One of the most common complaints when people wake up are mysterious itches on their arms, legs, ankles and other areas. These are most likely caused by either bed bugs, mosquitos, fleas, gnats, or midges. Insect bites should be identified so they can be treated as best as possible depending on severity.
Identifying what is biting you
You will be able to identify what is bothering you by the look and feel of the bites, along with the environment you are sleeping in at the time.
Your body reacts differently to each insect so below will give you some clue to help.
Bed bug identification
Beg bug bites
Identifying bed bug bites can be tricky as they often look like other common insect-bite marks. Bed bugs tend to take a few days before the victim will start seeing signs of the bite, making bed bug identification difficult and often requiring an expert eye. Symptoms of bed bug bites commonly include red, swollen bumps on the skin that may have a slightly darker area around them and possibly a slightly itchy sensation.
Signs of bed bugs
Looking for signs of bedbugs in your bedding or other furniture is also important when attempting to diagnose bed bug bites, as bed bugs are highly visible if you know what you’re looking for. To confirm bed bugs are to blame, it's important to inspect bedding and mattress seams for bed bug activity where bed bugs usually live and hide. Other signs include yellow/black dots on pillows or sheets, a sweet, musty odor in the bedroom, and dark blood spots due to bed bug carcasses or excreta (bed bug droppings). Remember that prevention is always better than cure, so check your mattress regularly for bed bugs - it's the ideal way to ward off those pesky critters!
Mosquito bite identification
Mosquito bites can easily be identified by looking for a reddish bump on the skin in areas that would typically remain exposed, such as the arms and legs. They are also accompanied by itching and often times an annoying buzzing sound. If you think you have been bitten by a mosquito, scratching at it should be avoided as much as possible to prevent any infection from forming in the area caused from picking.
Flea bite identification
Flea bites can be identified in humans through the redness and itching that is caused by flea saliva. Flea bite are smaller than other pests and are found on clusters. They tend to congregate around the waist, armpits, and ankles on humans, but fleas can also affect other areas of the body. For many flea bite sufferers, a flea infestation is often followed by severe itching and localized swelling in addition to reddened spots on the skin. Additionally, fleabites are commonly found in warm and humid environments; this means if your area has recently experienced unusually wet weather please take extra precautions when inspecting yourself and your pets for fleas.
Midge bites
If you have midge bites, you'll know it. These tiny pests, most often spotted outdoors in gardens, beer gardens or during BBQs, can leave lasting marks on your body that make their presence known. Overnight midge bites may cause more pain than itchiness. These pests are found outside so you have most likely been bitten before you went to bed or if you are sleeping in a tent.
Gnats bites
gnat bites can be particularly painful and uncomfortable due to their unpredictability; gnats do not bite in any particular pattern, instead attacking an area in a random and scattered manner. This makes gnat bites particularly difficult to identify as it can be hard to ascertain the cause of the irritation. Moreover, gnat bites often evoke uncomfortable allergic reactions which can include swelling, redness and even rupturing blisters that are filled with a clear fluid. It is definitely worth being aware of gnat bite risks so you have an understanding of possible causes when dealing with such symptoms!
