What do bed bug bites look like?

How can you determine if you've been bitten by a bed bug?

Common symptoms of bed bug bites.

1. BY THE WAY THEY LOOK

Often, in the place of the skin where a bed bug has been feeding, a red spot will appear. Its dimensions and swelling depends on how allergic the person concerned is. They can look similar to the bites of other blood-sucking insects, such as mosquitoes or fleas but bed bug bites are often bigger and tend to swell.

When allergic, bed bug bites tend to increase in intensity over days, unlike mosquito bites, which fade.
In children or sensitive people, bites may blister.

2. BY THE LOCATION OF THE BITE

They usually appear on the parts of the body most exposed when sleeping in the bed or sofa like:

hands
neck
shoulders
face
legs
arms

Sometimes the bites are only visible two or three days later. Not only do they look red and slightly swollen, but they can also be itchy and painful.

Mosquitos tend to bite sporadically, while fleas usually bite on legs, feet and ankles, and the reaction is typically less strong. Bed bug bites may form small raised bumps or welts on the skin.

3. BY THE NUMBER OF BITES

Bed bug bites can be randomly spread in a zigzag but often the bites appear in a row, indicating that the insect tried several capillaries and did not immediately succeed. So, it kept biting until it found a small blood vessel to feed from.

UNSURE IF THE MARKS ARE FROM BED BUGS?

If you are still not sure if you have bed bugs, you can look for other signs of bed bugs. Shed skin, blood stains, droppings, and more.

Why do bed bugs bite us?

Bed bugs sting us because they are hungry and they need to feed on blood to grow.

Bedbugs are attracted to body heat and the carbon dioxide that people give off when they breathe.

Feeding can take place at any time, but preferably after dark.
Food is eaten about every five to ten days.
Blood meals last about 3 minutes for nymphs and about 5-10 minutes for adults.

They can travel long distances in search of food. They prefer humans, but in their absence they will also feed on the blood of other warm-blooded animals (dogs, cats, etc.). After feeding, they leave the host and return to their hiding places in crevices and crevices to digest.

Why do they prefer humans?

People are an easy prey because we tend to spend many hours sleeping, unaware in a fixed position in our bed, making it very easy to bite us without resistance.

> Bed bugs can live up to a year without feeding, in favourable conditions.

Image of Bed Bug Bites

Bedbug bites vs. flea or mosquito bites

Bite type	Bite appearance	Common location	Body reaction and timing	What's the difference?
Bed bug bites	Red, raised welts; often in clusters or lines.	Exposed skin during sleep: arms, back, neck, face	Reaction may appear hours to days later	Clustered 3-4 dots / line pattern
Mosquito bites	Isolated, puffy bumps	Exposed areas: arms, hands, legs, feet	Appear within minutes, fade faster	Random, not clustered
Flea bites	Tiny red dots with red halo	Ankles and lower legs	Very itchy, appear quickly	Lower body, pet connection
Allergic rash	Widespread, blotchy	Anywhere	Appears quickly, not grouped	Not in distinct lines or patterns

Learn more about the differences Not sure? Send us a picture!

How long do bed bug bites last?

In mild cases, you can experience redness and itching for about 3 to 7 days. If you are a sensitive or allergic person, it can persist for weeks.

Will the bites spread and last longer if I scratch them?

No, they will not. Although scratching them can make the existing bumps worse, blister or infect, they are not contagious and do not multiply.

What can you expect after you have been bitten?

Whilst bed bug bites irritate and cause physical discomfort, they are usually not a direct threat to your health.However, many people find that the mental impact can be great than the physical one. After a serious infestation, it is common to experience:

Sleep deprivation: the fear of being bitten at night makes us lie awake and ponder their presence.
Stress and anxiety: worrying about the infestation, or the idea of being bitten, can cause ongoing tension.
Embarrassment or social withdrawal: some people feel uncomfortable seeing and inviting others until the problem is solved.
Cleaning urges: although bed bugs have nothing to do with personal hygiene, they are still perceived as dirty or icky, leading to people excessively clean, vacuum or wash beding an d clothes in an attempt to feel safe again.

The mental effect of a bed bug infestation are real and not te be underestimated. Calling a professional pest control company to control the bed bugs is usually the fastest way to restore peace of mind and good sleep.

Image of Bed Bug Bites on Neck

When should you call a healthcare professional?

Most bites are harmless and dissapear within a week (unless the infestation is not solved). However, you should consider contacting a doctor if you experience:

Severe allergic reaction
Signs of infection
Persistent itching or rask that does not improve with our tips

Image of Bed Bug Bites on Hands and Body

How can you prevent bed bug bites?

If you have an active infestation in your home or business, the only solution is doing a bed bug heat treatment. This will eliminate all lifestages of the bed bug (egg, nymphe, adult) and ensure all areas are bed bug free, even the tiniest gaps or cracks.

When there is no infestation but you would like to prevent bed bug bites in the future, you can:

seal the mattress with an encasement, but this will only prevent bites from bed bugs hiding inside your mattress, not the ones in sofas / curtains / bed stands or other furniture.
regularly wash and heat dry your bedding, bed room textiles and curtains
vacuum often
when traveling, always inspect the hotel room (bed/mattress) before unpacking or sleeping in it. Furthermore, place luggage high up, not on the ground.
when coming back from your travels, always wash all clothing immediately using hot water.

More prevention tips against bed bugs

When should you call a professional bed bug pest control company in Singapore?

Even if the bites are treated, the only way to stop new ones is to exterminate the acute infestation. Contact a professional pest control service if:

you keep getting bites that appear overnight, especially in lines / clusters.
if you find physical signs of bed bug presence such as stains, excrements, shed skin, dead / live insects. Learn how to check for bed bug signs.
if the infestation is spreading to multiple rooms, especially if you live in an apartment or condo. They easily spread throughout the whole building via electrical wiring or fake walls.
DIY attemps fail: we do not recommend any DIY attempts because they usually tend to make the infestation worse and they do not eliminate eggs, nymphs or animals hidden in small cracks or gaps.

Anticimex Singapore safely eliminates all stages of bed bugs with it's non-toxic heat treatment in a discreet and effective process.

Frequently asked questions about bed bug bites

How long do bed bugs live?
Bed bugs typically live for several months to a year, depending on the availability of food (blood) and environmental conditions.
Can I see bed bug eggs with the naked eye?
Bed bug eggs are tiny and translucent, about 1 millimeter in size. They may be difficult to see with the naked eye, especially in crevices and cracks.
How long do bed bug bites take to appear and last?
Reactions can show up within hours, but sometimes it takes 2–3 days before redness and itching are visible. This delay often makes it harder to identify the source. The bites typically improve or dissapear within a week. In sensitive people, it might take longer.
Can bed bugs bite through clothing?
Bed bugs are capable of biting through thin clothing materials. However, they prefer to bite areas of exposed skin for easier access to blood.
Do bed bugs transmit diseases?
While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases directly, their bites can cause itching, discomfort, pain, and secondary skin infections due to scratching.
Can bedbugs fly?
No, bedbugs cannot fly. They do not have wings.
Can bedbugs bite pets?
Bedbugs prefer to feed on humans, but they can bite pets if they have no alternative food source available.
What should I do if I find bed bugs in my home?
If you find bedbugs in your home, it is important to take immediate action. Start by thoroughly cleaning and decluttering the affected areas, and consider contacting a professional pest control company for assistance.
Can I use insect repellent to keep bed bugs away?
Insect repellents, such as those containing DEET, are not effective in repelling bed bugs. They are primarily designed to deter mosquitoes and other biting insects.
When should I see a doctor for bed bug bites?
Most bed bug bites are harmless and heal on their own. See a doctor if you notice severe swelling, signs of infection, or an allergic reaction. Children, elderly, or people with weakened immune systems should also seek medical advice.
When should I call a pest control company for bed bugs?
Call a professional if you notice recurring bites, live bed bugs, shed skins, blood stains on sheets, or dark droppings near the bed. DIY methods rarely eliminate infestations completely — professional heat treatment is the most effective solution.
Do bed bug bites always itch?
Not always. Around 65% of people show no visible reaction at all. For others, bites may cause intense itching, swelling, or even blistering.
Can bed bug bites appear during the day?
Bed bugs are nocturnal and usually feed at night. In heavy infestations, they may also bite during the day, especially in dark, quiet areas.
What’s the difference between bed bug bites and mosquito bites?
Mosquito bites are usually isolated and appear within minutes. Bed bug bites often appear in clusters or lines, with reactions delayed for hours or days.
Do bed bugs transmit diseases?
While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases directly, their bites can cause itching, discomfort, pain, and secondary skin infections due to scratching.
How can I treat bed bug bites?
Treatment for bed bug bites usually involves cleaning the affected area with soap and water, applying an over-the-counter anti-itch cream or taking oral antihistamines to relieve symptoms. Severe reactions may require medical attention.