#Bed bugs look like skin#

They chiefly feed on human blood, but if not available, they will seek out other sources of food, including rodents, guinea pigs, dogs, cats and even bats. They are not known to cause any diseases directly however, they can be carriers of disease. They are sensitive to heat and extreme cold, but are able to survive without the benefits of oxygen as well. It is impossible to вЂњstarveвЂќ them out, as they are able to survive without sustenance anywhere from six months to over a year. In most cases, the host is unaware that they are being bitten. Often, their red color increases after a feeding, as they are engorged with the hostвЂ™s blood. They can suck up to six times their initial weight in blood. They do not have the capabilities of host detection when the host (human) is over five feet away. For some reason unknown to scientists, the majority of people over 65 do not have a reaction to bites whatsoever. Some individuals report severe adverse reactions to bites, others have no reaction at all, and some have a mild reaction. They have a вЂњbeakвЂќ with mouthparts that are dissected into two: one mouth part secretes the bugsвЂ™ saliva into the human, and the other mouth part feeds off of blood. They are extremely shy insects, drawn to the human body at night for feeding. They have very visible antennae and regularly emit a foul odor. They do not fly both their forewings and hind wings are functionally nonexistent. They have well developed legs and they are apt to crawl up vertical surfaces quite easily. They are often nicknamed вЂњMahogany FlatsвЂќ вЂњRed CoatsвЂќ and вЂњCrimson RamblersвЂќ for this reason. They are oval-shaped insects, flat in appearance, and have a mahogany color which varies from a straw-like tint to a deep reddish mahogany. A Department of Health report claimed that if forty are placed in a room with a mild temperature, within six months their population would exceed 5,900. Because of the way they mate, they multiply in size while breeding. Instead, focus on looking for the physical signs that bed bugs leave behind, such as rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses and bed bug fecesВ - dark stains about the size of a pencil point.вЂњGood night, sleep tight, donвЂ™t let the bed bugs bite.вЂќ This horrific nighttime creature is a member of the Hemiptera order of insects that feast solely on blood. ItвЂ™s not likely that youвЂ™ll see a bed bug. In other words, don't count on finding the bugs themselves.

#Bed bugs look like skin#

They can also be confused with skin conditions,В such as hives, eczema or even fungal infections. Bed bug bites can resemble bites from chiggers,В fleasВ and other insects. Others may experience itching or rashes.В Unfortunately, you canвЂ™t identify the bug by the appearance of the bite.

Some people have no reaction to bed bug bites. It may help you determine whether youвЂ™re experiencing a bed bug infestation or something different altogether. To compare bed bugs with bed bug lookalikes, check out this detailed visual guideВ fromВ the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Related > Bah Humbug: Don't Let These Pests Ruin Your Winter