Did I Get Bed Bugs from eBay?

The Puzzle of the Parasites

People like me do not get bed bugs, but apparently that is news to the bed bugs.

Bed bugs are the venue of motels with broken neon signs and neglectful institutions that house the poor and unfortunate. Wrong.

According to news reports from recent years, apparently these six-legged felons have extended their range. Bed bugs steal blood with no prejudice for health, wealth or cleanliness. Increasingly they can be found in four-star hotels, cruise ships, dormitories and apartments, as well as
 single-family units.

How I acquired bed bugs is second only to how to quit tearing at my skin and get some real sleep again. Knowing the cause may prevent these stealthy predators from future attacks.

While I am waiting for the experts to take care of the problem and dictate which belongings, now wrapped in plastic, must go and which can stay, I have been doing a little research.

Why the title? Well, as you read the myths, keep in mind that the only additions to my bedroom in recent months consist of computer-related equipment I purchased online, primarily through eBay. See what you think.

Bed Bugs Myth #1
Bed bugs are caused by filth: Bed bugs are better controlled by thorough vacuuming, clean linens and tidiness but can be found in the cleanest of places along with their bottom-of-the-barrel counterparts.

The return and propagation of bed bugs is largely unknown, but is thought in part due to both safer pesticides that are not as effective and the increase in international travel.

Bed bugs are often carried by used furniture and suitcases and can travel 100 feet to find their desired host. This writer has neither traveled in the last year, bought furniture and is very tidy.

Bed Bugs Myth #2
Bed bugs will die off easily if there is no host. Though bed bugs will feed when they can they can live 12 months or more without a host. Hardy suckers indeed, pun intended.

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I am afraid to move because the new house may be infested or the moving van may be infested with bed bugs. I worry that even the exterminator may bring them in to my home after he leaves another home that was infested. A bed bug infestation is my biggest fear. I have never seen a bed bug, I never travel and I will never bring in anything to my apartment that is second hand. I wash everything in hottest water possible and dry it thoroughly. I could still be vulnerable if a neighbor decides to bring the bugs to my complex.

Posted on 11/06/2008 at 7:11:23 AM

Hmm . . . eww . . . but, yeah, I love garage sales, thrift shops, and sometimes ebay. I won't buy clothes and bedding on ebay, though. All things also have to be washed if from a garage sale or thrift shop.

Posted on 04/17/2008 at 1:04:30 PM

My exterminator has told me to never ever bring shipping boxes into my house!

Posted on 01/22/2008 at 9:01:26 PM

Another EWWWWWWWWWW and I have a flea market booth, and love to shop online!

Posted on 12/20/2007 at 7:12:11 AM

You must be working too hard jcorn - your comments are usually spot on, but no I didn't buy bedding from eBay. :-) Ah, but what bad memories this brings. Though it makes me grateful I'm not me as I was then. I remember the scenerio: type/itch/type/itch/type/look for bugs/type itch/type/drugs... Like many said ewwwww.

Posted on 12/15/2007 at 6:12:00 PM

Oh, my goodness! You certainly got me thinking -and scatching - and thinking. I have not bought any bedding from Ebay, thank goodness. Congrats on your mention as one of the best articles on Associated Content this year. That alerted me to this article, one you must have written before I arrived here.

Posted on 12/13/2007 at 9:12:41 PM

Very informative. I'm saving this one for my husband who loves to buy from ebay and cart home other people's rejects.

Posted on 09/17/2007 at 12:09:00 AM

i get itchy just reading this haha

Posted on 08/14/2007 at 4:08:00 PM

Creepy, creepy, creepy. :-D

Posted on 07/11/2007 at 5:07:00 AM

EEK! Stay on that end of the pc..lol just kidding. Very informative, though I must say it made my skin crawl.

Posted on 06/23/2007 at 9:06:00 AM

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