Bedbugs?

Wisco

Am afraid I may have bedbugs, just wondering what you all think-
Have been getting mysterious bites for the past month or so and they are all over my body- not in groups, but random bites everywhere. I haven't been away or anything, but my landlord did buy a new (I assume it's new, think from Ikea) couch about a month ago- could this have started it off? I've only lived in this place for about 9mo (it's detached, so no neighbours), but have had no problems before this.
Any suggestions, advice, or thoughts on what this is? Thanks.

Gone Fishin

If you search around, you should be able to find them if they are bed bugs. Try in the creases and crevices of your mattress, look out for lots of little black spots. Also check the frame of your bed - any gaps, where the frame parts screw together, they get in everywhere. The need heat and blood. The bites will be like welts or hives almost, a bit itchy. The horrible thing is that once you know you have them, when you are in bed the slightest feeling of anything on your skin will make you jump, ruining your sleep. They may well have been transported in a couch, you will need to check it too.

There are lots of pictures of them on the web, do a search. If you find them, take your bed apart and treat it. If your mattress is infected, use a vaccum cleaner every day until you are no longer getting bitten. I used a wood treatment on my bed and it killed them. Be vigilant, check daily for them and it keep it up for a month or two until they are gone. I had to throw out three beds and mattresses. Get plastic covers for your mattresses until they are gone.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Wisco

Thanks for the advice- will have a closer look for them. I don't have a bed frame as my bed (mattress only really) is up in a loft, which happens to be made of wood, so I forsee LOTS of hoovering in my future
Do you think it's necessary to get a professional like Rentokil in for something like this?
Also, do you remember what product you used on the wood?

Gone Fishin

You might be able to get rid of them yourself without the use of rentokil, even if you do get Rentokil, they could miss some. The key to getting rid of them is finding the nest or starting point, they will normally head back there after feeding. I can't remember what the wood product I used was. I'm sure an ant killer or something similar from Woodies will do the trick. Dig around and I'm sure you will find their hiding place.

Wisco

I spent ages last night looking for the little bastards or their remains and couldn't find anything- is it likely to be anything else instead? I am dreading that it is bedbugs but really hoping it's not!

jeepers101

Speaking from experience, if it is bedbugs, you may not be able to find them but you will eventually come across them. The most notable sign is little spots of blood on your sheets. If you have dark sheets, change them to white and you should know within a couple of nights. Its not likely that they came in with a new sofa (assuming it was new). The only way to get rid of them is via Rentokil, who will actually guarantee to rid them. Also, if you are renting the landlord iis liable for the bill (around 600 euro).

speedy2007

the fact you say the bites are random makes me think it might not be bed bugs. They tend to bite in clusters or in a row. Prob handy to get a pro to come and check - they'd know where to look and what to look for.
Also, if the couch is new i doubt it has bed bugs. Have you had any animals in the house lately?...if so could be fleas. If there's no animals to bite, they'll feed on humans.