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| Bed Bug bites |
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Bed Bug bites can vary in size from person to person, often 1-20 times larger in size than a mosquito bite. They can appear like blisters or welts on some people yet very small skin lesions on others. Bed bug bites are identifiable due to their unique formation. As seen in the photos below, the bite marks are formed in rough lines, tracks or rows of bites, one after the other, or in strange shapes, clusters or groups. This is because bed bugs feed directly from your blood vessels or veins and then follow the particular shape or line of the blood vessel or vein, other bed bugs are attracted to these incisions and continue to feed from the same area. The bites are clearly different from flea or mosquito bites where the bites marks are random, often singular and very seldom in groups or lines. |
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Bed bug bites can appear very small to very large, in this photo around 20 bites between the thumb and forefinger.
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Notice the bed bug bites are in lines, g roups or clusters
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| Bed Bugs |
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Frequently asked Questions
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What is a bed bug?
Bed bugs are small, flat, brown to reddish-brown insects, which feed on warm-blooded animals, humans and pets. Bed bugs grow 2-8 millimetres long and up to 4 millimetres wide, or from about the size of a sesame seed to a grain of rice or an apple seed. They are clearly visible to the human eye but to the untrained are extremely difficult to locate.
There is one particular kind of bed bug family – Cimex lectularius, which prefers to feed on humans and it is the most common bed bug in the urban environment.
Do I have bed bugs?
If you have bed bugs you will have bite marks, or skin lesions as photographed above. If bed bugs have been introduced to your home the bed bug will be looking for a meal - you.If you do not have bite marks or skin lesions, chances are you do not have
bed bugs.
How did I get bed bugs?
Bed bugs are 'hitchikers' they are introduced or carried in to the affected area and are not due to poor hygiene. Bed bugs are carried around with people, vehicles, pets, luggage, furniture and clothing etc. Because bed bugs are tiny and agile and they hide well in all kinds of belongings. Sometimes bed bugs migrate by looking for a host. They easily spread from one room to another and eventually infest a whole building.
Are bed bugs just in beds?
Bed bugs are not just in beds. They can be anywhere: Pillows, duvets, sheets, blankets and their seams, chair cushions, sofas, behind electrical outlets, cracks and crevices around skirting boards, in wooden furniture with cracks or crevices, pictures and photo frames, curtains, pelmets, stereos and televisions, remote controls, clocks, clock radios, computers and keyboards, clothing, toys, etc etc etc I hope you get the idea.
What are the feeding habits of Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs feed on the blood of humans. When a bed bug bites a human it injects two hollow tubes into the skin. With one tube the bed bug injects a anti-coagulant anesthetic and with the other tube it steals your blood. Generally a bed bug will feed for about five minutes before returning to its hiding place. Also, bed bugs typically are active only at night (they start appearing at dusk) they are mostly nocturnal and live in dark places, but can be seen during daylight especially if a chance to feed occurs. Bed bugs seek blood every 2-10 days but can survive for up to eighteen months without feeding. A hungry bed bug looks slightly different from one that’s just been fed. A hungry bed bug is typically flat with a circular shaped abdomen while a blood filled bed bug is elongated with a tapered abdomen. Bed bugs consume up to three times their own weight in blood - your blood. Bed bugs feed every usually at night when people are in their deepest sleep. Bed bugs can creep up to 72 metres in just one hour looking for a host. After a feed their bodies swell up and immature bed bug nymphs become red in colour.
Are bed bug bites dangerous?
Typically one can’t feel a bed bug bite until minutes or hours later. The bite may look like a flat welt or a raised, red bump and are often very very itchy. Their bites aren’t dangerous but rather annoying. In some cases there can be a serious allergic reaction due to the chemical they release. Doctors often misdiagnose bed bug bites due to the fact they look like other skin conditions. The bites may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to go away on their own.
What do bed bug bites look like?
Bed bug bites can be similar in appearence to a mosquito bite but can be 1-20 times larger in size, this depends on the bite and the amount of blood that has been drawn from you and the person being bitten. Bites usually show within a few hours of being bitten but can also take up to 14 days. Since bed bug bites leave red, itchy, highly visible welts on your skin, usually in groups or rows of three or more, there is little doubt when you have been bitten. Bites often follow in a line or row beside each other, cluster or group of bites.
Can I get sick from being bitten?
Bed bugs are not known to spread any diseases to humans. However, their bites can leave behind itchy, red welts which can become infected from scratching.
How long does it take bed bug bites to heal?
Bed bug bites last longer than mosquito bites, but they usually go down in a few days if no new bites appear. They may take two weeks if you’re sensitive to them.
Most of the time, bed bug bites go down without leaving a scar. Injuries that you inflict by scratching at them can leave scars on your skin, however. There are some ways to deal with bite scars:
- Chemical peels take off skin and possibly scar tissue
- Silicone scar sheets help
- Prescription scar creams have a stronger effect
- bed bug feeds every two or three days, usually at night when people are in their deepest sleep. Bed bugs can walk up to 72 meters in just one hour looking for a host
Do bed bug bites cause a spreading rash?
To some degree, yes. Bed bugs inject anesthetic when they bite you. This causes a rash allergic reaction sometimes. People also give themselves skin infection by scratching the extremely itchy bites hard enough to break the skin. If the rash spreads, visit a doctor; you may need an antibiotic cream for a mild infection.
How can I stop bed bug bites from itching and swelling?
Applying calamine lotion to bed bug bites can help soothe away the itching and swelling. Alternately mix a paste of baking soda and water, apply the paste to the skin for 30 minute intervals every few hours. Use a cold pack for extra relief.
Does alcohol help bed bug bites go away?
Yes, rubbing alcohol can help relief bed bug bites. The alcohol dries the bites, and plus helps sterilize the area, lessening the chance of infection. Don’t use rubbing alcohol near your eyes or your mouth. Note that rubbing alcohol does not repel bed bugs.
What natural remedy works best on bed bug bites?
If you want to try natural ways to help soothe your bed bug bites, St. John’s wort, witch hazel, oatmeal soaks, or lemon juice are recommended. We recommend using Calamine Lotion, available in our Bed Bug shop
Is there something I can put on my skin to prevent bed bug bites?
No, there’s no scientifically proven product on earth that works. Insecticides used as repellents can severally poison or kill you, some people have died do this in desperation. While essential oils like tea tree oil are also hazardous, and do nothing. Vaseline does not work. Baby oil does not work. Nothing works - period.
How can I stop bed bug bites from itching and swelling?
Applying calamine lotion to bed bug bites can help soothe away the itching and swelling. Please see our Calamine lotion in our Bed Bug Shop, available for $7.95
If I have a pet in the room with me, will the bed bugs feed on it also?
Generally no. You are the big prime beef steak in the room with easy access. Your pet is a budget small meat pattie covered in a difficult furry layer. Humans are the preferred target. Pets are ideal transport for bed bugs to hitch a ride on to get around your house, or the neighbours house or on to your visitors clothng....
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| Bed Bug |
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Bed bugs are small, flat, brown to reddish-brown insects, which feed on warm-blooded animals, humans and their pets. Adults grow to 4-8 millimeters long and up to 4 millimeters wide. There is one particular kind of the bed bugs family – Cimex lectularius, which prefers to feed on humans and it is the most common bed bug in urban environment
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Calamine Lotion
Originally developed to reduce the itch of Chicken Pox.
We highly recommend this product for instant relief from Bed Bug bites. Also stops bites becoming dry and infected
| Bed bugs have been around since 400 B.C. or over 2400 years. |
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Bed bugs are making a resurgent come back, they were almost killed out in the 1940's-1960's but are now expected to reach pandemic levels in New Zealand.
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Unlike mosquito or other biting insects - bed bug bites are often repeated bites following an odd type of shape. line or track. This is because the bed bug is feeding directly from your veins or blood vessels. After biting, the bed bug or another bed bug(s) will often then repeat a bite in the same vein or blood vessel. Other bed bugs are attracted to the incision in your skin and will feed on and follow the shape or easy accessibility of the vein or blood vessel. Resulting in a noticeable shape, line or track.
(see photos on this page)