Is it true that bedbugs only bite one person? - briefly
Bedbugs feed on any available host, not exclusively on a single individual. Multiple bites on different people are typical in an infested setting.
Is it true that bedbugs only bite one person? - in detail
Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) feed on blood from any warm‑blooded host that is accessible. They do not limit their activity to a single individual in a household. Several factors determine which person is bitten, but the insects move freely among occupants and can feed on multiple people during a night’s activity.
Feeding behavior includes:
- Host availability – proximity to a sleeping surface, body heat, carbon‑dioxide emission, and movement attract bedbugs.
- Host preference – studies show a slight preference for certain individuals based on blood type, skin chemistry, or body temperature, yet preferences do not exclude other occupants.
- Aggregation – bedbugs congregate in cracks, furniture, and bedding; from these sites they can access any adjacent host.
- Feeding frequency – after a blood meal, an adult can survive several weeks without feeding, but when hungry it will seek the nearest suitable host, regardless of previous bites.
Evidence from laboratory and field investigations confirms that a single infestation commonly results in bites on several residents. In multi‑person dwellings, bite patterns often involve a mixture of individuals, with some receiving more bites due to higher exposure or greater attractiveness. In contrast, isolated cases where only one person reports bites usually reflect limited exposure rather than an intrinsic restriction of the parasite.
Control measures must therefore target the entire environment: thorough inspection of bedding, furniture, and wall voids; regular laundering of linens at high temperatures; use of mattress encasements; and, when necessary, professional insecticide treatment. Eliminating all harborages prevents bedbugs from moving between hosts and reduces the likelihood of repeated bites on any occupant.