Question by LadyLynn:
Is it my detergent or bedbugs?
My husband thinks we have bedbugs. I have little red scabs on my back, and he feels itchy when he gets in bed. Are bedbugs so tiny you can’t see them? How do we know what’s going on? We’ve been using Purex detergent.
Best answer:
Answer by gurlieak
You can see them!
Some pictures:
Actual Size – Approx. 1/8″-1/4″ – shown on human skin
http://www.bugclinic.com/bedbug.htm
http://images.google.com/images?q=bedbugs+picture&hl=en&um=1&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title
What do you think? Answer below.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
actually you may not be able to see them…wash your clothes without detergent or softener…if it doesnt go away…then go to your doctor.
If he feels itchy when getting in bed, it very well can be the detergent. Lately my bedding has caused me to get itchy so I think its my detergent. Because you wouldn’t get bit that quickly upon getting in bed.
Looking at wikipedia, bedbugs release a foul odor and you can see the bites on you. They are about 3-5 mm in length so visible. If you aren’t seeing any and don’t see any bites its likely detergent. I dont know about your scabs though.
A reaction to detergent would appear as hives or an overall red rash.
It could be fleas, also. You can buy a flea bomb at the pet store, and they do a good job for the whole house.The bites are little, red and very itchy. The bites scab over.
If they are bed bugs: Use this site.
http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/INSECTS/get_rid_of_bed_bugs.htm
You should be able to see them, although they are tiny. Flip up your mattress and look under it. They like to hide under the mattress during the day.
Bedbugs are small but visible. The problem is finding where they hide. (cracks, crevices, creases)
But bedbug itching is the ABSOLUTE worst itching you will have ever experienced. It wouldn’t start when you got into bed, it would be all day long. I know this from unfortunate personal experience in a holiday rental.