Let me preface this by stating that, until last night, I had not slept in my own bed since April. I sleep on the couch due to nightmares and whatnot. But, I decided enough was enough and I decided to let that all go (to the best of my ability) and sleep in my own bed. I mean, I just got a new mattress in March and slept in it only a month before going back to sleeping on the sofa (where I had slept for the last year as we were renovating). So, me sleeping in bed last night was a big thing.
I should also mention that I despise bugs. I'm petrified of bees, dislike spiders, hate house centipedes, and am disgusted by flies, ants, or the like. And, don't even get me started on blood-sucking parasites like fleas, mites, ticks, or bedbugs. My pets are all dosed with prescription flea meds (aside from the guinea pigs, hamsters, and cockatiel), but I'm always hypervigilant about not having parasites of any kind in the house. I mean, who wouldn't be? But, I have also noticed that I've gotten a couple of bites recently. Or, at least I think they're bites
. Two on my foot, a couple on my lower back, and one or two on my thighs. Keep in mind, these could also just be spots of raised, dry skin or an allergy. But, nonetheless, I'm paranoid.
I dosed the cats with their Revolution yesterday. The dogs are due on Wednesday. I've flea combed everyone and there's no sign of fleas. It's obvious that if I did get bit by a flea, it was from walking outside or a stray flea that managed to get me before being anihilated by the flea meds. Mosquitos are another likely culprit as are your run of the mill spiders or other insect. I have sensitive skin so it could be anything or nothing. But, here's the kicker and the reason for this post: as I was getting my bed made up for the night, I looked down on my pink terry cloth fabric body pillow and saw a small, round-ish, black bug. EW!
I immediately called my roommate in to catch it, kill it, and report back to me what it was. It didn't look like a flea, but you never know. And, while it didn't look like a tick, it's possible. She said it squished easily (not a flea then) and there was nothing extraordinary about the bug. Of course, I think bedbugs immediately (only because I like to catastrophize) and have since been looking all over the internet for information. And, for those of you who are worriers like me, this is not a good idea. The pics I've seen of bedbugs look nothing like the little insect on my body pillow and I haven't brought in new furniture since my mattress set in March. But, it was new, from a reputable place, and in plastic packaging upon arrival. And, while I may not sleep in my bed, I've sat on it and know that if it were bedbugs, I'd have experienced something by now. And, plus, my roommate is not being bitten by anything. And, truth be told, we don't even know that I am. For all I know, I'm nuts
. But, ever since seeing that stupid little bug, I'm wide awake and afraid to go up to bed.
My linens are always freshly washed and I keep everything neat and tidy. I do have a screened window in my room, but there's a window fan in it right now. I asked my roommate if she saw blood when she squished the insect and said there was none. So, that means it's most likely not a bedbug (I travelled last in July, but my suitcases never went into my room and everything was washed before being returned to its proper place). There's no other evidence of bedbugs, or other insects for that matter, and since I have fabric on my walls, it would be easy to spot something that's out of place. But, nevertheless, I can't get myself to go to bed -- even though I'm super exhausted. My roommate says it was likely a small, black carpet beetle or something similar and I know she's probably right, but, I find any insect disgusting and knowing it may have been a beetle is little comfort. You know?
Does anyone here have an idea what kind of bug my little intruder might have been? Again, it was small and black (or very, very dark brown) -- it was maybe the size of this icon:
. Maybe slightly bigger, or slightly smaller, but around that size. It didn't look to have wings, but maybe it did and they were underdeveloped. I don't remember it's legs, but that icon kind of reminds me of its shape. I guess beetle legs would be a good example. No antennae that I could see and it moved slowly. It didn't even try to get away from my roommate as she approached. In fact, she thought it may have already been dead. I don't know...but, any info you could provide would be appreciated. Even if it's just reassurance...
I am going to have to go to bed soon. I'm hoping to get my start date for my new job tomorrow and should expect a call early in the morning (though the call could come late tomorrow or not until Tuesday or later in the week). I have my dog, I have my cats, and my room's been inspected. Now, if only I could turn off my mind and just allow myself to get some rest. And, it wouldn't hurt for me to stop thinking about bug bites because, I swear, I think about them and then they start itching. Or, worse -- then I feel like I have a new one, or find another already existing one. Yep, I hate bugs. Bleh!
I should also mention that I despise bugs. I'm petrified of bees, dislike spiders, hate house centipedes, and am disgusted by flies, ants, or the like. And, don't even get me started on blood-sucking parasites like fleas, mites, ticks, or bedbugs. My pets are all dosed with prescription flea meds (aside from the guinea pigs, hamsters, and cockatiel), but I'm always hypervigilant about not having parasites of any kind in the house. I mean, who wouldn't be? But, I have also noticed that I've gotten a couple of bites recently. Or, at least I think they're bites
I dosed the cats with their Revolution yesterday. The dogs are due on Wednesday. I've flea combed everyone and there's no sign of fleas. It's obvious that if I did get bit by a flea, it was from walking outside or a stray flea that managed to get me before being anihilated by the flea meds. Mosquitos are another likely culprit as are your run of the mill spiders or other insect. I have sensitive skin so it could be anything or nothing. But, here's the kicker and the reason for this post: as I was getting my bed made up for the night, I looked down on my pink terry cloth fabric body pillow and saw a small, round-ish, black bug. EW!
I immediately called my roommate in to catch it, kill it, and report back to me what it was. It didn't look like a flea, but you never know. And, while it didn't look like a tick, it's possible. She said it squished easily (not a flea then) and there was nothing extraordinary about the bug. Of course, I think bedbugs immediately (only because I like to catastrophize) and have since been looking all over the internet for information. And, for those of you who are worriers like me, this is not a good idea. The pics I've seen of bedbugs look nothing like the little insect on my body pillow and I haven't brought in new furniture since my mattress set in March. But, it was new, from a reputable place, and in plastic packaging upon arrival. And, while I may not sleep in my bed, I've sat on it and know that if it were bedbugs, I'd have experienced something by now. And, plus, my roommate is not being bitten by anything. And, truth be told, we don't even know that I am. For all I know, I'm nuts
My linens are always freshly washed and I keep everything neat and tidy. I do have a screened window in my room, but there's a window fan in it right now. I asked my roommate if she saw blood when she squished the insect and said there was none. So, that means it's most likely not a bedbug (I travelled last in July, but my suitcases never went into my room and everything was washed before being returned to its proper place). There's no other evidence of bedbugs, or other insects for that matter, and since I have fabric on my walls, it would be easy to spot something that's out of place. But, nevertheless, I can't get myself to go to bed -- even though I'm super exhausted. My roommate says it was likely a small, black carpet beetle or something similar and I know she's probably right, but, I find any insect disgusting and knowing it may have been a beetle is little comfort. You know?
Does anyone here have an idea what kind of bug my little intruder might have been? Again, it was small and black (or very, very dark brown) -- it was maybe the size of this icon:
I am going to have to go to bed soon. I'm hoping to get my start date for my new job tomorrow and should expect a call early in the morning (though the call could come late tomorrow or not until Tuesday or later in the week). I have my dog, I have my cats, and my room's been inspected. Now, if only I could turn off my mind and just allow myself to get some rest. And, it wouldn't hurt for me to stop thinking about bug bites because, I swear, I think about them and then they start itching. Or, worse -- then I feel like I have a new one, or find another already existing one. Yep, I hate bugs. Bleh!
