“Goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite” is a popular nursery rhyme. But these pests aren’t child’s play, and knowing what their bites look like can help you stop an infestation before it gets out of hand.
Bed bug bites look like pimples or mosquito bites. They are red, raised dots on your skin and often appear as several bumps in a row.
Waking up to these bites covering your skin can be creepy, but they’re harmless. To learn more about bed bug bites, read the rest of this article.
Please check out my two related articles “Mite Bites on Humans – A Complete Guide” and “Flea Bites On Humans – A Complete Guide“
Bed Bug Bite Identification
Bed bug bites often appear as a line of several red bumps on your skin. They’re commonly located on exposed areas, such as your face, neck, arms, legs and hands. Because bed bugs bite while you’re sleeping, you’re likely to notice them in the morning.
The line pattern of bed bug bites happens because they stop biting if you move, take a few steps, then bite again. These marks might also appear as a zig-zag.
Some people may not react at all to bed bug bites, while others can have severe reactions. Hives or blisters may appear if you have more sensitivity to bed bugs.
Differences Between Bed Bug Bites and Other Insect Bites
Many insects could be the culprit of bites on your skin. Some ways to differentiate bed bug bites from others are:
- Mosquito bites are slightly larger, normally isolated and spread out over different parts of your body.
- Flea bites are smaller and have a small red dot in the center.
- Spiders bite just once and leave two puncture marks in the middle.
- Chigger bites are often grouped near tight-fitting clothing or ankles and have a red dot in the center.
Do Bed Bug Bites Itch?
Bed bug bites can cause itching. The itchy sensation comes from your body’s reaction to the insect”s saliva.
Your immune system sends histamine to the bite site, which increases blood flow and white blood cell count. This can also cause the area to swell and turn red.
Some people won’t feel itchy from bed bug bites. It’s always best not to scratch those itches: you could break the skin and make the problem worse.
Why Don’t I Feel Bed Bugs While They Bite?
Bed bugs bite you when you’re asleep and have an anesthetic in their saliva that masks the pain. Because of this, most people don’t feel the bites while they happen and don’t feel the insects crawling on them either.
Their stealthy nature is why bedbugs are such an effective human parasite. Moreover, they take advantage of our need for deep sleep to make a meal out of our blood.
Treating Bed Bug Bites
In most cases, bed bug bites don’t need medical attention. Some at-home treatments you can give yourself or others to alleviate itching, swelling and pain include:
- Gently wash the bite areas with soap and water.
- Applying ice or anti-itch cream to your skin.
- Take an antihistamine medication.
You can repeat these steps until the symptoms subside. The most annoying symptoms usually go away in a day, but redness or marks might stay for a week or more.
Do Bed Bugs Spread Disease?
Fortunately, bed bugs don’t pass diseases to humans. The physical symptoms from bed bug bites like pain, itching and swelling, are short-lived and go away on their own.
On the other hand, bed bugs cause people mental health problems. These parasites might make you feel afraid, paranoid and embarrassed.
Having bed bugs might make you withdraw from relationships because you could feel dirty or like you might spread them to others. These feelings are temporary, and it might help to talk to a therapist about them.
No Signs of Bed Bugs But I Have Bites
Many people experience small red bites in the morning as the first sign of a bed bug infestation. There could be just one or two insects living in your mattress and feeding on your blood.
Bed bugs are only active in the dark and move quickly to avoid humans and predators. You’re only likely to see dead insects after an infestation becomes large.
It can be difficult to detect an infestation on your own. If you suspect bed bugs, you might need a pest control professional to come and do an inspection and confirm whether you have them or not.
How To Prevent Bed Bug Bites
One of the first steps to stop bed bug bites is to give your home a thorough cleaning. These pests prefer dirty environments, meaning a good cleaning could reduce their numbers and make them less likely to stick around.
Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to stop bed bugs from biting you, especially if you have an infestation. To prevent bites, you have to eliminate all the insects, which takes time.
If you want to learn more about these pests, I’ve written an exhaustive guide from my experiences helping people get rid of bed bugs. Many folks require assistance from pest control professionals to completely remove these insects from their homes.
Do Mattress Covers Prevent Bed Bug Bites?
Special mattress covers can be an effective tool in preventing bed bug bites. Bed bug mattress covers, also known as bed bug encasements, completely enclose your mattress and box spring, creating a barrier that prevents bed bugs from entering or exiting.
But, bed bugs living outside your mattress won’t be affected and will continue biting you. This makes mattress covers only part of the solution to preventing bed bug bites.
It’s important to note that not all mattress covers work against bed bugs. They must be labeled “bed bug proof” or “bed bug certified,” and often have zippers that tightly enclose your mattress.
Where Do Bed Bug Bites Come From?
Bed bugs can be found in almost every part of the home, but they mostly live where people sleep, such as in bedrooms and living rooms. They hide during the day and find you at night by your body heat and the smell of your carbon dioxide exhalations.
They often live in seams and crevices of mattresses, box springs and bed frames. Also, they might hide in headboards, footboards, and other bedroom furniture.
In living rooms, bed bugs can be found in sofas, chairs, carpets, rugs, drapes, behind baseboards or wall outlets. Additionally, any cluttered area could house these pests.
Do Bed Bugs Bite Pets?
Yes, bed bugs can and do bite pets, but it is less common than their biting humans. Bed bugs are blood-eating insects that feed on warm-blooded animals, including cats, dogs and other pets.
Unlike fleas, bed bugs don’t live on pets. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about your furry friends spreading bed bugs to your home.
Pets suffer the same physical reaction to bed bug bites as humans. You might notice them scratching more if they get bit, but there won’t be long-term harm.
How Did I Get Bed Bug Bites In My Home?
Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and there are several ways they could get into your home and bite you. In the end, travel is one of the most common ways people get bed bugs.
Bed bugs can live in hotels, taxis, buses, restaurants or other places you visit while traveling. They can sneak into and ride on luggage, clothing and other personal items until they enter your home. Interestingly, cleanliness doesn’t guarantee there’s no infestation, and you could get bed bugs from the fanciest five-star hotels.
Another way bed bugs can enter your home is through used furniture or clothing. Finally, bed bugs could crawl into your home from another apartment or condo through wall voids, cracks or electrical wiring.
How Common Are Bed Bug Bites?
A 2011 National Pest Management Association survey showed that 20% of people in the United States of America have experienced a bed bug infestation or know someone who has. These pests are found in all 50 states, and infestations are more common during the summer travel season.
Younger people renting homes in urban areas are the most likely group of respondents to have had bed bug bites. In fact, urban dwellers are three times more likely to have encountered bed bugs than rural residents.
Preventing Bed Bugs From Entering Your Home
After getting rid of bed bugs, you want to stop them from returning. The best ways to prevent these pests from getting into your home are:
- Inspect used furniture and clothing for signs of bed bugs before bringing them into your home. Immediately wash and heat dry items if possible.
- When traveling, inspect hotel rooms for bed bugs and keep your luggage off the floor and bed. When you come home, wash your items and dry them on high heat settings.
- Seal cracks and crevices in walls, floors, and ceilings with caulk or other sealants to stop bed bugs from crawling in.
- Eliminate clutter in your home, which acts as a hiding place for bed bugs.
- Regularly vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery to remove any bed bugs or eggs that may be present.