Do I Have Bed Bugs?
One of the most common questions we hear is:
"Do I Have Bed Bugs?"
Common Bed Bug Warning Signs
Bed bug bites / Multiple bites in a line / Blood spots on sheets / Dark fecal spotting / Shed skins / Live bed bugs / Tiny white eggs / Unusual bites after sleeping / Bugs hiding in mattress seams / Bugs hiding near sleeping areas
If you've noticed any of these signs of bed bugs, scheduling a professional bed bug inspection Omaha service can help determine whether an infestation is present.
Check For Patterns Of Bites:
3-5 bites close together
Bites in a straight line, zig-zags or clusters.
(Mosquito and Spider bites are usually random and isolated.)
(Flea bites are usually found on feet and lower legs.)
Where Are You Getting Bit?:
Bedbugs bite exposed skin while you are sleeping, look over face, neck, shoulders, arms, & legs.
(Bedbugs typically don't bite under tight clothing.)
What Bed Bugs Look Like:
- Adult bedbugs are small, brownish insects that typically measure about ¼ inch in length, resembling an apple seed. They have flat, oval bodies and are wingless.
- nymphs (young bedbugs) are less than 5 millimeters (mm) in length, whitish-yellow or clear-colored, and invisible without a microscope or magnifying glass.
- Their colors can change from translucent at birth to reddish-brown to a darker hue after feeding on blood. Bedbugs are known for their distinctive horizontal stripes on their abdomen.
(It's important to note that everyone reacts to bites differently...Some swell, some have mild reactions, while others show no signs of being bit, even though others who share the same bed or couch do show signs.)
(Bedbugs have a preference in blood types and can smell the different types off your breath.)
How Do Bedbug Bites Differ From Other Bites?
The truth is that many insects and skin conditions can look similar to bed bug activity.
Many people mistake Mosquito bites, Flea bites, Spider bites, Chigger bites, Allergic reactions, or Skin irritations for bedbug bites.
That's why a professional bed bug inspection is so important.
Searching online for bed bug bites vs mosquito bites can be helpful, but it doesn't confirm whether bed bugs are actually present in your home.
A visual inspection by an experienced bed bug inspector can help determine the real cause
Bite type Key Differences
Mosquito Larger, isolated, itches immediately
Flea Small clusters around ankles
Spider Usually single, panful, may blister
Chigger Intense itch, waistband, or socks
Allergic Rash Symmetrical, spreads not bite like
Timing of Symptoms:
Bedbug bites usually appear overnight.
New bites show up over several mornings.
Itching usually starts from a few hours to days later, and some don't itch at all.
(Bites from mosquitos, spiders, and fleas appear more quickly.)
(To relieve some of the itching use over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone cream or anti-itch creams.)
Other Signs That Bedbugs Are Present Other Than Bites:
Small blood stains on sheets or pillow cases
Black dots (fecal spots) on mattress especially in or around seams, or on walls close by.
Shed skins near bed edges, along the bed frame, or base of walls.
