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.

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Bed Bug News:

Bed Bugs at STF Fridhemsplan Hostel, Stockholm - Local
In July 2008 my family and I stayed at STF Fridhemsplan Hostel, Stockholm, Sweden. We were bitten from head to toe by bed bugs (vÃ¤gglus). Please let your readers know that the bed bugs spread easily from luggage to luggage, back packs to back packs ...

Women Leave Trendy Restaurant Covered In Bug Bites - CBS 2 Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) EUR• Two women claim they got strange marks on their legs after eating at a trendy restaurant. They ate there on different days, but as CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports, both women are tracing their suspicious marks to Japonais in River ...

Saturday: A day at the Great Wall - Kansas.com

Saturday: A day at the Great Wall
Kansas.com, KS - 12 hours ago
We also saw several interesting bugs that were nothing like we have in the US I took some pictures of those as well! The best part of the whole thing was .

Don't let mosquitoes cramp your style - Arizona Daily Star

Don't let mosquitoes cramp your style
Arizona Daily Star, AZ - 1 hour ago
With only two hands, it's tough to sip a summer beverage, turn the pages of a mystery thriller and swat bugs all at once. The June/July issue of Domino had .

The EURœMcCainEUR Cockroach Wins the Race! - Canada Free Press
On Thursday, I attended the midday 14th EURœCockroach DerbyEUR staged by the New Jersey Pest Management Association during its 61st annual Clinic and tradeshow. The highlight of the day so far as the media in attendance were concerned was the running ...