Bed Bug Bites

While the unsuspecting human is relaxing on their chair, couch, or mattress, the bed bug seeks to suck their blood. After the bed bug is done feeding, they will retreat to digest and lay eggs. The bed bug bites will sometimes continue to bleed for a moment once the bed bug has finished, leaving a small blood stain on bed linens or clothing.

The victim will not usually feel the bed bug bites because they inject an analgesic substance. (Some of our customers report that they can feel the bite if they are awake.) Like other bloodsuckers, bed bugs use an anticoagulant to prevent the blood from clotting. Evidence of bed bug bites on the skin may not appear immediately, or may not appear at all.

Bed bug bites may resemble mosquito bites and usually appear in groups. The bites will often be itchy like mosquito bites. It is nearly impossible to tell a mosquito bite from a bed bug bite unless you control the environment and rule out mosquitoes as a possibility. This is why the mere presence of bites is not solid bed bug evidence

Some people will have an allergic reaction to the bite (to the anticoagulant). A bad reaction to a bed bug bite can include redness and swelling. The most severe reaction to a bed bug bite can include anaphylaxis. Though the bites don’t usually cause physical health problems, the presence of bed bugs can cause anxiety, insomnia, and paranoia.

If there is only one bed bug or half a dozen, the bites may not appear every night. Each bug will like to feed every three to five days or longer. If there is a pattern of bites happening week after week, and you have ruled out mosquitoes, then it could very likely be bed bugs.

NOT SURE WHAT’S BITING YOU?

The best way to tell if it is bed bugs is by finding a bed bug. Lean how to inspect for bed bugs yourself. Sometimes bed bugs can be hard to find if they are newly introduced. If you are getting bitten by something contact us and we will provide an inspection.