not the whole building. So I started getting what looked like mosquito bites. I went to a doctor who said bug bites, but I couldn't see any bugs. I dumped diatomaceous earth on my bed and chair, then found out the food-grade kind was bad for me and my cats. I have been treated by a pro, but I don't trust him, and I'm still getting bites. I also fear that even if I get rid of them, they'll be back since they're not dealing with the whole building.

Editor Response

Hi Dawn,

Your worry about the building is valid. Bed bugs move between apartments, so units next to, across from, above and below an infested one should be inspected too. Ask your landlord, in writing, to have the neighboring units checked. On diatomaceous earth: it works slowly against bed bugs, and the EPA says to use only products registered for bed bugs, not pool or food-grade DE, which can irritate lungs. Vacuum up heavy piles of dust. Silica-based dusts labeled for bed bugs work much faster. Bites alone can't confirm bed bugs, so ask your exterminator to show you evidence and explain the plan. Most treatments need 2 to 4 visits about 2 weeks apart, so continuing bites after one visit don't always mean it failed. Interceptor cups under the bed legs will show whether bugs are still active. See how to get rid of bed bugs.