Do I have bed bugs?

Well a few days ago I had these strange red marks on my arm. Just this morning I had a couple more bumps. I've checked the bed, but I haven't found anything...even though I didn't search thoroughly, since I'd be to scared to do anything about them so I don't wanna see them!

I'm waiting on my boyfriend to come home from work to check the bed. The mark is really bothering me.It is very itchy and is making my arm sore.I've been searching online on how the bed bugs looked like and from what I've seen my marks are somewhat similar...in a line pattern?

I had the idea of it being bed bugs because of my son saying it may be bed bugs. He thought that it might be the case since his cousins had bed bugs. I don't wanna sleep on my bed no more! I'm looking for solutions so help me out!

Editor Comment on Bed Bug Bites?

Bed bug bites are sometimes hard to distinguish from other types of insect bites. The bites you have do appear similar to bed bug bites.

There are few ways to tell:

1. Was the skin area where the bites occurred exposed when sleeping. For example, if wearing pajamas or sweats, where your areas and legs exposed. If bites are limited to those areas, then it is probably bed bugs. If the bites are only on the lower legs and appear to move under the skin, then it could be mites/scabies. (tip, protect yourself in bed from bed bugs by wearing long sleeves, sweat pants with socks over the bottom. The less skin that is exposed, the better).

2. The pattern looks like bed bugs. You didn't mention if the pictures are your arm or leg. If yes, and if the leg was against a bed seam, then it would indicate bed bugs.

3. Check your mattress for bed bugs and brown fecal spots. This is the most certain way to tell.

4. Appearance of the bites. They would have a clear puncture in the center surrounded by a red area.

In terms of what to do now, if you can afford it, call in an exterminator. Terminix is a good place to start as they offer free in home inspections, so they can confirm that you have bed bugs and the size of the problem (phone 1.877.291.4849).

If you can't afford it, buy a good knock down spray. I always recommend buying Sterifab. It costs around $10 and is 100% effective in terms of killing bed bugs and bed bug eggs on contact. Treat the mattress, box spring, bed frame and nearby furniture (including under drawers etc).

Throw out any clutter and wash anything you can such as blankets and sheets in hot water followed by 20 to 30 minutes in the dryer.

Also, use a residual spray around the baseboard of the room and go over the box spring and bed frame as well. A good proven performer is the spray Phantom.

As a last step, buy zippered mattress and box spring covers. Wal*Mart Online has some lower cost options (called MicronOne). No matter what cover you buy, make sure that it states that it is bed bug proof.

Best of luck and let us know how you make out. You can find step by step instructions on our guide to bed bug treatment.