We often hear about homeowners who think they have been bitten by a bed bug. And they want to know if they should have a concern. Although bed bugs were once rare in the United States, they have made a comeback. They are now widely seen throughout the nation and around the world.

So, it is important to know how these pests affect our health and learn ways to get rid of bed bugs. Bed bugs feed on warm-blooded hosts and the blood of humans and are most active at night. This is because they are enticed by the steady stream of carbon dioxide. But bed bug bites are painless because the bugs inject a blood thinner along with an anesthetic to numb the skin as they feed.

Here are 12 common questions we answer about bed bug bites:

1. How do you know if bites are from bed bugs?

   If you have a bed bug bite, it can turn into large, raised itchy spots. And if you scratch the spots, it can turn into an infection. People are more likely to have an exaggerated skin reaction if they sustain a lot of bites. And the skin becomes sensitive in areas such as hands, face, legs, and neck.

2. What do bed bug bites look like?

   Bed bug bites are large, reddish-pink spots that appear all around the bite. It also leads to inflammation and irritation in the surrounding area.

3. What happens if a bed bug bites you?

   When a bed bug bites you, it injects an anesthesia-like chemical into your body. But you won’t even realize it. And they result in rashes all over the body. Progressive swelling, warmth, tenderness, and in rare cases fever may be symptoms of a secondary infection.

4. How long does it take for you to know you have bed bugs?

   Bugs take about a week to hatch. So if you find them around, you know they’ve been there for that long.

5. Can bed bugs bite through clothes?

   No, bed bugs can’t bite through clothes. Bed bugs do not have a mouth that’s large enough to penetrate clothes. They usually sit on the skin’s surface to ingest blood.

6. Where do bed bugs usually bite?

   Bed bugs generally bite the areas that are exposed when you’re asleep.

7. Can you feel it when a bed bug bites you?

   You don’t always realize when you have bed bug bites unless you see rashes appear all over your body.

8. How long do bed bug bites last?

   Bed bug bites last two weeks or more. People who are more sensitive to bites may take up to three weeks to completely heal. If an infestation occurs, new bites may accumulate even as the older ones disappear.

9. How do I keep bed bugs from biting me?

   As the name suggests, bed bugs love the warmth of your bed as much as you do. And if you want them to disappear and keep bed bugs out of the mattress, you’ll have to keep your bed extra clean. Clean your sheets, bed, pillows, and mattress once a week. Leave your sheets out in the sun. Bed bugs hate hot places, and they will want to escape the heat.

10. Does alcohol kill bugs?

    Alcohol can kill existing eggs and bugs. But it won’t get rid of the infestation that still exists. Spraying some alcohol will prevent be bugs from returning to their new abode.

11. Are bed bug bites itchy?

    Yes, bed bug bites itch. While you won’t know if you have a bed bug bite, you definitely will experience an itch. But the tip here is to avoid scratching the bites.

12. How to treat bed bug bites?

    Itching is the most common complaint. If the itching persists, people can use topical steroid creams or oral antihistamines. Clean the bite sites with soap and water. And avoid scratching to prevent an infection.

Bed bug bites can look very similar to other insect bites. So it’s important to get a bed bug inspection done to confirm if the bites are from bed bugs or something else living in your home. You can work with a qualified pest professional to confirm if an infestation is present in your home.

If you have bed bug bites, that’s good enough proof that you have been attacked by bed bugs. You need to call an exterminator for a comprehensive solution to eradicate bed bugs. Contact Take Care Termite today.