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).