You’ve settled down for the night, and you’ve got an itchy feeling. Restlessness or bugs? If it’s the latter, you will want to know what you are dealing with and then develop a strategy to eliminate those pesky critters. Today we are looking at types of bug bites while sleeping. We’ll offer some advice on identification both on the bugs and what their bites look like.
Types of Bug Bites While Sleeping
So, you’ve awoken to an itchy spot or two? Here are the usual suspects…
Bed Bugs
This is prime suspect number one. You won’t normally see bed bugs as they like to remain hidden. If you spot one, they are flat oval-shaped creatures, normally only a millimeter or two long.
Bed bugs tend to be most active at night or when breeding (not a good sign). You can identify the bites easily as they tend to work their way along, leaving a group or track. If you suspect you may have a bed bug problem, contact a professional for bed bug treatment.
Spiders
This is quite uncommon as most spiders (even venomous ones) tend to shun human company and only bite people if they feel attacked.
Also, unlike other creatures, spider bites tend to hurt immediately.
Related: Common House Spiders in Southern California
Mosquitos
Possibly the most irritating insect of all time. Nothing disturbs a good night’s sleep more than that tinny whine as a mosquito hones in on your pillow.
Mosquitos actually have an anesthetic in their saliva that stops you from feeling their bite. Funnily enough, it is this same saliva that causes a reaction… In short, a red bump that itches for days and days. If you suspect you have a mosquito problem, contact a pest control company and ask about their mosquito control service.
Mosquito bites can be dangerous. They carry all sorts of pathogens that are harmful to humans, including Malaria, the Zika virus, and Chikungunya.
Related: How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes
Mites
Mite bites tend not to be severe, but they can be annoying and create itchiness and swelling. They tend to be carried by other animals such as mice and birds. If you’ve recently dealt with a nest in the attic or have a mouse problem, it is well worth checking if mites are the culprit.
Fleas
We all love our four-legged friends. But they can bring houseguests of their own. Fleas can jump a considerable distance, especially if Fido happens to sleep next to you. While they don’t reside on humans, they often stop for a quick snack before jumping to safety.
Ticks
Ticks are insects that are normally found in long grass instead of your bed. They have a real taste for blood and will latch on once they find a good food source. Tick bites can be very dangerous, especially if they are left untreated. Ticks carry pathogens that can cause severe health problems.
If you think you’ve been bitten by a tick, seek medical assistance.
Lice
Lice aren’t all that common, but they do like the taste of human blood. Lice reside in the hair and are difficult to get rid of. If you have a very itchy scalp, particularly at night, it is worth taking a closer look.
Bite Characteristics | Bug Bites at Night
Take a look at our handy table below to see the common signs of each bugs bite
Bite Characteristics |
Suspected Bug |
| A line or patch of red itchy bumps | Bed bugs or fleas |
| A single puncture wound felt immediately, often with a large amount of swelling | Spider |
| Isolated itchy white or red bumps with no particular pattern. Normally on exposed areas like ankles, wrists, and the face | Mosquitos |
| A large patch of inflamed bumps, redness, or swollen skin | Mites |
| Clusters of itchy bumps, normally in a line | Fleas, or perhaps bed bugs |
| A single large bite, normally with a dark ring around the outside with a small black dot in the middle | Ticks |
| Severe itchy feeling on your scalp | Lice |
Preventing Bug Bites While Sleeping
There are a few solutions you can look into if you feel like you have uninvited guests paying you a visit at night. Here are our top tips to stop bug bites at night: –
Close Your Bedroom Windows at Night
Most bugs are attracted to bright lights, especially mosquitos. Leaving a window open is giving them a free meal ticket. Be sure to close windows at night time, especially if you are leaving lights on. Don’t invite bugs into your home!
Consider Repellent Sprays
Certain insects can be kept away by smells. Spiders, mosquitos, and fleas all hate the smell of citronella.
You can also buy specialized over-the-counter sprays that prevent mosquitos from sniffing you out.
Keep Animals Away from Where you Sleep
Ok, we know you love them, but just because your dog or cat scratches doesn’t mean you need to as well! If you suspect flea bites and don’t want to do without your beloved pet, consider checking if they have fleas and treating the problem before letting them get too close.
Be Aware of Bedbug Signs
Bedbugs are a real problem and particularly difficult to get rid of. While you might not see them, you can spot tell-tale signs that you have a bedbug infestation. Look for the following in dark corners on and around your bed: –
- Eggs – These look like tiny grains of rice in small clusters
- Shed Skins – If you spot tiny clear exoskeletons that are bed bug-shaped, you’ve definitely got a problem.
- A rusty or musty smell – Yup, that’s bed bug feces. It is high in iron, giving it a distinctive smell.
- Blood spots – Often, you might roll over and crush a bed bug in your sleep, causing it to eject its most recent feast (your blood). Unexplained blood spots on the sheets could be a sure-fire sign of bedbugs.
The truth is that while you can make a good guess based on bug bites while sleeping, you are normally unaware it is happening. The best way to get rid of bugs, once and for all, is to seek professional help. Facility Pest Control can get rid of any creature that goes bite in the night. Bedbugs, in particular, are hard to deal with. Why not contact us, and we can help identify the problem and deal with it quickly?