Content Updated: September 15, 2025

Contributed by: Pat Hottel

Why do bed bugs bite?

If you think a bed bug or another pest may have bitten you, it's best to seek advice from a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis. Everyone's reaction to bites and stings can differ, so getting medical attention from a professional is essential.

Bed bugs are notorious for their ability to quickly infest new areas. If you see one bed bug, there are likely more around. These reddish-brown hitchhikers love to travel and can catch rides on luggage, upholstered furniture, and belongings. Bed bug bites could be an initial sign that bed bugs have entered your space, and a thorough inspection should be conducted to confirm their presence. These pests rely on the blood of humans and other mammals to grow and thrive, and will primarily bite at night.

What do bed bug bites look like?

Identifying a bed bug bite can be difficult because it looks similar to other insect bites. Typically, the best way to confirm a bite is to find the actual specimen of the suspected pest. If you suspect you've been bitten and are unsure what the pest was, it's best to consult a medical professional to rule out other potential irritants. Bites often occur on areas of skin that are exposed during sleep, such as the shoulders, back, and ankles, in addition to the face, neck, hands, arms, and legs.

When bites show, they sometimes appear as tiny red welts in clusters. Bed bug bites are sometimes mistaken for mosquito or flea bites. While all three insects can cause small red bumps or welts in those they've bitten, bites from a bed bug are usually distinguished by their clustered pattern, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

bed bug bite scars on legs

Bed bug bites vs flea bites vs spider bites vs mosquito bites

Trying to figure out what bit you without seeing the culprit can be difficult, and sometimes nearly impossible. The most reliable way to know is to identify the bug itself. However, if you haven't seen the pest, there are some common signs you can look out for:

  • Mosquito bites: These are the most common type of bite and appear as itchy, reddish welts. They are typically scattered randomly on exposed areas of your skin, like ankles, legs, or arms.
  • Bed bug bites: Often appear in a straight line or zigzag pattern, but can vary. These itchy, red bumps are usually found on areas of your body that are uncovered while you sleep, such as your arms, neck, and shoulders.
  • Flea bites: These are tiny, itchy, red bumps that usually appear in clusters. You'll often find them on your lower legs, ankles, and feet, as fleas jump up from the floor or carpet.
  • Spider bites: A spider bite is almost always a single bite mark. While most are harmless and look like any other bug bite, bites from certain venomous spiders can be more serious.

If you have been bitten by something and are concerned about the bite's appearance or symptoms, it's always best to seek help from a medical professional for a proper diagnosis.

Bed bug bite identification & symptoms

A bite from a bed bug can often leave you itchy, sleepless, and uncomfortable. These bites can also easily be confused with bites from other insects. Here is a list of bed bug bite symptoms to help you more easily identify the true culprit and cause of your discomfort:

  • Red, itchy welts - A bite from a bed bug may result in flat, red welts on your skin. While bed bugs do not spread disease-causing pathogens, their bites can be itchy and irritating. Although these bites do not normally cause rashes, the welts could bleed or result in a secondary infection due to broken skin if you scratch them too much.
  • Bites on exposed skin - Bed bugs tend to feed on exposed skin.
  • Timing of bites - The bed bug bite might not be noticeable initially. It can take anywhere from a few hours to several days (even weeks in some cases) for the itchy welts to develop. The duration of these bites may vary from person to person, depending on individual reactions and the severity of the bites.
  • Allergic reactions - Some people may react more severely to bed bug bites than others. Those allergic to bites from bed bugs could experience enlarged red welts, painful swelling around bite areas, and even anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that could cause a person to go into shock.

Not everyone experiences these symptoms of bed bug bites. In fact, some people do not react at all.

Treating bed bug bites

If you think a bed bug has bitten you, it is essential to seek bed bug bite treatment from a healthcare professional. While home remedies may provide temporary relief, a medical expert can accurately diagnose and prescribe necessary medications, especially if signs of an allergic reaction or infection are present. Healthcare professionals may recommend stronger antihistamines, antibiotic creams, or oral steroids to manage severe reactions and prevent complications.

Early signs of bed bugs

If you suspect you have bed bugs but haven't seen them, there are several other signs to look for. Checking for these clues can help you confirm an infestation.

  • Rust-colored stains: Look for small, reddish-brown stains on your sheets, mattress, and pillowcases. These are from bed bugs being crushed in your sleep.
  • Dark spots: You may find tiny, dark, pepper-like spots on bedding or furniture, which are bed bug droppings.
  • Live bugs: Check mattresses, bed frames, and headboards for the insects themselves. They are small, flat, reddish-brown, and about the size of an apple seed.
  • Sweet, musty odor: A strong infestation can create a musty, sweet smell, similar to coriander.
  • Shed skins: As bed bugs grow, they shed their exoskeletons. You might find these translucent, empty shells near your bed or in crevices.

How to help prevent bed bug bites

Bed bugs won't go away on their own. These resilient pests can survive for months without feeding and reproduce rapidly. A small problem can quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation that is difficult to eliminate without professional help. The longer you wait, the bigger the problem becomes and the more difficult (and expensive) it will be to control. If you’ve seen a bed bug in your home or believe you’ve been bitten by one, schedule a bed bug inspection with Terminix today.

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