Bed bugs, berry bugs or WHAT?

[spots]

DD, DH and I have been bitten all over by something. Little itchy red insect bites all over our torsoes. horrible. We thought at first it was happening in bed, but then a friend said they had the same problem and it was 'berry bugs' in the garden. Today I have a fresh crop, all over one side only, which suggests to me it's the bed again. Eurch!!!

Anyone know how to get rid of bedbugs, if they are bedbugs? Am I minging? Or what are berry bugs?

Am in early stages of pregnancy, so no sprinkling chemicals on the sheets allowed...

[spots]

scratch-scratch-bump

[WigWamBam]

Do you have any pets, and are they likely to have fleas?

Whatever it is, if you can't spray the bed then the only thing you can do is wash your sheets on as hot a wash as your machine can do, then hoover the mattress.

[anorak]

I suspect if it were bed-bugs the bites might be bigger. To check your bed for bed-bugs, get a torch and look in the folds of the bed and mattress. Under buttons or folds in the fabric is their favourite place to hide. They are about 3-4 mm long, oval in shape and very flat looking beetles ranging from black to light browny grey in colour.

If you do have bed-bugs you will not get rid of them without spraying and you may have to have several repeat sprayings. I hope for your sake they are not bed-bugs. Fleas etc are much easier to deal with.

[spots]

Hum, yes, fleas seems more likely. No pets. but we have seen signs of mice recently. God, we are a haven for the plagues in this house we are. So two sets of pests to get rid of. Perhaps it's time to call in the Council... thanks for your help WigWamBam and Anorak.

have hoovered and checked for bedbugs, yuck, yuck, yuck, no sign. Supoposed to have guests coming this week!

[nell12]

Hang duvet out (even if you only hang it out of the window) every am. This airs it out and the bugs hate it! Or at least fold back bedding until lunchtime. (Brilliant excuse not to make bed properly until later in the day!)