Pests around the house can be annoying and frustrating They are often difficult to find and tricky to get rid of For example, it's never nice to hear rats moving around and scuttling in the walls, or to hear cockroaches running away when you turn on the lights But for some people, the worst kind of pest is the one that bites you at night

Certain pests see us as a food source and wait for us to rest before showing up You can tell by the bite marks they leave on your skin, but otherwise they often do not stain Some pests can transmit diseases through their bites or cause infections by inflaming the skin, so it is important to address these problems as soon as possible Being stung while sleeping is not pleasant For those who are concerned that something may be eating them during the night, here are five pests that bite while you sleep and what to do if you suspect that something is biting you

Bed bugs are usually the first suspected if you wake up covered in bite marks - one of the seven signs of bed bugs in your home These tiny insects hide near where you sleep (often around the bed and mattress for this reason) and then emerge to eat you while you rest Typically, they bite wherever the skin is exposed and leave behind inflamed pimples with zigzag or line patterns Although they do not transmit disease, these bites can cause itching and blistering, which is why you want to deal with these pests In addition, they spread very easily through fibers, making them more difficult to remove given time to reproduce and infest

Getting rid of bed bugs is no easy task - often repeated spraying is required and complete eradication can take months However, bed bugs must be dealt with There are different methods available, depending on whether you use chemicals or not For a complete breakdown, see How to Exterminate Bed Bugs However, some tips to get you started include vacuuming the immediate bed bugs from the mattress using the best vacuum cleaner, sealing it when finished, and discarding the contents of the trash can Then wash the bedding at high temperature to kill any remaining bed bugs If necessary, a steam cleaner can also be used to kill bed bugs A mattress cover such as the Utopia Bedding Premium Zipper Mattress Encasement ($15, Amazon) may be necessary

Here are also seven ways to prevent a bed bug infestation

Fleas are notorious for eating our pets However, fleas are also happy to eat human blood If you often put your pets to sleep or put them on your bed and suspect that you have fleas, beware This pest can easily jump from A to B In fact, fleas can take up residence in upholstered furniture as well as carpets, so if these pests are not addressed, a home can quickly become infested

Flea bites tend to appear on the lower body, especially on the legs, ankles, and feet; one flea is usually bitten three times per meal, but can be more or less depending on whether they are interrupted Bites may be collective or sporadic, but are often very itchy and unpleasant Most are harmless, but they can carry fatal diseases such as flea-borne typhus, cat scratch disease, and the plague In addition, allergic individuals should have their fleas removed, as flea bites can cause allergic reactions

For more information on how to get rid of fleas, see How to Get Rid of Fleas You should remove fleas from the house as well as dealing with the source, which is likely your pets, and this involves vacuuming, steam cleaning and washing your bedding with a high wash - similar treatment to that of bed bugs

This is particularly unpleasant, but needs to be covered up Scabies refers to a skin infection caused by the scabies mite (sarcoptes scabiei) These pests burrow into the superficial layers of the skin and lay eggs, causing intense itching and discomfort They are often transmitted by direct contact with the skin, but can also be transmitted from shared bedding and are more severe and life-threatening, especially if the host is crusted scabies

Bites of this kind may look like a rash or eczema, with a line of small bumps under the skin As mentioned earlier, itching follows According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "scabies can cause skin sores and serious complications such as septicemia (bloodstream infection), heart disease, and kidney disease" Therefore, if scabies is suspected, it must be treated as soon as possible

Seek medical attention as soon as possible and treat with necessary topical creams and oral medications Avoid contact with others during this time Wash bedding and dry in a washing machine and clothes dryer at maximum temperature Also, vacuum the room and seal non-washable items in plastic for at least one week

Some people forget that mosquitoes can also bite at night In fact, waking up with an itchy rash of this kind is all too common, especially considering how active this pest is from dusk onward Only female mosquitoes suck human blood, and they need this protein source to reproduce Think of when we are in bed: arms, ankles, neck, face, etc

The result is usually itchy, inflamed skin that takes several days to recover However, these pests can also carry deadly diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, so try to protect yourself from mosquito bites whenever possible

There are many ways to get rid of mosquitoes, but I also found seven ways to avoid mosquito bites, especially at night The best advice is to install effective fly screens on doors and windows, and important mosquito nets like this "Mosquito Net Bed Canopy for Girls" ($14, Amazon) Fans also help distort the way mosquitoes fly

Lice can easily disrupt restful sleep These parasites feed on human blood, and different species bite in different places For example, body lice attach themselves to bedding, clothing, and other textiles, often laying their eggs in the seams Generally, they bite day and night around the seams of clothing, such as the shoulders, neck, and waistline, leaving discolored bite marks or, in allergic reactions, a rash

Body lice can also carry diseases such as typhus rash, relapsing fever, and trench fever, which can cause sores and infections The head lice, on the other hand, attach to the scalp and create hiding places among the hair follicles In both cases, infestation causes severe itching and should be treated immediately

To deal with body lice, wash bedding and clothing that may be infected and dry them as hot as possible To get rid of lice, maintain good hygiene by washing your body and clothing regularly Medications can be prescribed to kill lice Body lice are found throughout the world, but tend to occur in crowded areas where access to clean clothing and water for washing is difficult

For head lice, home treatment kits are widely available, such as the Clinix lice treatment kit ($29, Amazon) Don't forget to wash your bedding again