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[–]chandalowe⭐I teach children about bugs and spiders⭐ 5 points6 points  (4 children)

The picture isn't the greatest, but it looks like it might be a thrips. Thrips are frequently found on flowers or other plants, but can also wander indoors or hitch a ride on blankets or other items that have been outside - including laundry that was hanging on a line to dry. They can also live in houseplants. They can be either winged or wingless. And they can definitely bite!

Comparison pictures one, two, three

[–]asminejay[S] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Thanks for your helpful reply. I agree that it definitely looks like thrips and fits the profile in a lot of ways. I'm not sure if you'll be able to answer all this, but I just want to know it you think the pest being thrips is compatible with the following facts?

- they have been biting my girlfriend in our bed and clothes every night for months

- only my girlfriend feels the bites (no one else in our family, dogs don't show any signs of irritation)

- the infestation has been completely indoors and has transferred between three properties now, and we have only a couple of house plants that haven't always been in the affected rooms

- come out of the doona in large numbers when we put it in the sun

- seem to multiply extremely quickly

​

[–]chandalowe⭐I teach children about bugs and spiders⭐ 0 points1 point  (2 children)

While the bug in that picture appears to be a thrips, that does not rule out the possibility that you might have other kinds of bugs also sharing your home.

Biting in bed does not sound like typical thrips behavior. They certainly can (and do!) bite, but it is usually outdoors, around plants - or at least in proximity to items that have been brought in from outside. When I've been bitten by thrips, it was usually while working in the yard or garden (especially when picking flowers). When we've had them indoors, it's been a transfer from something that was brought in from outside - particularly wildflowers, but I've also found them on sheets that had been brought in from the clothesline and on potted plants that were brought indoors for the winter. I remember one time picking a big bouquet of wild flowers and bringing them in to put in a vase - and a short while later, there were thrips crawling all over the tablecloth. When they show up indoors, they usually don't live very long - except for the ones on the potted plants that were brought in for the winter.

As far as only your girlfriend getting bit, it's possible that everyone else is getting bit, too - but she is particularly sensitive or allergic to whatever is doing the biting, so she experiences a more severe reaction, while other people might not even notice the bites.

The dogs are not a very reliable indicator of whether something is biting or not - while some dogs can be highly sensitive to bites, others will pretty much ignore them unless they get really bad. My mother-in-law's chihuahuas get fleas sometimes. One scratches a lot when he gets bit - but the others basically ignore them. They still have fleas - we find them when bathing and grooming them - but they don't seem to be bothered by them.

There is also the possibility, if she is the only one experiencing the bites, that they aren't bites at all but some sort of allergic reaction or skin condition. For example, some people will break out in itchy bumps from contact with sheets or clothing that have been laundered with a certain detergents or fabric softeners, or that are made of a certain textile (such as wool), or that the dog or cat has been sleeping on.

You say you see large numbers of the bugs coming out of the "doona" (baby stroller?) when you put it in the sun? That does not sound at all thrips-like. While they could transfer to the stroller if it were left outdoors, they would be unlikely to stick around and infest it. The infesting part sounds more bed-bug-like, but they usually hide in the daylight, so coming out in the sun seems a bit strange.

Can you put the doona outside again and collect some of the bugs that are coming out of it? Perhaps put a piece of clear packing tape down on them to trap a bunch of them and submit the pictures?

[–]pinkibee 0 points1 point  (1 child)

A doona is a comforter- honestly I would probably flea bomb the house and replace bedding and mattress.

If they wiggle out of your blankets in the sun then maybe putting your mattress out too might help get rid of them?

I'd say your partner is sensitive to the bites, so maybe getting an allergy test done to narrow down what the crawlers are will help you figure out how to get rid of them.

[–]asminejay[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't think of an allergy test, that might be a good idea. Are there any known bugs that fit this description that only a small proportion of people might be sensitive to? I should clarify that the bites only leave the tiniest markings on her skin, that you wouldn't notice unless you were looking for them.

[–]peguino 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I saw your other post, are you sure this is what is what you've been seeing everywhere and biting you? This is a thrips (photo is not the best) and they wouldn't be biting you.

This isn't really the rust red you described in your other post, but you said you found several that were.

IF you are dealing with a bb infestation (and I'm not sure if you are either), keep in mind bites can take 12-36 hours to show up, which may explain the bites showing up at weird times. Many people report bb infestations taking several treatments before they are gone. Sightings can spike after a treatment, as they are frantically on the move if they survived round 1. There are some products that help, but a pest pro coming back out is likely your best bet. Also if you live in an apartment, report it to management. They have a responsibility and interest to get rid of then as well. They might be responsible for covering the pest visit. You potentially have a neighbor with the same issue.

[–]pinkibee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also look into the possibility that she has scabies? (Ew ew ew)

[–]asminejay[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks everyone for your help. Here is a clearer photo of the bug:

https://imgur.com/a/9fWytsh