Do bed bugs bite?

Bedbugs do bite. Bedbug bites are often in clusters of three to five bites in a zigzag pattern. The bites are often mistaken for mosquito, flea or spider bites.

Bedbug bites can produce blisters, and care should be taken not to scratch them, as this may cause a skin infection. Treatment includes antihistamines for itching, antibiotics if an infection is present and corticosteroids or epinephrine if there is an allergic reaction.

Signs of bedbugs are blood specks on sheets and mattresses, excrement that looks like black spots and a sweet, musty odor. Bedbugs produce chemicals that help them communicate with each other, and the smell may be evident in heavy infestations.