Whta Are Bed Bug Bites

Thus, the bites themselves usually are painless, and the host typically is not disturbed while bed bugs feed. Symptoms after being bitten by bed bugs vary from one person to another. Many develop an itchy red welt within a day or so of the bite. Others have little or no reaction. Sometimes the reaction might be delayed days or even weeks after the actual bite occurs, which can make it difficult to determine when or where bites actually occurred. But then exhaled carbon dioxide, body heat and other chemical cues attract bed bugs to their hosts. Bed bugs inject saliva containing an anticoagulant and an anaesthetic when they bite, and this causes the bite area to become irritated. Thus, feeding usually takes about five to 10 minutes. Typically, a small welt develops at the site of each bite. Rows of three or four welts are characteristic of bed bug bites.