What Bed Bug Bites Look Like
![]() |
Bed bugs are small insects that have flat, brown bodies and bear a slight resemblance to cockroaches and ticks. Bed bugs survive by feeding on the blood of living animals or people. Unheard of in our society since World War II, an increased level of immigration, international travel and the banning of DDT has contributed to the recent resurgence of bed bugs in apartments, homes, hotels, and even public transportation.
Understanding what bed bug bites look like can help you to determine whether or not you have bed bugs. Bed bug bites are basically painless, and the person usually doesn't even realize they're being bitten, because these bites usually occur at night during sleep. Bed bugs will feed on any area of exposed skin, including chest, arms, legs, back, and so on. These bugs feed similar to the way mosquitos do, with a long piercing beak that enters the skin and extracts blood. Feeding will take anywhere from three to ten minutes. Some people don't even have any reaction to these bites, while others exhibit symptoms similar to mosquito bites.
A bed bug bite may cause a localized reaction that includes itching, swelling, a red bump, or a welt on the skin. One telling factor as to whether or not your bites are from mosquitos or bed bugs is when they occur. If your skin is bite-free when you go to bed at night, and you wake up in the morning with welts or itchy bumps, it's most likely bed bugs that are causing the problem.
Another way to determine whether or not you have bed bugs is with a thorough inspection of your mattress and upholstery. You'll see dark spots that are bed bug excrement, as well as tiny spots of blood. You may also see eggs, eggshells and molted skin.
If you suspect you have a bed bug infestation, it's a good idea to find a professional that's experienced in dealing with this type of insect. If left untreated, a bed bug infestation can grow to an unmanageable level and spread throughout your home. If you live in an apartment building, the bugs can multiply and spread from your apartment to the other apartments in your building. That's why it's crucial to handle the problem as soon as it's suspected.
Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved
| They're Baa-ack! Bed Bugs Strike Again at Vornado's . - New York Observer New Yorks Aging Buildings Name Game-Changer They're Baa-ack! Bed Bugs Strike Again at Vornado's Hotel Penn, Lawsuit Says Linda Stein Murder Trial: The Photos The More Things Change EURŠ New York City's bed bug scourge continues to wreak pain, fear ... | ||
Live octopus? Goat kidneys? It's what's for dinner - WFMJ
| ||
Heidi, a bed-bug-sniffing English beagle, visits the . - PennLive.com Heidi, a two-year old English beagle trained to sniff out bed bugs, visited the state Capitol Monday in an effort to raise awareness about bed bugs nationwide. Martin Overline, president of Aardvark Pest Management and one of Heidi's handlers, said ... | ||
Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales) - Quiz Of The Day March 15, 2010 -- 1. Which athlete won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1995? 6. What was the name of Vivienne Westwood's first clothing shop in 1971?... | ||
Country Cousin - Peshtigo Times
| ||
Bed Bug infestations increasing in Iowa - Newton Daily News
| ||
Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England) - Weevils in popcorn March 14, 2010 -- POPCORN packets have been recalled after it was discovered that they could be infested with weevils. The tiny insects were found in... | ||
Unwanted guests warning for Spring Break 2010 - 10Connects.com We're talking about Bed Bugs. The nocturnal, blood-sucking pests that can settle in places where humans sleep, including in hotel rooms, resorts and cruise ships. Adult bed bugs resemble appleseeds in size and color, and feed on human blood... | ||
KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaLive octopus? Goat kidneys? It's what's . - KPLC-TV
| ||
Queensland Times, The; Ipswich, Qld. - Rain gives crops a big boost March 17, 2010 -- SOUTH-EAST: Farmers have welcomed widespread rain in grain growing regions of the state and are forecasting a good winter crop thanks to... |
![]() |
