How To Identify 10 Of The Most Common Bug Bites

Bug bites are unpleasant — no matter what kind of bite they are. However, being able to identify the different types of bug bites could be the difference between life and death to someone who suffers from an allergy. Print out this list of 10 common bug bites so you’re prepared in a potentially high-risk situation.

1. Mosquito

source: Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic / iStock

Mosquito bites take on two different forms depending on how long the mosquito was sucking the blood for. They’ll either be a small circle-type shape, or a bigger, more elongated blob. It goes without saying that they’re extremely itchy, and scratching them will only make the itch worse.

2. Flea

source: Terminix

Flea bites are easy to identify because the flea will generally bite multiple times in the same area. The bites are small, somewhat hard, red, and extremely itchy.

3. Lice

source: Nsns.Biz

Bites from head lice can look very similar to flea bites. However, you’ll be able to distinguish them because they’re usually contained to the head, back of the neck, and behind the ears.

4. Bedbug

source: Bed Bug Exterminator Pro

Bedbug bites look similar to mosquito bites, but they are usually redder, itchier, and appear in a zig-zag pattern. If you suspect you’ve been bitten by a bedbug, call an exterminator immediately. It’s the only way you’ll be able to rid these horrible pests from your home.

5. Tick

source: CropWatch /photo by Jim Kalisch, UNL Entomolog

Tick bites are unique because a red ring will appear around a dark red or sometimes black dot. It’s important to remove the tick properly (by drowning it with Vaseline or rubbing alcohol before using tweezers to pull it out). It’s not a bad idea to put the tick in an airtight container and take it to your doctor to have it tested for lyme disease and rocky mountain spotted fever

6. Wasp

A wasp sting will have the appearance of a mosquito bite, but there will be a noticeable mark in the center of the bite. These bites can be a combination of itchy and painful, and the area will often turn red and become swollen.

7. Hornet

source: Nsns.biz

8. Bee

source: Hunker/ Inventori/iStock

Although honey bees don’t sting as often as wasps or hornets, they do happen. You’ll be able to easily recognize a bee sting because they leave their stinger in the skin the second they sting. Remove the stinger with tweezers and clean the area with a disinfectant if you notice you have a bite.

9. Red Ant

source: Dan Langille’s Other Diary

Red ant bites tend to look a lot like flea bites, but there’s one main difference. While flea bites are immediately itchy, red ant (or fire ant) bites are instantly painful.

10. Spider

Although spider bites differ based on the type of spider, they are generally hard, red, and can be a combination of itchy and painful. In some cases, you may even be able to see two tiny puncture marks where the spider bit. Click here to learn more about the different types of spider bites and when you should seek medical attention for one.

Related Posts

My MIL Called My Son a “Lottery Ticket,” but I Got the Last Laugh

Family relationships can be filled with love, support, and treasured memories — but they can also be complicated and painful. Sometimes, those we expect kindness from end…

A Shocking Discovery Beneath the River

Twelve years ago in Cheboksary, Russia, 25-year-old Ilya Zhirnov and 22-year-old Kira Cherkasova vanished without a trace. Their sudden disappearance left family and friends desperate for answers—until…

My Husband Dropped a Last-Minute Family Visit on Me—And Expected Me to Play the Perfect Host”

I was enjoying a peaceful Saturday morning when my husband, Alex, strolled in and casually announced, “My family’s coming in four hours. Could you tidy up, shop,…

Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast

Creamed Chipped Beef on ToaST Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast—affectionately known in military circles as “S.O.S.” (or “Sh*t on a Shingle”)—is a dish steeped in American history…

When a man scratches the palm of a woman’s hand, here’s what it means

The gesture of scratching the palm of someone else’s hand, particularly between a man and a woman, can be an intriguing gesture that leaves many wondering about…

Karoline Leavitt Brings Her Baby to the Office—And Melts Hearts Everywhere

Karoline Leavitt recently shared a heartwarming Instagram post with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, and their son, Niko, in front of the White House. While the family looked…