What do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?

Bed bug bites can look quite similar to other types of insect bites. A bite from a bed bug usually forms into a red bump with a dark center and a lighter, swollen surrounding area.

Two things that separate bed bug bites from other bug bites are:

Bed bug bites are usually arranged in lines or zigzag patterns.
Bites occur on areas of the body that are exposed during sleep.

Flea Bites vs. Bed Bug Bites

The main difference between bed bug bites and flea bites is the amount of resultant pain. You will experience pain almost immediately after being bit by a flea. Bed bug bites do not hurt until hours after contact. Flea bites are most commonly found around the lower part of the body, scattered around the ankles in random patterns. Bed bug bites are often organized in lines. While both bed bug and flea bites can cause red bumps and itchiness, bed bug bites are usually much larger.

Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like Mosquito Bites?

Similar to bed bugs, mosquitoes leave red itchy marks on your skin with their bites. Unlike lines of bed bug bites, though, mosquito bites will be scattered randomly across exposed skin. A bite from a mosquito will create a bump that can form just minutes afterwards, and their bites can be felt immediately. Mosquito bites are much more threatening than bed bug bites due to their ability to transmit disease. Mosquito bites also tend to heal much faster than bed bug bites.

How to Tell if You Have Bed Bug Bites

It makes sense that bed bug bites are often confused for other kinds of insect bites. This does make it important to be able to tell bed bug bites apart from the bites of different insects. If you have bites on your skin that you think can be linked to bed bugs, it’s best to inspect your home for signs of an infestation. If you notice bed bugs in your home, contact a professional pest control company right away.

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