How do you know if you have bed bugs?

How do I know if I have bed bugs? Could I be getting bitten by them and others living in the same place not?

• I woke up this morning with about 6 bits on my legs and ankles and I'm wondering if they are bed bug bites or just from mosquitoes or spiders. My roommate has been living here for almost 3 months and has no such bites and I slept in the same place two nights ago without any bites. I was outside last night for a long period of time and go outside periodically on my back porch every day and we do have a bit of a bug problem there so he and I both think that they are just bites from mosquitoes or spiders. I have also seen pictures of bed bug bites and my bites look much larger than those I have seen of bed bugs. Plus four other people have lived upstairs for quite a while and have not complained about anything of this sort. If anyone could give me some clarification and peace of mind on this topic it would be greatly appreciated!

• Answer:

  Sounds like fleas. Even if you don't have pets, you were outside last night and the bites are around your ankles, which means fleas. They bite ankles. - I'm still not sure what all the talk is about re: bedbugs because I've never known anyone with them, and I don't get it. I've also heard (Y!A.com) bedbugs were completely obliterated in the USA but it's immigrants bringing them with them from other countries that have caused the infestations. If you don't have bedding or luggage or someone from another country in your home, you're safe. - While sometimes it's not worth searching past-asked & answered Q&As on Y!A.com, but in this case, you'll have luck. Just search Bedbugs and you'll find out more. I think it sounds like fleas, though. Teensy. Brown. Bite. ITCHY. - I never see mosquitos, so maybe that's it, but I thought mosquitos bite everywhere..not just ankles. - Try not to scratch too much because you could get an infection. Try Benedryl for itch. ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ed the infestations. If you don't have bedding or luggage or someone from another country in your home, you're safe. - While sometimes it's not worth searching past-asked & answered Q&As on Y!A.com, but in this case, you'll have luck. Just search Bedbugs and you'll find out more. I think it sounds like fleas, though. Teensy. Brown. Bite. ITCHY. - I never see mosquitos, so maybe that's it, but I thought mosquitos bite everywhere..not just ankles. - Try not to scratch too much because you could get an infection. Try Benedryl for itch. ===== ===== ===== ===== =====