In a complete panic about bedbugs - help!

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Feel like I am going crazy within just a couple of days. Spotted some brown marks on our bedsheet a couple of days ago when washing. Realised from Googling that it looked like a possible sign of bedbugs. Can’t find any other signs after close inspection of mattress, bed etc and no bites but we did return from a holiday a month ago and we travel a lot. I am trying to take it a step at a time and not get ahead of myself so have bought traps. Nothing to show after one night but they might not work?? I have driven myself mad over the past couple of days Googling how people deal with them so have plenty of info. Would probably initially try Cimexa and steaming/washing if we do find them. What is bothering me a lot is a few things:

1. DH doesn’t seem at all concerned and is leaving it to me to get all the info
2. DS is here until tomorrow and as I haven’t actually found any don’t want to create a big storm in the house until he has gone as he will freak out
3. I feel really stupid about not being more careful with luggage etc as I feel I should have known more about the risks
4. I am catastrophising and worried about visiting DDs new home next month (won’t be sleeping there)
5. I realise we might have to call in professionals at some stage but can’t get my head around the timing as we are away twice in the next month
6. Perhaps the biggest thing- reading how people deal with this and all the bagging up and washing etc I am just so overwhelmed by the prospect. I don’t understand how anyone can possibly do it, especially if you get professionals in who have to move everything. Realise I sound like a wimp but I get very tired and we have a lot of stuff. I do know that our council does it for around £500.

sorry for the rant I am just so upset and feel like my mental health has crashed in the space of 48 hours! Obsessed with Googling bbs and can’t enjoy anything else. Any positive stories or reassurance would be welcome. Can’t talk to friends. I don’t need a lot of info about how hard they are to get rid of!

Thank you so much in advance and fingers crossed

Since you washed the sheets are there any more marks?

The marks could have been anything!

Try not to get ahead of yourself xx

They are horrible, we had them once - yes, if you have them you need professional pest control, but it is manageable, and the pest control procedure does work

Would they work that fast? Why the panic?

Thanks for the quick reassurance. I don’t really know why I am panicking like this, I am not normally like this. It has just got to me. It had already been a difficult month. @Namechanged11111 what else could the marks be? I am curious. All along just one end of the fitted sheet where it goes under mattress at the top.

Sorry, should have said. No new marks yet.

Could it be from the washing line? Just a thought. Rusty pegs? Marks on the line

Don't panic if you haven't been bitten. The bite are usually in a line. Check behind furniture, picture frames. Is there a funny smell? If not you probably don't have them

They're only horrible if they bite you every night.

I noticed the marks before I hung up the sheet, so probably not.

Get hard shell luggage. Spray peppermint on your stuff when you travel.

I got rid of mine by inspecting/washing every single thing. Putting sticky tape on the bed legs. It's doable. I hate them. Got them from America of all places, not the poorer countries!

Bed bug survivor here. Try not to worry.

Worst case scenario is an entire day and a lot of money (c£800) spent while a professional heat-treats and sprays the room and you hot-launder textiles that can take it, and bag and freeze anything that can't, ie silk and wool items.

Good luck

Thanks. Good to know that is the worst case scenario. Do you have to empty all cupboards and drawers everywhere!

very carefully check mattress seams, all parts of bed (under slats) carefully with a flashlight. You should see evidence of black spots, discarded casings etc if you have them. If you suspect new infestation just stay vigilant with white sheets.

look for actual evidence - black bits of poo etc

I have nearly driven myself insane several times but it always turned out to be nothing!

Also the spots could have another reason - someone shaved their legs or scratched a scab or something, or a nose bleed, ulcer and drool blood in the night! Usually another explanation so don't stress. As long as you are vigilant for a few days you will get clarity.

If you've got no bites in a month I wouldn't worry.

marks on the sheets could possibly be spots bleeding in the night
I think you need to tell your partner it might not be nice and he may refuse to come but it would not be fair to put him at risk too if they are there
as has been said it needs to be professionally sorted the sooner the better, at least they will say if you have or not

Thanks. I don’t have a partner visiting, DH and I live together. His DS is already here and has been for weeks. It’s him I can’t afford to freak out at this stage unless we know there is a problem. They are both messy and always leaving clothes on the floor. Very hard to control from that point of view! DS has travelled a lot recently in hostels etc, maybe one reason why I am imagining the worst! Thanks for the tips.

Leave everything in situ, draw curtains to make dark, close door and tape round it. Check back later - they will come out if they think it's nightime = feed time. The professional should systematically open and empty everything - this is when they will bag textiles up. You can sort them outdoors. Pro should go through all furniture, books, pictures, lamps,etc to get bugs exposed to baking dry heat and kill them. This is why it takes all day.

If you're lucky infestation is confined to one room. You don't need to replace pillows or duvets but I took it as an excuse to renew as having spent hundreds on decontamination, why not? Plus it made me feel better and stopped my skin from crawling!

Another plus point - having experienced them I am now bed bug proofed and free from The Fear

Also, they make spiders seem rather tame now.