Bed bugs are one of the most aggravating pests that can infest your household, and not only because they are so hard to get rid of.  Bed bugs leave behind more than just eggs—bed bugs can bite both humans and pets in your household. This leads to questions like, “Why do bed bugs bite?” Don’t panic, this article will help you to identify bed bug bites, show you how to treat any you may have, and discuss how to avoid being bitten again.

Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that survive solely on human and animal blood. They tend to feed on their unsuspecting hosts about an hour before dawn, and often leave bites in a trail along the edge of a sheet or blanket. Each bed bug will typically bite multiple times, as the pests insert their elongated beaks to find the best spot to feed, and that can take a few tries. Due to this, multiple bites do not necessarily mean a widespread infestation. Bed bugs will not only bite a host in bed—if bed bugs have infested another place in your home like a couch or chair, bed bugs will bite there as well. Young bed bugs, or nymphs, require blood to grow into their next developmental stage, and will be almost clear in color before they feed, making it even more difficult to see and avoid the pests. While bed bugs bite to feed, they are so small and hide so well that you may not even know if your bite is in fact a bed bug bite. Bed bugs will return to their hiding spots after feeding, and do not stay attached to a host like a tick would.

Bed Bug Or Other Insect Bite?

Bed bug bites are often confused with other insect bites, and that is because they are so similar; however, there are key differences between different types of bites. Most often, bed bugs bites are mistaken for mosquito bites, and while both can itch, mosquito bites typically happen in warm climates where there is open air circulation to the outside, and bed bugs bite year round indoors. Bites for bed bugs typically appear in a line or zigzag pattern, as it takes the bed bug a few tries to get the right spot—mosquito bites appear more randomly and on their own. Bed bugs will crawl under clothing to bite, but mosquitos will not be able to bite through clothing. Bed bugs occur most frequently on places that are exposed during sleep, such as the neck, arms, and shoulders and ankles. Mosquitos are also likely to bite exposed skin, but if that skin is covered by a blanket, they would be unable to reach it, whereas bed bugs would crawl underneath.

Also take note of your surroundings, and carefully inspect your linens and mattress—bed bugs leave behind feces and eggs, where mosquitos do not. Mosquito bites itch right away, and are a raised, irregular red blotch with a white center, where bed bugs bite and inject a numbing agent that can take a few hours to wear off. These parasitic pests also inject their host with anticoagulant, which stops your blood from clotting while they feed, which can be for up to ten minutes. Mosquitos feed faster, but both bugs leave by an irritant in their saliva. Bed bugs leave behind trace amounts of saliva which can itch and irritate the skin, but less than your average mosquito bite, and not until hours or even days afterward. Some people exhibit no symptoms at all after being bitten by a bed bug, and as such can remain unaware that an infestation has even taken place, but those who have been bitten get find the bites painful, itchy, and unattractive.

Allergic Reaction

Prolonged exposure to bites can produce a mild allergic reaction in some people, but for the most part, the bites are harmless; however, if they are scratched too profusely they can form an open wound which is susceptible to infection. This makes bed bug bites a greater medical risk to children and the elderly both of whom typically have weakened immune systems. If someone is on bed rest they are also at increased risk for bed bug bites, as bed bugs have more chances to feed.  The treatment of bed bug bites is fairly straightforward—typically an over the counter antihistamine medication will bring down swelling and itchiness, and additionally hydrocortisone cream can be applied to the affected area. If you’d like to treat your bed bug bites naturally, icing the area will bring down swelling, and covering the bites with a bandage will prevent scratching or irritating the skin further.

The best approach to treat bed bug bites is twofold—to help heal the bite, and reduce the chance of being bitten again. There are several do it yourself methods to ridding your home of bed bugs, but it can take a few attempts to get rid of the resilient pests. Do it yourself bed bug control can be done using pesticides, heat, or cold, but make sure to take the time to research your method before choosing which option is best for you. Some people dealing with a bed bug infestation opt to call a professional exterminator, but this can be costly and still take a few tries—sometimes a combination of both professional help and DIY action is the most effective method to rid your household of bed bugs. Several products can be purchased to avoid bed bugs from taking up residence in your home, including pesticide sprays, bed bug interceptors, and protective mattress covers. When choosing a pesticide spray, make sure it states bed bugs on the label, as these hardy pests can be resistant to some forms of pesticide.

Bites from bed bugs can be irritating and painful, but with the proper care and preventive measures, they can be little more than a temporary nuisance. Take steps to identify bed bug bites, care for existing bites to prevent infection, and take measures in your household to get rid of bed bugs so they cannot bite again.