How do bedbugs bite on a sofa? - briefly
Bedbugs crawl onto the upholstered surface, locate exposed skin, and feed by inserting their needle‑like mouthparts and delivering saliva that prevents clotting. The bite often manifests as a small, itchy welt a few hours after the feeding.
How do bedbugs bite on a sofa? - in detail
Bedbugs locate a host by detecting carbon‑dioxide, heat, and movement. When a person sits on a couch, the insects hidden in seams, cushions, or fabric folds sense the rising CO₂ plume and the body heat radiating from the skin. They travel along the upholstery, guided by the gradient of temperature and chemical cues, until they reach an exposed area of skin.
The feeding process consists of several steps:
- Approach: The bug climbs the sofa structure, often using its flattened body to slip between threads and under the upholstery.
- Piercing: Using a pair of elongated, hollow mouthparts called a proboscis, the insect inserts the needle‑like stylet through the epidermis. The stylet is designed to minimize pain and prevent immediate detection.
- Saliva injection: The bug releases anticoagulant saliva that contains enzymes preventing blood clotting and reducing inflammation. This saliva also contains anesthetic compounds that numb the bite site temporarily.
- Blood extraction: The insect draws blood through the hollow tube, feeding for 5–10 minutes. During this time, it may move slightly to maintain optimal contact with the skin.
- Retraction: After feeding, the bug withdraws its proboscis and retreats to the hidden crevice, leaving a small, red, often itchy puncture.
Cushion covers, zipper seams, and the underside of sofa frames provide preferred hiding spots. The soft padding offers a stable environment, protecting the insects from disturbance while they wait for a host. Repeated exposure to the same seating area increases the likelihood of multiple bites, as bedbugs can recognize previously fed‑on locations through residual heat and scent markers.
Effective control requires inspection of all couch components, removal of infested fabric, and targeted treatment of cracks and seams where the insects reside.