Many do not realize they have bed bugs until they start showing signs on their bodies or pets. People who are bit by bed bugs tend to see a series of small insect bites. Some people with allergic reactions to insect bites tend to swell and develop hives or a large rash. Bed bug bites tend to be mistaken for mosquito bites or flea bites. These small bites can become extremely itchy and red especially after many recurrences of bites. There is no treatment for bed bug bites. Those that have an allergic reaction to the bites can use steroidal creams and oral antihistamines to relieve the symptoms. Bacterial infections can develop, especially if the person scratches the infected area and antibiotics might be required.
Bed bugs bite their host using their stylet fascicle. The stylet fascile pierces the skin and sucks the blood for about 3 to 5 minutes. Like tics, they become engorged with blood usually in about 10 minutes after they start to feed. Those who have an available host to feed on tend to feed every 5 to 8 days.
These insects tend to come out at night, but can also feeds during the day. They tend to nest in the crevices and linings of furniture they do not house themselves on their blood host like tics or fleas. Finding bed bugs can be exceedingly difficult. If one, thinks they might have bedbugs they should first look on the sheets to see if there are any stains, and look in the crevices and cracks of their furniture. They like to nest in ripped wallpaper inside bed springs and mattresses. Sometimes bedbugs can be detected on clothing and blankets. If one is still being bit by bed bugs, and they cannot find any signs of them in their house, they should call a pest-control company to determine if their house is infested.
