A bed bug infestation cannot be identified on bites alone, as each individual may react differently to bed bugs and their bites.  Up to 30% of people in a study of bed bug infestations reported NO REACTION at all to the bed bugs.  On the other end of the spectrum, some people have very bad allergic reactions and need steroids or other treatment because symptoms are so severe.  On that note, signs that bites COULD be from bed bugs are:

  • Bites occurring in what appears to be a line or pattern
  • Bites are more common on the arms, shoulders and trunk.
  • Bugs can also bite the face
  • In most people who react to bites, the bites look like mosquito bites, but there are many of them
  • If you have unexplained bites, and think it may be from bed bugs, give us a call!

Bites appear much like Mosquito bites. Some individuals who are bitten by bed bugs develop itching, red welts or swelling the day after being bitten. However, bites may not become obvious for several days or at all on some individuals. Many people do not react at all to the bite of a bed bug—many bites leave no mark and go completely unnoticed.

 

Unlike those of other insects, bed bug bites may sometimes appear in tight lines of multiple, small, red marks where multiple bed bugs have fed along an exposed area. Bed bug bites can cause itchiness.

Why Do They Bite?

Bed bugs are blood feeders that depend on blood for their food source, so they must consume blood for survival.

One bed bug will usually take more than one bite. Once a bed bug inserts its mouthparts and finds a suitable blood vessel, it will begin feeding. However, finding the right blood vessel may take more than one injection into the skin. In addition, bed bugs are very sensitive to movement by the host they are feeding on. Therefore, if a sleeping person moves, a feeding bed bug will probably withdraw its mouthparts and begin its search for a blood meal on another part of the body. It’s important to remember that the number of bites a person receives is not indicative of the number of bed bugs that feed on that person.