Hi, I was in Arkansas on vacation in beginning of March. Arrived home to Northern Illinois on March 4. On March 14, I woke up with multiple bites on arms, stomach and neck. Three in a row in most spots and became huge welts. Figured a spider got me. Another 4 weeks passes by and was bit on April 4. Woke up again with the welts in threes around waist line. Freaked out after reading it could be bed bugs, and figured I must have come back from Arkansas with one. Did a major cleaning in the bedroom, rather than the normal vacuuming (2x week is normal) and sheet changing (1x week). Looked in mattress, under mattress. Did not find any evidence of poop, skeletons, eggs, live bugs, etc. Woke up this past sunday, May 8, with three in a row with another right by it and another single bite on opposite side of waist again. Went and bought the very expensive mattress zip up cover and also plastic zip cases for the double box springs. Vacuumed the frame, baseboards, looked thoroughly around the bed and still zero evidence of anything. But, two days later on May 10 my husband was a victim for first time. Same bite pattern on neck and 3 random ones. Ugh. We have a dog on flea preventative. Also have three kids in two other bedrooms, none of whom have had any bites. And it is not uncommon for the kids to climb into our bed at night. So up until this week, I was the only one with bites. I am ready to lose my mind.
Had exterminator out yesterday for spiders. Mentioned that I had some concern of bedbugs. He looked in a few other spots in room, said the plastic cases was what they would do, but would hav first used a pesticide and then encase the beds. He too, found no evidence, but was really going off of my description and detail of cleaning. I called company back after hearing from my husband that he had bites. Exterminator company said I really need to let it go at least another week before they recommend coming out and going into major remediation. That right now the infestation might be so small and so difficult to find, that may need to let it get a little worse. They said to not strip the sheets or bed since they may be able to find evidence by not washing items. They said normal vacuuming is fine. This is not what I want to hear. I couldn't sleep last night, looked around with flashlight and saw nothing.
So, should I heed the advice of exterminator and let it go on longer? Plus, is this once a month feeding a common thing? Could it still just be a flea or some other insect? If only I could find one, I think it would help since I would know what to do. The cost is about $1200 for 3 treatments, which is fine, but don't want to go that route unnecessarily.
Thank you!