Mystery Bites on Tenant After AC Installation: Likely Not Bed Bugs

A landlord installed a used window AC unit. The tenant, a travel nurse, woke with cluster bites two nights in a row. An exterminator found only spider webs. The tenant later got bites on her scalp after taking a pillow to a friend's house. No bed bug evidence found. Sticky traps caught nothing. Landlord wonders if AC introduced pests or if it's too early to see bed bugs.

Expert Assessment

The expert doubts insects/mites are involved. Bed bug bites are typically angry, red, swollen. When no culprit is found, the cause is often an allergy or environmental irritant mimicking bites. The expert suggests investigating recent changes (AC unit, tenant's travel, hair extensions). If the tenant is convinced something is biting, she should produce the insect.

Follow-Up

Landlord checked AC, found nothing. Tenant wants reimbursement. Expert reiterates that bed bugs are usually easy to diagnose once bites start; these don't match. Without a specimen, insect involvement is unlikely.