HELP! bug/tick/bed bug bites?? Driving me MAD!!

[blackgrapes]

A while ago both myself and DS were bitten quite lot overnight. Strange as we are in different beds and DH was also not affected (although he never usually gets bitten). Thought it was just from being outside so left it but we both woke up with more bites the next morning. I stripped our beds, hoovered mattresses etc. and we weren't bitten again.

Couple of weeks later, same thing. Stripped beds again, duvets to dry cleaners etc. and all seems ok.

Yesterday, we were out in the garden for a while on the trampoline (which is in the trees) and later on I started to itch and sure enough, DS and I both have lots of bites on our legs. I'm assuming this time it's from midges but I had skinny jeans on-how did the blighters get up there? Or is it bed bugs again or what? Apart from the bites driving me crazy, I just feel itchy all the time. I'm on the verge of having the house fumigated.

One thought that crossed my mind-could it be something to do with the wet, warmish weather?? Is anyone else suffering?

Any thoughts gratefully received!

.

Watching with interest as Dd2 was complaining about having been bitten yesterday. On her arms and legs, really itchy marks

Something similar happened to me a few years ago. Whenever I went into the garden I ended up with bites all over my legs (DS was still small so lots of washing and I was on mat leave so outside a lot). I ended up having to tuck my trousers into my socks whenever I went out or using the Avon Dry Oil stuff that is recommended for midges. Both did the trick but still don't know what it was, and no-one else in the family got bitten. The last 2 years I've been fine! Unlikely to be bed bugs as I don't think they discriminate much so your DH would also have been bitten (although it's possible that he has been but just doesn't react as much).

Thanks Birdy. I'm still itching today-arrrgggh!

Just wondering if it is the hot/rainy/sunny mixture of weather that's brought the midges out?

I'm so sick of being bitten and my legs are a mess with the scratching!

It's just weird as the first couple of times we were bitten, we hadn't been outside in grass or in the trees, I just thought we must have been unlucky. The trouble is I feel itchy all the time, I'm constantly scratching. I haven't gots nits(!), I've checked...but as I'm sitting here, I keep having itchy bits, that I have to stop and scratch. I feel as if there's something in the air.

Spores? Or could it be fleas? We don't have pets. I just don't know. It's odd.

I'm afraid to say it does sound suspiciously like bedbugs. Your experience could have been me a month or two back. Kept waking with bites, thought it was somehow mozzies (we live in the middle east), bought every mozzie repellant known to man and still we were being bitten. Looked online and found out bedbugs are likely candidate. Examined bed. No sign. Took headboard off, and two little blighters dropped out (Cue loud screams of horror from me). We then found them in two other bedrooms. Basically it's a pest control job, I'm afraid, if you do have them. Call local pest control and get them to have a look - they will know where to look and what to look for. If you do have them, it's a pain but with good pest control and other basic measures you can get rid of them but it takes time. Be prepared for washing EVERYTHING At 60 degrees, steaming and vaccing mattresses, nightclothes, headboards and carpets. I was most bothered about the pest control as have young kids, but actually they were really efficient, non obtrusive and the stuff they use here is organic and made of rosemary oil so whilst certainly noticeable as a smell, it's not horrific. Look for any black markings on your mattresses or headboard/slats - looks like an ink pen has splattered over the surface. The bugs themselves look like apple pips. Horrible little things. Wishing you the best and hoping it is mozzies or midges!

Oh and I should say that the bedbug venom or whatever they inject into you when they bite, is only reactive in 50% of victims, so it's quite possible for your DH to not show any bites but have slept in the same bed.....

Are the bites all on your legs? That could indicate fleas as they can't jump any higher. Bed bugs would be all over, not just your legs.

Thanks MumofStan and paddle.

In the last few days, we haven't been bitten as I've washed everything again. If we start being bitten again, I'll know that's what it is.

paddle, I did have bites on my upper back and stomach too and so did DS.

Urgghh!