Bed bugs are tiny insects that feed on human blood, often causing discomfort. While primarily known for their nighttime feeding habits, they can bite during daylight hours under specific circumstances.
When Bed Bugs Bite During the Day
While bed bugs typically feed at night, several factors can prompt them to emerge and feed during the day. If an infestation is severe, competition for blood meals might drive some bed bugs to seek hosts during the day. Extreme hunger can also cause them to break their pattern, especially if they have not fed in a while. Individuals who sleep during the day, such as shift workers, can become targets. Disturbances to their hiding spots, like cleaning or moving furniture, can also cause bed bugs to become active during daylight hours.
Their Usual Biting Habits
Their behavior is largely driven by their need to feed on hosts who are inactive and still, making them easier to approach undetected. Bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide exhaled by sleeping individuals and their body heat. They use specialized mouthparts to pierce the skin and inject both an anesthetic to numb the area and an anticoagulant to prevent blood clotting, allowing them to feed unnoticed. After feeding for about 3 to 12 minutes, they retreat to their hidden spots to digest their blood meal.
Identifying Bed Bug Bites
Bed bug bites often appear as small, red, raised welts on the skin. The appearance of these bites can vary among individuals; some may not react at all, while others develop significant welts or even blisters. A distinctive characteristic is their pattern, commonly appearing in lines, clusters, or a zigzag formation, sometimes referred to as “breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” These bites frequently occur on exposed skin during sleep, such as the face, neck, arms, hands, and legs. The bites are itchy and may cause a burning sensation.
What to Do After a Bite
If you suspect bed bug bites, washing the affected area gently with soap and water can help prevent infection and reduce itchiness. Over-the-counter remedies like hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion can alleviate itching and inflammation. Oral antihistamines can also help reduce widespread itching. To confirm a bed bug infestation, look for physical signs such as reddish or rust-colored stains on bedding, tiny dark spots from bed bug feces, shed exoskeletons, or live bed bugs in mattress seams and crevices. If an infestation is confirmed, contacting a pest control professional is recommended for effective treatment and elimination.