Often the first thing people think when they get itchy bites on their legs, arms or torso is I’ve been bitten by bed bugs. If you're concerned about the potential of bedbugs, knowing what sorts of things you might be confusing for signs of bed bugs is definitely important. Though you might think that finding bugs in other part of your house, particularly small dark coloured insects, might mean that you are dealing with bed bugs; it often doesn’t necessarily mean that you have bed bugs. Cockroach nymphs are often confused with bed bugs, bat bugs and swallow bugs are also often confused with the appearance of bed bugs. Bites just around the ankle are probably fleas. If the bugs spotted have wings, then again you don't have bed bugs because bed bugs don't have wings. Carpet and pantry beetles are often confused for bed bugs and may be found in the bedroom, but they have distinct wings and their larvae look like caterpillars. Some people are allergic carpet beetles and cloth moths. Bed bugs leave behind tiny blood stains and small brown-black spots (feces) in the seams of your mattress and box spring, and on your sheets. There are tons of things that could cause itchiness beyond bed bugs, you may want to consider things like detergents, clothes softeners, mites, mosquitoes, spiders, medications you may be taking, allergy issues, and more because these may be causing the itchiness. If the bites are at the contact points where your body meets the bed throughout the night and they are in large clusters then you most likely have bed bugs. When in doubt, call in a pro, but if the insects aren't found in your bedroom or near a couch, it might be something else.
Go Green Pest Control owner Randy Bilesky is a long-time South Delta resident. Trained and certified, Bilesky has first-hand knowledge of the pest problems that local homeowners and business owners encounter.
