How does a bedbug bite? - briefly
During feeding, a bedbug pierces the skin with its elongated proboscis, injects saliva that contains anesthetic and anticoagulant compounds, and then extracts blood. The resulting bite manifests as a tiny, red, itchy welt that often becomes noticeable after a few hours.
How does a bedbug bite? - in detail
Bedbugs locate a host by detecting carbon‑dioxide, heat and body odor. Once a suitable spot is identified, the insect climbs onto the skin and inserts its elongated, needle‑like mouthparts, called a proboscis, into the epidermis. The proboscis consists of two slender stylets: one pierces the skin, the other delivers saliva.
The saliva contains anticoagulants, vasodilators and anesthetic compounds. These substances prevent blood clotting, expand capillaries and temporarily numb the area, allowing the bug to feed undisturbed for several minutes. During this period, the insect draws blood through the hollow channel formed by the stylets, ingesting up to 0.001 ml per meal.
After feeding, the bug withdraws its mouthparts, leaving a puncture site that is often invisible. The injected saliva triggers a localized immune response, resulting in a small, red, raised wel‑whelm that may itch. The reaction varies with individual sensitivity and can appear hours to days after the bite.
Typical characteristics of the bite:
- Size: 1–3 mm, resembling a pinprick.
- Pattern: Often grouped in a linear or clustered arrangement, reflecting the bug’s movement along the skin.
- Timing: Occurs primarily at night when the insect is active.
- Duration of feeding: 5–10 minutes per site.
Understanding this feeding mechanism clarifies why bedbug bites are painless at the moment of contact yet may produce delayed dermatological symptoms. Effective control measures target the insect’s access to hosts and disrupt its ability to locate and feed.