How do you know if the red spots on your skin and the itching you’re experiencing are from mosquitoes, or from bed bugs? Bed bugs and mosquitoes are like night and day because the one you want to avoid and the other you don’t. Mosquitoes can be annoying, but they’re not a bad thing (well, for the most part). Bed bugs, however? Bed bugs are nasty creatures that will ruin your life. Rather than risk finding bits of them in your bed sheets after your vacation or risk getting bitten by them while sleeping, take preventative measures using these tips on how to tell if those itchy red spots are from bed bugs or mosquito bites.
Bites are pesky, especially when they’re itchy and hurt. Have you ever wondered if you have bed bugs or just mosquito bites? Find out what separates these two pests, and how to get rid of bites once and for all.
Bed bugs feed on blood and are highly attracted to carbon dioxide, which is what attracts them to humans. When they bite you, they inject an enzyme that breaks down your skin cells, allowing them to suck up the blood. This process creates a red mark that is similar in appearance to a mosquito bite.
The size and appearance of these bites will differ from person to person based on their skin type and sensitivity level. Bed bugs are also known for leaving behind red welts or bumps after feeding on a host, though these will not appear until hours after the initial bite has occurred.
Difference Between Mosquito and Bed Bug Bites
Mosquitoes and bed bug bites are both itchy, but they have distinct differences.
Mosquito bites are typically red or pink and appear in groups. They can be found on skin that has been exposed to the sun or wind, such as your arms and legs. Bed bug bites cause a rash that looks similar to an allergic reaction to poison ivy. They are found in clusters or lines on areas of skin that were not exposed to the sun or wind, such as your back or torso.
Both mosquitoes and bed bugs can transmit diseases, but the diseases they carry differ between them. Mosquitoes can transmit malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, yellow fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya virus. In contrast, bed bugs do not carry any known diseases like these; however, they can pass along bacteria from person to person via their saliva when they bite you during feeding time.
Bed bugs are attracted by heat, which means they will bite anywhere on your body, but it also means that one person in your house may be bitten more than others. Unlike mosquitoes, bed bugs are not repelled by light or loud noises; this means they will come out in the middle of the night while everyone else is sleeping.
Bed bugs and mosquitoes are both insects that love to prey on humans and animals, and they feed on blood to survive. Bites from bed bugs and mosquitoes can look pretty similar at first glance, making it difficult to tell which one bit you if you didn’t actually see it happen. By paying close attention to the appearance of your bites and symptoms, you can tell the bites apart. Why does it matter if your bites are from mosquitoes vs. bed bugs? Knowing the culprit can help you determine the proper treatment for the insect bites and which plan of attack you need to rid your home of the biting insects.
Appearance and Location of Bites
Bites from mosquitoes and bed bugs may look like small, red bumps, but that is where their similarities end. Mosquito bites tend to be random and can occur anywhere that clothing does not cover. They present as a puffy, swollen white or red bump with a small puncture wound in the center.
On the other hand, bed bug bites are small red bumps that can blister or look like a pimple. Because they tend to bite when you are asleep, you may not even know you have bed bug bites until a few hours or days after you get bitten. Bed bug bites are more likely to be in a cluster of three to five bumps and may occur in a line or zigzag pattern. Any area of your body exposed while you sleep is prime real estate for bed bug bites.
When you are awake, you may quickly notice the itch and irritation of a mosquito bite, but you may not realize you have bed bug bites until you notice the bumps a day or two after these critters bite you. Mosquito bites may disappear after a day or two, while bed bug bites can last several days.
Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites vs. Mosquito Bites
Both bed bug bites and mosquito bites can leave you with itchy, red, or irritated bumps and welts. You can get more than an itch from mosquito bites; these flying pests can transmit diseases including Zika, malaria, West Nile virus, and dengue fever. Bed bugs don’t transmit diseases, but you can get an infection from their bites if you scratch them.
Treatment for the Itch
To make bug bite irritation go away, clean the area well with soap and water. Try not to scratch your mosquito or bed bug bites; too much scratching can break the skin’s surface and lead to infection. Apply an anti-itch cream or take an over-the-counter antihistamine to reduce any reaction.
While most people can manage any discomfort from bug bites at home, others may have a more acute reaction. If you experience any severe allergy symptoms, especially difficulty breathing and throat swelling, seek emergency medical treatment because you may have anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially fatal allergic response.
The Search for Their Hideouts
If you still aren’t sure what type of bite you have, look for the source. It’s harder to find mosquitoes since they can exist anywhere outdoors and even in your home, but you can easily rule out bed bugs by checking your bed. You should look at your mattress, box spring, bed frame, and furniture within a few feet of where you sleep. If you find small, dark bugs in these areas, your bites are likely from bed bugs.
Mosquitoes live outdoors but don’t mind finding a way to sneak inside your home, buzzing around until they find a warm-blooded victim. They tend to breed in any standing water near or around your yard.
List Of Products to lessen Bed Bug Bites And Mosquito Bites
The number of people who have been bitten by bed bugs is on the rise. It is estimated that as many as 10% of the population has been infected with these insects at some point in their lives. The problem with them is that they can live for up to 18 months without feeding, which means that they can hide in your home and bite you at any time.
Mosquitos are also a problem for many people, especially those who live in warmer climates or near bodies of water. They carry diseases like malaria and yellow fever and can be very annoying if you are trying to sleep or relax outdoors during the summer months.
Fortunately, there are ways to lessen both of these problems. These products will help keep these pests away from you so that you don’t have to worry about being bitten or contracting an illness from them.
Bug Bite Thing Suction Tool, Poison Remover – Bug Bites and Bee/Wasp Stings, Natural Insect Bite Relief, Chemical Free – White/Single
Price: $9.95
Features :
- Removes insect venom, saliva, and other irritants left under the skin using suction
- By removing the irritant, the body stops producing the reaction that is causing you to itch & swell
- Works on: mosquitoes, bees, wasps, biting flies, no-see-ums, chiggers, sea lice & more
- Compact, lightweight, reusable, and easy to carry
- Clinically Proven, kid-friendly, 100% guarantee
Additional Info :
| Color | Single |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 1 Inch |
| Width | 3 Inches |
| Length | 5 Inches |
| Weight | 0.01984160358 Pounds |
Benadryl Extra Strength Anti-Itch Gel, 2 Percentage Diphenhydramine HCI Topical Analgesic & Histamine Blocker for Relief of Outdoor Itches Associated with Poison Ivy, Insect Bites & More, 3.5 fl. oz
Price: $4.89 ($1.40 / Fl Oz)
Features :
- 3.5-ounce tube of Benadryl Extra-Strength Cooling Itch Stopping Anti-Itch Gel for fast cooling relief from skin pain and itching from most outdoor itches
- Provides relief from most outdoor itches associated with insect bites, sunburn, scrapes, minor skin irritations, burns, and minor cuts
- The soothing anti-itch gel also provides relief from itching associated with rashes caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac
- The cooling gel formula contains 2% of the topical analgesic pain reliever diphenhydramine hydrochloride that works by blocking histamines to relieve itches associated with several ailments
- Intended for use by those ages 2 and up, soothing gel offers itch relief for kids and adults alike and is great to keep on hand during outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, or taking a walk with the family.
Additional Info :
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 6.35 Inches |
| Width | 2.43 Inches |
| Length | 1.47 Inches |
| Weight | 3.5 ounces |
| Release Date | 2015-06-22T00:00:01Z |
SALLYE ANDER No-Bite-Me Natural Bug & Insect Repellent & Anti Itch Cream – Safe for Kids and Infants – Repels Mosquitoes, Black Flies, Fleas, and Ticks – 2 oz
Price: $14.95 ($7.48 / Fl Oz)
Features :
- ALL IN ONE REPELLENT AND ANTI-ITCH: “No-Bite-Me” DOES IT ALL. Forgot to apply “No-Bite-Me” and got some bug bites? No problem: it’s an anti-itch cream too. Other creams make you choose between repelling bugs and treating uncomfortable bug bites, but “No-Bite-Me” prevents and repairs bug-bombed skin. Effective on black flies, mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.
- KEEPS BUGS AWAY NATURALLY: Our proprietary blend of 16 essential oils, including cedar, mint, rosemary, and lemongrass, creates a strong minty and herbaceous scent that helps keep bugs at bay for up to 4 HOURS – while ensuring your sensitive skin is safe and healthy.
- SAFE FOR CHILDREN: “No-Bite-Me” is a completely safe, natural bug repellent. It’s easy to apply – just dot on exposed skin and blend in. No mess. No fuss. Deet free to protect even the smallest adventurers.
- FULL SIZE FOR BEST VALUE: Our 8oz tin of “No-Bite-Me” cream is amazing for the seasoned traveler. Throw a tin in your backpack, or keep it handy when camping. One tin provides plenty of relief for you and the whole family.
- SALLYE ANDER PROMISE: When you buy Sallye Ander products, you can rest assured knowing you are supporting a company committed to quality and the environment. All products are 100% handmade in the USA from organic locally sourced ingredients, and we’re completely cruelty-free
Additional Info :
| Color | Clear |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 2 Inches |
| Width | 3 Inches |
| Length | 3 Inches |
| Weight | 0.13 Pounds |
Sawyer Products SP657 Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents, Trigger Spray, 24-Ounce
Price: $16.95
Features :
- Add a layer of protection to your clothing and gear with Permethrin insect and tick repellent spray, perfect for use on shirts, jackets, pants, socks, shoes, boots, sleeping bags, tents, netting, when outdoors, camping, hunting, or on travel
- Ideal for backpacking, backyard BBQs, and other outdoor activities, it’s effective against more than 55 kinds of insects — from disease-spreading ticks (Lyme disease) and mosquitoes (West Nile and Zika viruses) to chiggers, spiders, mites, and more
- Permethrin spray bonds to fabric fibers for up to 6 weeks or through 6 washings (whichever comes first) and won’t stain or damage clothing, fabrics, plastics, finished surfaces, or outdoor gear; odorless after drying
- Reduce the likelihood of a tick bite by 73.6 times by treating shoes and socks with Permethrin (University of Rhode Island study – 2017)
- 24-ounce trigger spray bottle treats five complete outfits (updated EPA dosage is 4.5 ounces per outfit consisting of shirt, pants, and socks); maximize protection by pairing with Sawyer Picaridin topical repellent for the skin
Additional Info :
| Color | Yellow |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 11.023622036 Inches |
| Width | 3.799999996124 Inches |
| Length | 10.299999989494 Inches |
| Weight | 1.1 Pounds |
| Release Date | 2011-10-28T00:00:01Z |
Bug Bite Thing Suction Tool, Poison Remover – Bug Bites and Bee/Wasp Stings, Natural Insect Bite Relief, Chemical Free – 3-Pack, 1 White/1 Black/1 Pink
Price: $24.99 ($8.33 / Count)
Features :
- Removes insect venom, saliva, and other irritants left under the skin using suction
- By removing the irritant, the body stops producing the reaction that is causing you to itch & swell
- Works on: mosquitoes, bees, wasps, biting flies, no-see-ums, chiggers, sea lice & more
- Compact, lightweight, reusable, and easy to carry
- Clinically Proven, kid-friendly, 100% guarantee
Additional Info :
| Color | 1 White/1 Black/1 Pink |
In Conclusion,
Mosquitoes and bed bugs are two of the most common pests around, but they are very different in their behavior and habits. Both are blood-sucking insects that can be irritating and painful to humans, but they do not cause disease.
Mosquito bites:
Mosquitoes are known for their long proboscis, which they use to pierce the skin and suck up blood. The bite area often becomes red or swollen and itchy as a result of the mosquito’s saliva entering the wound. If you have been bitten by a mosquito, there is a good chance that you will develop an allergic reaction to the insect’s saliva (also known as “mosquito bite allergy”), which may cause further irritation at the site of your bite.
Bed bug bites:
Bedbugs feed on human blood by piercing the skin with their mouthparts and then sucking up food from under their bodies using their straw-like mouthparts. Bites usually occur on exposed areas of skin while you sleep, such as the face or arms; however, some people may experience them elsewhere on their bodies if they were bitten while trying to sleep in a bedbug-infested space (e.g., at work). Bedbug bites tend to be small bumps on your skin