Are These Bed Bug Bites or Something Else? Here’s What Might Be Happening

by Stephanie
(Sioux City, IA)

Reader Question: Are These Bites from Bed Bugs or Another Cause?

I moved into an apartment in Sioux City. Within two weeks I was covered in bites that I assumed were mosquito bites.Every morning I would wake up with more bites. I finally told a friend and she looked at them and said they were bedbug bites.

I told my manager and they came to spray and said there was no evidence of any bed buds and that I had scabies or another skin disorder!

I had sprayed my own bed with rubbing alcohol and that helped and I was able to sleep with out any bites! The pesticide guy tried to tell me that I brought them in when I went to a thrift store an bought a small bamboo table, but then he inspected it and said there were no bedbugs.

He sprayed my box spring,mattress,both sides, two ottomans, and my couch. I washed all my bedding, linens and most of my clothes except those hanging in my closet that are 3 1/2 feet off the ground.

Everything was fine for three days and then last night I got three bites.

This morning I sprayed my couch and under cushions, my bedding, vacuumed the entire apartment and will move my bed tonight and spray more rubbing alcohol when I return from work

What's going on? If they are not bedbugs what are they? I have bites in a row and they itch like crazy.

Our Response

Hi Stephanie, thank you for sharing your detailed experience. It sounds like you’re doing everything possible to identify the cause of these bites, and it’s understandably frustrating to still be dealing with them. Let’s go through some possibilities for what’s causing the bites and what you can do next.

Are These Bed Bugs?

• Classic Signs of Bed Bugs: The bites in a row are a hallmark sign of bed bugs, often referred to as the “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” pattern. Additionally, your success with rubbing alcohol, which kills bed bugs on contact, suggests they could be present.
• Lack of Visible
  Evidence: Bed bugs can be elusive, hiding in tiny crevices and cracks. The absence of visible bugs doesn’t rule out an infestation, especially if you’re still waking up with bites.

Other Possible Causes

• Mites: Mites, such as bird or rodent mites, can cause itchy bites and are small enough to be overlooked during inspections.
• Fleas: Fleas are another possibility, especially if pets or animals have been in your apartment recently.
• Scabies: While less likely based on your description, scabies can cause intense itching and welts. A medical professional can rule this out.
• Environmental Allergens: In rare cases, bites or welts can result from an allergic reaction to detergents, cleaning agents, or other irritants in your home.

Steps to Take Right Now

1. Inspect Again: Use a flashlight to check cracks, seams, and crevices in your mattress, bed frame, and furniture for bed bugs, eggs, or fecal spots. Consider using bed bug traps or interceptors under the bed legs.
2. Continue Cleaning: Vacuum your entire apartment daily, focusing on furniture, baseboards, and corners. Dispose of vacuum bags immediately in a sealed plastic bag.
3. Heat Treatment: Wash all fabrics in hot water and dry them on high heat. Even clothes hanging in your closet could harbor bed bugs.
4. Rubbing Alcohol: While rubbing alcohol is effective for direct contact, it’s not a long-term solution. Focus on finding and eliminating the infestation source. Instead of rubbing alcohol we prefer a mattress safe insecticide spray such as Sterifab (aff) or Bedlam Plus (aff).

When to Seek Professional Help

If bites persist despite your efforts, consider hiring a professional pest control service with experience in bed bugs. They can use more advanced methods, such as heat treatments, to eliminate the infestation thoroughly.
Stephanie, it’s possible that you’re dealing with bed bugs, mites, or another pest issue. Your efforts so far are commendable, and by continuing to clean, monitor, and address potential hiding spots, you’re on the right track. If the problem persists, professional help may be necessary. Let us know if you have further questions or updates—we’re here to help!
Best regards,
Jeff,
Editor and Publisher,
Bed Bugs Handbook

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