Bed Bugs Symptoms

The increase among the recent years of international travel has helped bed bugs spread around the globe. This phenomenon is at epidemic proportions all over the world. Large fancy hotels can just as easily harbor these uninvited guests as can a small local motel in a village, because they were not a major problem previously; we hesitate to admit that there is an infestation, until the population is out of control. Another reason we do not take immediate action to eradicate them is because the bites can be mistaken as mosquito bites or dust-mite bites.

So, what are the most significant bed bug symptoms to watch out for? The most obvious are the red spots and rashes that appear on the skin. If the victim is a heavy sleeper, they might not have realized the bugs biting during the night time. The bites are usually round, red marks having a dark spot in the middle.  Although they are mainly located on the hands, arms face and neck, they can be found in any spot on the body.  They itch, and consequently, are uncomfortable. The bites are often in groups of threes, and in a line or a small cluster. This is because the bugs have two tubes, they use to feed with. One is used to suck the blood from the victims, and with the other, the chemicals are injected from their saliva to numb any pain and to prevent the blood from clotting. Since the victims don’t feel anything while bitten, they remain asleep, and hence the bugs can feed, undisturbed. Although bed bug symptoms are unpleasant, the bugs are not capable of transmitting the diseases like the mosquitoes. Some people could have more severe allergic reactions, in that case, visit a doctor.

Apart from the physical bed bug symptoms, there are additional signs of these unwanted visitors. By checking your mattress carefully, you can find indications of an infestation. Brown spots on your mattress can be the fecal matter excreted by the bugs. There could be actual spots of blood, especially if they were disturbed or crushed by movements of the prey. Sometimes you can notice the skin casing that is shed by the bugs as they grow. However, these are not easily spotted and may require a strong flashlight. Eggs, although tiny, can be seen. Again, a flashlight will give better results. The actual bugs are more difficult to see, since they are tiny and swift. If you observe closely, they are small, oval-shaped bugs.  A comparatively less-known symptom of an infestation is the sweet and musty odor that is produced by a chemical discharge from the bugs. If the room or the house has this sweet scent, beware! As it might be an indication of the presence of bedbugs.  Many people think that bed bugs occur due to filthy living conditions. This, however, is not true.  The bugs are attracted by the carbon dioxide that is exhaled by living creatures, not by dirt. They feed on blood, and can be found just as easily in clean homes as in buildings full of dirt.