How do bedbugs feed on a person? - briefly
A female bed bug pierces the skin with its elongated proboscis, releases anticoagulant saliva, and ingests blood for several minutes until fully engorged. Feeding typically takes place at night while the host is motionless, after which the insect detaches.
How do bedbugs feed on a person? - in detail
Bedbugs locate a host by sensing carbon dioxide, heat, and body odors. Once a suitable spot is identified, the insect climbs onto the skin and searches for a thin, hair‑free area such as the face, neck, or wrists.
- The bug extends its elongated beak, or proboscis, which consists of two mandibles and two maxillae that form a sheath.
- The mandibles pierce the epidermis, creating a minute puncture that is often invisible to the eye.
- Maxillary canals inject saliva containing anticoagulants, vasodilators, and a mild anesthetic. These compounds prevent clotting, increase blood flow, and reduce the host’s perception of the bite.
- Blood is drawn into the bug’s foregut through rhythmic contractions of the cibarial pump. A single feeding episode may last five to ten minutes, during which the insect can ingest up to 0.2 ml of blood.
- After engorgement, the proboscis is withdrawn and the bug retreats to a concealed harbor, where it rests for several days before the next meal.
The feeding cycle triggers a localized inflammatory response. Histamine release produces a red, itchy welt that may develop into a papule or, in sensitized individuals, a larger wheal. Bedbug saliva does not transmit known pathogens, but secondary infection can occur if the lesion is scratched.
Digestive processing begins within hours. The ingested blood is stored in the midgut, where enzymes break down hemoglobin and proteins for nutrient absorption. During the post‑feeding interval, the insect undergoes rapid weight gain, which fuels egg production and molting. This cycle repeats every few days to weeks, depending on temperature, host availability, and the bug’s developmental stage.