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Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like Mosquito Bites
Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like Mosquito Bites
Having itchy, irritated skin is one thing, but not knowing the cause is another. It can be frustrating finding a bite, and not the culprit. The best way to treat certain bug bites is to know exactly what bug went in for a snack, but sometimes it isn’t so easy. Different bugs can cause different types of reactions for different people. These reactions can range anywhere from skin irritation to anaphylactic shock from an allergy. When it comes to bed bugs and mosquitoes it’s best to know just what type of pest you’re dealing with. Although bed bugs can’t carry diseases like mosquitoes can, they can quickly become an uncontrollable nuisance due to their high reproduction rates. Mosquitoes on the other hand not only transmit life threatening illnesses, they have also been known to cause severe allergic reactions in certain individuals.
First we will discover how these two insects differ from each other by their life processes, followed by how their bites differ in a general sense, to symptoms and sensitivity. Lastly we’ll touch on the possibility of disease transmission and infection rates of these two pests and their bites.
The life cycles of both bed bugs and mosquitoes are similar, yet different. Bed bugs will go through three life stages, whereas mosquitoes will go through four. Bed bugs will go through their growth processes from eggs to nymphs to grown adults, and mosquitoes transform from eggs, to larvae, to pupae to finally reach adulthood. One of the major differences between these two insects is in which gender feeds on blood. With bed bugs both male and female nymphs will feed on blood, whereas with mosquitoes, only adult females feed.
Why Is It Important To Know If You Were Bitten By A Bed Bug Or A Mosquito
Generally speaking, when comparing bed bug bites to mosquito bites there are a few distinct characteristics one could look for. Bed bug bites can appear with no observable symptoms at first as they can take a couple hours to a day to develop. Mosquito bites tend to be visible within a few minutes after the bite. Bed bug bites can appear as red, itchy bumps that may cause a burning sensation; bites from a mosquito will appear as a puffy reddish-white bump which may lead to small blisters depending on the sensitivity of the individual’s skin.
The bite from a bed bug is painless at first and sometimes goes unnoticed, but can appear as an itchy welt on the skin. It is typical to have more than one bite from a bed bug and they will usually show up in a straight line or circular cluster. The bite from a mosquito will appear as a single bite, or in a random manner all over the body. Their bites can range in their pain and irritation levels depending on how an individual reacts to the insect’s saliva. Bed bug bites and mosquito bites tend to be opposites when it comes to sensitivity. Although bed bug bites typically go unnoticed at first, the more a person is bitten, the more sensitive they become. In contrast, the more a person is bitten by a mosquito, the less sensitive their skin becomes. The difference between bed bug bites and mosquito bites can also be determined by the area of the body the skin was bitten as well as when the bite occurred. Mosquitoes will bite any exposed areas of the skin, whereas bed bugs will bite exposed areas as well as through clothing.
Why Bed Bugs Feed At Night Mosquitoes During Dusk
The time at which these bites occur can tell a lot about where they may have come from. Bed bugs will feed at night, sometimes leaving small blood stains on sheets due to the pest’s inability to digest its meal fully. Mosquitoes are typically more active from dawn to dusk, but can feed at any time of day. Healing time can help you determine whether or not the bite was caused by a bed bug or a mosquito as well. Bed bug bites may last a few days compared to mosquito bites which tend to clear up in a day or two.
Can Bed Bugs & Mosquito Bites Give Me A Disease?
It is important to understand just which bug has caused a bite because of the possibility of disease transmission. Both bed bugs and mosquitoes are pest issues that should be addressed by your local pest control company. Mosquitoes can transmit life threatening diseases to their hosts so it’s always best to take precautionary measures such as using insect repellent. Bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases but their bites can become infected.
Scratching noises and small brown droppings are tell-tale signs of a rat problem. This problem can range from a single rat to a full blown infestation. Our team at CTRL Pest Solutions wants to help you understand how to identify a rat infestation as well as how to remove rats with ease.
There are many signs your home may have a rat problem or infestation. Hearing scratching noises inside your walls or down by your floorboards may have you questioning whether or not your home has a rat problem, and you’re probably right. Noises paired with rat droppings are a clear indicator rats are present, however there are other signs as well. Certain species of rat are known for burying and digging excessively, making tunnel systems places for food storage. When you find holes throughout your home it may be just that. Finding rat nests are another clear sign rats have a place in your home. These pests will find materials easily available to them in order to make a soft place to nest. Along with holes and nests, rats sometimes leave behind things other than just their droppings. They can leave rub marks along surfaces from their bodies if covered in dirt and grease. Finally rats may leave behind tiny footprints and tail marks in dusty areas of your home. Any of these signs could mean a rat infestation, but it doesn’t have to stay a problem for long.
Rat control comes down to inspection, sanitation/removal, and exclusion.
- Inspection is the first step in removing rats from your home. Honing in on the location of these pests will make it easier to place bait and set traps.
- Setting/ baiting traps and sanitation are the next steps to an easy rat removal.
- Exclusion is the final step in removing rats from your home.
Oncle you’ve suspected your home has rats, it’s time to inspect your living space to locate the problem. Rats make homes in soft insulation found within attic spaces as well as lofts. They can also be found in kitchens and laundry rooms where they may have made possible entrance through gaps in the pipework. Lastly, crawl spaces and suspended ceilings are top places rats like to hide so if you’re able to access them safely, be sure to inspect those areas first.
The next step in the rat removal process is setting and baiting traps and well as sanitation of your property. There are various types of traps you can use; glue traps, snap traps, and live catch traps. The live catch trap is the most humane way to remove a rat from your home as it is less lethal than the other options. Baiting involves the use of a poison bait, a rodenticide, which can be deadly to humans and pets so be sure it is not accessible to your family and furry friends. When baiting and trapping understand that rats explore their environments constantly so may not take to bait right away. It may be a day or two before the rat approaches the food or bait set within the traps. Trapping can ensure you’re able to dispose of the rats body when compared to rodenticides where a rat may retreat to an inaccessible area.
Sanitation eliminates the food and water sources needed for the rat to survive. This method is probably one of the most important measures in controlling and preventing a rat infestation. By storing food in large containers with tight lids, and removing clutter rats may use as nesting materials you can take preventative measures by taking away what the rats need to survive.
The final step in rat removal is exclusion. Exclusion includes sealing off any cracks or gaps rats may use to enter your home. You’ll want to make sure areas around piping and the foundation of your home is sealed to prevent these pests from causing an inconvenience in your life.
Although it is completely possible to remove rats from your home on your own, a way to guarantee removal and prevention is to contact a professional. Our team at CTRL Pest Solutions can control your rat infestation and ensure it will never be a problem again. Give us a call today (828) 228-1522.
Where are dust mites most commonly found?
The simple thought of dust mites in your home can make you sick, both literally and figuratively. Dust mites are very common and can be found in four out of five homes in the United States. Dust mites are insect-like pests that live in your home and feed on “dust.” Did you know the dust in your home is mostly made up of human debris such as hair and skin cells? In addition to human debris, dust is also composed of microplastics, pollen, dirt, and fibers. Dust will also contain animal dander if you have pets in your home.
Before we dive into where dust mites are found, let’s try to understand these pests a little better and the problems they cause. Microscopic in size dust mites are virtually harmless in a physical sense. They are not considered parasites as they do not bite or sting. They also don’t burrow into human skin. What makes dust mites harmful is the allergen they create. Fecal pellets and body fragments make up the allergen created by these mites.
Allergens caused by dust mites are some of the most common indoor substances. These allergens trigger allergic reactions and asthma in many people. Even individuals without allergies or asthma can be affected by dust mite allergens. Considered an irritant, dust mite debris worsens indoor air pollution. When inhaled it acts as an irritant and can cause issues with the lungs.
Dust mites need moisture to live. Thriving in humid environments, these tiny insects can be found in your bed, where humidity gets trapped under your covers. Stuffed animals that are allowed in the bed can become home to bed bugs as well. Bed bugs can also live on fabric furniture such as carpet and chairs as well as in the carpet and on curtains. All of these areas are places that aren’t typically dusted, therefore leaving food for the mites.
Beds are a common hotspot for dust mites. A mattress can be home to 100,000 to 10 million dust mites at once. When an individual is resting on a mattress, the inside becomes the prime environment for the mite; warm and humid. Because humans shed ⅕ of their skin every week, a mattress is the perfect feeding grounds for these microscopic mites.
In addition to places such as beds and couches, these mites can be found in one of the most obvious places, dust. Although dust mites can sometimes be found in dust, they typically don’t stay there for long. Because these insects need moisture, dust on a hard surface doesn’t provide the environment needed to thrive.
Humidity is the number one factor in determining the concentration of dust mites in a home. The higher the humidity the higher the concentration of mites. Reducing the humidity in your home can help prevent dust mites. The removal of furniture containing soft surfaces should also be considered to help prevent dust mites, as well as replacing the carpets if you’ve had problems with dust mites in the past. To reduce the likelihood of dust mites, it’s important to wash bedding and floors often.
How to Find Bed Bug Hotspots and What to Do When You See Them
Learning bed bugs have taken up residence in your can be a frustrating and bothersome challenge. Bed bugs are small insects that feed off the blood of both animals and humans. Their body shape is oval and small and brown in appearance. Although once adults feed their bodies are reddish in color. Physical signs of infestation are often left behind and these tiny insects will find accommodations in many places throughout your home, typically somewhere they’re able to easily access their food supply.
Understanding bed bugs in your home will take knowing the signs of an infestation. Since bed bugs feed on blood an obvious sign would be bites on the skin. However, these are not the only indicators that these insects are present. If you have suspicions, during the regular cleaning of your home and bedding look for these signs. Dark spots on bedsheets (excrement), reddish stains caused by the bug being crushed, and egg shells or pale yellow skins that have been shed. In addition be on the lookout for the most obvious sign, live bed bugs. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs can be found in many different places, not just in beds.
Bed bugs are quite the nuisance when it comes to your home and your family’s sanity. These pesky insects that make their way into cracks and crevices or anywhere they can be close to a human environment. Most often found in beds, they will also conceal themselves in electrical switchplates, furniture crevices, behind baseboards, wallpaper and even picture frames. When they are found in bed parts, they can be seen in box springs, mattresses and other folded areas. Surprisingly enough, bed bugs can also seek temporary shelter in cars, busses, and trains. Because of their resilience they may hitch a ride on backpacks, suitcases and even shoes to make their way into your home. Once you’ve discovered your home has a bed bug problem, next comes understanding what to do when you see them.
Finding bed bugs in your home may feel like the end of the world, but it can be managed. Discovering an infestation early is imperative to ensure it doesn’t spread throughout your home. Infestations at their core are an inconvenience, but treating a minor infestation is much easier and far less costly than if it becomes widespread.
Lesser infestations can be extremely difficult to identify and challenging to find. Misidentification of a bed bug infestation allows more time for the problem to grow so it’s important to be sure; sometimes other insects, like carpet beetles, are mistaken for bed bugs. Although it is possible to treat a bed bug infestation yourself, it can be more effective to hire a professional. Both chemical and non-chemical approaches are available to rid your home of pests. When used in combination with each other, called integrated pest management, one will have the best chances for success.
Taking on bed bugs can be a challenging and annoying task, but it can be done. If you choose to rid your home of these nuisance pests yourself, be sure to do your research on the types of products available. Should you decide to hire a professional pest control company, ensure that you check the company’s credentials before letting them treat your home.