A cluster of insect bites in a line could indicate that you have come into contact with bed bugs or fleas. These bites are usually red, swollen, or itchy, and can generally be treated at home. In most climates, dealing with the occasional bug bite is a fact of life, thanks to things like mosquitoes and ticks. However, if you notice a row of bites in a line, you may be dealing with a potential pest problem.
Read on to learn how to spot bed bugs, fleas, and their bites. This article also outlines steps to take if you have any of these signs on your body.
Which bugs bite a pipe?
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It’s possible for other insects — like lice, mites, or fire ants — to bite you more than once in a single region. However, a straight line of three or more stings is a characteristic sign of fleas and bed bugs, which are parasites. In fact, this pattern is sometimes referred to as “breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
The next two sections discuss the differences between fleas and bed bugs.
Characteristics of bed bugs and their bites
Bed bugs are reddish-brown beetles that are 1–7 millimeters (mm), about the length of Lincoln’s head on the penny. Their bites can come in random clusters, a straight line, or a zigzag pattern.
These bites are small and red and can be itchy to the touch, and they tend to show up on the upper part of the body near the neck, face, and arms. On darker skin tones, they may appear purple or darker than the surrounding skin.
It can be difficult to identify a bed bug infestation quickly. Their bites can resemble swollen flea bites and mosquito bites, and you may not feel them bite. It can take up to 2 weeks for the bite marks to appear.
However, bed bugs leave traces of their presence, including their exoskeletons after molting and rust-colored stains on your sheets from their feces.
Bed bugs hide in the folds of mattresses and sheets during the day and typically live less than 8 feet from your bed.
Characteristics of fleas and their bites
Fleas don’t live on humans, but they can bite them. These parasites prefer to feed on cats and dogs. So if you have a pet with fleas, flea bites can occur.
Flea bites tend to occur near your elbow and knees, as these crevices are often warm and humid. These bites can also appear on the legs, ankles, and feet. They are small, red, and itchy, and often appear in groups of three or three in a straight line. On darker skin tones, they may appear purple or darker than the surrounding skin.
Fleas are similar in size to bed bugs at 1–4 mm in length and are also reddish brown.
Bed bug bites can appear in a line or zigzag pattern. The bites are usually small, red, and itchy. On darker skin tones, they may appear purple or darker than the surrounding skin.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Flea bites can also appear in a line. Similar to bed bug bites, they are generally small, red, and itchy. On darker skin tones, they may appear purple or darker than the surrounding skin.
CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You can usually treat bed bug or flea bites at home if you have no signs of infection or an allergic reaction.
Wash the bites with soap and water to avoid skin infection. Apply over-the-counter (OTC) corticosteroid cream to itchy bites. An antiseptic cream or lotion may also be beneficial.
Complications such as allergic reactions and infections require medical attention.
Learn more about the signs of infection.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, you should see a doctor if you:
- many bed bug bites
- any bites that look infected
- any bites that do not heal on their own within 2 weeks
You should also see a doctor if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction that accompany flea or bed bug bites, such as blisters or hives.
Learn more about the signs of an allergic reaction.
Bed bugs have not historically transmitted disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the CDC also notes that fleas can transmit typhoid, tapeworm, plague, and cat-scratch disease. These conditions require medical treatment.
If you’re dealing with a flea or bed bug infestation, eradicating them at their source is crucial to prevent bites.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends contacting a pest controller as soon as possible if you have bed bugs. Trying to solve the problem yourself can waste time and cause bugs to reproduce quickly.
Controlling bed bugs usually requires more than one round of treatment. For best results, the EPA recommends preparing your home as follows:
- Clutter Reduction
- Set your bed away from the wall and make sure the covers don’t touch the floor
- Wash and tumble dry all clothing, curtains, linens, and items that can withstand heat for at least 30 minutes
- Inspect your mattress, furniture, and light switch covers for signs of bed bugs, such as hatched eggs and exoskeletons, and remove them
- Caulk the gaps in your baseboards
- Look for signs of bed bugs in cracks, like under peeling wallpaper or in electrical outlets
- vacuum all surfaces and discard the vacuum cleaner bag
A moderate to severe flea infestation lasts for months. Flea eradication requires four steps:
- Hygiene: Wash common flea breeding grounds, including your bedding, your pet’s bedding, and the carpeted area. Vacuum all floors and along the edges of the walls.
- Treating Pets: Start giving baths with soap and water to all pets in your home. You can talk to your vet about a safe flea control product. Use a flea comb for physical removal.
- At-home treatment: Consult a pest control professional for flea treatment for your home and yard. Make sure you treat your home at the same time as your pet to prevent re-contamination.
- Aftercare: Fleas are resistant to certain flea control chemicals during certain parts of their life cycle. Because of this, you need to repeat steps 1-3 within 5-10 days. After the first treatment, you should repeat the process at least two more times.
If you see a row of three or more bug bites in a row, this is usually a sign of a flea or bed bug infestation. You usually don’t need to see a doctor for these bites unless you have a complication like an allergic reaction or an infection.
You must treat your home to completely remove bed bugs and fleas. Also treat your pets for fleas to solve the problem.
