conuly | I've been diligently checking my bed, desk, etc. every day

I've been diligently checking my bed, desk, etc. every day

and also getting immensely itchy EVERY TIME, but to be fair, while I've yet to figure out a complete list of "things that make me itchy", I know for certain that "thinking about things that make me itchy" tops it.

My conclusion: Definitely probably almost certainly no bedbugs. (I hope!)

At least, I haven't *seen* any or had any more tell-tale bites. So if there was one, maybe it was a SINGLE one that had just been haplessly transported away from its home and unceremoniously squished upon disembarkment.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Diatomaceous earth is the top recommendation among the current friend set, if that helps at all. Just have to make sure things stay dry.

We actually dealt with bedbugs before, I know the drill. And you can tell all your friends, btw, that my recommendation is the DE plus Gentrol. Gentrol is an IGR (insect growth regulator) - it doesn't kill bugs, but it keeps them from growing properly and reproducing.

Is the Gentrol in this case a powder or a liquid?

A spray, reapplied monthly or more often in sunny spots. You apply it, wait for it to dry, then put down DE as needed.

They do sell patches as well, but I believe the baits there are geared for roaches and/or fruit flies. And you don't really need a bait, you just need to put the stuff where the insects already go. It doesn't have anything repellent about it, so they don't even notice it.

If it winds up being helpful in the long term, know that it is possible to hire bedbug-sniffing dogs.

My mom has had to deal with them multiple times due to a family member who lives in a group home. They are tricky, tricky critters!