Bedbug Symptoms
Bedbugs are small insects that feed on human blood. They normally feed at night while a person is asleep, and they leave behind noticeable bites and rashes. Bedbugs create these symptoms by secreting saliva into the area where they are feeding. Bedbugs will leave small blood stains on the sheets as they feed through the night.
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Bedbugs
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In order to identify bedbug bites, you should first be able to identify a bedbug. They are approximately 1 or 2 cm in length and have no wings. They are a brownish orange color and have a long body but very small head. They have six legs, two long antennae and large mouths that are highlighted by claw-like features called mandibles. While it is possible for bedbugs to survive for days or weeks without food, they are sensitive to colder temperatures.
Bite Area
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Symptoms of a bedbug bite are more evident outside of the actual area of the bite as opposed to the bite area itself. The bite area will normally feature a small and flat bite that is slightly red. A bedbug's bite is painless, but the resulting bite may cause irritation and swelling that would cause you to start itching to the point where you create a red area.
Bite Patterns
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Bedbugs bites are often dismissed as flea or mosquito bites. One of the ways you can tell if it is a bedbug problem is by the pattern of the bites. Bedbugs tend to leave patterns of lines with their bites as opposed to bites at random points on the surface of the skin. The bugs do this as part of their feeding pattern. They tend to feed in sequence during the course of the night.
Red Rashes
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Bedbug bites cause an initial circular red rash with the bite at the center. Over time, this red circular rash will begin to fade, but it will normally fade from the outside of the rash in towards the bite. You may also notice blisters or pus-filled sacs around the area of the bite as well. In some cases, these blisters can become large and uncomfortable.
Other Signs
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Bedbugs have other characteristics that can help you identify them over other bugs. Bed bugs secrete a liquid when they feed that leaves a unique odor. If you wake to bites on your skin and a faint but sweet odor, then it is more than likely bedbugs. Because bedbugs feed for hours at a time, they will leave fecal droppings on the bed.
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