An insect biting you at night and waking up with itchy bumps? The cause is usually one of three: mosquitoes, bed bugs or fleas. Identifying the insect from the bite pattern and location is the first step, because each one is treated completely differently.
This article explains the difference between mosquito, bed bug and flea bites, gives you a quick way to identify the culprit, and what to do about each one.
What does a mosquito bite look like?
- A raised bump, pink or red, sometimes white in the centre.
- Scattered in different places, not in a line.
- On exposed skin: face, neck, hands and legs.
- Itching starts quickly, within minutes, and fades in one to three days.
- You often hear buzzing near your ear while sleeping.
What does a bed bug bite look like?
- Small red bumps, sometimes swollen.
- In a line or cluster of 3 to 5 bites, often called "breakfast, lunch and dinner".
- On skin that touches the bed: back, shoulders, arms and neck.
- Itching can appear a day or more after the bite.
- Bites repeat every night in the same bed.
For details and pictures, see What Bed Bug Bites Look Like.
What does a flea bite look like?
- Very small red bumps, often with a dot in the centre.
- In many clusters close together.
- Mostly below the knee: ankles, feet and lower legs.
- Strong itching that starts quickly.
- There are usually cats or other animals in or near the home.
Quick comparison table
| Mosquito | Bed bug | Flea | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Raised bump | Bumps in a line | Small bumps with a dot |
| Location | Exposed skin | Skin touching the bed | Ankles and feet |
| Pattern | Scattered | Line or cluster | Many clusters |
| Itch timing | Immediate | Can be delayed | Immediate |
| Clue | Buzzing at night | Spots on sheets | Pets in the home |
How to identify the insect yourself
- Check sheets and mattress: small blood spots or black dots along mattress seams mean bed bugs.
- Walk in white socks on the carpet for a few minutes: black specks that jump are fleas.
- Turn off the light and listen: buzzing near your ear means mosquitoes.
- Look at where you were bitten: bites under covered areas usually mean bed bugs, and below the knee usually means fleas.
What to do about each insect
If it is mosquitoes
- Find standing water around the home and empty it, because that is where they breed.
- Fit mesh on windows and seal gaps.
- Use a mosquito trap indoors; details in Mosquito Traps.
- Spray the surfaces mosquitoes rest on indoors, such as behind curtains and under furniture.
If it is bed bugs
- Wash sheets and clothes in hot water and dry on high heat.
- Vacuum the mattress and cracks around the bed.
- Spray a bed bug product on the bed frame and cracks, and repeat after 10 to 14 days.
- Full details in Bed Bugs: Causes and How to Get Rid of Them.
If it is fleas
- Treat pets at the vet.
- Vacuum carpets and sofas daily for two weeks and throw the bag away outside.
- Spray or dust carpets and pet sleeping areas.
- Details in Fleas.
How to relieve bite itching
- Wash the bite with soap and water.
- Apply a cold compress for a few minutes to reduce swelling.
- Do not scratch the bite, to avoid infection.
- Ask a pharmacist about a suitable anti-itch cream.
- See a doctor if there is major swelling, difficulty breathing, or the bite becomes red and filled with pus.
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Night-biting insect FAQs
What insect bites at night that I cannot see?
Usually bed bugs, because they come out while you sleep and return to cracks in the bed before morning, so you rarely see them.
Why do I get bitten and my partner doesn't?
Both of you are probably bitten, but skin reactions differ from person to person, so one may get bumps while the other feels nothing.
Are bed bug bites dangerous?
Bed bug bites are annoying and cause itching and poor sleep, but they generally do not transmit diseases. The bigger problem is that bed bugs multiply quickly if not treated.
How do I know it is fleas and not bed bugs?
Fleas usually bite below the knee and jump, while bed bugs bite skin that touches the bed and do not jump.