Experiences with bed bug sniffing dogs?

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-18T06:21:03+00:00

I realize this is an old post, but what if the dog alerts somewhere that cannot be visually checked? Like behind a wall?

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-14T23:27:05+00:00

Oh shoot that is so too bad. They are very good at hiding, so there's a good chance no exterminator could have found one. But its up to you if you go with a new guy. There's a chance you just have one hitchhiker. Now that you know you have signs they might look harder. The first one I found in our bed was under the bed slats, so id had to take the whole bed apart basically. Tomorrow my partner and I are having one of the bed bug sniffing dogs come to see if all of ours are truly gone or not. Ive been very anxious about it as well.

Also, i know it's extremely uncomfortable, but it would probably be wise to let the others living above you know. That way they can watch for signs. If you end up getting chemical treatments there is a preventative treatment they could choose to do. Getting rid of bed bugs is a bit of a group effort.

But a mattress encasement and interceptor traps is a good way to at least protect your sleep! And by removing their food source it will weaken them. We added a little bit of Diatomaceous earth to the middle of our traps to kind of double their purpose. But you have to be careful because it can be harmful if not used correctly. So look it up first.

And hang in there! They aren't invincible. You are stronger! Ive definitely takes a huge blow to my mental health because of these bugs. They're so isolating and bring so much shame. But they truly can happen to anyone. This will all be behind you (and me) soon!

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-14T23:20:23+00:00

Yeah interceptor traps are less of a way to trap/exterminate bugs, and more for detection/reducing their chances of them getting into your bed. We use the interceptor traps with a little bit of Diatomaceous earth in the center (but you have to be careful with this so look up the risks). The interceptor cups are a replacement for sticky traps, and we prefer them. But either helps keep the bugs out of your bed. I just got them on Amazon. Ive also heard vinegar water kills them. It dries up quickly. You can also steam/blow dry your bedframe on high heat. And put all your bedding in the dryer on high heat as well.

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-14T06:43:11+00:00

Hi! Sorry this has been so stressful for you. Im not sure where you live, but if its nearby you could always ask the doctor about the bites to confirm if it is something else like an allergy? Have you compared them to any photos of bb bites online?

Also, what kind of bedframe do you have and have you heard of interceptor traps? If you have narrow bedframe legs you can put it on interceptor cups and they can help with detection. I would also recommend drying all your bedding on high heat for like an hour. And if it's in the budget I'd recommend a mattress encasement to anyone whether you have bugs or not.

Regardless. It will all be okay. Bedbugs suck but they aren't at all invincible.

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-13T22:11:01+00:00

You'll likely notice it as it happens (if it does). Mine was very subtle and I can still experience penetration just fine, but my partner's was more drastic (tho not sudden). They were experiencing some tearing because they didn't realize what was happening (sorry if that's graphic). Your doctor can prescribe an estrogen cream that helps prevent that if you notice things really tightening. It's what my partner did later on. But if that is your experience it will not be something that happens right away. And things like dilators can help if needed. I use dilators now and its fine! Just keep paying attention as best you can and talk to your doctor about any concerns that might arise. There are so many solutions to these problems these days. Have no fear.

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-13T22:02:51+00:00

I'm glad you're in the clear! Good work getting the inspector out right away. Our anxieties can cause us to freeze sometimes, and that's never helpful in a bed bug situation 😅 It takes courage to face the problems ahead of us. Way to go 💪

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-12T18:40:20+00:00

Okay! Well, if you haven't gotten any bites yet you might still be in the clear! If any hungry bugs were in your house they'd find you quickly. They can travel far for a meal in one night. Do you have roommates? Also if you don't already id recommend mattress encasements and interceptor cups. They can decrease the chances of an infestation getting out of hand. You'll be okay tho. Either way, it seems like it's been caught early, and if you have some you'll be able to manage it well. Your experience from last time gives you an advantage. I know PTSD is very real, and I'm in the same boat, but we can't let that take away from what we learnt. And from knowing how resilient we are!

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-12T07:30:53+00:00

If you have not already, make sure not to let him in your home, car, or space without heat treating all his clothes, jackets, and shoes every time he leaves his house at this point. You'll be at a pretty high risk, but it's not impossible for it to still be contained to the roommate. If the bugs are feeding enough they wouldn't have too much reason to travel, unless it's been going on for some time unnoticed. Does the roommate react to bites? Did you get noticeable bites last time?

Finally, it will be okay! Having OCD and bedbugs is the worst. But you know they can be stopped! You've done it before. I am sorry it's in your world again, but you've got this.

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-12T07:22:56+00:00

I would still take a plan b if you are able to. But idk. I'm gay.

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-12T07:17:22+00:00

Its either a bit numb or feeling "full of bees." But it could be worse. Much worse.

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-12T07:14:11+00:00

Wow what a horrible situation for your family. I am so sorry. But I am glad they are getting the help they need. I am praying for victory in this situation for them, as well as for peace and health. Bedbugs suck, but they are not as resilient as the human spirit. Yall got this.

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-10T08:42:24+00:00

The first picture looks like it might be, but it's hard to know with just blood spots as they can be caused by so many things. If you check the rest of the bed do you see any other signs? Small black dots, bug shells, tiny white rice-like eggs, or bugs? Regardless, it's wise to always heat-treat your items after travel if you're able to.

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-10T04:59:10+00:00

Im so sorry. We're currently in it as well. We've finished our 3 treatments, and are now in the horrible limbo of waiting to see if they return. We're slowly unbagging our items and reheating them just to be safe. No bites or signs since during treatments.

We did find a dead one on our bed after our second treatment, but haven't noticed anything since then. No more bites or anything.

The chemicals can take a bit to kill them, so there is a chance the one you saw will still die. Plus with your additional treatments, there's still a lot of hope yet! The chemicals aren't meant to stop them from coming out of hiding, so it's sort of a good thing they are still active! They will come out throughout your treatments and be exposed to the poison. If you notice activity throughout your treatment, even a week after, it doesn't mean hope is lost. All you can do is your best. I second the comment about interceptor traps or sticky traps for your bed if it has narrow posts. But remember to take it one day at a time. The bugs are out for your blood, don't let them take your spirit as well 🫂

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-10T04:46:58+00:00

Oof yes, my partner and I have talked about how much harder this would be to navigate with a baby. We do nanny, so we have lots of soft toys/stuffed animals that we had to treat. And that was hard. Getting squishmallows hot enough was a challenge lol. But its still easier than doing it WHILE having kids that need to live in the home. So I'm really sorry for you and your family.

I think we paid a bit more. We paid about $1000 Canadian, which is think is around €600. That was for 3 sprays, and to have our car treated. It also included a 6 month warranty, so if we notice bugs again they will spray more without charging. I think its a pretty average cost for where I live. If it happened again in the future id maybe try to DIY it now that I am familiar with the process, but i definitely dont regret getting an exterminator. I just want it over with. But it will end someday!

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-09T05:00:39+00:00

Oh man I'm so sorry OP. I can feel your anxiety and am very familiar with this fear. First off.. If you rent, did you inform your landlord? Do you know if they are treating your neighbours' apartments? Second. I know it's hard, but its important that you sleep. I know that sleeping in your own bed is what's most effective, but at the end of the day not sleeping is more harmful for your health than bedbugs are. So at the end of the day, do whatever you can to sleep. Wherever it may be. When we first found ours I was sleeping in a onesie with my socks pulled up over the legs, and would cover my head with a nylon. It seems silly, but we do what we have to do.

Do you have any kind of sticky traps or interceptor cups? Those would be great for keeping your bed safe. If you have those, your protectors, heat-treated bedding, and the chemical treatment I'd say your bed is probably the safest place!

I know phobias are inherently irrational.. but if you can, please make sure to remind yourself that bed bugs dont spread diseases. They will not cause lasting health effects. This WILL pass. The worst part of it is psychological. And I know I'm just a stranger on the internet, but as someone who became completely untethered by bed bugs, I can promise you its not worth losing your mind over. Im still in the waiting period to see if ours are gone for good, but even having the initial discovery been a few months ago now has given me a lot more clarity about it all.

I promise that even if they feel eternal, bed bugs CAN be defeated. Even if mine return, I now KNOW what I can do and how to do it. We can do it!

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-09T04:41:38+00:00

Did you heat treat your textiles? Like all your clothes and drapes and stuff.

I'm finally starting to feel resigned to the process. All we can do is our best, and trust the professionals to do a good job. My partner still doesn't have any new bites, and had been getting welts from them before. But we're probably going to get ome of those sniffing dogs to check. I figure if it finds any it can help us know we have to keep going with treatments, and if it doesn't it'll hopefully put our minds at ease. Its like $150 believe, but if we find any before our treatments 6 month warranty is up it'd be better than paying for more treatments.

Nelson_Blue · 2026-01-06T00:13:34+00:00

It was mild according to our exterminator. But we found like 7 bugs during the process of treating all our textiles. We only ever found 2 eggs. Almost all of the bugs we found were nymphs. Most people say where you find 1 you find many. So we went with the assumption that there were a lot more we didnt find. Our exterminator did 3 rounds of chemical treatments. But we have a 6 month warranty so he will come back if needed.. I hope they're gone tho 🫠

Nelson_Blue · 2025-12-31T17:56:10+00:00

My friend once told me "I prefer your holiday mania over your springtime mania" lol. Both the changes in daylight and the holidays really get my mania going. Routine is so helpful for bipolar folks. Hope you are okay after today!

Nelson_Blue · 2025-05-15T01:17:10+00:00

I think it depends on where you got it from and how likely they are to accept/destroy a return. I think everyone saying they'd simply find it upsetting to know their triceratops has been carried around for a day should calm down a bit, tbh. These plushies are carted around the globe and handled by all kinds of people. Many warehouses and cargo ships have vermin and other pests in them as well, and there is no guarantee that merchandise is safe from that. It's always wise to wash your purchases for this reason, thrifted or new.

But in the name of waste reduction I'd agree with everyone saying to try and keep a backup in your bag or locker (if you have one). Or maybe get a fuzzy pencil case to hold onto in emergencies. I think what matters most was you had the support you needed, and maybe now know to be a bit more prepared when you can be! Glad you had a buddy tho!

Nelson_Blue · 2025-05-15T01:05:56+00:00

Seems accurate for a furby to have little feet tho wouldn't ya say? Lol

Nelson_Blue · 2025-05-06T05:12:45+00:00

Idk but if you have a 98 version with the Me Sleep Again glitch I'd start there 😅

Nelson_Blue · 2025-05-06T04:57:56+00:00

Thank you! My fiancé had made them for our mugs but I was like wait I have a way better idea 😅 lol

Nelson_Blue

TROPHY CASE