Bed Bug Bites

When people talk about a Bed Bug Bite what they actually are referring to is the skin reaction to the feeding of a Bed Bug on human blood. Bed Bugs do not bite like an insect that goes on chewing food. Nor do they sting like a Bee. Bed Bugs simply want to feed, quite similarly to mosquitos, except very inconspicuously !

Below is a Wiki Image of Skin reactions to Bed Bug Bites

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This is a Wiki Image showing skin reaction to Mosquito Bites

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Looking at the above images, it is clear that what we see is a skin reaction. We do not see what the skin reaction is in response to. The perpetrators have already left the scene.

Most people would be overloaded with emotions when dealing with issues of Bed bugs in their resting quarters. And rightfully so. So it is very important to take time to observe and understand what constitutes a problem and what is just an incorrect perception.

So please understand that Bed Bug bites are not any more horrible looking than mosquito or flea bites. Actually skin reaction of Bed Bug bites varies from person to person. Also, over 20% of the population has very little to no reaction to bed bug bites!

It is not so uncommon for people sharing same bed and having very different experience to bed bug bites.

If a human host sleeps like a rock, bed bugs can feed in peace, they will drink in one go. If on the other hand a host is already tossing and turning, bed bugs may not be able to feed in single instance but may complete their meal in a few instances.

Below is a Wiki Image of Back Skin reactions to Bed Bug Bites

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This is a Wiki Image showing hand skin reaction to Bed Bug Bites

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The above 2 photos are both of Bed Bug bites but one is quite shocking while the other is almost unimpressive. Regardless of the emotional response these images illicit, they both are indicating a bed bug presence which in time will only grow worse.

So, in our opinion, the severity of the skin reaction is only relevant to the extent that it causes pain and suffering to the person whose skin it is. The severity of the skin reaction says little about the level of infestation, i.e, how entrenched bed bug are; and how numerous they are in a given residence.

Bed Bug Bite on a Male Knee in Toronto.

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Bed Bug Bite on a Male Ankle in Toronto.

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The above 2 photos are both of Bed Bug bites to the same person.

These photos are what is a typical situation. Then there are extremes of either end of the spectrum.

So in summary, if there are bites occurring, then it’s worth while to figure out when and where the incidents may be that result in these “bites”. As skin reaction not only varies in severity but also in the amount of time before the skin inflammation appears.

So all in all, one has to make close observations of what precipitates before any of these skin inflammation events. In the end, it is the presence of bed bugs in a residence that is the final and complete proof of bed bug presence.