What are the most common house bugs you might encounter. How can you identify these insects. Where are you likely to find them in your home. Do these bugs pose any risks to humans or pets. How can you prevent and manage common household insect infestations.

Lady Bird Beetles: Colorful Visitors Seeking Warmth

Lady Bird Beetles, commonly known as ladybugs, are among the most recognizable insects that might invade your home. These small, oval-shaped beetles are typically 1 to 10 millimeters in length and sport a distinctive bright red coloration with black spots.

When do ladybugs enter homes? These colorful insects tend to seek shelter indoors during the autumn months, typically from September to November. They’re drawn to warm, protected spaces as outdoor temperatures drop.

Where might you spot ladybugs in your house? Common hiding spots include:

• Cracks around windows and door frames
• Soffits and attics
• Wall voids
• Areas behind fascia boards and exterior siding

Are ladybugs harmful to humans? While generally considered beneficial insects, ladybugs can cause some issues when they invade homes en masse:

• They may trigger allergies in some individuals, ranging from eye irritation to asthma
• When threatened, they emit a stinky, yellow secretion
• Ladybugs can bite, though it’s more of a pinch and rarely causes harm

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs: Shield-Shaped Invaders

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is an invasive species that has become increasingly common in many parts of the world. These large insects can grow up to 2 centimeters in length, making them quite noticeable when they enter homes.

How can you identify a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug? Look for these distinctive features:

• A shield-shaped body with a marbled pattern on its back
• White bands on both antennae and legs
• Overall brown coloration

When and where do stink bugs enter homes? Like ladybugs, stink bugs seek shelter indoors as temperatures cool in autumn, typically from September through October. They can enter through various openings, including:

• Windows and door cracks
• Vents
• Gaps in siding and shutters

Do stink bugs pose any risks to humans or pets? While they don’t bite or carry diseases, stink bugs can be a nuisance due to their tendency to congregate in large numbers and emit a pungent odor when disturbed. They can also damage gardens and crops if present in significant numbers outdoors.

Wolf Spiders: Hairy Hunters in Your Home

Wolf spiders are among the larger arachnids you might encounter in your home, with some species growing up to an inch and a half in length. These hunting spiders are known for their robust build and hairy appearance.

How can you identify a wolf spider? Look for these characteristics:

• Large size, typically between 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long
• Hairy body with a black, gray, or brown coloration
• Eight eyes arranged in three rows (though this may be difficult to see without magnification)

Where are you likely to find wolf spiders in your home? These arachnids prefer protected areas, especially during the fall when females seek safe spots to produce their egg cocoons. Common hiding places include:

• Basements
• Sheds
• Garages
• Under and between boards, stones, or firewood
• Behind siding

Should you be concerned about wolf spiders in your home? While they can bite if threatened, wolf spiders generally prefer to hide rather than confront humans or pets. Their presence can actually be beneficial, as they prey on other insects and pests.

Cellar Spiders: Long-Legged Web Weavers

Cellar spiders, often referred to as “daddy long legs,” are easily recognizable due to their distinctively long, thin legs. These arachnids have small bodies, typically measuring 1/4 to 5/16 inches in length, with legs that can extend up to 2 inches.

Where do cellar spiders typically reside in homes? As their name suggests, these spiders prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as:

• Basements
• Attics
• Crawl spaces
• Corners of rooms, especially near ceilings

How can you identify cellar spider infestations? Look for these signs:

• Extensive cobwebs in corners and along ceilings
• Small, long-legged spiders hanging upside down in webs
• Accumulation of webbing over time, as cellar spiders continually add to their webs

Do cellar spiders pose any risks to humans or pets? Despite their somewhat creepy appearance, cellar spiders are harmless to humans and pets. They are not venomous and are not known to bite. In fact, they can be beneficial as they prey on other household pests.

Asian Camel Crickets: Humpbacked Basement Dwellers

Asian Camel Crickets, also known as cave crickets or spider crickets, are distinctive insects that often find their way into homes. These crickets are named for their humpbacked appearance, which gives them a somewhat prehistoric look.

How can you identify an Asian Camel Cricket? Look for these features:

• Light brown to dark brown coloration
• Humpbacked body shape
• Very long antennae
• Body length ranging from 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches

Where are you likely to encounter camel crickets in your home? These insects prefer dark, moist environments such as:

• Basements
• Crawl spaces
• Garages
• Bathrooms
• Laundry rooms

Are camel crickets harmful to humans or pets? While their appearance might be startling, camel crickets are harmless. They do not bite humans or pets and are not known to carry diseases. However, they can become a nuisance if their population grows large, and they may damage fabrics or papers in damp areas.

Field Crickets: Chirping Intruders

Field crickets are the quintessential cricket that most people think of when they hear chirping at night. These insects are common outdoor dwellers that occasionally find their way into homes.

How can you identify a field cricket? Look for these characteristics:

• Black or dark brown coloration
• Body length between 1/2 to 1 inch
• Long antennae
• Powerful hind legs for jumping
• Wings that lay flat against the body

Where might you find field crickets in your home? These insects typically enter buildings through:

• Open doors and windows
• Cracks in foundations
• Gaps around pipes or wires

Once inside, they may hide in dark, warm areas such as basements, garages, or behind appliances.

Do field crickets pose any risks to humans or homes? While field crickets don’t bite or carry diseases, they can become a nuisance due to their loud chirping. In large numbers, they may also cause damage to fabrics, clothing, or other household items by feeding or staining them with their droppings.

Odorous House Ants: Tiny Invaders with a Distinctive Smell

Odorous house ants are small, dark-colored ants that are common household invaders in many parts of the world. These tiny insects are named for the distinctive odor they emit when crushed, which is often described as smelling like rotten coconut or overripe bananas.

How can you identify odorous house ants? Look for these features:

• Small size, typically 1/16 to 1/8 inch in length
• Uniform dark brown to black coloration
• Single node (a small bump or scale) between the thorax and abdomen

Where are you likely to find odorous house ants in your home? These ants are attracted to moisture and sweet foods. Common areas of infestation include:

• Kitchens, especially around sinks and food storage areas
• Bathrooms
• Wall voids, particularly those with water damage
• Around windows and door frames

Do odorous house ants pose any risks to humans or homes? While these ants don’t bite or sting, they can contaminate food sources and become a significant nuisance when they infest homes in large numbers. Their presence may also indicate moisture problems or other structural issues that could lead to more serious pest infestations.

Preventing and Managing Common Household Insect Infestations

While encountering insects in your home is often unavoidable, there are steps you can take to minimize infestations and manage pest problems effectively:

1. Seal entry points: Inspect your home’s exterior for cracks, gaps, or holes and seal them to prevent insects from entering.
2. Reduce moisture: Fix leaky pipes, improve ventilation in damp areas, and use dehumidifiers in basements or crawl spaces.
3. Keep your home clean: Regularly clean floors, countertops, and other surfaces to remove food sources that might attract pests.
4. Store food properly: Use airtight containers for pantry items and keep ripe fruits and vegetables refrigerated.
5. Maintain your yard: Trim bushes and trees away from your home’s exterior and remove debris piles that could harbor pests.
6. Use natural deterrents: Some plants and essential oils can help repel certain insects.
7. Consider professional pest control: For persistent or large-scale infestations, consult with a licensed pest control professional.

By understanding the common house bugs you might encounter and taking proactive steps to prevent infestations, you can maintain a more comfortable and pest-free living environment. Remember that while many household insects may seem alarming, most pose little risk to human health and can often be managed with simple, non-toxic methods.

The Ecological Role of Household Insects

While we often view insects in our homes as pests, it’s important to recognize their ecological significance. Many of these creatures play crucial roles in broader ecosystems:

• Ladybugs are beneficial predators that control aphid populations in gardens
• Spiders help control populations of other insects, including mosquitoes and flies
• Crickets and ants contribute to soil health by aerating the ground and breaking down organic matter

Understanding the ecological context of these insects can help us approach pest management with a more balanced perspective, focusing on exclusion and prevention rather than wholesale eradication.

When to Seek Professional Help for Pest Control

While many common household insect problems can be managed with DIY methods, there are situations where professional pest control services may be necessary. Consider contacting a pest control expert if:

• You have a large-scale infestation that’s beyond your ability to control
• You’ve tried multiple DIY methods without success
• The pest problem is causing significant damage to your home or possessions
• You’re dealing with potentially dangerous pests like venomous spiders or stinging insects
• You have concerns about using pesticides safely, especially if you have children or pets

Professional pest control technicians can provide targeted treatments, identify underlying causes of infestations, and offer long-term prevention strategies tailored to your specific situation.

The Impact of Climate Change on Household Pests

Climate change is altering the distribution and behavior of many insect species, which can affect the types and frequency of pest problems in homes. Some potential impacts include:

• Expanded ranges for certain insect species, bringing new pest problems to regions where they weren’t previously common
• Changes in the timing of insect life cycles, potentially leading to more generations per year and larger populations
• Increased survival rates for insects during milder winters
• Shifts in the types of plants that thrive in different areas, which can indirectly affect insect populations

As these changes continue, homeowners and pest control professionals may need to adapt their strategies to address evolving pest problems effectively.

Innovative Approaches to Pest Management

As our understanding of insect biology and behavior grows, new and innovative approaches to pest management are emerging. Some promising areas of development include:

• Pheromone-based traps and lures that can disrupt insect mating cycles
• Biological control methods using natural predators or parasites of pest species
• Advanced monitoring systems that can detect pest activity early, allowing for more targeted interventions
• Gene editing technologies that could potentially modify pest populations to reduce their harmful impacts
• Smart home systems that integrate pest detection and prevention into overall home management

These innovative approaches aim to provide more effective, environmentally friendly, and sustainable solutions to common pest problems.

Cultural Perspectives on Household Insects

Attitudes towards insects vary widely across cultures and can influence how people approach pest management in their homes. For example:

• In some Asian cultures, crickets are considered good luck and may be kept as pets
• Ladybugs are seen as symbols of good fortune in many Western countries
• Certain Native American traditions view spiders as creators and weavers of fate

Understanding these cultural perspectives can provide insight into different approaches to living with insects and may inspire more harmonious ways of managing our shared spaces.

As we continue to coexist with insects in our homes and environments, fostering a deeper understanding of these creatures can lead to more effective, humane, and ecologically sound pest management practices. By balancing our need for pest-free living spaces with respect for the role of insects in broader ecosystems, we can develop more sustainable approaches to managing our homes and gardens.

15 Common House Bugs to Know

1

Lady Bird Beetle (a.k.a. Ladybugs)

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What it looks like: You’re probably very familiar with this one. Ladybugs are tiny, oval, winged beetles that are usually between 1 to 10 millimeters (mm) in length, depending on the species. They are typically bright red with black spots.

Where you’ll find it: You can find them in your home in autumn between September through November, when the temperatures drop and they seek a warm spot for winter. They like to gather together within crevices, like cracks around windows and door frames, soffits, attics, wall voids, and the area behind fascia boards and exterior siding.

Can it harm you? These beetles are believed to trigger allergies, ranging from eye irritation to asthma, potentially because they emit a stinky, yellow secretion when they feel they’re in danger. Lady bird beetles also can bite (it feels like a pinch), but they are not poisonous and are rarely harmful.

2

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

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What it looks like: This invasive bug is large, as it can grow up to 2 centimeters long. “When you look at its abdomen from the top, just around where its wings are, you’ll see a marbled pattern on its back,” which is shield-shaped, says Michael J. Raupp, Ph.D., professor of entomology at The University of Maryland and creator of Bug of the Week. A brown marmorated stink bug also has distinct white bands on its antennae and legs, which distinguishes it from other native species that are also brown in color.

Where you’ll find it: You’ll spot these in your home from September through October to find a protective spot as its gets colder. They’ll enter homes via windows, door cracks, vents, siding, shutters, loose siding—you name it. Unfortunately, they congregate in masses, so getting rid of stink bugs can be annoying.

Can it harm you? Besides the pungent odor they give off, stink bugs do not bite humans or pets, but they can do a number on your garden.

3

Wolf Spider

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What it looks like: Wolf spiders are hunting spiders—and can be pretty big, up to an inch and a half long, Marc Potzler, a board-certified entomologist and technical services manager with Ehrlich Pest Control recently told Prevention.com. They are usually black, gray, or brown, and have a hairy appearance.

Where you’ll find them: After mating in the fall, female wolf spiders look for protected areas to produce their egg cocoons. You’ll find them under and between boards, stones, firewood, and siding, most commonly in basements, sheds, or garages where other insects are, says Potzler.

Can it harm you? Wolf spiders can bite, but only if they feel threatened. “They would prefer to hide than bite,” according to Howard Russell, M.S., an entomologist at Michigan State University.

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4

Cellar Spider (a.k.a. Daddy Long Legs)

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What it looks like: These are spindly spiders with long thin legs. The body of the cellar spider is usually 1/4- 5/16-inch-long, with legs extending another 2 inches.

Where you’ll find it: “You’ll always find them in a corner with a cobweb,” says Raupp. Their namesake matches their stomping grounds, including basements, attics, or other protected places. Cellar spiders are known for their webbing, continuously adding to them.

Can it harm you? Cellar spiders are not venomous and not known to bite.

5

Asian Camel Cricket

Michael J. Raupp/Bug of the Week

What it looks like: These crickets are light brown, tan, and dark brown with a humped back. They have very long antennae, and their bodies grow between 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long.

Where you’ll find it: “You’ll find them in the basement or dark mancave,” says Raupp, as they prefer dark, moist places.

Can it harm you? No. Camel crickets do not bite and are not known to be harmful to humans and pets.

6

Field Cricket

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What it looks like: When you think of a stereotypical cricket, these are the ones. Adult field crickets are black and brown in color and are between 1/2 to 1 inch long. They have six legs, long antennae, and antennae-like appendages at the end of their abdomens called cerci. They also have hind wings.

Where you’ll find it: They enter buildings through open doors and windows and through cracks in foundations. You’ll likely be able to locate them through their signature chirping.

Can it harm you? No. Field crickets do not bite or carry diseases. However, once indoors, crickets may damage clothing, drapes, or wall coverings—thanks to stains from feces or by their feeding.

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7

Odorous House Ants

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What they look like: These black ants are tiny. They grow between 1/16 to 1/8 inch long. When they’re crushed, they release a bad (somewhat sweet) odor, often described as rotten coconut or banana.

Where you’ll find them: Odorous house ants feed on pretty much anything, but are drawn to sweet things. So, you’ll often find them near water and food sources, like garbage cans and kitchen sinks or counters. They also nest indoors near sources of warmth, commonly in wall voids near pipes or heaters.

Can they harm you? Nope, just keep an eye on your groceries.

8

Carpenter Ant

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What it looks like: Carpenter ants are one of the largest ant species in North America. Wingless types grow between ¼ to ½ inch, while those with wings can grow up to 1 inch. They are shiny, usually black or dark brown, and known for their narrow waists. They also have mandibles (jaw-like appendages) used for chomping.

Where you’ll find it: They often damage homes and other wooden structures, so they can be found in moist or decayed wood caused by exposure to water leaks, condensation, or poor air circulation.

Can it harm you? Unfortunately, yes. Carpenter ants can bite, and they’ve been known to break skin when they do, which can be painful. While they don’t use venom, they do inject an irritant called formic acid into the area, which may cause an allergic reaction. The bites usually don’t require medical attention but should be cleaned well to avoid any issues.

9

Western Conifer Seed Bug

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What it looks like: These bugs are shaped a bit like a stink bug and grow up to 3/4 inch long. They are a reddish-brown color, and usually have a bright yellow or orange underside with black patches.

Where you’ll find it: Western conifer seed bugs tend to congregate in the fall as they seek shelter for the winter. They can be found around baseboards, window and door moldings, openings for electrical outlets and fixtures, openings for heating or cooling vents, and other similar pathways.

Can it harm you? They do not bite or sting, but can gather in annoyingly large numbers within the home.

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10

Cluster Fly

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What it looks like: While they look similar to your standard house fly, cluster flies are often larger, about ⅓ inch long. They are dull-gray and black and have golden-yellow hairs on their bodies, which give them a golden sheen and bristly texture.

Where you’ll find it: Cluster flies head indoors to outlast the winter. You’ll likely find them in attics, under siding, and around windows and crevices on the outside of buildings. They also congregate between walls and work their way out through openings in window frames and electrical fixtures.

Can it harm you? Cluster flies aren’t venomous and do not bite, don’t lay eggs in food like house flies, and aren’t associated with transmitting diseases.

11

Silverfish

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What it looks like: This creepy crawler get its name from its silvery scales and three, tail-like appendages that protrude from its abdomen. Its antennae is as long as its body and can grow up to 12 mm in length.

Where you’ll find it: Silverfish are known to feed on foods high in starches and destroy books, papers, wallpaper, and more. They are found in high-humidity environments, but are able to survive a wide range of temperatures. They usually hang out indoors in concealed, temperature-controlled areas such as bathrooms, attics, and basements.

Can it harm you? Silverfish do not bite, do not have venom, and are not poisonous if ingested. They are gross, though.

12

Bed Bugs

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What they look like: An adult bed bug can be anywhere from ⅛ – ¼-inch in size. “They are often compared to the size of an apple seed,” says Nancy Troyano, Ph.D., a board-certified entomologist with Western Exterminator. Bed bugs can range in color from a mahogany-red to light brown, “depending on when they last fed,” Troyano says.

Where you’ll find them: In general, you’ll find them around people. “Blood is their only food source,” says Glen Ramsey, a board-certified entomologist and senior technical services manager at Orkin. Bed bugs are normally nocturnal, and they’ll come out of hiding from places like a mattress to feed on sleeping or quietly resting people. “They can travel from place to place with ease, including items such as luggage, purses, and other personal belongings,” Ramsey says.

Can they harm you? Yes. “While bed bugs have not been found to transmit any diseases to humans, their bites may cause symptoms such as itching, red welts, or swelling the day after being bitten,” Ramsey says. However, “many bites can leave no mark and go completely unnoticed.”

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13

Cockroach

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What it looks like: There are different types of cockroaches, but the most common are the American, German, oriental, and brown-banded cockroaches, Ramsey says. “Cockroaches can measure over two inches length, with tropical species tending to be larger than those found in other climates,” Ramsey says. They have six legs, two antennae, and some even have wings. “However, most winged cockroaches are not particularly adept at flying,” Ramsey says.

Where you’ll find it: You can find cockroaches in a lot of places in your home, Troyano says. They could pop up in the bathroom—they love to snack on soap residue—dark places in your kitchen like cupboards and cabinets, laundry rooms, basements, and drains, she says.

Can it harm you? Unless you have a serious infestation, cockroaches won’t bite you. While cockroaches don’t give people diseases through bites, they can transmit foodborne illnesses from one place to another. They can also trigger asthma “because of a protein in their saliva, droppings, and on their body,” Troyano says.

14

Fruit Flies

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What they look like: Fruit flies look like light brown flies, says Russell. They’re usually very small—about 1/8 of an inch. “There are two main types of fruit flies: the common red-eyed fruit fly and the dark-eyed fruit fly,” Ramsey says.

Where you’ll find them: Fruit flies like to hang out around fruit and produce, especially when it’s ripe, rotting, or decayed, and they’re also attracted to fermented items like beer, liquor, and wine, Ramsey says. “Fruit flies also may breed and develop in drains, garbage disposals, trash cans, and mop buckets,” he adds.

Can they harm you? In general, Russell says that fruit flies “are just a nuisance.” But they have the potential to contaminate your food with bacteria and other pathogens, Ramsey says, which is why it’s so important to store produce in air-tight containers or refrigerators and inspect any fruits or vegetables brought into your home. “Also, establish a schedule to regularly clean drain lines, garbage disposals, and any location where food waste accumulates,” he says.

15

House Centipede

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What it looks like: Centipedes have “long, segmented, generally flattened bodies with one pair of legs per body segment,” Russell says. They also have a pair of venomous fangs they use to take out their prey. Centipedes range from 4 to 152 millimeters in size and usually are brown or a reddish orange color.

Where you’ll find it: “House centipedes live in damp, undisturbed places, such as cellars, closets, bathrooms, and attics,” Troyano says.

Can it harm you? Some types of centipedes will bite “but do not pose a serious threat,” Troyano says. Still, a bite can still lead to some swelling and a little pain in the area.

Additional reporting by Korin Miller

Emily Shiffer

Emily Shiffer is a former digital web producer for Men’s Health and Prevention, and is currently a freelancer writer specializing in health, weight loss, and fitness. She is currently based in Pennsylvania and loves all things antiques, cilantro, and American history.

Top 7 Bugs Bite in Clusters (Treatment & Prevention)

Most bug bites are randomly distributed red itchy lumps, but a few species choose only specific body parts and bite in clusters or a pattern line. That way, you need to deal with a sizable painful and swollen area that can help you differentiate the type of bugs that bite in clusters.

Be careful when experiencing such a thing since some of these creatures cause atypical reactions, like swelling or short breath, besides typical bite marks. In this case, it is recommended to seek medical help.

Bugs that bite in clusters
Bug type	Size	Color
Fleas	0.08 to 0.16 inches (2 – 4 mm)	Red-brown
Bed bugs	0.16 to 0. 27 inches (4 – 7 mm)	Brown
Chiggers	0.04 to 0.08 inches (1 – 2 mm)	Bright red or red-brown
Rat mites	0.03 to 0.06 inches (0.8 – 1.5 mm)	Cream to red, brown, or black
Bird mites	0.04 inches (1 mm)	Semi-transparent
Fire ants	0.08 to 0.24 inches (2 – 6 mm)	Reddish-brown
Head lice	0.10 to 0.12 inches (2.5 – 3 mm)	White or brown

Reasons for Bugs to Bite in Clusters

These bugs bite in clusters, typically in line or following a unique pattern. You can recognize a few reasons, including the possibility that these bites result from biting multiple bugs, not only one.

Your odor, sweat, and exhaled carbon dioxide attract them, making your proximity a food source. In fact, most live in your bed and bite you to suck blood or consume the waste product of your body.

The other reason for clustered bites is lymph nodes and quick access to blood. Remember that blood-sucking insects can’t eat enough at once, but they try several times. So, they will bite you in different places, leaving marks that create specific patterns.

Bugs That Bite In Clusters

There is a list of seven bugs that bite humans and animals and leave bumps in clusters on their host skin.

1.

Fleas

Fleas are red-brown bugs with a length ranging from 0.08 to 0.16 inches (2 – 4 mm). The carbon dioxide that humans and animals emit attracts these external parasites. They attack primarily lower body parts, resulting in multiple tiny red, itchy bumps appearing in a row.

They have a mouthpart with three needles but use only those from the right and left sides to bite you. The third one penetrates a previously located blood vessel underneath the skin, and fleas use it to suck its host blood.

The problem appears when fleas fail to find the blood vessel on the first bite, so they keep biting the host while looking for one. As a result, they create clusters or lines within a few square inches.

When infestation is high, you may suffer from multiple clusters occurring on the skin surface. In most cases, they affect lower body parts, including shins, ankles, and feet.

Thanks to an anticoagulant released from salivary glands, fleas can prevent the blood from clotting. That way, the host blood undisturbedly flows to their bodies. Unfortunately, this anticoagulant causes changes in the skin, like:

• Skin rash or hives
• Red lumps and swelling
• Intense itching

The first symptoms occur a few hours after the bite. It is necessary to avoid scratching your skin, or you can end up with a skin infection otherwise. Remember that 17 people got a plague in the US within the past ten years, thanks to infected fleas transmitting this horrible disease from wild rodents to people.

The worst thing is that your bed is the primary place for fleas to settle and attack you, often during the night. Typically, your pets bring these creatures into your home, but you can also do it after walking through tall grass.

You can eliminate these small jumping holometabolous insects by using glue traps. Besides, you should buy a flea collar for your pet and wear white socks while hiking.

2. Bed bugs

Bed bugs are tiny, 0. 16 to 0.27 inches (4 – 7 mm) long brown, flat, wingless insects. They are the most common cause of clustered bites in humans in the US.

They suck human blood through mouthparts after a beak (proboscis) pierces the skin. Specific pumps simultaneously suck blood and inject saliva into the host bloodstream within 3 to 10 minutes, causing flat or raised red bumps arranged in a zig-zag line.

Symptoms appear within several days, including skin redness, heavy itching, and unpleasant swelling. Unfortunately, each bug can bite at least twice to trice during the night, so you will quickly end up with clusters of red bumps anywhere on your body.

Unlike adults that bite once a week, nymphs need blood daily. So, they will leave bumps on your skin or cause an allergy in the worst scenario until you exterminate them.

In most cases, you will bring them to your home from a hotel and your friends’ houses or cars. Even though you can quickly infest your home, exterminating them can be a complicated issue only professionals can solve.

3. Chiggers

Chiggers are bright red or red-brown arachnids that typically reach 0.04 to 0.08 inches (1 – 2 mm) in length. They feed on dead skin cells and leave clusters after biting, resulting in specific symptoms, including:

• Pimple-like rash and blisters surrounded by raised lines
• Redness, irritation, and swelling
• Tingling followed by intense itching at night

Unlike Bed bugs that bite exposed skin, Chiggers cause clusters in the skin under tight clothes. The most common places are the neck, waist, groin, and ankles. After feeding, they drop off your skin to molt and keep growing. Fortunately, their bites don’t spread diseases.

After spending time outdoors and strolling through thick, long grass, you can bring these menaces into the house. Unlike Fleas, Chiggers never attach to pet fur. It is possible to prevent their infestation by applying insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts.

4. Rat mites

Image Credit: automatictrap

Rat mites are cream to red, brown, or black, 0. 03 to 0.06 inches (0.8 – 1.5 mm) long parasitic insects. Their standard hosts are rats, but they can also bite humans alternatively. After biting you at a chosen body part, these blood-suckers will cause:

• Skin irritation
• Red and itchy bumps raised above the skin’s surface
• Swelling in the bitten area, resulting from intense scratching
• Dermatitis

Infestation with these pests is pretty unlikely unless you have a rat infestation. Once mites come inside your home, you will end up with painful skin full of itchy clusters and possible infection. As soon as you eliminate rats, it will be possible to clean your home of mites.

5. Bird mites

Image Credit: suburbanexterminating

Bird (chicken) mites are semi-transparent, 0.04 inches (1 mm) long pest insects living on bird bodies. Once they enter houses, they become nuisances for people and start sucking their blood.

Their bites arranged in clusters anywhere on your body cause:

• Pimple-like rash
• Skin redness, often surrounded by raised lines

Once you pick them up, you will spend sleepless nights with intense skin itching and tingling. The only way to get rid of them is to eliminate bird nests placed near the house and thoroughly clean and disinfect your home.

6. Fire ants

Reddish-brown Fire ants are 0.08 to 0.24 inches (2 – 6 mm) long invasive pest insects native to South America. Nowadays, they are common in the US, particularly in the southern States, where inflicting multiple and highly painful bites in clusters or a line on humans and animals.

Remember that Red fire ants are the most aggressive ant species and never forgive disturbance and an attempt to destroy their nest. They attack in a group and use strong mandibles to attach to the skin.

After biting multiple times at random body parts, these insects inject solenopsin, a potent toxin, into the human skin, causing intense pain and burning.

The result is red lumps and red-hive-like lesions at the bitten place that appear in clusters several hours after biting. They are followed by a burning sensation, skin swelling, and almost unbearable itching.

After a day or two, these lumps develop into blisters that pass in 3 to 7 days, leaving scars on the skin. Be careful and never scratch them to prevent severe infections.

7. Head lice

White or brown Head lice are 0.10 to 0.12 inches (2.5 – 3 mm) long parasitic insects that feed on human blood a few times a day without spreading diseases. You can find them on the head and neck, particularly around eyelashes and eyebrows.

Their bites cause tiny red bumps placed in clusters or rows, followed by redness, swelling, and intense itching. The first symptoms typically appear two to four weeks after biting and worsen at night.

It is crucial to avoid scratching affected areas to prevent sores and possible skin infections. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done because the itching can be unbearable.

Kids usually get Head lice while playing and sharing brushes, combs, hairpins, clothing, and hats. Catching them from a pillow, couch, or bed is also possible.

Once they settle down into your hair, you will quickly notice sesame seed-shaped adults and their tiny white eggs. Since exterminating them is incredibly difficult, the best option is to ask a doctor for help.

Bugs That Never Bite In Clusters

You can find much misinformation about bugs that bite in clusters on the Net. There is a list of these that never leave group bite marks but only single, random ones:

Ticks, including black-legged ticks spreading Lyme disease – These arachnids bite and attach to one place, never in clusters.

Black widow spiders – This species is common in the US and never bites in clusters. In fact, these arachnids rarely bite humans unless they feel threatened. Their bite looks like two red dots without a rash on the skin. Unfortunately, they can be dangerous because of a released toxin attacking the human nervous system.

Brown recluse spiders – You can often find these arachnids in the US, but they are unlikely to bite humans. Once these spiders bite someone, you can see symptoms similar to those caused by Black widow bites. Even though the bite is painless, you can recognize a bluish-black spot surrounded by a red rash halo that quickly turns to necrosis.

Mosquitos – These insects always bite randomly without any pattern. Bitten places, looking like red lumps that itch, are distant from each other.

Scabies mites – These bugs cause terrible skin infections after biting humans or animals without recognizable patterns. Since they lay eggs inside the skin, you can expect complications.

Treatment and Prevention

Bugs biting in clusters cause unpleasant, itchy, and often painful skin changes. Therefore, you should eliminate them from your home and prevent them from returning.

Treatment

Wash the bitten spot and apply adequate hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to relieve pain. Additionally, ask for medical attention immediately when bites cause an allergic reaction, followed by:

• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue

Prevention

You can find a few excellent repellents to keep these bugs away from your skin. Choose a bug spray containing DEET, but avoid expired products since they are less effective.

Clean your home regularly and use essential oils to make it fresh and protected. Additionally, wear long-sleeved clothing when walking through tall grass, hiking, and camping.

Summary

Coming across bugs that bite in clusters is an unpleasant and often painful experience. The only way to protect yourself is to clean your home and apply preventive measures regularly. Once you are bitten, treat sore and itchy spots appropriately or ask for medical help when necessary.

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Why bedbugs do not bite all people in the family and can they bite only one person in the house



Why bedbugs do not bite all people in the family and can they only bite one person in the house

It is a mistake to believe that bedbugs do not bite all people in the family, that they somehow selectively approach the search for a victim, and even more so they choose the bitten person according to their blood type.

In fact, bedbugs bite all people with approximately the same intensity, and the impression that someone in the family was bitten by bedbugs, and someone was not, is explained by the fact that all people differ in the degree of sensitivity to bedbug bites and in the severity of the manifestation of these skin bites.

Simply put, some people have bed bug bite marks on their bodies, while others do not. At the same time, in the same room, and even more so on the same bed, bedbugs bite people about equally aggressively.

Let’s see why this happens…

Blood type, or thin skin? How people are mistaken about the selectivity of bedbugs…

Almost every day we encounter various misconceptions from our customers regarding the causes of selectivity in bedbugs. For example, we are regularly asked:

• Why don’t bed bugs attack all family members? – Accordingly, the person believes that insects touch only one person in the family, and wants to know why the insects chose this particular person.
• Why don’t bedbugs bite all people in the room? – On this issue, it is also clear that a person is convinced of the selectivity of bedbugs.
• Does it happen that bed bugs only bite one person in a house? – Apparently, the bugs obviously tortured someone, but his cohabitants are not bothered at all.

But there are also questions that are clearly not related to the selectivity of bedbugs, but imply the same thing. For example:

• People with what blood type are attacked by bed bugs? – It is assumed that they can choose their victims and somehow determine their blood type even before the bite, at a distance.
• Why do only women and children suffer from bedbug bites? – The author of the question believes that men are more fortunate, and the parasites do not touch them.

Although the questions are somewhat different, the essence is the same for all. People believe that bedbugs can know who they prefer to bite and who should not be touched, and they really choose one victim. At the same time, everyone wants to find out by what criteria insects determine victims. Someone suggests that by blood type, someone thinks that by gender and age, and someone thinks that smell is the decisive factor for them. There are a lot of assumptions. And almost all of them are wrong.

All assumptions that bedbugs somehow choose their prey are wrong.

So who is actually more likely to be bitten by bed bugs?

Most often, bedbugs bite people who sleep closest to the bedbugs’ hiding places. Simply because insects find such a person faster and easier.

Bed bugs do not deliberately choose anyone to be their victim. They attack all people in a row and, with the same convenience of attacking different people in the room, bite them with the same intensity. They don’t care if they are adults or children, men or women. A person’s blood group and its Rh factor also do not matter to them, they do not even know how to determine it either at a distance from a person, or even after absorbing blood. At least, there are still no known mechanisms that would help bedbugs identify such characteristics of the blood of the victim.

Moreover, even pets and birds can suffer from bites. Bed bugs often infest chicken coops and dovecotes. Within a few months, their number can increase so much that the birds will have to be transferred somewhere, and the room will be treated with special preparations and cleaned of insects.

So we can say for sure that bedbugs do not make exceptions for anyone: they bite all people, and in the absence of people, they attack cats, dogs, birds and even bats. By the way, in the wild, it is bats and birds that are the main victims of bed bugs (yes, bed bugs live in the wild, where people never go at all – for example, in deep caves, or in burrows of wild animals underground) .

Why, then, after sleeping, some people get bitten, while others don’t get bitten at all?

Because in some people the bites turn red, itch, and sometimes become inflamed, while in others they do not manifest themselves at all and it seems that they do not exist.

In addition, due to different sensitivity to bedbug bites, even reddened and itchy bites disappear at different rates in different people. For some, the bumps itch for 2-3 days, while for others they lose color and do not cause any sensations after 10-20 minutes, or 2-3 hours after the bite, but in any case, before the person wakes up. And after waking up, it seems that no one bit him.

According to statistics, about 70% of people hardly notice bed bug bites. Some of the bites do not show any marks at all, while others have reddened skin and even small pimples appear on it, which can also cause itching, but all these effects of insect attacks quickly disappear while the person is still sleeping. Bed bugs are most active in the middle of the night. For example, they can bite a person for about 3-4 hours. At this time, traces will appear on his body, which will disappear in a couple of hours. As a result, waking up at 7 o’clock in the morning, a person will not notice any damage on himself and will not experience any discomfort.

Another 30% of people experience bedbug bites and suffer from them to a greater or lesser extent. They may develop severe redness and bumps on their body, which can itch and cause discomfort. In some cases, people develop an allergic reaction, accompanied by swelling and hives.

Our partners from the klop911 channel conducted an experiment on themselves: they simply planted bedbugs on their hands and let them bite them. The bugs really bit and already swelled from the sucked blood, but at the same time, there were no traces left on the skin of the experimental experimenter at all – no bleeding wounds, no bumps, no blisters. Also, there were no unpleasant sensations – itching, pain, sensation of skin puncture. This entire experiment is shown in the video:

About 70% of people do not feel the bites of bedbugs at all and it seems that the parasites do not bite them at all

It is noteworthy that more than half of people whose body does not react in any way to the bites of these parasites. At the same time, insects bite them in the same way as others.

At the same time, in particularly sensitive people, reactions to bedbug bites can be really frightening. Sometimes large red bumps appear on the arms, legs and in general throughout the body. They can itch a lot, which is why people often comb them. As a result, some bumps even begin to fester, while others merge into extensive red spots. All this can cause discomfort and pain, prevent a person from sleeping at night, and make them feel uncomfortable in society due to noticeable bites.

Now let’s assume that one family member is susceptible to bed bug bites and another is not. People sleep in the same room, but someone in the morning wakes up well-rested and rested, and someone is exhausted, in red spots that itch and do not give rest. This not only looks unaesthetic, but can also cause a deterioration in overall well-being. Sensitive people, especially young children, may even have a fever. At this time, his parents, or someone alone, may not notice a single insect bite on themselves.

It is on the example of such situations that one gets the impression that bedbugs bite people selectively. This seems especially obvious if two people sleep in the same bed. It becomes clear that the parasites ran all over the bed, but for some reason they bit one, but did not touch the second. Of course, as a result, there immediately appears a desire to find out the reason for such illogical behavior of insects.

In fact, the bugs equally bit everyone they could quickly and safely reach. At the same time, a person sensitive to their bites left noticeable marks on the body, while in a less sensitive person they either did not appear at all, or had already disappeared by morning.

Many people do not leave any marks at all at the site of bedbug bites

The most common myths about the selectivity of bedbugs

There are quite a lot of misconceptions about the selectivity of bedbugs. Most often, people believe that bedbugs choose a victim by blood type. There is also an opinion that insects bite women and children more often, since their skin is thinner than that of men. There are even hypotheses that due to the thinner skin, the bugs allegedly better smell the blood flowing through the veins.

Another theory is that bed bugs bite more and more people who have been attacked by their relatives before. There is also an opposite opinion, that a person can develop a kind of immunity, which is why the parasites do not like their blood.

Statistics completely refutes all theories about the selectivity of bedbugs. As the reviews show, parasites cause inconvenience to absolutely all categories of people. They bite both children, and women, and men with different blood types, and in addition also their pets (although only because there are no people nearby – in the hair of a dog or cat, it is more difficult for bugs with their wide flattened body to get to the skin, and the skin itself because of its greater strength, it is more difficult for them to pierce with a proboscis). At the same time, in other apartments, and sometimes in the same room and even on the same bed, parasites do not touch the same men and women for some reason. This proves that bed bugs do not choose whom they will bite, either by blood type or by other criteria. They bite everyone in a row with almost the same frequency.

From a scientific point of view, neither theory has any evidence. In particular, scientists do not know the mechanisms that would help bedbugs determine a person’s blood type and Rh factor. As a result, a person would have at least a small amount of bite marks, but some people do not have them at all.

It is also known that bed bugs bite not only people with different blood types, but also animals. At the same time, if we assume that insects prefer the blood of one blood type, then it follows from this that its antigenic characteristics are important for them. However, in these same characteristics between the blood of a human and a dog or, for example, a chicken and a bat, there are much more differences than between the blood of people with different groups and Rh factors. Obviously, if bedbugs preferred to bite people with one or two blood types, then they definitely would not bite their pets. The antigenic characteristics of the blood of humans and animals are very different. However, as can be seen from the statistics, dogs, cats, domestic rabbits, and birds also suffer from parasite attacks. In addition, in the wild, bats are the main victims of bedbugs. This completely proves the inconsistency of the theory about the love of these insects for the blood of only a certain group.

The assumption that insects can smell human blood through the skin has also not been confirmed by scientists. There is no reason to believe that bedbugs prefer to bite children and women, because their skin is thinner and more tender than that of men, and the smell of their blood is felt by insects more strongly.

In general, no theory about the selectivity of bedbugs can withstand even the slightest criticism.

At the same time, in some situations, bedbugs can really bite some people more often, and less often others, but for more prosaic reasons.

When are bed bugs more likely to bite some people than others?

For example, in an apartment, bugs can live mainly in one bed or sofa and, accordingly, they will bite the person who sleeps in this sleeping place. Only over time, they multiply, spread throughout the room and in all sleeping places and begin to bite everyone who sleeps here.

If the house is large, the bugs may first settle in one room, and in others they may not be there for some time. Accordingly, at first the parasites will attack those who sleep in the “captured” room, and not those who are in neighboring rooms. Over time, the number of parasites can increase, and then they quickly spread throughout the house, starting to regularly bite all its inhabitants.

There is also an assumption, and quite justified, that bedbugs bite men more. This is due to the fact that when searching for prey, insects are guided by the smell of carbon dioxide that a person exhales, and to some extent by the smell of sweat and the body as a whole. Thanks to this sense of smell, bedbugs can easily find prey in the absence of even weak light. There are even special traps for bedbugs that release carbon dioxide and attract parasites with it.

As for men, as a rule, their lung capacity is larger than that of women and children, respectively, they inhale more air and exhale more carbon dioxide. Because of this, it should be easier for bedbugs to find exactly men and they should bite them more often.

Mostly women complain about bed bug bites. They say that for some reason the insects do not touch the men living with them. It seems that the facts contradict each other, but this is not entirely true. It is known that men have rougher skin and less sensitivity, and as a result, they often simply do not notice insect bites, since they do not cause pain and do not leave marks.

At the same time, speaking of sensitivity, one should not refer to gender differences. It cannot be argued that men are less sensitive to bedbug bites than women. None of the statistics allow such conclusions to be drawn. Many men suffer from insect bites, just as many women do not feel them.

A typical example is the terrible consequences of bedbug bites in a healthy young man:

In general, bedbugs do not choose their victims according to any characteristics. They bite those who are easier and faster to get to. If a person is closer to their habitat, then they will attack him first, because it is easier and safer than going somewhere further. In this case, the blood type of a person will not matter to them. If several people sleep side by side and it is equally easy for the bugs to get to one and the second, then they will bite them with equal intensity. At the same time, depending on the level of sensitivity, people may react differently to a bite.

If I itch from mosquito bites, can I not feel bedbug bites?

Sensitivity to bedbug bites does not correlate with sensitivity to other insect bites, including mosquitoes. People who have bumps and redness on their bodies after being attacked by bedbugs may not respond to bites from other parasites. At this time, those insensitive to the attacks of the former can experience real suffering if they are bitten by someone else.

For example, in the video above, the presenter said that he has no sensitivity to bedbug bites, but he reacts very strongly to mosquito and flea bites. In places of bites of these insects, his skin swells and begins to itch badly. Thus, two people living together can wake up in the morning and find the same bumps on their arms and legs, indicating the presence of mosquitoes. At the same time, bug bite marks can appear only in one person. However, it cannot be concluded from this that they did not bite the second. They may just have a different reaction to these particular insects.

A case from practice

Once in Podolsk we treated three apartments for bedbugs at once – two in one front room, on adjacent floors, and one in the next front door. Moreover, all three walls bordered on another apartment, which, obviously, was the source of infection. The neighbors in these three apartments agreed on a joint persecution of bedbugs, but they could not agree with the owner of the nursery apartment, since he assured that he did not have bedbugs. It was a one-room apartment in which a young man lived, quite intelligent, prosperous, but sincerely confident that bedbugs did not live in his housing.

Luckily, all three apartments were processed in the afternoon, and Oleg was still working here when the young man returned from work. We managed to talk with him and he allowed me to go into the apartment and inspect the bed. The apartment was in very good condition, with a relatively fresh renovation, but in the bed, on the underside of the mattress, and near it, Oleg found large clusters of bedbugs. The owner himself was shocked when he saw this entire ecosystem right next to him. He admitted that he never felt how they bite him at all, but from time to time when cleaning or just in the evening he meets these insects on the bed, or near it, but did not attach any importance to this, did not know that these were blood-sucking parasites, and believed that these are just random guests who made their way into the apartment through the window.

Oleg cleaned this apartment right away and destroyed the bugs in it. But how many of these apartments remain in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities where people do not suffer from bedbugs at all, but parasites breed and spread to neighbors is an open question.

How does this information help in the elimination of bed bugs?

Such differences in susceptibility to parasites must be taken into account when looking for the source of their spread, especially in apartment buildings. It is likely that people from different apartments and even from different floors will feel the bites of bedbugs, unite and poison them regularly. However, this will only give a temporary result, if in some other apartment, even one for the entire entrance, they will not be poisoned. The people living in it may not even be aware of the problem if no one in their family has sensitivity to these insects. It should be borne in mind that this can also be a very cultured and intelligent family that does not hide the presence of parasites in their apartment, but simply does not really suspect about it. As a result, if the neighbors poison the bedbugs, over time, from one infected apartment, they can again spread to all the others.

Also, do not forget that more than half of people are not sensitive to the bites of these parasites. That is, they cause inconvenience to only a small number of people who encounter them. As a result, in a completely infested home, those who decide to fight the insect invasion will be in the minority anyway.

As a conclusion, it can be said with certainty that in a room infested with bugs, all its inhabitants will be bitten. We know that they bite anyone they can easily get to, regardless of their blood type or gender. At the same time, due to varying degrees of sensitivity to insect bites, some people may suffer from them, while others may not. The fact that bedbugs are selective seems especially convincing, if bumps and red spots appear on the body of one person, he begins to itch all over, and another, who lives nearby, does not find a single trace. In fact, this only says that someone has a strong sensitivity, while someone has practically none.

Be that as it may, if at least one person in the room suffers from bedbugs, then they need to be poisoned, and this should be done as quickly as possible. Over time, their bites will only intensify, and even those family members who have not suffered from them before can begin to feel them. Therefore, if you or your child are bitten, immediately call Dezincity, call the exterminator and in a day the bugs will not bite you.

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Scientists have found a new danger of bed bug bites

October 02, 2022
09:22

Olga Muraya

Bed bugs are so-called human ectoparasites. They live in household furniture, going out at night to “hunt” for human blood.

Photo by CDC/Harvard University.

Experts advise carefully examining beds in unfamiliar places for colonization by bedbugs.

Photo from the website of the SES service of St. Petersburg.

Researchers have found that a colony of bed bugs produces a huge amount of a substance that causes inflammation and allergies in humans.

Bed bugs are a common problem in households around the world. They cause considerable inconvenience with their bites, which are not only painful, but can also cause an allergic reaction.

Scientists generally do not consider these parasites to be of great concern to human health. However, entomologists from the University of Kentucky in the US have discovered in a new study that bed bugs produce large amounts of histamine, which can be dangerous to humans.

This startling discovery may explain a number of side effects of bed bug bites. It matters not only for public health, but also … for agriculture.

Histamine is a chemical compound that our bodies naturally produce. It can trigger inflammatory responses, thus alerting the immune system to any threats.

In response to the production of histamine, symptoms of allergic reactions such as rashes or breathing problems appear. Previous research has shown an association between excess histamine, especially in patients with various intolerances, and health outcomes such as headaches, gastrointestinal problems, irregular heart rhythms and asthma.

Another recent study showed that bed bugs can produce large amounts of histamine. A single bed bug produces over 50 micrograms of histamine in just one week!

As a result, a thousand bed bugs can produce up to 40 milligrams of this substance per week.

That adds up to over two grams of histamine per year, even without taking into account the natural growth of the bed bug population or the larger infestations that often occur in the real world.

Two grams of a substance is a visible, literally weighty amount. The authors of the work say that people do not interact on such a scale with any other allergens that parasites can produce.

Another important discovery was the role that the diet of bed bugs plays in histamine production. The researchers compared histamine production from three different “diets”: one group of bed bugs fed on blood, another on saline, and a third on starvation.

Scientists have found that bed bugs that feed on blood produce much more histamine than other groups.

This discovery raises the question of what potential health risk bed bugs actually pose.

Researchers do not know the health effects of histamine produced outside the human body. They only suspect that high levels of histamine release by bed bugs may have negative clinical consequences.

The consequences of such a close, often direct effect of histamine on the body when infesting the house with bed bugs are also unknown.

Experts advise carefully examining beds in unfamiliar places for bedbug colonization.

Photo from the website of the SES service of St. Petersburg.

In addition, the authors note that the problem of excessive exposure to “bug histamine” may affect agriculture.

Bed bugs often colonize chicken coops, feeding on the blood of chickens.

Scientists already know that histamine negatively affects egg production, but the researchers emphasize that the specific effect of bed bug histamine on egg laying requires more research.

In the future, scientists will have to answer a number of other important questions: it is necessary to determine the mechanisms of histamine production by bed bugs and strategies to mitigate its effects on humans in the home.

The study was published in the Journal of Medical Entomology.