With bed bug infestations on the rise throughout the country, it is important to be vigilant any time you suspect that you have been bitten by a bed bug. Unfortunately, bed bug bites can be difficult to identify due to their resemblance to bites from other types of stinging and biting pests. While it may be hard to differentiate at first, there are some telltale signs that can point to a bed bug problem. If you have recently suffered a suspicious and are concerned about its origin, then here is how to determine if your bite may be the first sign of a serious infestation.
How to Visually Identify a Bed Bug
Bed bugs are nocturnal feeders, which often means that many people wake up to discover that they have been bitten in their sleep. If you woke up to a mysterious bite, then it may be necessary to conduct an investigation around your sleeping space to find out if bed bugs may be lurking in or near your bed. Bed bugs are tiny, which can make visual identification challenging, yet adults can be seen with the naked eye. According to the New York City Department of Health, bed bugs are approximately the size of an apple seed with flattened bodies ranging from a brown to reddish color. They are usually found in mattress seams, but they may also be discovered in clothing, bedding or behind wallpaper located near the bed.
Symptoms of a Bed Bug Bite
Although some people do not react to bed bug bites, the severity of a reaction can range from mild swelling to severe anaphylaxis. It is also important to note that it may take several days for a reaction to occur. Therefore, new bites may have been acquired from a different location than your home. For most people, a bed bug bite will appear as small, pink or red welts on the skin. Unlike other common stinging insects, bed bugs will often leave bites in a line as they feed. Anytime bites appear in a pattern, bed bugs may be the culprit. Those with an allergy to bed bugs may experience other reactions such as asthma attacks, infection and severe swelling.
Signs of an Infestation
According to Virginia Tech , a suspected bed bug bite should always include an inspection of one’s home to correctly identify the source of the skin reaction. Visual sightings of a bed bug are the most obvious way to make a positive identification; however, bed bugs also leave behind several other signs that an infestation is in progress. Black specks located along the mattress or walls may be fecal spots left by bed bugs. Molted skins may also be detected behind headboards or inside of mattress seams.
The best way to avoid receiving a bed bug bite is to use caution anytime you bring new or used objects into the home. Those who travel frequently or spend time in other people’s living quarters are especially at risk for bites from an active infestation. For this reason, it is important to carefully investigate the circumstances surrounding a suspicious bite so that a positive identification can be made. If you do discover that your bite was caused by an active infestation of bed bugs, then take care to implement effective control measures as recommended by a qualified pest control technician. This way, you can avoid potentially hazardous bites while safeguarding your health.