By Hi-Tech Pest Control — Michigan’s #1 Bed Bug Exterminator Serving Livonia, Bloomfield Twp, Troy, Warren, Farmington Hills, Westland, Detroit & all SE Michigan
Quick Answer
Bed bug bites are typically small, red, itchy welts that show up on exposed skin after you’ve been in one spot for 3+ hours (sleeping or napping). They commonly appear on the forearms, neck, face, shoulders, and sometimes hips/thighs—often in clusters or short lines. Some people react strongly (burning/itching for days); others barely react at all.
Important: Bites = feedings = growth. Early identification prevents whole-home spread.
Where Bites Appear — And Why
Bed bugs follow body heat and carbon dioxide to the nearest exposed skin. Expect bites where clothing ends:
- Below short sleeves on forearms
- Neck and face near collars or pillows
- Shoulders, upper back
- Hips/thighs if you sleep in shorts
- Shins/ankles if you nap in a recliner
They feed at night (often 1–5 A.M.), then retreat to cracks, seams, and joints in beds, couches, and recliners.
What Bed Bug Bites Look & Feel Like
- Size: about a pencil-eraser red area or smaller welt
- Pattern: clusters or short lines (“breakfast-lunch-dinner”) are common but not required
- Sensation: itching/burning that can persist hours to days
- Timing: noticed upon waking or after long sits (recliners/couches)
- Variability: reactions differ — some people show no welts (still infested)
Bed Bug Bites vs. Other Bites (Fast Check)
- Mosquitoes: outdoor, seasonal; unlikely to “populate” bedrooms/living rooms in winter.
- Spiders: usually single/isolated bites; less persistent itch.
- Fleas: favor ankles/lower legs; jumpy insects; pets often present.
- Allergic rash: often widespread, not localized to sleep-exposed areas.
- Bed bugs: exposed skin, night-time onset, multiple close together, recurring after sleep.
Other Early Signs to Confirm
- Tiny black fecal dots on sheets, tags, or baseboards (smear reddish-brown with a damp swab)
- Blood specks/smears on sheets or upholstery
- Cast skins (papery sheds) along mattress piping, headboard joints, couch seams
- Live nymphs/adults in mattress seams, bed frames, recliners, couch cushions
- A sweet/musty odor in heavy infestations
What Not To Do (Common Mistakes)
- Don’t fog or douse with alcohol/general-use sprays without vacuuming—this scatters nymphs deeper into furniture and walls.
- Don’t move bedding to couches/recliners. You’ll seed new nests.
- Don’t host guests for 48 hours after any DIY attempt—hitchhikers can climb onto clothing/up pant legs.
- Don’t toss furniture prematurely. We salvage beds, couches, and recliners with proper treatment.
Why Hi-Tech?
- One-Treatment, Guaranteed bed bug eradication
- Furniture-salvage methods that target real harborages
- 40+ years serving SE Michigan
- Discreet, EPA-registered applications focused on cracks/crevices (low exposure)
We Kill Bed Bugs!
What To Do Right Now
- Document: Photograph bites and any fecal dots/cast skins.
- Contain: Launder sheets, pillowcases, and pajamas hot wash + high heat dry.
- Vacuum: Mattress seams, couch seams, baseboards; empty canister outdoors.
- Call the pros: Get same-day identification and one-treatment eradication that saves your furniture.
Call Hi-Tech Pest Control: (248) 569-8001 — Sleep bite-free tonight.
Medical note: For severe reactions or uncertainty, consult a doctor or dermatologist to rule out other causes. We coordinate treatment timing around medical guidance.
FAQs (Bite Identification)
Q1: Are bed bug bites always in lines?
A: No. Lines/clusters are common but not universal. Focus on exposed skin after sleep + other signs (fecal dots, cast skins).
Q2: Only one person in the home is bitten—why?
A: Individual reactions vary. Some people don’t welt, but bugs can still be feeding.
Q3: How long do bites last?
A: Itching can persist 1–7 days, depending on sensitivity. Avoid scratching to reduce infection risk.
Q4: Do bed bugs transmit diseases?
A: They’re not known to transmit diseases to humans. The real risks are skin irritation, secondary infection, anxiety, and spread.
Q5: Will a new mattress solve it?
A: No. Bed bugs also live in frames, headboards, couches, recliners, baseboards. Replace nothing before professional treatment.
Contact Us
39111 6 Mile
Livonia, Michigan 48152
7 W Square Lake Rd
Bloomfield Twp, Michigan 48302
755 W Big Beaver Rd Ste 2020
Troy, Michigan 48084
Hours of Operatioon
8:30am to 10:00pm
Monday Thru Sunday
