Frequently, the first evidence of the presence of bed bugs is the sudden appearance of very itchy bed bug bites on your torso. It is important to seek medical attention if bites alone are the only evidence of bed bugs. Your doctor may recognize skin rashes, allergies and other conditions that are not insect bites.  

There are several other insects and arthropods that will produce itchy welts very similar to bed bug bites. This is because mosquitoes, fleas, lice, mites and bed bugs all inject saliva during the feeding process to thin human blood. This blood thinning material is largely responsible for the “itchiness” of bites. Individuals vary greatly in their response to different insect and arthropod saliva and over time some individuals may become either more or less affected.

Learn more about identifying and treating bed bug infestations by clicking on the links below.

• Bed Bug Habits, Appearance, Diet, etc. (See also Bed Bug Biology & Behavior)
• Bed Bug Treatment Preparation Sheets (PDF document 905k)
• Portland Area Bed Bug Summit Article (PDF document 28k)
• Bed Bug Slide Show (Powerpoint show 10M)
• Bed Bugs on the Rise
• Bed Bug Basics for Multi-Family Housing
• Managing Bed Bugs
• Identifying Bed Bug Bites
• Identifying and Collecting Bed Bugs
• Bed Bug Biology & Behavior (See also Bed Bug Habits, Appearance, Diet, etc.)
• Bed Bug FAQs

Portions of the content above courtesy of Gary D. Alpert, Environmental Health & Safety, Harvard University School of Public Health.