Help - Bed Bugs!!

[Smowball]

2 months ago my son kept waking up with bites all over his feet. Just couldn't work out what they were. Having never seen a bedbug in my life it didn't even occur to me. It was only when someone suggested it that I stripped his bed, couldn't see a thing. Then I pulled out the spare mattress underneath the bed and there they were! I was mortified as Ive always associated it with dirt, which im assured it isn't. Rang pest control who were brilliant. Said son has most probably brought them in from outside on a school bag or something. Sprayed entire room and floor below which is my bedroom ( he has loft conversion). unfortunately within days I was also woken up covered in bites and actually found 2 on my mattress. Very upset. Pest control have to leave 2 weeks inbetween sprays so they came back and did all rooms, infact they soaked them. To cut to the chase, they have now been FIVE times and are completely baffled as to why the treatment hasnt worked. My sons room seems to be free now as he no longer has any bites and they couldn't find a thing in his room. But im still getting bitten to death everynight even though I cant actually see any bugs anymore - theyre clearly a couple hidden somewhere. Its making my life a totally misery, im so sore. they've bitten my face, my neck, my arms lastnight and im so unhappy. I don't know what to do. Pest control say they've used the strongest treatmen possible. Help : (

[grasscarp]

I just looked up Raid and their bed bug and flea killer seems to be on amazon com and in USA. On Amazon co uk says currently unavailable

[tamborine]

My link is B&Q.

[RATTER15]

Smow, I really think you need to leave it to the your Pest Controller to eradicate the blighters, mixing chemicals by applying different products could end up with a lethal cocktail, also be aware that you are then sleeping amongst it. Many chemical are not designed to come into contact with your skin.

If you arent getting anywhere with solving this problem, call in a different Pest Controller. Bed bugs can be difficult for pest controllers, I doubt very much that "off the shelf" products will be effective. Controlling bed bugs is very often down to the correct application of these products. Unless you are an experienced pest controller, I doubt any of these other products will work, just puffing or squirting it around will just waste money and could well be a health hazard for years to come.

[tinkerbell23]

So sorry ur having trouble smow xxx

[Smowball]

Still being bitten......

[tamborine]

Try clearing & treating one room at a time, with the powder. I puff same monthly under furniture & skirting boards for fleas, that I rarely see or get bitten. Tho I do have lots of snimals & their tsck etc indoors.

[Smowball]

Have just been on the phone to the council and got a really stroppy receptionist. Said I was still being bitten after FIVE treatment and she said that was normal!!! Got v annoyed with her and said that every pest control guy who had been here had said it was NOT normal but she wouldn't budge and just told me to make a complaint,

[Retrochic]

Is your son still being bitten? and how can you sleep in the same bed with someone (your OH) and him not get bitten? Are you sure this is not an allergic reaction? Try taking some anti-histamine tabs and rub in some cream to see if it makes it better.

[grasscarp]

Mine were cleared in 2 visits. I feel for you Smow. I hated having them.

[MallyJ]

I remember ... many years ago... hearing that bed bugs can actually move from house to house via the eaves. If you are in a house that is attached it may be worth treating the attic..... I would get back to pest control even if you attempt to ring when the charming receptionist is at lunch. I really feel for you

[Smowball]

I am the only one being bitten now but they are clearly bites, normally several in a straight line. this morn I woke up with a line of bites all down my left arm. Ive been told that some people just don't react to the bites. maybe im tasty lol. I ripped the bedroom apart the other day and couldn't find a bloody thing. don't know what else to do

[Khandro]

I got bitten to blazes by them in India, they are awful, I feel sorry for you. As a temporary measure, could you not wrap your mattress and pillow completely in a polythene envelope?
Are the walls papered?

[RATTER15]

Smow, are you seeing the tell tale blood spots on your bedding?

[Smowball]

Used to RATTER15 but not for weeks now. Yet I go to bed fine and wake up with bites every morning!

[RATTER15]

To be honest Smow, I have never known a case where there was no blood spots. where on your body are the majority of the bites.

[Smowball]

On my arms, my legs, my neck...... They are almost always in a line. I showed the pest control guy last week and he said they are classic bed bug bites.

[tamborine]

Mash garlic, steep in hot water & store in spray bottle to apply as insect repellant. N.b. pine/eucaliptus/lavender/marigold/citrus peel can be used similarly.

[Smowball]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Wish there was a 'like' button on here like FB.

[RATTER15]

I think you need to be calling in another Pest Control Company! if you look in all the right places, you should find them. Also if you get out of bed during the night and quickly put the light on and examine the bed you will most likely see them scurrying for cover.

[hc4361]

Take a torch to bed to help you see them in the middle of the night