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campgrandma's avatar
campgrandma
Explorer
Sep 23, 2014

HELP! May have bed bugs

We were in an area where there were lots if little black bugs flying around outside and biting, so this might be the problem!! But both of us woke up the other morning with several bites..mine on my upper arm, hubby's were on his shoulder. Mine itch like crazy, his don't. Our son had an infestation several years ago and told us what to look for...We have seen no actual signs of any and have had no more bites in the last couple of days...just that one day. Anybody had a problem with them and what did you do? We put all our blankets in a hot dryer and are washing all our sheets and clothes right now and are going to dry them on hot. Hopefully, we don't have the problem and can't imagine where we could have picked some up, IF, in fact, we have. Thanks!!
  • Alfred622's avatar
    Alfred622
    Explorer
    Sep 23, 2014
    We still tell the story of how we had a fresh hatching of tiny baby mosquitoes invade out pop up camper (the buggers crawled right through the screen fabric) and boy they were hungry. That night, a bit after dusk, I stood in the middle of the camper and said "Abandon Camper". We drove 30 miles to a motel and spent the night. The next morning I set off an insect fogger. After sweeping up all the dead mosquitoes and flies, we had no more trouble!

    Kids still talk about that story!
  • dtappy3353's avatar
    dtappy3353
    Explorer
    Sep 23, 2014
    Sterifab is a great product. As a pre-emptive strike, should you have BB's.....get 90% alcohol, put it in a spray bottle and spray all bedding including pillows, bedframes, mattresses (especially folded corners), clothing etc including shoes. Wash all clothes in normal water however, the trick is to dry everything on HOT cycle of the dryer. It's the extreme heat which will finish BB's off.

    I once managed public housing which had an integrated pest management program that included the above steps every thirty (30) days till no more bites. The alcohol kills the live bugs and any immature bugs.

    These little devils are very resilient and can live dormant for years before they reappear.

    Best of luck!
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Sep 23, 2014
    fla-gypsy wrote:
    Sounds like No-see-ums to me or gnats they are called in this part of the world. They are some blood thirsty rascals but bugs in the deep south are just part of our existence along with poisonous snakes and large man eating reptiles. All part of the fun.


    Isn't that why all the tourists come down in winter? :W
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Sep 23, 2014
    Sounds like No-see-ums to me or gnats they are called in this part of the world. They are some blood thirsty rascals but bugs in the deep south are just part of our existence along with poisonous snakes and large man eating reptiles. All part of the fun.
  • carrnutt's avatar
    carrnutt
    Explorer
    Sep 23, 2014
    VegasBT wrote:
    Check out this site for some great tips on how to identify if you have a bed bug infestation: http://deafvillage.com/identify-inspecting-for-bed-bugs/


    Very good and accurate information on this site.
  • campgrandma's avatar
    campgrandma
    Explorer
    Sep 23, 2014
    We were called in Chillicothe, Illinois... Near Peoria. It is right near the Illinois River
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Sep 23, 2014
    Where did you camp? They are probably noseeum. Often in coastal areas, mangroves. I wouldn't always say swampy areas as I have been to different swampy inland areas of Florida with no problems.
  • campgrandma's avatar
    campgrandma
    Explorer
    Sep 23, 2014
    Don't think the black ones that were flying outside are bed bugs...And probably they got inside the house, or under our clothes and that's what bit us!! I hope so!!!

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