This cannot be happening again. Long post, but I just need some support.
My first encounter with BBs was in July of 2015. I moved into an apartment after my parents decided to move out to the island and hadn't even been there two weeks when I found one of the little monsters in my bed. I flipped out and left the apartment after showering and changing clothing. Two treatments, countless hours of vacuuming, steaming, laundering, crying and all of my personal belongings being stored in a garage for over a month with a literal arsenal of dichlorvos strips just to be sure those things were dead and gone. Both my mattress and Box spring were encased after this ordeal as well.
The couch I had in my old place was destroyed.
Moved into a new place, BB free for two years.
Moved again and have been in my current home (an apartment building with 4 units only. GRILLED the landlord about previous BBs in the building and he told me there hadn't been any).
Everything was fine up until Saturday night. I went to a movie with a friend and came home to discover 3 itchy bites in a row (about 1/2" apart) on my rib cage. Panic. I am still living with PTSD after my encounter. The mere mention of their name sends me into a fit of panic and tears... so these bites sent me over the edge.
I have been telling myself that it was from the theatre... how could they possibly be in my house?! I had traveled recently but only to my family's home for Christmas. I suppose one could have come home with me on my luggage.
But as I lay in bed last night, it was like I FELT the bite happen. I sprung up, grabbed a flashlight and checked. I have done SO much research and looked at so many photos that I know what I'm looking for. NOTHING. But, behold! Two new itchy bites on my left hip EXACTLY where I felt the little prick (the hip was touching my mattress). UNDER my pajama pants. I had only been in bed about an hour and had JUST finished putting my sheets and comforter which had been washed in hot water and dried on high.
I've torn my home apart, flipped my mattress and box spring, checked couch cushions and underside... absolutely NO EVIDENCE. No fecal matter, no cast skins, no insects. I suppose the good news is the infestation must be low.
Cried myself to sleep.
Woke up this morning with a bite on my inner right thigh and one under my left butt cheek (WAAAAY too close for comfort)
I've just picked up some monitors to check and have been in contact with my landlord and his PCO who seem to want me to confirm their presence (I totally understand but it doesn't help).
I do have a puppy that has long fur, but I just combed her yesterday and found nothing.
I just don't know how I can possibly go through this again. I can't stop the tears. I feel like I can't leave my house but must in order to work, and then feel awful about leaving my little dog home all day.
Needless to say I just need some hands to hold as I prepare for battle. Although I have not actually seen any insects, my gut tells me this is what is happening.
Please share with me your words of encouragement, your tips for continuing on with life while battling these hideous creatures without spreading them, and how to get your mind to quiet down.