Hi all,
first of all, thanks very much for providing this resource for all of us in need, much appreciated!
My situation is as follows.
I am currently studying abroad and am living in a big city in France in a dormitory. I am sharing a room with 3 other people, meaning there's 4 beds in there. 2 beds are on the lower floor, then there is a ladder going up to the other "floor"(duplex) where I sleep with another person.
Now, and this is just the da*n irony of life, I guess, I just found out today through one of my roommates that another room on our floor had bed bugs. I do not know whether it's our next door neighbors or which room exactly it is, but I'm guessing it probably is, as I have OF COURSE found a bed bug next to my pillow around 1 am tonight. This is a bed bug for sure (might be a bat bug, of course, but considering we already have them in the building ..), I have also found feces stains on my sheets upon inspections. I'm guessing they would have come through the walls. (I have only found one so far, as I said, seemed to be adult and unfed, but I'm preparing myself for the worst.)
First question:
I have already experienced bed bugs while travelling in Peru. I was bitten and FELT the terrible itching and could see the stitches, so I am definitely not resistant. How come I don't feel anything right now? I have no bites whatsoever, have checked my whole body. The feces stains have actually been on my sheets for a while (2 - 3 weeks, since last wash), but I didn't identify them for what they were; thought they were from makeup) Can you just develop a resistance? Or is there a slight chance it might be sth else (which I myself unfortunately don't really believe)?
And here goes the problem: Does it make sense to have a professional come in? As I said, I'm quite sure it was an actual bed bug (only the non-biting issue makes me wonder), and it just seems obvious to me as they are in our building on our floor. If I let someone come in and they do my bed - or would they have to do the whole room?- wouldn't it immediately spread again, especially as I'm guessing those came in through the walls? Might it also be possible that just one of them came in, or would they "travel" in groups?
Obviously we also sleep on mattresses that have been used plenty of times. If I let a professional come, do you guys think I would have to cover the cost or would that be the responsibility of the place? I know you can't know for sure, but maybe someone has already witnessed a similar situation where a dormitory or hostel was affected. I would think evidence would not be a topic because of the other affected room.
As I am on a student budget, I am even half-heartedly considering living with them for 3 more months. That's when I'll leave. Is this at all manageable or am I insane?? :D
I would so appreciate any advice on this, I'm young, on my own, and kind of need someone to steer me in the right direction of what my next steps should be. The sooner, the better, too, as I am leaving for a 2 week trip on Thursday.
Have a good day/night, depending on location, and thanks in advance
mj