Bed Bug Bites on Humans | Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bug crawling on hand

Bed bugs feed on blood as their only source of nutrition. In order to mature into adults, they must feed once during each of their immature stages. Adult females also need blood in order to produce eggs. Although bedbugs do bite humans, they are not known to transmit diseases to people.

What do bed bug bites look like?

Blood spots found on one’s sheets, bites and the presence of bed bug feces and cast skins are some of the indications of a bed bug infestation. Bites are commonly found on the parts of the body that are more likely to be exposed to bed bugs during sleep – the hands, neck, face, shoulders, legs and arms. While not always the case, bed bug bites are often grouped together in a small area and at times may occur in a line or a zigzag pattern. Bites normally look like small, flat or raised areas that may become inflamed, itchy, red or blistered. Bed bug bite reactions don’t always appear immediately after you’re bitten and may take a few days to begin causing symptoms. However, not everyone reacts to bed bug bites in the same manner.

The size of bed bug bites varies with a number of different factors. Bed bugs inject an anti-coagulant along with their saliva when they pierce the skin to take a blood meal. This anti-coagulant is mostly responsible for how a person reacts to the bite and determines the size of the bug’s bite. Since people will have various sensitivities to the bed bug’s bite, the size of the bite will vary, as well. Another factor that influences the size of a bed bug reaction is the number of times a person is bitten. Bite reactions of people bitten many times are also variable, and their response may be either more or less intense as the number of bites increases.

Bed bug bites on skin

Bed bugs pierce human skin with elongated beaks through which they extract blood. Bed bug bites are not initially painful and can go unnoticed for hours or days. This allows bed bugs to withdraw human blood for up to 10 minutes with each feeding. Bed bug bites occur most commonly on exposed skin, such as the upper body, neck, arms and shoulders.

Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites

Some individuals who are bitten by bed bugs develop itching, red welts or swelling the day after being bitten. However, bites may not become obvious for several days or at all on some individuals. Many people do not react at all to the bite of a bed bug—many bites leave no mark and go completely unnoticed.

Unlike those of other insects, bed bug bites may sometimes appear in tight lines of multiple, small, red marks where multiple bed bugs have fed along an exposed area. Bed bug bites can cause itchiness. Initially, a victim may detect a slight burning sensation. The burning area then develops red bumps, known as papules or wheals (rash). In extreme cases, bites may swell dramatically or turn into blister-like skin inflammations.

If you develop a rash after being bitten by a bed bug, avoid scratching the affected area. If the rash persists or becomes infected, contact a medical professional immediately.

How do bed bugs bite?

Bed bugs are blood feeders that depend on blood for their food source, so they must consume blood for survival.

One bed bug will usually take more than one bite. Once a bed bug inserts its mouthparts and finds a suitable blood vessel, it will begin feeding. However, finding the right blood vessel may take more than one injection into the skin. In addition, bed bugs are very sensitive to movement by the host they are feeding on. Therefore, if a sleeping person moves, a feeding bed bug will probably withdraw its mouthparts and begin its search for a blood meal on another part of the body. It’s important to remember that the number of bites a person receives is not indicative of the number of bed bugs that feed on that person.

Are bed bug bites dangerous?

Scratching bed bug bites and failure to keep the bites clean and disinfected may lead to a secondary infection that can cause further swelling and bleeding. Children, the elderly, and individuals with weak immune systems, particularly those who are bedridden, may develop secondary infections that result from bed bug bites.

Do bed bugs bite dogs or cats?

Bites on dogs and cats will look much like bites on people, and the pet owner may actually suspect a mosquito or flea bit the pet. As with people, bed bugs do not stay on pets, but return to a protected harborage site after feeding. In addition to bites, the presence of the bug’s feces, cast skins and the animal’s irritation at night are also indicators of bed bugs biting pets. Therefore, one of the best things to do is inspect the pet’s bedding and frequently groom the animal while being vigilant for the telltale signs of bed bug presence.

Flea Bites vs. Bed Bug Bites

While bed bug bites and flea bites may look similar, there are a few ways to tell the difference between them. Although treatment is necessary for flea and bed bug infestations, the process and strategy differ. If you’re noticing flea or bed bug bite symptoms on you, your pets, or children, here are a few things to keep in mind when trying to identify which pest you’re dealing with:

How to Identify a Flea Bite

• These bites closely resemble those of a mosquito as they’re often randomly placed, have a dot shape, and feature a dark red center from a flea’s puncture bite

• Become less swollen as time goes on

• Immediately itch

• Can turn into an open sore

How to Identify a Bed Bug Bite

• Bites from a bed bug are red, raised, and flat due to an allergic reaction from bed bug saliva

• Bed bug bites on humans display in a straight row, typically consisting of a few bites (but not always)

• Can take a few days to show up as bed bugs feed every 7–10 days

• Gradually itches as time goes on

Bed Bug Bites vs.

Spider Bites

Typical of tiny biting pests, we often don’t see them until they’ve already bitten and symptoms appear. To know which course of treatment is required to effectively get rid of a potential bed bug or flea infestation, you need to properly identify which bug you’ve encountered. A solid way to decipher which type of bite you’re experiencing is learning how to tell the difference between bed bug bites and spider bites. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

How to Identify a Spider Bite

• Feature two small holes due to spider fangs

• Typically only one or two bites

• Pretty rare as most spiders only bite when threatened

• Bites from more dangerous spiders also include symptoms such as nausea, muscle cramping, and difficulty breathing

When trying to figure out whether you’ve been bit by a spider or a bed bug, take a look around to see if you can find any telltale signs of a possible infestation. For help getting rid of bed bugs and spiders, contact your local Orkin branch.

How to identify Bed Bugs?

Learn what Bed Bugs look like, and how to detect if you have a Bed Bug Infestation.

How do you get Bed Bugs?

Find out how Bed Bugs infiltrate your home and where they are attracted to.

How serious are Bed Bugs?

Learn about Bed Bug bites. their feces and how they can impact your health.

What Orkin Does

Learn how Orkin handles Bed Bugs, homeopathic cures and the cost of Bed Bug extermination services.

Call us877-819-5061

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How to Identify and Treat Fire Ant Bites

The red imported fire ant was brought to the United States from Brazil in the 1930s and has spread relatively unchecked throughout the southeastern region of the country, appearing as far west as California. Imported red fire ants dwell in large numbers and react aggressively to combat threats to their colonies. Red fire ants are generally omnivorous, feeding on proteins, honeydew, seeds and most foods found in homes. A red fire ant will secure itself to its prey with a pair of clamplike mandibles. Once secured, the ant will use its abdominal stinger to inject alkaloid venom into the victim. The ant can deliver multiple stings, pivoting in a circle until it is brushed off or until its victim dies.

Red Imported Fire Ants

Learn about red imported fire ants & why it is important to get rid of these pests.

How To Identify The Bite/Sting

The bite of a red fire ant produces a burning or stinging sensation. Stings first manifest as red welts. Fire ant stings are identified by the sting’s appearance and the ant’s aggressive efforts to come from their above-ground nest in huge numbers to sting. Each ant bites and then repeatedly stings if not removed. If the ant stings often enough, multiple stings may show up in a small, semi-circular pattern. Fire ant stings appear as a reddish lump on the skin that in time becomes a small blister. The symptoms of fire ant stings may vary depending upon the sensitivity of the person and the number of times they are stung.

Symptoms Of Stings

Most people develop itchy bumps that may appear like localized hives or single lumps at sting sites. Bumps usually disappear in about an hour, and small blisters may appear within four hours of the initial reaction. About a day after a bite, blisters normally become filled with a pus-like substance. When healed, the blistered lesions may leave scars.

A more extensive localized reaction may occur which involves swelling that extends beyond the sting site. For example, a single sting on the forearm could cause swelling across the entire arm. This condition may exist for two to three days.

Some very sensitive persons may develop much more serious allergic symptoms that may include:

• Areas other than sting sites may itch and swell

• Vomiting, stomach cramping, intense nausea, and diarrhea

• Tightness in the chest and difficulty in breathing

• Hoarseness or swelling of the tongue or throat, or difficulty swallowing

Even more severe, life-threatening reactions may occur when anaphylaxis, a severe, whole-body allergic reaction, arises. Anaphylaxis reactions can begin within minutes after the sting(s) and involve dizziness, a drop in blood pressure, unconsciousness or cardiac arrest. It is always best to seek the advice and care of a physician for treatment of fire ant stings and bites.

Why Do They Bite And Sting?

Fire ants bite the skin and hold on until the ant’s stinger injects the venom. The bite may be unnoticed because it is overshadowed by the painful intensity of the sting. Fire ants sting as a defensive measure to protect their colony and to capture prey.

Risks Associated With Infections

If no treatment is administered, the red bumps will turn into white pustules, which carry a risk of infection. If infected, they can leave scars. Risks exist for secondary bacterial infection of fire ant stings if the pustule is scratched or broken open or the sting sites are not kept clean.

How To Identify Stings On Pets

Removing pets from the area where stinging occurs is very important. Fire ant stings can be identified by the numerous small, red bumps that develop on the parts of the animal with little or no hair – eyes, ears and belly. Sometimes fire ants will sting the eyes, as well.

Fire Ant Bite Treatment

Potential first aid for fire ant bites includes over-the-counter products for itching or pain and cold compresses. If a fire ant sting victim experiences allergic symptoms, such as headaches, nausea or dizziness, or difficulty breathing, professional medical treatment should be sought immediately.

In the event that fire ants are present on your property, it is advised that you contact a local pest control professional to remove the threat of future attacks.

Why ant stings are dangerous and what to do about it

Likbez

Health

May 21, 2022

Some insect bites can kill you.

Why ants can be dangerous to humans

Scientists believe that wasps had the same ancestors as ants. Therefore, 71% of the latter have a sting. With its help, ants can inject toxins, holding on to the victim due to their jaws.

The composition of poisons varies greatly between species. It is usually based on formic acid and peptides that destroy red blood cells and other cells, and also prevent the transmission of nerve impulses. This allows you to protect yourself from predators. But in the wild, the main enemy of the ant is another colony. So poisons arose in the process of evolution not as a weapon against man.

Therefore, death from ant bites is most often caused not by toxins, but by the strongest allergic reaction – anaphylaxis. It is believed that 50% of the proteins in ant venom can cause allergies in humans.

Which types of ants are dangerous for humans

260 species of ants out of 14,000 existing in the world live in Russia. Almost all of them are safe for humans. For example, red woods bite, but there is no evidence of anaphylactic shock or death after encountering them. Therefore, in our culture, the ant is a hardworking hard worker.

But while traveling abroad, you may encounter its aggressive counterparts, from which people die every year.

Red fire ant

Solenopsis invicta

Photo: Klanarong Chitmung / Shutterstock

This species was accidentally brought to the USA from South America 100 years ago. Since then, the ants have proliferated in the southern states and have killed at least 80 people.

An unpleasant feature of Solenopsis invicta is that they clamp the prey with their jaws and sting several times in a row. At the site of the bites, itchy red blisters appear, which can get germs. This leads to inflammation. Poison sometimes causes an allergic reaction.

There are no red fire ants in Russia. Only occasionally they are accidentally brought in by travelers.

Maricopa Reaper Ant

Pogonomyrmex maricopa

Photo: Kessler Bowman / Shutterstock

Several species of reaper live in the US, but Pogonomyrmex maricopa has a special position. He has the most toxic poison in the world among insects. Just 12 bites can kill a large rat, and a stung person will experience severe pain for at least 4 hours. An allergic reaction and anaphylaxis may also occur.

The only good thing is that these insects are not very aggressive and rarely attack. People usually notice anthills because of the large size of the reapers. This allows you to bypass them and not endanger yourself.

Bullet ant

Paraponera clavata

Photo: Ryan M. Bolton / Shutterstock

These insects are native to South America. They are called bullets because of their extremely painful bites. In their place, a strong edema occurs, the lymph nodes become inflamed nearby, the heartbeat quickens, blood appears in the stool. Blame for this special nerve agent – poneratoxin, which can kill even a person. Scientists have calculated that 30 bites per kilogram of body weight are enough for a vertebrate to die.

Bulldog ant

Myrmecia gulosa

Photo: RugliG/Shutterstock

Also known as the bull ant, it can grow up to 4 centimeters in length and lives in Australia. There it is well known for its aggressive behavior and painful bites.

Myrmecia gulosa seize the victim with large jaws and sting, injecting poison. The latter causes severe allergic reactions up to anaphylactic shock. A person can die if help is not provided in time.

Jumping Jack Ant

Myrmecia pilosula

Photo: Thomas Bedford / Shutterstock

Relatives of bulldog ants are much smaller, but also live only in Australia and sting by holding the victim with their jaws. The bite site turns red and swells, sometimes very strongly, and the condition does not return to normal for several days. According to surveys, 2-3% of those affected had anaphylaxis, which was life-threatening in half of the cases. Several people have died in recent years.

Siafu

Dorylus gribodoi

Photo: Pavel Krasensky / Shutterstock

These ants live in huge colonies in Africa. When food runs out, they roam to a new place in a giant marching mass. Such a column moves slowly, but fiercely defends itself against any attacks or their threat. So it’s better not to get in her way, especially those who can’t move.

Siafu poison is not very dangerous for humans. But these ants rarely sting anyway. Instead, they bite, leaving behind two stab wounds from large jaws. It is very difficult to remove the latter, so some tribes use them as natural seams. The ants are forced to bite the edges of the wound, and then they are torn off so that only the jaws remain.

Army ant

Eciton burchellii

Photo: Dr. Morley Read / Shutterstock

Similar to Siafu, but native to South America and southern North America. The bites can also be very painful and itchy due to the venom. Fortunately, the columns of Eciton burchellii move slowly. Therefore, it is usually easy to avoid meeting with them if the path of the ants does not lie through human houses.

When to see a doctor

Whoever bites you, call an ambulance and see a doctor as soon as possible if convulsions or anaphylaxis are observed: difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, pallor, loss of consciousness. The hospital will provide anti-shock treatment that could save a life.

You may also need medical attention if:

• there are too many bites;
• child, elderly or person with neurological impairment suffered;
• the affected areas became inflamed: pus appeared and the temperature rose.

What you can do yourself if you are bitten by an ant

First aid can be provided on your own (the actions are the same for bites of different types of insects). To do this:

• Wash the wounds with soap or just cool water.
• Cool the bite, such as an ice cube, to relieve pain.
• Apply antiallergic ointment. For example, based on steroids or antihistamines.
• If needed, take an over-the-counter paracetamol or ibuprofen pain reliever.

How to protect yourself from ant stings

If you are going outdoors, it is best to prepare in advance:

• Before you travel, learn about the dangers at your destination, including ants and other insects. So you will be alert and react faster if something goes wrong.
• Do not stand on anthills or in the path of an ant column.
• Wear protective clothing and footwear. For example, to prevent fire ants from getting to the body, in Texas it is advised to wear boots.
• Treat clothing with insect repellent spray.

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Oh, red summer! I would love you, If it were not for the heat, and dust, and mosquitoes, and flies.

The poems of the great Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin very accurately reflect the troubles of the summer season. It is unlikely that you can meet a person on Earth who has never experienced an insect bite in his life. And most insect bites in Russia occur in the summer. The body’s response to such exposure depends on two factors. Firstly, from the type of insect, because poisonous varieties are also found among them. Secondly, from the individual reactions of the body. Some people tolerate bites easily, while for others, such exposure can be deadly – an allergic reaction and infection transmitted through an insect bite or introduced after scratching the bite site.

Insects can carry a wide variety of dangerous infections. So, lice are distributors of relapsing and typhus, mosquitoes carry leishmaniasis, an ordinary house fly can become a carrier of dysentery or typhoid, fleas are carriers of pseudotuberculosis, tularemia, and plague. Mosquitoes of different species contribute to the spread of malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever. Tick ​​bites can lead to infection with encephalitis, Lyme disease, and tick-borne typhus.

The main insects causing trouble in our climatic zone are mosquitoes, ticks, wasps, bumblebees, hornets, ants.

Most often, with an insect bite, symptoms such as pain, swelling and swelling, redness, itching are noted.

Moshka . Favorite habitats – near fast rivers, where their larvae develop. They bite, as a rule, on hot sunny days. We often do not feel the moment of the bite itself – the midge simultaneously injects saliva – “freeze”. After a few minutes, there is a burning sensation, severe itching and a large red swelling (sometimes the size of a palm).

The saliva of midges is poisonous. The swelling subsides after a few days, but the unbearable itching can bother you for several weeks. Children usually scratch the bite sites for blood, before the sores appear. Multiple bites sometimes lead to fever and signs of general poisoning. Those who are allergic to insect bites should be especially careful.

What to do? Wipe the skin with ammonia, then apply ice. You can take an antihistamine (antiallergic) remedy. To protect against a midge bite, you need to treat the skin with a repellent.

Mosquitoes are especially numerous near ponds with stagnant water. They bite around the clock from late May to September, especially at night and before rain. The bite may not be felt. After a bite, a white, itchy blister appears with redness around. There are mosquitoes, carriers of malaria and some viral infections. Plus, bites are allergic.

What to do? Itching removes lotion from a solution of soda. To protect yourself from a mosquito bite, you should treat all open areas of the body with repellent, which is better to buy at a pharmacy. For children, special products are sold: be sure to look at the age restrictions!

Wasp or bee. The probability of a bite persists all summer during daylight hours in glades, meadows, and in the garden. Attracts everything sweet, bouquets of flowers, perfumes with a floral aroma, clothes of “neon” colors. When bitten, there is a sharp pain and burning sensation, a left sting (black) is visible in the wound. Insect venom causes severe swelling in the bite area. The affected area becomes red and hot. The danger is an allergic reaction, especially if bitten in the head, (can be life threatening)! If a small child is bitten, in any case, it must be shown to the doctor, an ambulance should be called.

What to do? Remove the sting with tweezers, wash the wound with alcohol and anoint with iodine. Take an antihistamine, apply ice in a towel to the bite. The pain will be removed by cotton wool with a solution of novocaine.

To prevent bite, do not leave sweets, fruits on the table, wipe your mouth after eating with a damp cloth, do not walk barefoot in clover fields, do not work near beehives and wasp nests, do not let children play in the habitats of wasps and bees.

Tick. The bite of the tick is not felt, as the tick anesthetizes the wound with saliva and sticks to the skin. Redness appears around the bite, the wound does not itch.

What to do? It is best to immediately go to the nearest emergency room – they will remove the tick and tell you the procedure. If this is not possible, you can try to carefully remove the tick with a ticker, thread (so that the head does not remain in the skin). Treat the wound with alcohol. And – still running to the doctor! Together with the tick (in a jar), it will also need to be passed to the doctors for analysis. If the area is endemic for encephalitis (the Altai Republic is one of them), then an injection of immunoglobulin is necessary. Prevention of infection with borreliosis – taking antibiotics, strictly according to the doctor’s prescription.

To protect against tick bites, a whole range of preventive measures are used: wearing certain types of clothing, external examination, and the use of repellents.

Ant. Active from spring to autumn in forests and parks. The ant does not bite, but shoots with a stream of poisonous formic acid. The victim feels a burning pain, the affected area turns red, a tiny blister may appear – a trace of a burn. Possible dermatitis, allergic reactions.

If one ant “bites” you, then there is no danger (with the exception of allergy sufferers). If it’s too much, it’s best to see a doctor.

What to do? Neutralize the acid with a solution of soda, if it is not at hand, simply moisten with saliva. Ice can be applied at home.

To prevent a bite, it is better to keep children away from anthills, repellents do not work on ants.

Seek immediate medical attention if:

– a wasp, a bee or a bumblebee has bitten a small child;

– a person has a severe allergic reaction to an insect bite;

– more than 10 bites on the body;

– swollen lymph nodes after a bite;

– bitten by a tick;

– after bites in an adult or child, the temperature rose sharply, severe poor health, nausea, vomiting;

– a tumor has arisen at the site of the bite and does not subside;

– pus appeared at the site of the bite.

H Never:

– g rubo to pull out the stinger.