What's biting me?
December 3, 2015 9:02 AM Subscribe
Bug bites. Unknown source. What's my first move?
A few weeks ago, I got a bug bite on my upper arm. I saw a bug flying around the apartment, assumed it was a mosquito, didn't think much about it.
Since then, I've gotten several other bites, all discovered on separate days. (1) another on my (other) upper arm, (2) three together in a triangle formation on my inner elbow, (3) two on my toe (one at the base, one above the nail), (4) one on the outside of my hand, (5) one on my inner knee.
I discovered these 2-3 days apart, at random times in the day, not right when I wake up. They're very itchy, which is how I realize I have them, but after that initial super itch, nothing. Most of them look like a clear red dot in the center, raised/inflamed from my scratching. Searching for pictures online didn't point to any clear culprit.
I inspected my bed and floorboards but didn't see anything. My mattress is already encased in a cover (I bought it that way). I have a low profile box spring (not covered) and an upholstered headboard/bed frame. No bed bug evidence on any of these, as best I can see. I have dark hardwood floors and furniture.
I live in an 8-unit apartment building. One of the apartments was just renovated. The building is pet-friendly but I don't know if there are any pets there currently--the tenant with a dog moved out last month and there are 3 new tenants who have moved in the last 1-2 months.
No one else I know has had bedbugs. I am usually pretty vigilant about them when I travel because of advice I read when bedbugs were all anyone could talk about a few years ago. I haven't traveled anywhere for the last 6 months.
My lease specifically disclaims landlord responsibility for bed bugs. The landlord has sent out an exterminator for other reasons, such as routine maintenance, closet moths, and a mouse problem.
I don't know what to do first: a little more investigation myself to try to find out what type of pest I have? Bring in an exterminator at my cost to help determine what it is? Tell the landlord I have...something, and see what they say?
I want to be expedient, cost efficient, and fair to my neighbors. However, if I have to pay for it, I want to be the one to decide how to proceed and if I don't have to pay for it, I don't want to pay for it (obviously). I also just don't know generally how to proceed when the only evidence of anything is the bites itself.
Thanks!
A few weeks ago, I got a bug bite on my upper arm. I saw a bug flying around the apartment, assumed it was a mosquito, didn't think much about it.
Since then, I've gotten several other bites, all discovered on separate days. (1) another on my (other) upper arm, (2) three together in a triangle formation on my inner elbow, (3) two on my toe (one at the base, one above the nail), (4) one on the outside of my hand, (5) one on my inner knee.
I discovered these 2-3 days apart, at random times in the day, not right when I wake up. They're very itchy, which is how I realize I have them, but after that initial super itch, nothing. Most of them look like a clear red dot in the center, raised/inflamed from my scratching. Searching for pictures online didn't point to any clear culprit.
I inspected my bed and floorboards but didn't see anything. My mattress is already encased in a cover (I bought it that way). I have a low profile box spring (not covered) and an upholstered headboard/bed frame. No bed bug evidence on any of these, as best I can see. I have dark hardwood floors and furniture.
I live in an 8-unit apartment building. One of the apartments was just renovated. The building is pet-friendly but I don't know if there are any pets there currently--the tenant with a dog moved out last month and there are 3 new tenants who have moved in the last 1-2 months.
No one else I know has had bedbugs. I am usually pretty vigilant about them when I travel because of advice I read when bedbugs were all anyone could talk about a few years ago. I haven't traveled anywhere for the last 6 months.
My lease specifically disclaims landlord responsibility for bed bugs. The landlord has sent out an exterminator for other reasons, such as routine maintenance, closet moths, and a mouse problem.
I don't know what to do first: a little more investigation myself to try to find out what type of pest I have? Bring in an exterminator at my cost to help determine what it is? Tell the landlord I have...something, and see what they say?
I want to be expedient, cost efficient, and fair to my neighbors. However, if I have to pay for it, I want to be the one to decide how to proceed and if I don't have to pay for it, I don't want to pay for it (obviously). I also just don't know generally how to proceed when the only evidence of anything is the bites itself.
Thanks!
This post was deleted for the following reason: Poster's request -- restless_nomad
There are lots of other bugs that bite, of course, but the two clusters of multiple bites are suspicious. I'd call an exterminator today. Crossing my fingers for you.
posted by superfluousm at 9:26 AM on December 3, 2015
posted by superfluousm at 9:26 AM on December 3, 2015
Pull your bed away from the wall. Declutter the bedroom and put things in plastic.
Put a line of double sided tape aaaalllll the way around the perimeter of the mattress, so to get to you a bug has to climb across the tape.
Put the bed legs in little aluminum pie plates and put each of those on a dish of water (making a moat to trap bugs from getting on/off the bed).
That's a first step while waiting for a pro to come investigate.
Maybe leave a note for the neighbors- "possible bedbug bites on x floor. Will update after professional evaluation- in the meantime you may choose to bag your mattress and extra clothes just in case." But that might cause panic, maybe decide based on your relationship w neighbors.
Don't go to people's homes or have them over til you're sure.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 1:21 PM on December 3, 2015
Put a line of double sided tape aaaalllll the way around the perimeter of the mattress, so to get to you a bug has to climb across the tape.
Put the bed legs in little aluminum pie plates and put each of those on a dish of water (making a moat to trap bugs from getting on/off the bed).
That's a first step while waiting for a pro to come investigate.
Maybe leave a note for the neighbors- "possible bedbug bites on x floor. Will update after professional evaluation- in the meantime you may choose to bag your mattress and extra clothes just in case." But that might cause panic, maybe decide based on your relationship w neighbors.
Don't go to people's homes or have them over til you're sure.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 1:21 PM on December 3, 2015
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posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:04 AM on December 3, 2015 [1 favorite]