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

[conuly]

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.

Comments

[gatheringrivers]

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

[rebeccmeister]

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!

[conuly]

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.

[conuly]

They are absolutely diabolical. "Tricky" is underselling them.

[pauamma]

:knocks on wood.

[gatheringrivers]

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

[conuly]

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.

[gwydion]

*digits cruciform*

[kyrielle]

Augh. I hope it was a single one. Also, now I itch - and I'm nowhere near you! Brains are funny things.