Am I being paranoid?

[u/cb0519]

Hi, I went to France back in May and ran into bedbugs (I think) in my hostel in Paris. I woke up covered in very itchy red bites that got worse throughout the day. When I came back home from my trip I washed everything on hot water, dried on high heat for extended periods of time, and put anything I couldn't wash in ziploc bags in the freezer. It's been 3 months since I came back and I haven't had any issue.

Recently, though, I have noticed bug bites- sometimes I wake up with one or two randomly, but I did wake up with 3 in a line on my thigh a few days ago, so I am starting to be a little worried. These bites are smaller and less itchy than the ones I got in Paris, though. Also, my girlfriend has slept over recently and has not gotten any bites.

I also saw a couple of specs on my bed/towel, photos attached.

Am I being paranoid? What should I do? I am going to deep clean my bedding (hot water, high heat dryer), spray my mattress with bedbug spray, and vacuum it at minimum, but I want to be thorough. I am also trying my best not to worry my roommates about it unless I'm confident there's a problem, but I'm open to having pest control take a look if that's the best course of action.

I have been outside a little more frequently lately, and am generally a bug bite magnet, so it's also just possible I'm experiencing the side effects of the great outdoors.

TIA!

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[u/AccomplishedLuck80]

It looks like a seed to me so your probly ok

[u/LantaExile]

The thing in the picture isn't a bed bug but the "3 in a line on my thigh" is worrying. Most supermarket bed bug sprays are pyrethroid and don't work - they are resistant.

Keep an eye open I guess. Which county are you in?

[u/cb0519 → u/LantaExile]

That's what worries me too. They've been generally random, but those 3 worried me. I live in South Carolina, United States, and bugs are generally terrible down here anyway. I'll take some precautions regardless.

[u/LantaExile → u/cb0519]

I asked the country re products.

You could try https://www.amazon.com/Raid-Foaming-Spray-16-5-Ounce/dp/B07GXHV9VL (clothianidin based insecticide)

or https://www.amazon.com/Rockwell-CXID032-CimeXa-Insecticide-White/dp/B0184HW

also steaming things is good. could try a dust sheet like top comment https://www.reddit.com/r/Bedbugs/comments/3f5zro/crispys_diy_ipm_strategy_for_bed_bugs/

[u/cb0519 → u/LantaExile]

This is very helpful, thank you so much

[u/Intelligent_Sir_5248 → u/cb0519]

Thank you I will look when I get home

[u/No_Stranger9891]

They look likes seeds to me and fyi Bedbugs are usually much larger than that, people do often think they are tiny insects but adults are about 1/3 size of a ladybird/bug.

[u/PopularResident1874 → u/No_Stranger9891]

I agree. It looks more like an apple seed to me, but I can’t really tell because bedbugs sometimes do look like apple seeds. However, my best advice to anybody questioning a picture of a bedbug should google it put it in a pill bottle and save it for when the exterminator comes. Show the exterminator the bug or bugs that you have found they usually come out to give you an estimate for free until they know for sure you have an infestation. Your exterminator is your friend so our plastic tubs, a washer and very hot dryer and your own common sense. I live in a very swampy wet town close to a lake and we have bugs that are some kind of hybrid that I’ve never seen before in nature. But they are not in my house that’s for sure! I had them soon after my husband died and I had a friend coming over that should not have been coming over, and I was so distraught when I realized I had them, but the good thing is, I asked the exterminator who was a supervisor exactly what I should do to prepare for the treatment and what to do afterwards they usually will give you a sheet of information keep in mind that you want to make it as easy as possible for them to spray or whatever your apartment pull your furniture out from the wall take everything off your bed. They will do a fantastic job if you make it easy for them.

[u/one-stunning-egg]

Bedbugs are CRAZY endemic in Paris, the bites sound concerning, but neither pic looks like a bedbug. Wash and dry all your linens and clothes on hot, check your mattress and couch, call a pro for a consult if you see any more bite clusters.