Being bitten or stung by an insect is an unpleasant experience shared by many people. But the worst part of it is when you don’t know what bit you! Was it an ant? A bee? Or was it just your imagination? Knowing the species of the ‘thing’ that caught you off-guard is very important because it will help you to take necessary measures in dealing with the bite. Luckily, not all bug bites are the same. Here is a list of common bites with pictures to help you identify what bit you in the event of a bite.
Bedbugs
Bedbugs are tiny, oval-shaped brown insects that can be found in houses, hiding in furniture and wall cracks. They are mainly active at night during which they creep into the bed where they feed off the blood of occupants. Bedbug bites usually appear in the form of small, red, itchy bumps mostly on the arms, back and thigh area. In some cases, these bumps may grow wider in diameter as time goes by.
Bedbug bites themselves are harmless. However, on rare occasions, some people may develop an allergic reaction to the bites which would result in nausea, sickness and even shock. Some individuals may also be psychologically affected by the presence of bedbugs, causing them to have difficulty in falling asleep.
The bite pattern in a zig-zag or line
Wasps & Bees
Most bees lose their stingers (along with a part of their abdomen) after they sting someone, causing them to die. However, wasps and hornets can sting multiple times without losing the stinger. Typically, these stings can trigger an instant reaction in many people, particularly in those who are allergic to them.
The sting marks wasps leave behind can be easily distinguished as red bumps with a sting hole in the middle that is surrounded by an inflamed area of the skin. Sting reactions can be different in other parts of the body. For instance, the lips and eyes can become severely swollen when stung by a wasp or bee.
Sting swelling over a 24 period
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes thrive in hot and humid weather during which they seek after the blood of humans and animals to survive and reproduce. In most cases, mosquito bites are found on exposed parts of the body which includes the arms, face and feet.
Fresh bites are described as hive-like bumps that can become itchy or irritated when scratched. Since mosquitoes are flying insects, they can easily move around the body for new spots to bite. This explains why mosquito bite patterns are sparsely distributed across certain areas of the body.
Insect repellent is recommended to minimise mosquito bites. The bites themselves are harmless in most cases. However, mosquitoes shouldn’t be underestimated as they may carry deadly diseases such as dengue fever and malaria.
Mosquito bites
Fleas
Fleas are known to feed on warm-blooded domestic animals such as dogs and cats. They also feed on humans occasionally.
Flea bites are described as reddish bumps surrounded by red haloes on a person’s arm, back or head. The bites might become very itchy. However, scratching them continuously may cause hair loss or infection (if they bleed).
Showering pets regularly and treating their sleeping spaces with pesticides is the best way to prevent flea infestations. Professional pest control intervention may be needed for effective pest treatment if pesticides are required.
Flea bites grouped together
If you have a bedbug, mosquito, bee, wasp or flea problem feel free to contact the Ridpest team to see how we can help.