Has anyone had bedbugs before?

lindseybell3

Ugh.  We found one on our couch this wknd and turned the house upside down looking for more evidence.  Didn't find anything in our beds, around them, etc.  We cleaned everything with Murphy's wood oil.

We eventually found their "nest" in of all places, my son's toybox!!! Of course, this was incredibly stupid of us... his toybox was actually a used cedar chest we got on craigslist.  We never even thought to check it which I know is so dumb but we have gotten all our furniture on craigslist and never had a problem.  So, my husband took the chest out and burned it and we burned a lot of his toys too.  I cried my eyes out.

Anyway, now I'm still freaking out because I can't stop thinking about how they might still be here and I've done way too much reading online about how hard to get rid of they are.  We REALLY can't afford an exterminator and I've read that even if you do pay to get one, they can't make any guarantees about getting rid of them.

AHHHHHHHHH! Has anyone dealt with this before? I just keep hoping that they were all in the box but we had that box in this house for about 2 wks.

OhSewCrafty

Unfortunately, you're probably going to need an exterminator. :-( I work at a university and deal with bed bugs all the time (I just put in a work order for a bed bug spray, actually).

Basically, before the exterminator comes, you're going to need to wash and dry (on HIGH heat) everything that can be. As soon as it comes out of the dryer, put it in a big garbage bag and tie it tight. For things that can't be washed, tie them in a black garbage bag with no air in it or leave them out to be sprayed. Talk to your exterminator about whether they use chemicals or a more organic solution to help inform your decision on what to leave out.

Bed bugs can hide in everything - lap top batteries, behind pictures and posters, in the rick rack of cardboard....its ridiculous.

Good luck!!

mamaholmes2010

I had read in an article recently that you can prevent them from getting into things (like your bed) by using duct tape around the base of your furniture-with the sticky side out.  It will also help to determine if you still have them AFTER you think they are gone.  GL.  My IRL BF was traveling on an extended business trip and found them in her hotel room.  She ended up abandoning everything she had and replacing it all because she didn't want to risk bringing them home.

dee12807

my head is itchy reading this...

I know you probably don't want to hear it, but you should def consider at least talking to an exterminator.  Maybe if you can get someone knowledgeable on the phone that they may be able to give you some useful info, or work out a payment plan with you if need be... GL! 

 

edit: typo 

lindseybell3

mamaholmes2010:

I had read in an article recently that you can prevent them from getting into things (like your bed) by using duct tape around the base of your furniture-with the sticky side out.  It will also help to determine if you still have them AFTER you think they are gone.  GL.  My IRL BF was traveling on an extended business trip and found them in her hotel room.  She ended up abandoning everything she had and replacing it all because she didn't want to risk bringing them home.

Yes.  We are using double sided tape on our bed and T's.  I know how your BF felt. It's delusional but I keep thinking "Maybe I could just rid of EVERYTHING WE OWN and just start all over again".

We will talk to an exterminator if there are any more bites or evidence. So far, there haven't been. Fingers crossed.

janneann1127

I have not had them but I just wanted to say I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! We thought we had them for months, but it actually turned out to be scabies. But we went through all of this.. exterminator, cleaning everything we own inside and out TWICE.. it is so not fun. I would def call an exterminator ASAP. GL!