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What do bed bug bites look like?

Bed bug bites look a lot like other insect bites. However, bed bug bites usually cause a red bump with a darker center and lighter, swollen area surrounding it.

Bed bug bites on child's leg

There are two characteristics of bed bug bites that set them apart from other bug bites:

  1. Bed bug bites commonly appear in a line or zigzag pattern.
  2. Marks from bites usually appear on areas of the body that are exposed at night.

The difference between bed bug bites and flea bites

The biggest difference between bed bug bites and flea bites is the pain level. Almost immediately after being bit by a flea, there will be pain. Bed bug bites do not hurt until symptoms show up later, if at all. Flea bites are most commonly grouped on the lower part of the body and around the ankles in random patterns. Bed bug bites appear in lines. While both bites can cause red bumps and itchiness, a bite from a bed bug is usually much bigger.

Mosquito bites vs. bed bug bites

Mosquito bites are one of the most common insect bites, especially here in Knoxville TN. They can look a lot like other insect bites in that they leave you with red, itchy marks on the skin. Unlike bed bug bites, though, mosquito bites appear in isolated, random areas on the body.

A bite from a mosquito will form a bump than can appear mere minutes afterwards, and their bites can be felt immediately. The biggest thing to remember is that mosquito bites are much more dangerous than bed bug bites for their ability to transmit disease. Lastly, mosquito bites tend to heal much quicker than bed bug bites.

Bed bug bite appearance

It’s understandable why bed bug bites are often confused for other insect bites. This makes it important to know what sets bed bug bites apart. If you suspect a bite on your skin is from a bed bug, it’s important to look for the signs of these bugs in your home.

What do bed bug bites look like in Knoxville TN?

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