How do bed bugs on the bed bite? - briefly
Bed bugs use needle‑like mouthparts to penetrate the skin, injecting saliva that numbs the area and prevents clotting before drawing blood. They usually feed on exposed body parts while the host sleeps, causing tiny, red, itchy welts.
How do bed bugs on the bed bite? - in detail
Bed bugs locate a host by sensing body heat, carbon‑dioxide, and movement. Once a sleeping person is detected, the insect climbs onto the mattress or directly onto the skin and anchors itself with its claws. The feeding process proceeds in several steps:
- The bug inserts its elongated beak, the stylet, through the epidermis. The stylet consists of two hollow tubes: one for delivering saliva, the other for drawing blood.
- Saliva contains anticoagulants, vasodilators, and anesthetic compounds. These substances prevent clotting, expand capillaries, and temporarily numb the bite site, allowing the bug to feed undisturbed.
- Blood is drawn continuously for five to ten minutes. An adult consumes up to 5 µl per meal, enough to sustain several days without feeding again.
- After engorgement, the insect retracts the stylet and drops back onto the bedding. The wound closes quickly; the anesthetic effect fades within minutes, and a small, red, itchy papule may appear later.
Typical bite patterns reflect the bug’s feeding behavior. Multiple punctures often occur in a line or cluster, spaced a few centimeters apart, because the insect moves short distances between feeds. Bites are most common on exposed skin—face, neck, arms, and hands—while the host is asleep. The reaction varies with individual sensitivity: some experience only a faint welt, while others develop intense pruritus and secondary inflammation.
Understanding the mechanics of feeding helps in recognizing infestations early and applying targeted control measures.