12-31-2008 - New Years Eve

I realize this isn't a battle; this is fucking war. I call the exterminator to ask that they come back, but he says that it takes a while for the chemicals to work their magic, and give it at least until Monday or Tuesday. OK, makes sense. But there's stuff I can do in the meantime.

I buy a mattress casing and zip my mattress inside. FUCK YOU BUGS. Anything that's in there is stuck, anything outside can't get in. In retrospect, I wish I had taped the zipper end shut, since they can get out through an open tooth.

I also taped EVERY fucking crevice and crack in my wooden bedframe. On top of this, I put two wraps of tape around the frame, so they get stuck if they crawl up it. I also put a simple row sticky-side down so they can't climb it because it's too slippery.

This has gotta fucking work.

12-30-2008 - More bumps

I come back on the 30th and clean and wash EVERYTHING. I throw out some pillows, wash my sheets, etc. I vacuum and mop the room - but this is a mistake, I realize, in retrospect. The solution he put down is a slow-acting chemical that works over time. I probably just helped to get rid of it.

My girlfriend and I go to sleep, and I wake up with lots of bites. GOD DAMMIT.

12-29-2008 - First Exterminator Visit

The exterminator apparently comes and finds a bed bug under my mattress. He sprays everywhere, and everyone has to leave the apartment for four hours. I'm frustrated that I couldn't be there for this appointment, as I could have asked a million questions then that could have saved us a lot of future discomfort.

12/28/2008 - Bad News

Bad news comes from the roommates back in Brooklyn - two out of three have started getting bites. Shit. Bad news.

I call my landlord on the phone, at first he's annoyed I called his cell phone, until he hears the problem. I hear from the exterminator that night, who promises to come over later the next day to inspect. I can't be there, but I pass on the word to my roommates. Meanwhile, my girlfriend goes back to Brooklyn.

12-27-2008

I mark all my bumps with a blue pen mark. I don't seem to be getting anymore since going home, thank God.

12-24-2008 - Christmas Eve

Christmas eve, and I'm fixated on my bumps. A lot more have shown up. They all look like small mosquito bites, and itch pretty bad. OK, it's not horrible - it's really only when you pay attention that they bother you. But I can't get my mind off it. But at least my roommates say they are bite free, and have had no problems.

12-19-2008 - The Dermatologist

Being a hypochondriac, I make an appointment right away at my dermatologist's office. She sees my girlfriend and I, and says that she can't be sure but they look quite a lot like bug bites, and the first that comes to mind is the bed bug variety.

Bad news. My girlfriend and I part ways to go to our respective homes for Christmas. I let my three roommates know (I live in a loft apartment).

12-18-2008 - My signs

My girlfriend gets another bump on her finger, and I start getting them on me as well. They itch, and I start getting worried because I'm a hypochondriac. Christmas break is coming up, and i want to have this taken care of and off my mind before I go back home.

December 16, 2008 - The beginning

My girlfriend notices three or four bumps in a row on her left arm. They look like little, flesh-colored mosquito bites. And they itch. I tell her not to scratch and that it's probably nothing.

The beginning

Bed bugs suck. I'm keeping this blog to document our war against these bastards. They've only been around for about 2 weeks now, but it really wears you down. I wish someone had posted some sort of blog that documented everything, from beginning to end, and I guess I'll have to be the one. Wooh! Never thought I'd have this "honor."