Bed Bugs... pictures... involved.

Wise Old Owl · Jul 8th 2017, 6:35pm

Hey I am so sorry for stirring the pot. This is a matter of when & not going to happen. folks if there is shelters involved 2 BB one female and one male is all that it takes. Then you are clearly screwed. Today I did an inspection in West Chester and the invasive species of British Starlings have delivered Bird Mites. Hit my top ten list of OMG. every surface is covered in a 300 year old home. I will fix it. The client pointed out every dust situation was moving.. including earphones.

So today I introduced Ashley (granddaughter) to live Bed bugs on the kitchen table to observe so she could identify the male - she did very well. In the next five years this will be a shelter thing. Notice I didn't say "maybe"

Thoughts?

IMScotty · Jul 9th 2017, 9:50am

Well, I knew shelters were disease ridden, vermin filled things anyways. Just another reason to avoid them for me.

I do like reading the log books though

Traffic Jam · Jul 9th 2017, 6:06pm

I have some concerns about bed bugs at hiker hostels. What's the best way to protect yourself and belongings?

jimmyjam · Jul 9th 2017, 6:27pm

TrafficJam wrote:

I have some concerns about bed bugs at hiker hostels. What's the best way to protect yourself and belongings?

some people bring a silk liner and sleep in that. I don't and haven't seen any so far.

IMScotty · Jul 9th 2017, 7:06pm

I had a recent trip to Chicago. On the flight home I could not figure out why I was so itchy. I got home, took a shower, and discovered dozens of bites on my body. I cannot say for sure, but I assume they were bed bugs. This was an expensive hotel!

I immediately put my luggage outside, and bombed the house. I have not found any that hitched a ride home with me, but I was worried for a while.

Dan76 · Jul 9th 2017, 9:40pm

I used to travel internationally in often sketchy environments. After a nasty experience with lice, I followed a procedure recommended by the bio-environmental folks. Don't bring equipment, clothing, or bags into the house. Rather I would shower on base, change into fresh clothing, and launder in hot water all items of clothing. Equipment not subject to laundry would go into plastic bags and into a freezer for a couple of days.

Didn't have another negative experience.

Astro · Jul 9th 2017, 9:54pm

When living in Brazil I had to go back to Houston for a week. While gone my wife and two children (other two were not born yet) at the time went to a church picnic where they picked up lice (may have just been the children, it has been over 20 years). Fortunately we had a maid who was experienced in helping them get rid of it.

Looking back I am sure am glad I was gone then.

Socks · Jul 10th 2017, 5:30am

We had a bed bug follow us back from either Aruba or a coffee table I got outta the trash (we won't do that again) Luckily I found the culprit and dispatch him and did a thorough clean up and we haven't seen em since.

Traffic Jam · Jul 10th 2017, 8:16am

I sometimes buy sheets from goodwill for weaving. They go immediately into my washer which has a super-duper steam and sanitize cycle.

Traffic Jam · Jul 10th 2017, 8:21am

Is the mesh on a bugnet small enough to keep out bed bugs? The nice thing about bugnet bivy's is they don't need much room and can be used in a shelter or hostel.

Sarcasmtheelf · Jul 10th 2017, 9:30am

TrafficJam wrote:

Is the mesh on a bugnet small enough to keep out bed bugs? The nice thing about bugnet bivy's is they don't need much room and can be used in a shelter or hostel.

Absolutely, the suckers are fairly large.

First thing to do when arriving at a shelter or hostle is to flip the mattress up and look underneath it. Bedbugs are reclusive and like to hide in crevices, so look for evidence of them near stitching seams, near where the edge of the bedsheets meet the mattress and especially around the mattress tags. Look for both bugs and the white eggs that are sticky and get deposited on the underside of the mattress. If you see any of this, tell mangement then get your money back and leave. I believe that WOO gets credit for teaching me this some years ago.

[IMG:https://bedbugger.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/common_bed_bug_lifecycle.jpg]

Astro · Jul 10th 2017, 11:33am

While I try to avoid staying in open shelters on the AT, when I do I now lay down my footprint and then my loose tent on top of it. Since I have a Big Agnes Flycreek 1 it is not much wider than my sleeping bag. And if the shelter is crowded I can tuck the footprint in some. The loose tent does not need to be any wider than my sleeping bag. Thus my tent becomes my bug net.

Da Wolf · Jul 10th 2017, 3:29pm

TrafficJam wrote:

I have some concerns about bed bugs at hiker hostels. What's the best way to protect yourself and belongings?

do not stay in them.

max.patch · Jul 10th 2017, 4:49pm

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

I have some concerns about bed bugs at hiker hostels. What's the best way to protect yourself and belongings?

do not stay in them.

lol, that's actually a pretty good answer.

back in the old days a "hiker hostel" was generally a spot on the linoleum floor of a church basement. didn't worry about no bed bugs!

Da Wolf · Jul 10th 2017, 5:17pm

most hostels are just plain nasty

max.patch · Jul 10th 2017, 6:16pm

age and finances obviously play a part in the decision making process, but given a choice in town between a hiker hostel and a hotel -- i'll go to the hotel every time.

Traffic Jam · Jul 10th 2017, 7:05pm

max.patch wrote:

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

I have some concerns about bed bugs at hiker hostels. What's the best way to protect yourself and belongings?

do not stay in them.

lol, that's actually a pretty good answer.
back in the old days a "hiker hostel" was generally a spot on the linoleum floor of a church basement. didn't worry about no bed bugs!

Made me laugh too.

And happy to hear from Da Wolf... been a little worried about him.

Traffic Jam · Jul 10th 2017, 7:12pm

max.patch wrote:

age and finances obviously play a part in the decision making process, but given a choice in town between a hiker hostel and a hotel -- i'll go to the hotel every time.

For me, the allure of a hostel is hanging out with other hikers. Otherwise, I agree. I'm not persnickety but some of the photos I've seen online aren't for me.

I also prefer to avoid drama, faux-pas, hiker bad behavior, etc.

Wise Old Owl · Jul 10th 2017, 7:42pm

Dan76 wrote:

I used to travel internationally in often sketchy environments. After a nasty experience with lice, I followed a procedure recommended by the bio-environmental folks. Don't bring equipment, clothing, or bags into the house. Rather I would shower on base, change into fresh clothing, and launder in hot water all items of clothing. Equipment not subject to laundry would go into plastic bags and into a freezer for a couple of days.

Didn't have another negative experience.

Boys come back from summer and winter camp frequently with head lice for sharing hats and beds.

Sarcasmtheelf · Jul 10th 2017, 10:11pm

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

I have some concerns about bed bugs at hiker hostels. What's the best way to protect yourself and belongings?

do not stay in them.

I'm in one right now.

Astro · Jul 10th 2017, 11:32pm

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

I have some concerns about bed bugs at hiker hostels. What's the best way to protect yourself and belongings?

do not stay in them.

I'm in one right now.

Which one?

Sarcasmtheelf · Jul 11th 2017, 2:35am

Astro wrote:

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

I have some concerns about bed bugs at hiker hostels. What's the best way to protect yourself and belongings?

do not stay in them.

I'm in one right now.

Which one?

Kid Gore shelter.

jimmyjam · Jul 11th 2017, 6:33am

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Astro wrote:

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

I have some concerns about bed bugs at hiker hostels. What's the best way to protect yourself and belongings?

do not stay in them.

I'm in one right now.

Which one?

Kid Gore shelter.

The shelter mice eat all the bed bugs right before the snakes in turn eat them. So you're probably ok.

Astro · Jul 11th 2017, 12:53pm

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Astro wrote:

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

I have some concerns about bed bugs at hiker hostels. What's the best way to protect yourself and belongings?

do not stay in them.

I'm in one right now.

Which one?

Kid Gore shelter.

I put my tent up there last summer. Gald to see you are out, and hopefully VT is not too muddy for you. My part of NH had quite a bit, so I would imagine Vermud would too.

Wise Old Owl · Jul 11th 2017, 7:19pm

TrafficJam wrote:

Is the mesh on a bugnet small enough to keep out bed bugs? The nice thing about bugnet bivy's is they don't need much room and can be used in a shelter or hostel.

Nope - Using several different traps the 1st hatch is so small they could have two on a head of a pin.

[IMG:data:image/jpeg;base64,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]The first thing piece of evidence is the blood spots from the bites..When the bug withdraws its mouth pieces you bleed a little. The Itching shows up for some two or three weeks later. It takes that long for most to build the Anti-bodies to the saliva of the bugs. If you break out immediately - that may suggest prior exposure. Everyone is different, some do not react at all. Once you have the anti-bodies, the bite itches for weeks worse than flea, chigger, and Poison Ivy.

This can be washed out.

Wise Old Owl · Jul 11th 2017, 7:36pm

The easiest thing to find is pooped out blood - I start with the ceiling above the bed. Right as the wall connects with the ceiling. If there is 1950's paneling I check the walls black stripes next. Then I check jump right to the headboard if its a hotel. The bed bug dogs can't sniff this high, so its my next stop.

Here is a ceiling of poop.
[IMG:https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/sites/student.societyforscience.org/files/student-2015/350%20bedbugsidebar3%20inline.jpg]

Here is a box spring & mattress.
[IMG:http://bedbugdot.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fecal-stains.jpg]

Wise Old Owl · Jul 11th 2017, 7:36pm

More to follow. - taking a break
Back to the thread - one of my associates checks out the headboard then shoves a bright flashlight down each Screw hole under the bed frame. looking for pooped out blood - keep in mind we are not looking for dog tick size - We are looking for deer tick or black legged tick size, This is a photo of a Female and a nymph and look at the three hatched eggs. The black spots are the pooped out blood.

[IMG:http://www.pjbpestmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Bed-Bugs-21.jpg]

jimmyjam · Jul 11th 2017, 8:36pm

eeewwwwwwww that's nasty.

Wise Old Owl · Jul 11th 2017, 8:41pm

Uh yea - I have a dirty job. I love it. Helping others in need.

I did say pictures...involved...

Wise Old Owl · Jul 13th 2017, 11:10pm

Here is what you really need to know - Bed bugs cannot tread water. Bed Bugs cannot handle forced convection air at 135° for thirty to 1 hour inside a dryer on the highest setting. So do both. You can drown them - jump in a pond, soak your stuff... I just got a call from a couple in Dover that could not tell after a 5k color run that they had poison Ivy - not bed bugs. Bed bugs cannot be killed by anything at a Home Depot or Lowes. They are resistant to almost all pest insecticides. You will need a full face filter mask as the vapor will knock you out. I recently discovered you can pour witch hazel or Isopropal alcohol into a quart disposable sprayer and contact spray them. If that fails call a professional do not wait 6 months like some of my customers. Vacuum Cleaning is still your first defense. Take the chamber outside as they do not die in the bag or collection chamber. Diotomacious Earth now has real science that this is a complete failure as tested in high rises in NYC. Silica Gel crushed into a powder appears to work for outlets and under bed frames better than DE.

Dan76 · Jul 14th 2017, 5:04am

Wise Old Owl wrote:

More to follow. - taking a break
Back to the thread - one of my associates checks out the headboard then shoves a bright flashlight down each Screw hole under the bed frame. looking for pooped out blood - keep in mind we are not looking for dog tick size - We are looking for deer tick or black legged tick size, This is a photo of a Female and a nymph and look at the three hatched eggs. The black spots are the pooped out blood.

[IMG:http://www.pjbpestmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Bed-Bugs-21.jpg]

What's the magnification if any of this photo?

WanderingStovie · Jul 17th 2017, 7:58pm

Dan76 wrote:

Wise Old Owl wrote:

More to follow. - taking a break
Back to the thread - one of my associates checks out the headboard then shoves a bright flashlight down each Screw hole under the bed frame. looking for pooped out blood - keep in mind we are not looking for dog tick size - We are looking for deer tick or black legged tick size, This is a photo of a Female and a nymph and look at the three hatched eggs. The black spots are the pooped out blood.

[IMG:http://www.pjbpestmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Bed-Bugs-21.jpg]

What's the magnification if any of this photo?

Perhaps WOO can tell you what size screw or hole that is.

Wise Old Owl · Jul 17th 2017, 10:28pm

3/8th's I think, that's whey they are great hitchhikers.

[IMG:https://www.zappbug.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Bed-Bug-pictures-eggs-and-adults-01.png]

Wise Old Owl · Jul 17th 2017, 10:42pm

It is easy to make mistakes, I got a frantic call last week and it turned out to be Poison Ivy not bed bugs, and she was itching everywhere. There are two or three false alarms that continue to happen. The first is the Carpet Beetle. This little bug doesn't bite but can really make you itch. Not these adults as pictured. Think 1/2 sized ladybugs... I frequently find them in the bedroom windows in a infested room.
[IMG:http://www.derbypestcontrolservice.co.uk/uploads/2/9/6/5/29652979/401769_orig.jpg]

Wise Old Owl · Jul 17th 2017, 10:47pm

It's the larvae! This little guy is the size of ground black pepper. I need a magnifying glass to see this little one & those hairs are very irritating. - What's missing is the blood evidence as described above. They live by eating hair and dead skin we can barely see, So if you don't wash your sheets. This is the "little" friend in bed with you. Washing, drying and vacuum under your bed will avoid all this.
[IMG:http://bugman9.com/wp-content/uploads/carpet_beetle_larvae.jpg]

Wise Old Owl · Jul 17th 2017, 10:55pm

The second false alarm is a little rare... Its the Halloween Beetle. These adults can be bigger than a lady bug and love it to winter in your bedroom hiding behind objects or under the bed. At night they move about and will bite the skin for the salt content. This one happens more prevalent in the countryside. Again all the evidence above, blood, poop and bugs will be missing.
[IMG:http://www.ourbetternature.org/images/malbwiki.jpg]

Wise Old Owl · Jul 17th 2017, 11:05pm

The final false alarm is Fleas. They rarely infest a bed unless its on the floor. The bites show up immediately for most have a reaction. If the bites are on the legs only - that's an indication of fleas and you can see them hitchhiking on your pants, most of the time, After doing a job I have seen them hitchhike for an hour or two. Yes they are in the wild, they frequently hitchhike on mice and transmit disease. One cannot tell just by looking at the bites. My granddaughter came home one night after visiting a relative with 4 cats and I was appalled at the infestation at that relatives home. This is not my knee.

[IMG:http://www.fleabitesonhuman.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/fbite-011.jpg]

Wise Old Owl · Jul 17th 2017, 11:12pm

Once exposed to Bed Bugs Some people will never have a immune response or have a welt other's will live in three weeks of misery of itching. it is not anything like a flea, tick or mosquito bite.

When, I first saw this I was shocked. It reminded me of the red polka dots on clown pants. This is a single successful bite. Most BB's will bite in a line three or four times to find the artery.

[IMG:http://certifiedpestcontrol.com/images/Bed-Bugs-Bite.jpg]

Astro · Jul 17th 2017, 11:40pm

Wise Old Owl wrote:

The final false alarm is Fleas. They rarely infest a bed unless its on the floor. The bites show up immediately for most have a reaction. If the bites are on the legs only - that's an indication of fleas and you can see them hitchhiking on your pants, most of the time, After doing a job I have seen them hitchhike for an hour or two. Yes they are in the wild, they frequently hitchhike on mice and transmit disease. One cannot tell just by looking at the bites. My granddaughter came home one night after visiting a relative with 4 cats and I was appalled at the infestation at that relatives home. This is not my knee.

[IMG:http://www.fleabitesonhuman.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/fbite-011.jpg]

I don't think it is your granddaughter's either.

Wise Old Owl · Jul 20th 2017, 11:31pm

How do you think the thread is going so far.... We are halfway thru the recognition phase.

Bed Bugs... pictures... involved.

Bed Bugs... pictures... involved.

TrafficJam wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

max.patch wrote:

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

max.patch wrote:

Dan76 wrote:

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

Astro wrote:

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Astro wrote:

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Astro wrote:

SarcasmTheElf wrote:

Da Wolf wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

TrafficJam wrote:

Wise Old Owl wrote:

Dan76 wrote:

Wise Old Owl wrote:

Wise Old Owl wrote:

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