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Do Bed Bugs Bite?

Yes! Bed bugs are known for their bites. They bite us at night while we are asleep and feed on our blood. Their bites aren’t usually felt at the moment, but they leave irritating red bite marks in the morning.

Here are a few things to know about bed bug bites: 

  • Bites will occur on skin left exposed at night
  • Their bites line up in a zigzag pattern
  • The bites don’t bother everyone. Some people have no symptoms, while others get serious welts and rashes and rarely even bad allergic reactions
a woman wakes up to the presence of bed bugs

When do bed bugs bite you?

Bed bugs bite us at night while we are asleep. Their bites are fairly painless and will not wake you up. When a bed bug latches on, they feed for up to ten minutes. When they’re done, their bodies become engorged and cylindrical in shape and they retreat to their hiding place.

Bed bugs are nocturnal. Their activity levels peak between 2 a.m and 5 a.m. However, they can adjust their schedule to feed whenever their host is dormant.

Where do Bed Bugs Bite?

Bed bugs will bite any skin left exposed overnight. They are not picky. Yes, they will even bite your face. Their bites will usually follow a zigzag pattern or straight line.

While they will bite your face, don’t lose sleep over the idea of bed bugs crawling into your mouth, nose, or ears. Bed bugs hate heat and those areas are all too hot and humid. They’re only interested in the surface of your body and will quickly retreat once they’re full.

Can Bed Bug Bites Be Dangerous?

Some people don’t even get a rash the next day. They seem to be completely unbothered by bed bug bites. For most people, however, an itchy red rash will develop. Rarer symptoms include welts, or allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. In those cases, seek immediate medical help from a doctor.

There aren’t any documented cases of bed bugs transmitting diseases to humans, so for most people the rash is the biggest danger. Be sure not to scratch the bumps no matter how itchy they get as it will slow the healing process. Creams can help relieve itchiness.

It’s crucial to seek help immediately if you suspect you might be dealing with bed bugs. Professional bed bug control treatments are the best way to ensure these pests are completely removed.

Do Bed Bugs Bite? Serving Long Island and surrounding areas

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