Have you ever thought about how a bed bug bite looks? So many times, we have wished people a wonderful night rest using the common phrase, “Don’t let the bed bugs bite”. However, do not even know what a bed bug looks like. Do bed bugs even really bite? Can you tell the bite marks differently from mosquitoes and other insects? These are valid questions that need answers. Answering these questions will help you know if they invade your abode and what to do when such happens.
Identifying a Bed Bug
So many people often mistake bed bugs for other small insects. Insects like carpet beetles and bat bugs that are very similar to bedbugs in appearance are often mistaken for it. Learning to identify it is therefore a good place to start in understanding bed bugs.
A bed bug (mature) is a six-legged insect with antennae and no wings. Its body is flat, oval-shaped (with a close resemblance to apple seeds) and its color is usually reddish-brown. Though its overall size (height and width) usually increases after it has fed, it is about a quarter of an inch long.
Knowing its usual hideouts will also help in identifying it. A bed bug has ideal hideouts; places you would often easily find it. Some of which include clothes, mattresses, ceiling and wall intersections,baseboards etc.
Differentiating Bed Bug Bites from Other Insect Bites
Bed bugs, unlike many other insects prefer to bite stationary targets. This means at night while you are fast asleep, you make a better meal for them. For this reason, people assume bed bugs only bite at night. They can actually bite whenever they want.
When you examine and compare bed bug bites to mosquito and some other insect bites, they look quite similar to one another. Nevertheless,you can sometimes tell the difference between these bites from the reaction to the bite and the bite mark. While it often takes some days before reactions to a bite is seen, some people do not show any form of reaction. While for some others,tiny swellings are seen on the skin. These swelling is often accompanied with severe itching. There are no particular reactions though that differentiate other insect bites from that of bed bugs.
It is important to note though, sometimes, these bite marks could also be a health related infection in disguise. That would need to be checked by the doctor, so it is advisable to be extra certain before concluding they are insect bites.
Not sure if your home has been infested by bed bugs? Check for these other signs
It can be quite hard to ascertain that bed bugs are the cause of the problems in your house. There are many other signs that bed bugs may have already infected your house. Some of them are listed below:
- Discovering bug bites which are itchy and red bite marks on the skin
- Finding bed bug stains on the bed, sheets or nightwear
- Finding blood stains on the bed, sheets or nightwear
- Discovering eggs of bed bugs or shed skins of bed bugs
Please note that finding these indicators does not automatically mean bed bugs are responsible for the issues in your house. The issues might not have anything to do with them at all.
