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We desperately need some help identifying and getting rid of bugs that are biting at night.
We are having a heck of a time dealing with mysterious bug bites. They started a couple of weeks ago and seem to happen at night. We have ruled out bed bugs after speaking to an exterminator on the phone (no sign of them anywhere in bed, around mattress, no blood, etc.) We thoroughly cleaned the sleeping area, vacuumed and washed everything a couple of times.
There is a sliding glass door attached to the room and usually stays open (no air condiitoning and it gets warm at night.) We noticed there were gaps around the sliding screen door and sealed them up ok. Not sure if it's 100% sealed, but it's never been a problem for years. Could there be a bug type that comes in and out?)
We are a few blocks from the ocean in Belmont Heights area in a condo. I don't know if any of this info will help.
I would like to identify and get rid of these bugs as soon as possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much,
D
Here are some images of the bites on the two of us:
Here is a google image search for "bed bugs bites". You can compare. Some of the ones in your pictures are larger though and could be an allergic reaction.
My kids and I had bites like that while staying with my MIL. The kids theorized that she was a vampire and was feeding off us in the night, but I strongly suspected bedbugs and we were careful to sanitize all of our clothes so we didn't bring bugs home. I've been thinking it could have been mosquitoes instead, though. Some people will have worse reactions to mosquito bites than others, and those big red welts on the elbow in your second photo look like an allergic reaction to mosquito bites. Sometimes mosquitoes will bit a few times in a cluster or a straight line, especially if you're asleep and don't notice they're biting you.
I have been thinking they are mosquito bites since they began, but can't understand where they would be during the day since there is no sign of them. I was travelling this summer in heavy mosquito territory and the bites look and feel quite similar now that I think of it.
Yeah, I hope they are not bed bugs, but if they are I'd rather know now! It's just that we have all the precautionary measures against bed bugs like a high quality mattress cover (on a mattress that is only a year old) and no travel or travelers for months. They are hitchhikers so I don't know how they would hike in. Also, we searched the bed tufts, flipped them and looked closely and nothing.
I have been thinking they are mosquito bites since they began, but can't understand where they would be during the day since there is no sign of them. I was travelling this summer in heavy mosquito territory and the bites look and feel quite similar now that I think of it.
Mosquitoes come out at dusk and start biting then. They breed in standing water, like the water in the saucers of flowerpots. If they were in the house and you hadn't been leaving a door open, I'd suggest checking for a water leak in a cupboard or closet.
Some bug zappers will do mosquitos too, but there's the noise and the odor (when a big bug gets on there) to consider.
Last edited by Hedgehog_Mom; 11-23-2016 at 05:28 PM..
Could a spider have just had her babies.. hatched in the bedroom?
I now use Home Defense...found at Home Depot...supposed to last a year
and it seems to.
Boy, do I have less problems from anything that crawls.
Seems if it were mosquitoes you would hear them buzz at your ear, I always do.
I definitely see them at night fly past the TV screen!
In CO, I may get one a year in the house.
Bed bug bites are way worse than your photos, for sure.
That doesn't look like bites to me. It looks more like skin irritation or an allergic reaction.
Have you switched laundry detergents recently?
Bar soap?
Hair shampoo or conditioner?
Have you purchased new PJs? Sheets?
New blanket?
Is there a new pet in the home?
Do you have an old pet (or child) who might have tracked an allergen from outside onto your bed?
Did you perchance work outside, then come in and lay across your unmade bed, thus transferring an allergen onto the sheets?
I have been thinking they are mosquito bites since they began, but can't understand where they would be during the day since there is no sign of them. I was travelling this summer in heavy mosquito territory and the bites look and feel quite similar now that I think of it.
Use some repellent and see if they stop biting.
We have mosquito lights, that zap them and several come out at night, they avoid bright sunlight in the day time. Also, You should patch the screens so that they cannot come in.
Mosquitos hate the fragrance of mint, and basil and several other plants....I would sprinkle those herbs near your entrances outside....or if you have the plants use them, it couldn't hurt. You could use brown vinegar as a repellant too it keeps fleas off dogs.
Those look like welts, so you are having bad reactions, and a Dr. visit might be in order.
The other thing.....you may never see signs of bedbugs until you have a total infestation....so don't rule them out completely.
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