Both bed bugs and mosquitoes are red and itchy, they’re both pests that bite humans, but they’re different. Mosquitoes are bloodsuckers that can carry diseases like malaria, dengue fever, or West Nile virus. Bed bugs do not carry these diseases. Instead, the bed bug infestation causes itching
If one knows the difference between the two, they can tell which bites are harmless and which ones are dangerous. By avoiding known toxic spiders, one can avoid getting bitten in the first place.
This article discusses the differences between mosquito bites and bed bug bites.
Just like other bites, bed bug bites are different for each individual. Some people may experience an allergic reaction immediately, while others may need to wait hours or days before they show signs of sensitivity.
Bed bug bites are itchy and irritating to some people while they are painful to others.
Severe allergic reactions are rare but can include anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can occur very quickly and affect the whole body.
Bed bug bites are often spread out over a period of many weeks. The red itchy bumps that occasionally show up on skin usually appear in groups of three to five.
Bed bugs live by sucking blood and are usually active at night. Because skin-biting is a nighttime activity, people tend to notice the bites when they wake up in the morning.
Bed bugs must eat at least every 14 days to be able to mate and produce eggs but can also survive without food for months to a year at a time.
Female mosquitoes are the only mosquitoes that bite and must bite for at least six seconds before they can cause a reaction.
Mosquito bites look like red bumps with a puncture wound in the center. If someone is very sensitive, they can produce larger raised areas or welts.
The bites itch because of the way the immune system is triggered by mosquito saliva.
Mosquitoes are most likely to bite between sunset and sunrise, during the time of day when the sun is at its lowest. Human sweat, CO2 emissions, and warmth can attract mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes and bed bugs can be identified by different marks left on a person’s skin.
Appearance
Bed bug bites usually appear in a cluster with a distinct pattern, such as a line or zigzag. These bites usually occur on areas of the body that an individual exposes during sleep.
Insect bites are generally isolated and appear randomly over parts of the body that clothing does not cover.
Reaction time
People typically do not feel bed bug bites and reactions may present hours or days later. Without further irritation symptoms typically resolve after a week or so.
Mosquito bites may be itchy at first, but they eventually go away. Mosquitoes usually begin to itch in less than 1 or 2 days, so when this happens, it’s probably not the mosquito bite causing your itching.
Infection
Mosquitoes are known to spread serious diseases. The NIH reports that these diseases kill more than 725,000 people worldwide each year.
Although mosquitoes transmit many diseases, they are also carriers of another type of sickness. The diseases that mosquitoes are known to carry include: malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, cholera, West Nile virus and plague.
- West Nile fever
- dengue fever
- Zika
- malaria
Bed bugs are not believed to spread disease.
The symptoms of mosquito bites and bed bug bites can be very different. This may help people identify which type they have.
Bed Bug Bites
Symptoms of bed bugs include:
- small raised pink bumps in groups of three to five.
- Bumps often appear in a zigzag pattern on the hands, arms, shoulders, neck and face. They can also be found on the legs.
- bumps are itchy and may come with a blister
Mosquito Bites
The most common symptoms of a mosquito bite are itchy red bumps, usually accompanied by puncture wounds in the middle. The bites usually appear within a few hours or days after the bite.
People who are allergic to mosquito bites may develop:
- hives
- blisters
- fever
- swollen joints
- anaphylaxis in those with severe allergies
Most bed bug bites and mosquito bites do not require medical treatment, unless an individual has a severe allergic reaction.
Anaphylaxis is an exceptionally rare response to these types of insect bites, but if someone feels that their throat is closing up, they should seek medical help immediately.
The basic steps for treating mosquito or bed bug bites are:
- 1. Wash the bite area with soap and water.
- 2. Apply an anti-itch cream to relieve itching.
- 3. Cover the bite with a sterile bandage that covers the whole area of the bite.
- 4. washing the bites with soap and water
- 5. scratching to prevent irritation or breakage of the skin
- 6. keeping the affected area clean and dry
- 7. using anti-itch creams and lotions to prevent the skin from itching
- 8. taking a nonprescription antihistamine if necessary
There are some things that people can do to prevent insect bites.
Bed Bug Bites
To avoid bed bug bites when traveling, people should check their beds thoroughly for signs of bed bugs. They should not put suitcases on the floor.
To prevent bed bug bites at home:
- Try to spot check items brought into your home for possible contamination. This includes dirty clothes someone has worn on trips and used furniture.
- put bed bugs proof covers over mattresses
- reduce clutter where possible as bed bugs love clutter
If a bed bug infestation occurs, it’s important to hire an exterminator to get rid of all the bugs. Most exterminators will come out and spray for bedbugs and then kill them with a special insecticide that is safe around children and pets.
Mosquito Bites
The following actions can help prevent mosquito bites:
- To remove mosquito habitats, avoid leaving birdbaths filled with water. You can also remove breeding sites by getting rid of stagnant water in pet dishes, toys, and other containers. Change the water in your birdbath at least once a week so mosquitoes do not have access to fresh water.
- It’s important to check that your bug screens have no holes, as this can allow pests to enter the house.
- Wear long pants and shirts when venturing outside in places like forests, at dusk, and during other times that mosquitoes like to feed.
- Use insect repellent when going outdoors.
- Position yellow lights outside where it is most appropriate where they will attract fewer bugs and not repel any.
The cause of itchy red bumps may not always be caused by bed bugs and mosquitoes. Other possible contributors include:
- Fleas: Flea bites are often grouped together in clusters.
- Flies: A fly bite can itch and blister on the skin.
- Spiders: There are many types of poisonous spiders that can cause skin irritation and even infection. Some spiders carry dangerous viruses while others may bite and inject venom into the skin. Symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain can last for up to a week. Sometimes, the victim does not even know they have been bitten by a spider or knows it but denies
- Mites: Burrowing mites create tunnels in the skin, causing it to inflame and itch.
Most people never need to see a doctor regarding bed bugs or mosquito bites.
The only situation in which the bites of an infected mosquito can cause serious illness is if the individual has a severe allergic reaction to the bites or if they develop secondary infections.
Signs that you need to see a doctor include:
- feeling that the throat is closing up — call your doctor immediately
- having a large number of bites
- developing fever swelling hives blisters or pus
- itching from OTC anti-itch medications
In general, bites from bedbugs and mosquitoes are harmless. Although they can cause significant discomfort and irritation, they usually go away without medical attention in a few days.
Working hard to prevent future bites can limit future bites.