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This article was co-authored by Kevin Carrillo. Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 320,447 times.
Many people are familiar with the popular refrain, “good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite,” but not many of us can actually identify bed bug bites. This article will walk you through how to identify bed bug bites on your skin and confirm that you're dealing with a bed bug infestation (and not something else).[1]
Steps
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![Step 1 Look for slightly discolored, pin-like raised red dots.]()
Look for slightly discolored, pin-like raised red dots. These dots are usually about 0.2 cm to 0.5 cm in diameter, and may be in a line. You may also see hives or wheals that are significantly redder than the surrounding skin.[2]- Note that 1 centimeter is equal to 0.4 inches.
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![Step 2 See if you have new bug bites when you wake up.]()
See if you have new bug bites when you wake up. If you wake up with fresh bug bites or itchy welts, you likely have bed bugs. See if they look and feel like mosquito or flea bites—bed bug bites are often red and slightly swollen, itchy, and irritating like other bug bites. Look for a series of bites that appear in a line or a random grouping of bites, as a single bed bug may bite several times in a row..[3]- If you’re experiencing new bites during the day, it’s likely not bed bugs.
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![Step 3 Watch out for signs of an allergy.]()
Watch out for signs of an allergy. If you’re allergic to bed bugs, you might find that you develop hives or a rash similar to eczema or a fungal infection.[4] Also check to see if the bites are getting larger, are painfully swelling, or even exuding a pus. These are also common signs of an allergy to bed bug bites.[5]- Note that it can take up to 2 weeks for your body to fully react to a bed bug bite.
- Consult a doctor if you develop a severe reaction to the bite.
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![Step 1 Look for live bugs in your bed.]()
Look for live bugs in your bed. Check for reddish-brown, wingless, flat insects that are about 0.1 cm to 0.7 cm. Examine the folds of mattresses and sheets for the bugs.[6] Also look for exoskeletons that bed bugs might have shed. Search for tiny white eggs or eggshells or white bed bug larvae.[7]- Recall that 0.4 cm is the equivalent of 1/10th of an inch.
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![Step 2 Examine your sheets.]()
Examine your sheets. Look for reddish or rusty stains on your sheets. These might be caused either by crushed bugs or by the bugs’ fecal matter. Wipe any dark or red dots you see on your bedding. If they smear or spread, they are likely bed bug excrement.[8] -
![Step 3 Inspect your bed frame.]()
Inspect your bed frame. Look for any signs of bed bugs in your bed frame and in the space between your bed frame and the wall. Also look for bed bugs around your headboard. Check for them in the piping, seams, and tags of your sheets, mattress, and box spring.[9] Be sure to look inside pillow cases and on any throw pillows you might have on your bed. -
![Step 4 Look for bed bugs in other furniture.]()
Look for bed bugs in other furniture. Check under chair cushions, look in the seams of chairs and couches, and examine the joints of drawers.[10] -
![Step 5 Search other small spaces.]()
Search other small spaces. Look for bed bugs under loose wallpaper and wall hangings. Peer into electrical outlets, and in the spaces where the wall meets the ceiling and the floor. Also look for the bugs in the folds of curtains.[11] -
![Step 6 Check for a slightly sweet, musty odor.]()
Check for a slightly sweet, musty odor. If the area where you suspect bed bugs has a funky smell, it’s a good indication of an infestation. Bed bugs release chemicals to help them communicate, which may lead to a sweet scent in your bedroom.[12]
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What Are Early Signs Of Bed Bugs?
Join the Discussion...
I truly, deeply hate to say it...but I'm afriad that I have bed bugs. I haven't found a beg bug YET, but I've been waking up itchy all week. I'm... Read More
Are the bites kind of like small mosquito bites? Do they appear in clusters or lines—especially in areas where you might sweat a lot at night?... Read More
You’re probably not going to have a ton of bites if the infestation is new, but I’d assume you have bed bugs even if you only have a few bite... Read More
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you treat bed bug bites?
Kevin CarrilloKevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.
Pest Control Specialist, MMPCTreat the bites the same as you would any other insect bite. Use something soothing like calamine lotion while you wait for them to heal. If you're having a bad reaction and the bites aren't going away, talk to a dermatologist. They'll most likely recommend some kind of steroidal cream to apply to the bites. -
QuestionWhat bugs can be mistaken for bed bugs?Kevin CarrilloKevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.
Pest Control Specialist, MMPCThe most common bugs that are mistaken for bed bugs include carpet beetles, cockroach nymphs, Shiny Spider beetles, and book lice. -
QuestionCan you see bed bugs with the naked eye?Kevin CarrilloKevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.
Pest Control Specialist, MMPCAbsolutely. Bed bugs, nymphs, and all of their forms are 100% visible as long as you have proper lighting. Bed bug eggs are also visible to the human eye and are usually the size of a pinhead.
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Tips
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Bed bugs aren’t known to spread disease, so don’t worry about that.[13]Thanks
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Do you have bed bugs? Take steps to get rid of them before the infestation gets worse! You can also treat your bed bug bites to make them less itchy.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www1.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/bugs/documents/bed-bug-harvard.pdf
- ↑ Kevin Carrillo. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.
- ↑ https://www1.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/bugs/documents/bed-bug-harvard.pdf
- ↑ Kevin Carrillo. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/bed-bugs/about/
- ↑ Kevin Carrillo. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.
- ↑ http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7454.html
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/how-find-bed-bugs
- ↑ Kevin Carrillo. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.
- ↑ Kevin Carrillo. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/how-find-bed-bugs
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/bed-bugs-prevention
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3617843/
About This Article
Pest Control Specialist, MMPC
This article was co-authored by Kevin Carrillo. Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News. This article has been viewed 320,447 times.
Co-authors: 11
Updated: June 13, 2024
Views: 320,447
Categories: Bed Bug Control | Bites and Stings
Article SummaryX
To identify bed bug bites, look at your skin first thing in the morning. Check places that are exposed when you sleep or covered by loose clothing. If you see fresh bites in a line or grouped together, they’re likely from bed bugs, which bite several times a night. Additionally, check the color and size of your bites. If your bites are raised, red, and about 0.2-0.5 cm in diameter, they’re probably from bed bugs. For information from our Medical reviewer on how to check your bed for bed bugs, read on!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 320,447 times.
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