Bed Bug Bite vs Mosquito Bite

You’ve got some small red welts on your skin. They seem like bug bites, but what kind? Mosquito bites? Fleas? Bed bugs?

It’s possible to confuse bed bug bites with mosquito bites at first glance. It’s important to take note of the small cues that may assist you in identifying what bit you.

Knowing this allows you to tailor your treatments to relieve itching and irritation.

In this article, we’re going to take a close look at the difference between bed bug bite vs mosquito bite.

Here are the basics:

  • Bed bug bites are small, raised, red bumps in groups of three to five. Mosquito bites are red bumps with puncture wounds in the middle. 
  • Bites can be itchy in both cases
  • Both insects can bite you on any part of the body

If you don’t know how to tell the difference between a mosquito and bed bug bite, you can learn about the differences below, the symptoms to look out for, and the best prevention.


Bed Bug Bite vs Mosquito Bite

It may be possible to identify which type of bite someone has received based on their symptoms. Bed bug bites and mosquito bites have different symptoms, making distinctions easier. 

1. Bed Bug Bites

Bed bugs bites can cause the following symptoms:

  • A small, raised group of three to five red bumps appears, with no central area
  • It is common for arms, hands, shoulders, necks, faces, and legs to experience bumps in a zigzag pattern or in a straight line
  • Bumps may be itchy and blistered

2. Mosquito Bites

A mosquito bite can have symptoms such as:

  • Itchy red bumps
  • Indentations will be present in the middle of the bite
  • Bites can appear right away

An allergic person may also develop the following symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito:

  • Fever
  • Hives
  • Blisters
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Swollen joints

Bite Prevention

If you want to reduce the chance of being bitten by these insects, there are several things you can do.

1. Bites From Bed Bugs

To prevent bed bug bites while traveling, make sure beds and hotel rooms are thoroughly checked for bed bug bites on mattresses and in the headboard area. Also, be sure to leave your luggage on the luggage rack, off the floor.

Keeping your home free of bed bug bites is as easy as:

If a problem with bed bugs occurs, a professional pest control company often needs to be hired to eliminate the infestation.

2. Mosquito Bites

You can prevent mosquitoes by taking these steps:

  • Eliminate standing water from pet dishes, plant trays, toys, containers, and buckets.  A weekly minimum would be appropriate
  • Ensure that window and door bug screens are not broken
  • Make sure you wear long sleeves and pants when going outside, especially in wooded areas, at sunset, and other times when mosquitoes are active
  • If you plan to spend time outdoors, use insect repellent
  • The best way to repel bugs is to install yellow lights outside; although they won’t repel them, they won’t attract as many

Searching for their Hiding Places

If you’re still unsure of your bite, find out where it came from. Detecting mosquitoes is difficult since these insects live everywhere, inside and outside. Of course, most of the time mosquitoes are found outside.

Despite living outdoors, mosquitoes are not shy about sneaking into your home, hoping to find a warm-blooded host. They tend to breed in any area of your yard where there is standing water.

Bed bugs are a bit harder to find and identify, since they don’t just live in your bed.

They hide in the crevices of furniture, in the cracks between the walls and floors, etc. They’re small, about the size of an apple seed, and they only come out at night.

Inspect everything close to your bed. Bed bugs can hide beside tables, bed frames, and curtains.

You may find the apple seed-size bed bugs, or you may just find their discarded husks. Bed bugs molt multiple times throughout their life cycle, so sometimes the only evidence is their left-over husks.

You may also find bed bug eggs, which are tiny white specs, just barely visible. They’re about the size of a grain of salt, but look like a grain of rice.


 A Guide to Removing Bed Bugs

If you determine that your red splotches are bed bugs and you get some confirmation, it’s best to bring in a pro. Bed bug infestations are a nightmare, and they go on for a while. You’ll need the help.

But here are the basics of what you’ll need to do.

  • If your home has any infested furniture or items, the best way to begin pest control is to remove them. 
  • Bed bugs can be heated to death, or frozen as a do-it-yourself method. The infested items can be vacuumed up and burned if they are in disposable bags, or you can freeze them for four days if they are in stuffed animals. In all cases, when you freeze your item at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below, bed bugs will die within four days.
  • Make sure you keep vacuuming! Bed bugs come in different stages that need to be eliminated, so some will always remain. 
  • Use a steam cleaner to clean large items like mattresses regularly. Just inform your rental company, as you don’t want to spread your infestation to the next person!
  • Lastly, you should consult a pest control professional for advice and information.

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes

  • Always wear bug spray on your skin to avoid mosquito bites during the spring, summer, and autumn.
  • When dealing with mosquitoes outside, you should eliminate places where they may lay eggs, like standing water and dark areas. The next step is to clear your yard of debris, particularly dead trees and tree branches, as well as piles of leaves and branches on your lawn.
  • Lemongrass is a popular plant among people who intend to deter many pests from flying around their homes. 
  • A bug zapper is perfect for evening outings, and citronella torches for the yard to help control insects and other pests. And you can even use them indoors if necessary!
  • It’s possible to spray chemical insecticides around the perimeter of your house or garden to keep mosquitoes or other insects away.

Treatment for Mosquito Bites

Treatment for bed bugs includes allergy medications or creams that reduce itching. These will also relieve inflammation of the skin and make it easier for you to sleep.

Then again, if you start to suffer from unusual symptoms such as fatigue or fever, then see your doctor to ensure you haven’t been exposed to anything harmful.

Mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest animal, so if you start to feel sick, you could be infected with something.


Treatment for Bed Bug Bites

To reduce inflammation and itching, anti-itch creams and steroid creams work well when applied within a few hours of the outbreak. An oral antihistamine can also relieve itchiness. Bed bugs don’t transmit diseases as mosquitoes do.

To reduce inflammation and itching, anti-itch creams and steroid creams work well when applied within a few hours of the outbreak.


Conclusion

Bed bug bites and mosquito bites look similar, but there are some subtle differences in how they manifest, and how long they last. If you determine that you’ve got bed bugs, be ready for a slog!

And we hope they’re just pimples!