How do house bedbugs bite people? - briefly
Female bed bugs pierce the skin with a needle‑like proboscis, inject saliva that contains anticoagulants, and then feed on the exposed blood for several minutes.
How do house bedbugs bite people? - in detail
Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) locate a host through heat, carbon‑dioxide, and movement cues. Once a suitable spot on exposed skin is identified, the insect anchors itself with its specialized mouthparts. The labium, a sheath that houses the stylet bundle, is inserted into the epidermis. Two elongated maxillary stylets pierce the skin, forming a channel that delivers saliva and extracts blood.
Saliva contains anticoagulants, vasodilators, and anesthetic compounds. These substances prevent clotting, increase blood flow, and temporarily numb the bite area, allowing the bug to feed uninterrupted for five to ten minutes. During this interval, the insect pumps blood upward through the food canal toward its digestive tract.
The feeding sequence can be outlined as follows:
- Host detection – heat and CO₂ gradient guide the bug to the skin.
- Attachment – forelegs grip the surface; the labium is positioned over the bite site.
- Penetration – maxillary stylets breach the epidermis, creating a narrow puncture.
- Saliva injection – anticoagulant and anesthetic saliva is released.
- Blood ingestion – rhythmic contractions draw blood into the gut.
- Withdrawal – mouthparts retract; the puncture remains minute and often invisible.
After feeding, the injected saliva may trigger a localized immune response. Most people develop a small, red, raised wheal that can itch for hours to days. In some cases, delayed hypersensitivity produces larger, more inflamed lesions. The bite pattern typically appears in linear or clustered arrangements, reflecting the insect’s movement along the skin.
Bedbugs do not transmit known diseases, but their feeding behavior can lead to secondary skin infections if scratching damages the epidermis. Prompt cleaning of the bite site with mild soap and antiseptic reduces infection risk. Monitoring for characteristic bite patterns and signs of infestation—such as exuviae, fecal spots, or live insects—facilitates early control measures.