Bed Bug Bites: Everything You Need to Know
Thinking about bugs crawling around your bed is already bad enough. To make things worse, these pests are also known for biting. While the bites aren’t necessarily dangerous, they certainly aren’t something you want to deal with. Knowing what bed bugs look like could help you spot and treat infestations, so here’s what you need to know.
When and How Do Bed Bugs Bite?
Bed bugs typically wait until their victims are resting before they feed, which usually means feeding at night. They detect carbon dioxide and body heat to locate their hosts, making humans their primary target. These pests are nocturnal and most active between two and five in the morning. That said, bed bugs can also alter their schedule to match yours; if you routinely sleep during the day, they may start emerging during that time to feed while you’re resting.
Where Do Bed Bugs Bite Most?
Bed bugs tend to bite areas of the body that are exposed while you sleep, such as the face, neck, arms, and hands. These areas are particularly vulnerable because they are often uncovered by clothing or blankets, making them easy targets for feeding. However, bites can also appear on other body parts if pests can access exposed skin.
What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
Adult bed bug bites can look an awful lot like other insect bites. However, the tiny welts usually appear in a zigzag pattern on skin that is exposed during the nighttime. The zigzag pattern can help you tell them apart from other types of bites. These bites may also be clustered or arranged in a line, commonly called a “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” pattern. Most bites appear within a few hours or days, and they usually look like very small, slightly swollen bumps. Many people also experience itchiness and redness.
Learn how to spot bed bugs.
What Are the Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites?
Some people may experience swelling or inflammation around the bites, while others may not react visibly. The severity of symptoms can vary depending on an individual’s sensitivity to the bites. For those with more sensitive skin or allergic reactions, the bites can become more pronounced, leading to larger welts or even blister-like lesions. Others may not show any visible signs of being bitten, making infestations harder to detect in the early stages.
In rare cases, bed bug bites can lead to secondary infections (which may require antibiotics). These are usually caused by excessive scratching.
Do Bed Bug Bites Itch & How Long Do They Last?
Yes, bed bug bites often become itchy after a few hours or days. Some people may also feel a bit of tenderness near the bite marks, making them a little painful to the touch. While it can be hard to resist the urge to scratch a bed bug bite, it’s important that you do; doing so could worsen the wound and leave you vulnerable to infections.
As a rule of thumb, bed bug bites usually last a few days to a week, depending on the individual’s skin type and reaction. Sometimes, bites may persist longer or leave dark spots or scarring, especially if they are repeatedly scratched. If this is the case, please consult with your doctor.
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Are Bed Bug Bites Dangerous?
Just because they aren’t known for spreading disease doesn’t mean that bed bugs are totally safe to have crawling around. For some people, the bites could trigger major rashes or allergic reactions. Touching or scratching the bite could also lead to blister-like welts that aren’t just painful, but difficult to heal.
The physical side effects aren’t the only concern, either. Having bed bugs can lead to mental health concerns like anxiety, insomnia, and other sleep conditions even after the insects are gone. Getting professional bed bug removal can offer some peace of mind, but the longer the infestation has been around, the harder it may be to recover mentally.
Do Bed Bugs Carry or Spread Disease?
There are tons of rumors that bed bugs spread a plethora of dangerous diseases, from Chagas disease to leprosy or Q-fever. However, bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases while biting. There are currently no reported cases of bed bugs spreading illnesses to humans.
While they’re not known to transmit diseases, bed bugs are capable of carrying various pathogens and bacterium. This can increase your risk of a secondary infection following a bite, especially if you don’t wash it or open the wound by scratching. Most of the time, though, this isn’t a major cause for concern.
Should I See a Doctor After a Bed Bug Bite?
Most bed bug bites are harmless and resolve on their own with simple home treatments. The typical symptoms—itchiness, redness, and slight swelling—are usually manageable without medical intervention. However, there are certain circumstances where you should seek help from a doctor:
- Excessive swelling, especially of the face or lips
- Difficulty breathing
- Pus or discharge from the bite
- Fever or chills
- Persistent or worsening symptoms
Tips for Treating Bed Bug Bites
Itching and skin irritation is a major problem for a lot of people who have been bitten by bed bugs. Proper treatment can help alleviate the symptoms and prevent further problems such as infections from scratching. If you have a bed bug bite, try following these steps for relief:
- Wash the area with a gentle cleanser and water.
- Apply an antiseptic lotion or cream to reduce the risk of infection.
- Use an ice pack on the bites to reduce itchiness.
- Consider taking an over-the-counter antihistamine to counteract allergies.
- Wear loose and breathable clothing over the affected areas.
Do You Need Professional Help to Tackle Bed Bugs?
The bottom line is, bed bugs and their bites aren’t pleasant. While they aren’t as dangerous as some types of pests, they aren’t a guest you want spending the night. If you suspect you have bed bugs, the best thing to do is contact your local pest control company.
Dealing with bed bugs on your own can be overwhelming, as these pests are experts at hiding in cracks, crevices, and furniture seams. DIY treatments often fall short, leaving infestations to grow and spread. Bed bug removal experts like Florida Pest Control can quickly identify infestations and build a plan of attack to eliminate the pests as quickly as possible.
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Areas We Serve in Central, Northern Florida, and the Panhandle
At Florida Pest Control, we know how stressful bed bugs are. Our services are available across a wide range of locations in Central and Northern Florida, as well as the Panhandle, ensuring that help is always within reach. Because you deserve peaceful rest at night without the fear of parasitic insects crawling around.
That’s why we offer fast appointment times and state-of-the-art treatment options that get rid of bed bugs fast. If you want to learn about our process or schedule an appointment, call us today.
FAQs
How do you tell if a bite is a bed bug?
Bed bug bites appear as small, red, itchy welts, often in clusters or zigzag patterns.
What are the early signs of bed bugs?
Early signs include itchy bites, blood stains on sheets, tiny black droppings, or shed exoskeletons near sleeping areas.
Where do bed bugs bite most?
Bed bugs bite exposed areas such as the face, neck, arms, and hands. These bites mostly occur at night.
What kills bed bugs instantly on skin?
Rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs on contact. However, professional pest control ensures that a bed bug infestation is treated at all stages of the life cycle, including adults, eggs and nymphs.
Where do bed bugs hide on your body?
Bed bugs don’t typically hide on your body. They hide near bedding, in box spring mattresses, bed frames, and within furniture seams, especially during the day. They feed on exposed areas of the skin at night but don’t remain on your body afterward. After feeding, they return to their hiding spots to rest and digest.
How long after being bitten by a bed bug does it show?
This depends on the individual. Bed bug bite reactions can appear within hours or up to a day, depending on your skin’s sensitivity. Some individuals may not show any signs at all, while others may develop swelling, redness, and intense itching.
What is the main cause of bed bugs?
The main causes include traveling and secondhand furniture, as bed bugs hitchhike on luggage or infested items. Additionally, bed bugs can be introduced through visitors, shared living spaces, or even public transportation. Visit our page to learn how bed bugs spread.