What Are Bed Bugs?: They are small, brownish-red bugs famous for dwelling in beds and feeding on humans while they sleep. Bed bugs feed only on blood and must have regular blood meals to survive and develop.
Bed bugs are great “hitch-hikers,” allowing them to travel long distances. They latch onto suitcases, clothes, and linens and can end up wherever these items are taken. This is why the spread of bed bugs occurs so easily.
Bites: Bed bug bites are often red, swollen, and itchy, with a dark spot in the middle. They can appear in lines or clusters, sometimes in a zigzag pattern, and may take up to 14 days to develop. So if you wake up with a line of three to four itchy, swollen bumps, it could be due to bed bugs. Bites are more likely to appear on the face, neck, and arms because those areas touch the sheets and bed more.
Blood Spots: Another sign of bed bugs is red or rust-colored stains that appear in small splotches or smears on bedsheets and/or pillowcases.
Musty Odor: An unpleasant, musty odor in your bedroom when there are no other sources, like mold, could be a sign of bed bugs. Bed bugs release pheromones that produce a distinctive musty smell that reminds you of wet towels, and moldy laundry.
Fecal Marks: Dark spots on your bedding or mattress could be fecal marks. These marks mainly consist of digested blood and are a result of bed bug excrement.
Itchy Skin: Itchy skin is a common symptom of a bed bug infestation. Not everyone reacts to bed bug bites. Those who do often experience intense itching. Scratching can lead to infection. The itching may worsen at night as bed bugs are more active during sleep.
Eggs: Bed bug eggs are another evidence of a growing infestation. After the female is done feeding, it lays between 5 to 20 eggs over ten days. These eggs are tiny, about 1 millimeter, and are white or translucent and oval- shaped.
