Welcome to Bed Bug Bites. We providing readers with information dedicated primarily to the Identification, detection and elimination of bed bugs. If you believe you have come in contact with bed bugs, then continue reading, everything you need to know is here.
The primary source of nutrition for bed bugs is blood. They feed on the blood of humans and furry animals. Blood helps them to grow and carry out their metabolic activities. Adult female bed bugs only require blood to reproduce eggs. At the moment, bed bug bites are not known to transmit any disease to humans. Video of a Bed Bugs feeding, click here…
Clear indications of bed bugs include; blood stains on sheets, skin sheds, fecal stains, feces and presences of eggs and bedbugs. Bites are usually found in places that are exposed during sleep like face, neck, arms, shoulders and legs. Bed bugs often cluster together in colonies although you might find one or two-bed bugs living in isolation. Their bites appear in clusters, singly or in a reasonably straight or zigzag line. Bed bug bites are small and often don’t appear except a day or two (and for some individuals several days) after the bite.
Different people react differently to the bites. Some show signs, others are allergic to the bites, while some don’t even show any symptoms. During biting, bed bugs inject an anticoagulant. This anticoagulant is what is generally responsible for the way people react to a bed bug bite. Because people respond differently to the way the bites, it is common to see that the bite marks are different among individuals.
Bite symptoms
Different individuals react differently to bed bug bites. Some persons develop red swelling or itching a day or two after being bitten. However, for some, the bites may only be evident after a couple of days. Some individuals do not react in any way to bed bug bites, and these bites go unnoticed.
A good way of identifying bed bugs is the multiple straight small red marks they leave on their victims. Some bites are known to cause allergic reactions in some individuals. At the moment, bed bug bites are not known to transmit any disease. However, rashes, burning sensation and skin irritation may develop. It is vital to contact a medical professional if any of these symptoms appear.
Why do bed bugs bite?
Bed bugs are bloodsuckers. They feed on blood. In other words, to ensure their survival, they must feed on blood. Common bed bugs usually feed on humans and furry animals. Other species of bed bugs feed on bats, and poultry depending on the species.
Often, a single bed bug can take more than one bite on its host. They use their mouth-parts to locate suitable blood vessels for their consumption. Finding the right blood vessels usually take more than a bite. This is why victims of bed bug bites often see several bite marks on their body. It is essential to know the bite marks are not an indication of the number of bed bugs that feed on the host. Also, movement by the host when the Bedbug is feeding, makes the bugs to change their feeding position. Bed bugs are motion sensitive.
The potential risk of infections
Continuous scratching of the bite site and failure to keep it disinfected and clean can lead to infections. Generally, people with weak immune systems such as the elderly and children (including those that are bedridden) can quickly develop a secondary infection resulting from bed bug bites.
How to identify bites on pets
Bedbug Bites on pets like cats and dogs is very similar to those on humans. Pet owners often mistake bed bugs bite for other insects’ bites because of the close similarities. Bedbugs upon biting the pets, move back to their hiding place to digest the blood. Typical signs of bed bugs on pets include the bite marks, fecal stains, skin sheds and sometimes the animals become irritated at night. Pet owners should continuously inspect the beddings of the pets for any signs or indications of bed bugs.