Not sure if I have bed bugs…?
So I’ve just moved into the city, to a clean apartment that hasn’t had any bed bugs. But the other week I noticed a couple of small bites on my feet. They were itchy, but not out of control (on par with a mosquito bite). I got one more on the other foot. Nothing for the rest of the week, but now this morning I noticed a small bit near my knuckle. They’re all isolated and far apart. I haven’t noticed any bugs or droppings or anything that would indicate I have bed bugs (though I know how hard they are to sport), and I also have those special bed and pillow casings that are supposed to prevent them. My roommate was convinced they weren’t, but I’m worried. Is there anyone out there who can help/is more of an expert on bed bugs?
Many, many thanks.
Thanks guys. These answers are very helpful. I don’t have a wooden bedframe (it’s metal with very few crevices), though I do have a wooden bookshelf and desk. Haven’t seen anything remotely peppery. Here’s to hoping it’s not bed bugs!

March 27th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Usually, if you have bedbugs, you see what looks like pepper on your sheets.
CA atty
Report this comment
March 28th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
if you have anything that’s wood like the bed frame you should look for little black spots and if it has the little spot then you might have bed bugs because they live in anything that is wood
There was bed bugs in my house before ewww
Report this comment
March 29th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
cleaning and tossed the mattress help most of the time ..but if you have some looks as small pieces of dirt around…I am nurse in training and we found in our home visits some of the houses we visit…and seriously I found that cleaning is the best way to control these pest
I work as a nurse and we give visits to seniors want to leave themselves in their own homes
Report this comment
March 30th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
It sounds like spider bites to me. It can’t hurt to have an exterminator come in and spray.
I work as a nurse and we give visits to seniors want to leave themselves in their own homes
Report this comment
March 31st, 2011 at 12:34 pm
It would be very unusual for bed bugs to bite the bottoms of the feet. Usually this indicates a case of scabies, which burrow under the skin on the feet. Fleas also focus on the legs.
Keep an eye on your mattress for fecal stains (see 2nd resource for picture) although in this case it sounds like the skin problem has another cause.
http://www.bed-bugs-handbook.com/causes-of-body-itch.html
http://www.bed-bugs-handbook.com/bed-bugs-bite.html
Report this comment
April 1st, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Look in the mattress seams and look for blood trails. they will definitely live in mattress seams if you have them. bud bug bites look and feel exactly like mosquito bites.
http://www.bed-bugs-handbook.com/causes-of-body-itch.html
http://www.bed-bugs-handbook.com/bed-bugs-bite.html
Report this comment
April 2nd, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Look around your bed and walls for little spots of blood. Check behind picture frames and outlet covers. If you don’t find anything then if could be some other kind of bug.
http://kill-bed-bugs-kill-bed-bugs.blogspot.com/
http://kill-bed-bugs-kill-bed-bugs.blogspot.com/
Report this comment