Monthly Archives: June 2015

Sleeping can be difficult if your bed or clothing is infected with bed bugs. Bed bug bites can be difficult to diagnosis and treat as bed bug bite symptoms mimic other insect bites. World-wide, the number of bed bug infestations continues to rise, focusing scientific solutions to stopping bed bug infestation before they spread. Historically, bed bugs and bed bug bites, were associated with poor home sanitation, personal hygiene, or housekeeping. Today, bed bugs have spread and have been commonly found in beds, furniture, luggage and clothing. Bed bug infestation can be difficult to treat as bed bugs are small and bed bug bites mimic other insect bites. It is important to pinpoint bed bugs location and determine whether you have bed bug bites before having pest control services fumigate your home.

Bed bugs feed on human blood as well as animal blood. It takes an average of 3-15 minutes for a bed bug to suck blood from human flesh especially at night. Bed bugs do not choose a specific are of your body. They may bite around your hands, arms, neck, torso, and even the face. Fortunately, there has been no sign of disease that may be acquired from bed bug bites. Bed bug bite treatment is effective if you receive a qualified diagnosis.

Mouth parts of bed bugs have two grooves of where they transport their saliva into the skin, and extract blood from the body. There is no sex distinction with bed bugs bites, they may either be a male, female, adult, or a nymph. Since bed bugs do not have wings, they multiply rapidly on the walls, ceilings, floors, and other surfaces. The average female bed bug can lay 5 eggs a day and 500 eggs during their lifetime.

Possible Bed Bug Bites: Complications

Frequently, bed bugs are undetectable and their bites are confused with other insect bites. Some individuals are more sensitive to bed bug bites and have stronger bed bug bite reaction and symptoms. Bed bug bite symptoms, redness or swelling around bites, is primary do an adverse skin reaction from the saliva transmitted by bed bug bites vs. the actual bed bug bite itself.

Bed bugs produce a sweet odor which is a sign of heavy infestation in your household. Another manifestation of bed bugs is decayed spots or dried blood marks on bed or sheets. Usually, these spots point to their established dwellings.

People worry about possible bed bug bite diseases that bed bugs may transmit. Some medical researchers have associated bed bug bites with vector diseases or harmful pathogens that bed bugs may carry on their bodies. But both have been proven to be unlikely. Knowing these facts, bed bugs do not pose a critical health threat to humans. However, medical attention continues to be focused on bed bug bite symptoms and treatment associated with bed bug bites.

Bed bug medical treatment is provided depending on the severity of bed bug bite reaction. Usually bed bug bites do not require medical treatment. If itching and inflammation persist, antibiotic cream or local antiseptic lotion and Bite Rx can help control and heal bed bug bite symptoms. However, people bitten with bed bugs should exercise caution and monitor bed bug bite locations for possible secondary infection. If an allergic reaction occurs, it is important to seek medical attention as physicians can prescribe oral antihistamines and corticosteroids.

Bed Bug Bites: Control Measures

Preventive bed bug control measures may not be successful without locating bed bug habitat or dwellings first. Once bed bug habitats are properly identified, commercial chemical or natural insecticides are required for bed bugs elimination. Professional pest control groups may use a variety of aerosols, dusts, and low-odor sprays. Application of pesticides or insecticides on all surfaces of homes may be necessary to irradiate bed bug locations. Beds, sofas, bedding may have to be dis-guarded as they are common locations of bed bug habitat and infestation.

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Bed Bug Bites: Bed Bug Bite Pictures, Treatment Guide

For most people, a bed bug bite causes an intense reaction. Red welts appear and quickly become irritated and itchy. Bed bug bites may appear on your limbs, torso, and neck. The itch is similar to that of a mosquito bite. In homes with a large infestation, and thus a lot of bed bugs, bites may cover the entire back. This may make one wonder what to put on bed bug bites to quickly alleviate the irritation.

Since the itch is often quite similar to that of a mosquito bite or a flea bite; its helpful to know exactly what bit you before determining how to treat the bite. Bed bug bites look generic and are commonly found in patters of three to four welts, usually in a line. Bed bug bites typically have a blood dot in the middle, like mosquito bites do. Some people may not even develop a reaction, but those who do will have an easier time deducing if they have bed bugs in their home.

The most immediate temporary alleviation for a bed bug bite is a hot shower, which will naturally calm the irritation. Cold water, ice cubes, and ice packs also help.

Some common items around the home can be used as treatment as well. Baking soda with a little water will make a paste that can be applied to itchy areas. Baking soda, a base, will neutralize any acidic chemicals that irritate your skin. Aloe vera gel or lotion can be used effectively to soothe bed bug bites. Calamine lotion can also be used for temporary relief.

Over-the-counter creams such as ammonium lactate and hydrocortisone reduce swelling and calm the itch. Some allergy medicines like Benadryl and Atarax, and even anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen and aspirin, may work for some people as well.

Bed bug bites, along with their itch, usually disappear in a few days, sometimes a week. Bed bugs themselves do not. If you have a sizable infestation in your home, you will get continually bitten. The above methods might work, but the best reliefand this should be your first priorityis to completely eradicate the infestation. If you are being bitten incessantly, a professional chemical or heat treatment takes priority over what to put on bed bug bites.

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What to Put on Bed Bug Bites: Stopping the Itch