Invisible Bed Bug Bites

The telltale signs of bed bug bites might not be really recognizable because it has a tendency to leave just small, hardly visible bumps on skin. This is for the reason that bed bug bites are tiny and very flat, hence a lot of people don’t even realize that they have acquired the bed bug bite. Invisible bed bug bites are often the worst part of being bitten by bed bugs. After all, you can see the bites on your body. When you have invisible bed bug bites, they don’t appear until a day or two after being bitten. This can make them even more hard to find.

Invisible Bed Bug Bites

Nearly everyone experiences what seem like bug bites from time to time. The irritation might be accompanied by welts, rash, itching, or perhaps the feeling that something is crawling over the skin. Even when no bugs are apparent, the annoyance can be enough to trigger a call to an exterminator. Unfortunately, pesticides might not be the answer. Unless the underlying cause is discovered, the discomfort will likely continue.

It is important to realize that there are many causes of bite-like reactions — some of which are related to pests, and others that are not. Pest management professionals can usually provide relief if insects or mites are the culprit. If no pests are found, the customer may need to see a dermatologist or other allied professional. The following information is intended to help those who believe they have a biting pest problem where the source of irritation has not been identified.

STARTING THE INVESTIGATION

The cause of perceived ‘bug-bites’ is often far from obvious. Investigations should be thoughtful and systematic, ruling out likely possibilities through the process of elimination. A good rule of thumb in such cases is that no pesticide should be applied unless biting pests or clear evidence of them are discovered or strongly suspected. A thorough investigation is more likely to yield a solution.

Treating without a known target pest can mislead the client into thinking that spraying will fix the problem, which it seldom does. Additional (unnecessary) treatments may be requested thereafter whenever someone complains of an itch.

To conduct a careful investigation, it is useful to interview the client before inspecting the premises. In commercial settings such as an office building, this may involve talking with management as well as affected employees. A questionnaire (see the bottom of this page for the questionnaire, or view this downloadable PDF version) can be helpful for gathering facts that may solve the mystery. One of the most important questions to ask is if anyone has actually seen or captured any bugs as the irritation is occurring. With a few notable exceptions (e.g., bed bugs, certain types of mites), most pests that bite humans are likely to be seen as the irritation is felt. It’s also important to consider the pattern of bites within the building – e.g. are several people affected or just a few? Where are incidents being reported? Is there an association between the onset of symptoms and certain maintenance activities, such as the installation of new carpet, or work on the heating and cooling system? Have there been birds, bats, rodents, or other animals that could possibly be harboring parasites? Such questions can yield important clues worthy of further investigation.

THE INSPECTION

Mystery bite investigations differ from most other pest inspections because the ‘culprit’ is unknown. The list of potential irritants is long and many fall outside the realm of pest control. Inspections should initially seek to determine if biting pests are involved. If they are not, customers may still want to know about other factors that may be causing the discomfort.

During the investigation, various specimens could require identification. Those that are small will require magnification to see clearly. Ideally, specimens should be placed in non-crushable containers instead of in envelopes or under tape. Another method of capture is to install several glue traps at locations where bites have been reported. Although such traps are not always reliable, they are another potential tool that could help determine if biting pests are present.

Fig. 2: Glue traps can help to reveal pests capable of causing irritation.

Persons complaining of invisible mites or insects crawling over their skin are sometimes advised to place strips of clear cellophane tape over the affected area while the sensations are occurring. Unfortunately, this seldom reveals the cause of a mystery bite problem. Neither does collecting samples from carpet and floors with a vacuum. Industrial hygienists may use suction devices for collecting fibers and air-borne contaminants, but vacuuming by householders seldom reveals biting pests and samples are tedious to sort through and process. The appearance of bites or welts on the body can also provide clues, although ‘bug bites’ are difficult to diagnose, even by physicians.

Fig. 3: ‘Bug bites’ are difficult to diagnose, even by physicians.

The most useful tactic for these cases is knowing where and what to look for. With mystery bites, the list of potential irritants is extensive.

Invisible Bed Bug Bites

Invisible bed bug bites are not a myth, and they can happen to anyone. Invisible bed bug bites are the result of microscopic bugs that have been bitten by an insect or a spider. These bugs then bite humans, leaving behind very small marks that may not be visible to the naked eye.

The bites look like small red dots that do not itch or hurt. Some people may not even notice them, while others will feel a slight stinging sensation when they occur. The bites can be found anywhere on your body and can sometimes appear in clusters or in straight lines across your skin.

Invisible bed bug bites are often mistaken for other types of bites, such as those caused by mosquitoes or fleas. If you think you might have been bitten by an invisible bed bug, contact your doctor immediately so they can determine which type of insect or spider bit you and prescribe proper treatment if needed!

List Of Invisible Bed Bug Bites