Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites
Bed bug bites affect everyone differently, but the most common symptom is itchiness. When a bed bug bites someone, it uses its saliva to numb the skin and creates a tiny feeding hole with its mouthparts. This saliva also contains an anticoagulant to help with feeding. Individual reactions are often dependent on how the body responds to the bed bug’s saliva. These reactions can range from minor bumps that feel fine and go away quickly to rashes and swelling on the skin. The amount of time it takes for a bite to show up also depends on the individual, ranging from minutes to days.
Bed bug bites can be treated in multiple ways. Some of these include:
Why Do Bed Bugs Bite?
Bed bugs feed on one thing: blood. A baby bed bug must feed to grow, and a female adult bed bug must feed to be able to lay her eggs. Bed bugs also often bite in multiple places to get the amount of blood they need or to access a good vein. That’s why bites often show up in groups, colloquially known as “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” bites. Additionally, if you move in your sleep, the bed bug may become disturbed and find a new place to feed, which is why multiple feeding sites are not necessarily indicators of multiple bed bugs biting you.
Infection Risks
While bed bugs do not transmit disease to humans, there’s always a small chance of infection from their bites. If you scratch them and irritate the skin more, they may become inflamed. Serious, allergic reactions, though rare, include blisters, heavy breathing, and fever. Anaphylaxis is also possible, though cases of such a severe allergic reaction are extremely rare. Those who have previous health conditions or who are immunocompromised are also at higher risk for infection as a result of being bitten.
Identifying Bites on Pets
While bed bugs do not feed on pets as much as on humans, it’s not unheard of for pets to bring bed bugs into the home. A bed bug bite on a pet will also look similar to that of flea bites or tick bites, which are much more commonly drawn to pets. But if you suspect your pet did bring bed bugs into the home (bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers), they will quickly leave the pet and find a good hiding spot in your home to wait for a feeding opportunity. If you’re concerned that your pet is bringing bed bugs or other biting pests into the home, take some time to wash and groom your pet and treat it with some form of anti-pest cream or collar.
Dodson Can Help
One of the most important things to remember about bed bug bites or an infestation is to leave the issue to the professionals at a pest control company. Bed bugs are hardy pests, and they tend to survive home treatments and DIY pest control techniques. Over-the-counter pesticides simply aren’t as effective as professional treatments like fumigations. According to Pest World, 76 percent of pest professionals say they are the most difficult pest to control.
At Dodson Pest Control, our specialized techniques and over 75 years of experience enable us to get rid of the issue quickly and effectively. If you think you have a bed bug problem, contact us today for a free inspection!