What Do Bed Bug Bites Feel Like? Can You Feel When Bed Bugs Bite?

Has anyone ever told you: sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!? 

While you’re sleeping, nighttime is usually when bed bugs come out to eat. Although bed bugs can be found almost anywhere, they are known best for hiding in beds. This pest is also a hitchhiker, latching onto travelers who use hotels or public transportation, and making their way back home with them where they cause an infestation. 

What Do Bed Bug Bites Feel Like?

The good news is, you usually can’t feel when bite bugs bite! This tricky tactic that comes from the bed bug’s defense system, like how you don’t really feel a mosquito bite until it swells.  

When bitten, this pest will numb your skin which is what makes them so sneaky and hard to detect. Additionally, bites usually occur when you’re sleeping and emitting the carbon dioxide they are attracted to. On top of this, bed bugs are smart enough to stay out of sight, hiding in crevices and only coming out in the dark. After feeding, bed bugs usually hide away for 5-10 days.  

How Do Bed Bug Bites Feel?

Bed bug bites can feel itchy and swollen. They can take one or more days to appear, and most people have an allergic reaction to the saliva of the bug, leaving behind a pattern or small cluster of red bumps.  

If you’re not sure if it was a bed bug that bit you, look for signs of the pest around your room. Check underneath your mattress and sheets for black or red spots, bed bug eggs and molts. 

Can You Feel Bed Bugs Crawling On You?

Unfortunately, you can feel bed bugs crawling on you if there are enough of them. That said, this isn’t as likely as noticing several bites on your exposed skin after waking up.

Suspect an Infestation? Call a Bed Bug Professional

If you see signs of bed bugs or suspect an infestation, contact a licensed pest control expert right away. Bed bugs are extremely difficult to eliminate without professional treatment, and quick action is key to preventing the problem from spreading.