What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
Bed bug bites commonly appear as:
- Small red or pink bumps
- Slightly raised or swollen areas
- Itchy spots
- Several bites close together
- Bites appearing in a line or irregular cluster
There is wide variation in the appearance of the bite marks depending on the individual.
An individual might experience the appearance of multiple itchy welts following the bite, while another person sleeping in the same room would hardly have any reaction at all. It is for this reason that determining the presence of bedbugs through the appearance of their bite marks is difficult.
Bed bug bites could easily be mistaken for those of mosquitoes and fleas.
Where Do Bed Bug Bites Usually Appear?
Bed bugs normally feed while people are sleeping. They can bite any accessible skin, but marks are commonly noticed on areas that are exposed during the night, including:
- Arms
- Hands
- Legs
- Feet
- Neck
- Face
- Shoulders
- Upper chest
Bites can occur beneath clothes as well.
Bites may be on any part of the body, but their location is not enough to indicate that bed bugs are the cause. Findings at the site of sleep are necessary before concluding.
How Long Does It Take for Bed Bug Bites to Appear?
The reaction may not show up instantly.
According to Health Canada, it could take up to 14 days before bed bug bites show up in some individuals. Others will begin seeing redness or an itching sensation sooner than that, while others won’t see any noticeable mark at all.
It can sometimes be hard to pinpoint exactly where and when one gets bitten.
For instance, if you have recently been staying in a hotel and then you see marks afterward, that does not automatically mean that you got bitten inside your own room. But this does not mean that your belongings must not be checked.
Do Bed Bug Bites Hurt?
Most individuals do not detect the presence of the bedbug biting them.
This is because the bedbug sucks the blood from the body and injects chemicals while feeding that cause numbness at the site of biting. As a result, the individual continues to sleep without even realizing what is happening until he notices any skin irritation.
The skin irritation caused after the bite becomes more noticeable compared to the bite itself.
Are Bed Bug Bites Dangerous?
Though bed bugs do not spread any disease to human beings, the bites themselves are dangerous enough.
The continuous scratching can lead to breaking of the skin and to secondary infections. It is also possible that some individuals will have allergic reactions to the bites.
Moreover, the presence of bed bugs may seriously affect the person’s sleep and generate stress.
How to Treat Bed Bug Bites
Simple bed bug bites will heal without any need for complex treatment.
Clean the area as much as you can and avoid scratching the area to prevent further harm. Scratching an itchy skin can worsen its condition and even lead to infection.
Health Canada says that bite areas should be kept clean, and that in some cases antiseptic products or antihistamines might come handy. Consult a professional or pharmacist if you are not sure what treatment suits you best.
Skin treatment will not solve the problem of bed bugs. They need to be treated as well.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Consider medical advice if:
- Swelling becomes severe
- The reaction continues getting worse
- The skin becomes increasingly painful, warm, or inflamed
- Scratched areas appear infected
- You develop a widespread allergic reaction
- You are concerned about unexplained or persistent skin symptoms
If you experience a serious allergic reaction, seek immediate medical help in case of symptoms such as trouble breathing or swelling.
Also, one should keep in mind that not all mysterious rashes are bed bug bites, and a doctor will be able to diagnose any skin condition.
Bed Bug Bites vs Mosquito Bites
They both result in red and itchy bumps.
The mosquito bite is usually individualized and may happen when you are outdoors. Bed bug bites tend to show up after sleeping in an infested place, with several bites appearing at once.
There is no sure way to diagnose based on the appearance and pattern.
If you think it’s a bed bug, check the room, not the bites.
Bed Bug Bites vs Flea Bites
Another common cause for bites are fleas, which will also result in small red bites and may be mistaken as bites from bed bugs.
Fleas are commonly found with the help of pets, carpeted surfaces, pet beds, and areas around the ankles and legs. Bed bugs stay near areas where humans rest or sleep for long periods of time.
The most definite way is by finding physical proof of the insect.
How to Tell If You Actually Have Bed Bugs
Bites are only one possible warning sign.
Check for other evidence before concluding that bed bugs are present. These may also be among the early signs of a pest infestation that should be investigated.
Live Bed Bugs
Adult bed bugs are flat, oval insects that are generally brown to reddish-brown. They are wingless and can hide inside very narrow cracks.
Young bed bugs are smaller and lighter in colour.
Dark Spots Around the Mattress
Look for small dark or brownish spots around:
- Mattress seams
- Mattress piping
- Box springs
- Bed frames
- Headboards
- Furniture joints
These spots may be bed bug waste.
Shed Skins
Young bed bugs shed their outer skins as they develop.
Empty, pale-coloured skins around mattress seams, furniture joints, or cracks near the bed can indicate activity.
Blood Spots
Small reddish or rusty stains sometimes appear on sheets, pillowcases, mattresses, or nearby furniture.
A single stain does not confirm an infestation, but repeated stains together with other evidence should be investigated.
Eggs
Bed bug eggs are very small and white, making them difficult to see without a careful inspection.
Health Canada notes that eggs are about one millimetre long and are commonly placed inside cracks and other protected locations.
Where to Check for Bed Bugs
Start close to where people sleep.
Use a flashlight and carefully inspect:
- Mattress seams and piping
- Under mattress labels
- Box springs
- Bed-frame joints
- Screw holes
- Headboards
- Nightstands
- Upholstered furniture
- Baseboards
- Cracks beside the bed
In cases where the infestation already exists, the bugs can spread deeper into furniture, cracks on the walls, electrical areas, curtains, and other secluded spots.
Do not move to another bedroom just yet if you think there are bed bugs. Moving around could allow the bugs to spread further into other rooms. According to Health Canada, you should continue monitoring the area in which you sleep.
What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs
When you discover a live bed bug or clear evidence of a bed bug infestation, do not move furniture, bedding, or clothing from one room to another.
Properly launder and dry bedding and clothing that can withstand high heat, but keep them separate from infested items. Do not use household chemicals, homemade solutions, or pesticides not registered in Canada.
According to Health Canada, only pest-control products registered in Canada should be used, and directions on labels must be followed. Homeowners can also read more about the truth about over-the-counter pest products.
It is hard to get rid of bed bugs as they tend to burrow in hidden locations like crevices, furniture, and mattresses. This guide explains more about how to get rid of bed bugs in Barrie.
Professional Bed Bug Treatment in Barrie
Having to see mystery bites daily can be quite annoying, but having the bites treated without a thorough examination of your house would not solve the problem.
Simcoe Pest X offers bed bug inspection and treatment services for houses, flats, condominiums, rental properties, and businesses in the city of Barrie and nearby Simcoe County locations.
Bed Bug Inspection Services by Simcoe Pest X include inspection of suspected places, assessment of the level of infestation, and preparation advice for bed bug treatment.
Contact Simcoe Pest X today if you suspect that there are bed bugs in your home and need pest control in Barrie.