What attracts bed bugs to a person? - briefly
Bed bugs locate hosts by detecting carbon dioxide exhaled, body heat, and skin‑derived chemicals such as lactic acid, ammonia, and certain fatty acids. They are additionally attracted to movement and the darkness of a sleeping environment.
What attracts bed bugs to a person? - in detail
Bed bugs locate a host by detecting several physiological and environmental cues. The most prominent attractants are:
- Carbon dioxide: Exhaled breath creates a plume of CO₂ that the insects follow from a distance.
- Body heat: Infrared sensors enable detection of temperatures close to human skin, typically 30‑34 °C.
- Moisture: Sweat and skin surface humidity provide a humid micro‑environment that stimulates feeding behavior.
- Skin‑derived chemicals: Lactic acid, ammonia, fatty acids, and other volatile organic compounds released by the skin act as short‑range signals.
- Blood type and secretions: Certain blood groups (e.g., type O) and higher concentrations of certain skin secretions increase attractiveness, though the effect varies among individuals.
- Movement: Vibrations caused by walking or shifting in bed generate mechanoreceptive cues that guide the bugs toward a potential host.
- Odor of clothing and bedding: Fabrics that retain human scent, especially those that have been worn or contain sweat, amplify the chemical gradient.
These stimuli operate in a hierarchical fashion. At several meters, CO₂ and heat dominate the search. As the insect approaches within centimeters, moisture and skin chemicals become decisive. The combination of cues creates a gradient that the bug follows until it contacts the skin and initiates blood feeding.
Understanding these attractants informs control strategies. Traps that emit CO₂, heat, or synthetic versions of skin volatiles can lure bugs away from people. Reducing sweat accumulation, maintaining low indoor humidity, and washing bedding at high temperatures diminish the chemical signals that draw insects.