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Signs of bedbug bites

One of the first signs that you may have slept in a bed with bed bugs are the bites you see after you wake up. However, it is difficult to tell the difference between a bed bugs bite and a bite from any other insect when you look at them in isolation to the other signs.

So, how do you know whether the bite you’ve received is from a bed bug? Here are a few things to look out for.

What do bed bug bite bites look like?

By looking at the pattern of bites, the location on your body and the approximate time they may have happened may help to correctly identify the culprit of your insect bites.

Bite patterns

Bed bug bites are generally small, flat, or raised bumps on the skin. Redness, swelling, and itching commonly occur on these spots.

Several bites tend to appear in a line or row along an exposed area, such as an arm or leg as a single bed bug may bite more than once in the same area, if disturbed whilst feeding. Bites found in different parts of the body can indicate being bitten by several different bed bugs.

A small proportion of people can react very badly to their bites and develop a skin rash. The red spots which indicate the location of a bite may become raised and very itchy over time.

Bites

Bed bug bites can occur anywhere on the body but are often close to blood vessels near the skin. Check for signs of bites on your:

  • neck
  • hands
  • arms
  • legs

When do bites happen?

Bites often occur at night when we are sleeping.

Bed bug bites are unlikely to wake the host (victim), as bed bugs inject an anaesthetic whilst drawing blood from the host (victim).

Worried about bites?

Prevention is better than cure! Look for signs of bedbugs as soon as you’ve arrive in a hotel.

However, if you do happen to get bitten by a bed bug or two and they are causing you pain, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Bed bugs are not known to carry any infectious diseases but everyone will react to a bite differently.

Got a Problem with Bed Bugs? Call Rentokil Initial at  400 820 8770 or contact us to schedule a site inspection to get rid of bed bugs safely and effectively.

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