bug bites, help?

[bere101]

for a few weeks now i have been getting bits on arms, legs and body. they are like two to five bites in the same place. i have checked for bed bugs and ticks, also fleas. cant seem to find anything. they are small bites and itchy

[FurballsMom]

From what I understand, bed bugs are very hard to detect and very hard to get rid of.  They are able to crawl into the tiniest places to hide.  I think it's time to call in the experts.  As regards to the mattresses, I've seen shows where people usually have to get rid of their mattresses.  But, even this has to be done very carefully in order to prevent further infestations of these critters.  But, the whole house has to be taken care of, in order to prevent infestation of a new mattress.  If you've been traveling anywhere, they could've come home with you in your luggage.  But, you would probably never know it.  There's one huge reason not to buy used luggage.  The reason you want the experts is that these critters don't care how clean you are.  Cleaning everything is still a very good idea, but unfortunately it isn't enough with these little vampires.  The thing is, the experts know which kinds of thing you could've missed while cleaning.  I think it is worth repeating that these critters don't care how clean you are.  You can be the best house keeper in the world and still get bed bugs.  

You may have heard of something similar with head lice.  They don't necessarily target just dirty people.  They actually like very clean heads of hair because it's easier for them to hold onto  the strands of hair.  Not that being dirty is a good thing here, mind you, but the first conclusion people come to is that the people contracting these things are dirty people or have dirty houses.  And, FYI, not every kid who is scratching their head at school deserves to carry some stigma because of lice.  I was one of those kids who was accused.  Not once did I have them.  I was itchy because I have eczema.  Only I didn't know it.  The other kids heard what their parents told them and kept accusing me.  Then, the other thing they liked to accuse me of is being dirty.  They reasoned that if the person wasn't dirty that the person wouldn't have lice.  Or, if the person wasn't dirty, the person wouldn't be itchy.  Wrong on both accounts!  

So, be very careful about assuming things about these two species of insects and the people who suffer infestations.  

Anyway, now you know why I say to bring in the experts.

[bere101]

My boyfriend and I checked everything... Back of head board; both mattresses, bottom, top, under. We took everything apart and cleaned it. Still waking up with bites. Its been weeks and still no sign of any critter.

[amanda81187]

The last couple of days i've had this problem as well. I woke up yesterday with a bite on my ankle, that quickly grew itchy and HUGE...had some clear watery, pus like discharge for a few hours. Today it's just slightly red all the way around and there is a beginning of a scab in the middle...hurts still though. I noticed this morning my son has 2 bites on his ankle now too, so far he doesn't seem to be itching them, but after looking at them close, they look like that have pus inside them too. Ughh..i've noticed some daddy longlegs around the house, but nothing else...I don't think they cause anything like that though. Anyone have any thoughts?

[Pameline]

Sounds like dust mites.  When was the last time you vacuumed your mattress?  If it's been awhile, vacuum both sides thoroughly, and then spray with Lysol if you are not allergic to it.  Let the Lysol dry, put a mattress pad on, preferably a thick one, and make the bed with clean linen.  You will need to wash the existing linen and comforter etc in hot water and dry in a hot dryer.  Wash your pillows and dry them in the dryer too.
Dust mites can be a nuisance and you would be surprised to hear how many people have them, but if you dust regularly and vacuum regularly you won't have a problem at all.  If your rooms are very dusty, wash the dust off with hot soap and water, as vacuuming puts the dust mites in the air for roughly 2 hours.  Do the dusting first (washing the furniture, walls, knickknacks, etc) , then the mattress, then the linen.  Good luck.  I hope that this works for you.

[confused1501]

how did you check for bed bugs if you dont mind me asking