Bed bugs leave nasty and severely irritating bites, and different myths exist about what can and cannot protect against their bites. This leaves people wondering if their clothes and other protective gear are enough to keep them safe.
The answer is surprisingly complex and varies depending on the type of fabric and other factors.
In general, a bed bug’s bite can’t puncture through clothing as its mouth isn’t long enough to suck blood through the fabric. However, if the clothing is thin enough or has some gaps or holes, they may be able to bite.
Covering Yourself Up to Avoid Bed Bugs Bite: Truth or Myth?
A mattress infested with bed bugs can put you at risk of getting bit, regardless of what you wear. While it’s true that covering yourself up with clothing may reduce the chances of being bitten, it’s not a surefire way to protect yourself.
The fact that covering yourself up to avoid bed bugs is considered to be more than just a theory and nothing else. Clothing and bedding can be a deterrent, but they won’t make you immune to bites.
Bed bugs can still travel from your clothes, find a small gap or opening and make their way to your skin and bite you.
With that being said, the best and only way to keep yourself protected is to make sure you are not sleeping on an infested mattress.
Taking proactive measures such as regularly checking for signs of an infestation, vacuuming and cleaning the mattress, using a hot steam cleaner, or investing in a bed bug-proof mattress encasement are effective ways to protect yourself from an infestation.
Bed bugs are tiny and can easily get through fabric like sheets or blankets. Wearing thicker clothes might offer some protection, but again it’s not always the best solution and can only be done during the night.
To avoid being bitten by bed bugs, ensure that you have an effective plan of action to keep your home and bedroom free from infestation.
Identifying Bed Bug Bites from Other Insect Bites
“I’ve covered up my entire body last night, but I still woke up filled with bed bug bites!”
If this situation is familiar to you, it would be essential to make sure that the bugs are actually bed bugs and not some other insect. First and foremost, unlike other insect bites, when a bed bug has bitten you, it won’t appear immediately. It may take up to a few days before you’d notice signs of a bed bug bite.
Small Red Bites Usually in a Line or Zigzag Pattern
The bites may also appear in clusters or isolated, depending on the number of bed bugs that are present.
Itching, Swelling, and Redness
Bed bug bites usually look like raised bumps, which can cause severe itching or even burning sensations. The areas may turn red and swollen as your body reacts to the bite. Again, this might not appear on the first night but can be seen in the following days.
The swelling may also be mild or severe, depending on the person’s individual reaction.
Appearance of Blisters
The bite area may also form blisters, which can be filled with fluid. This is especially common in people who are allergic to the bed bug’s saliva. While this may not be common, it is still possible to develop a reaction to the bites.
Final Thoughts
Clothing can be a barrier against bed bug bites, but it is not always the best solution. Thick clothes may offer some protection, but bed bugs can still make their way to your skin and bite you.
The best way to protect yourself from being bitten is to take proactive measures such as regularly checking for signs of an infestation and doing all the necessary cleaning.
Identifying bites can also help determine if the insect was a bed bug or not, as they usually have different characteristics. In the end, knowledge and prevention are your best lines of defense against bed bug bites.
