What triggers bedbugs to bite? - briefly
Bedbugs are activated by the presence of a warm‑blooded host, sensing heat, carbon dioxide and specific body odors. Their feeding response intensifies with host movement and skin chemicals.
What triggers bedbugs to bite? - in detail
Bed bugs initiate feeding when they detect a combination of sensory cues that indicate a suitable host. The primary triggers are:
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted by breathing. Concentrations rise as a person exhales, signaling the presence of warm‑blooded tissue.
- Heat from body temperature, typically around 30–37 °C. Thermal receptors in the insect’s antennae guide it toward the heat source.
- Skin odors containing compounds such as lactic acid, ammonia, fatty acids, and certain volatile organic substances. These chemicals create a chemical gradient that the bug follows.
- Movement and vibration generated by a sleeping or resting host. Mechanical stimuli stimulate the insect’s mechanoreceptors, prompting it to locate the source.
When these signals converge, the bug awakens from its hidden position, usually within a few minutes, and begins to navigate using its rostrum to pierce the skin. The feeding process is further influenced by:
- Time of day: Bed bugs are nocturnal, aligning activity with periods of reduced host movement.
- Host proximity: A distance of less than 30 cm enhances detection efficiency.
- Blood type: Certain blood groups may produce more attractive odor profiles, though the effect is modest.
After a successful bite, the insect injects saliva containing anticoagulants and anesthetics, which prevents the host from feeling immediate pain and facilitates blood ingestion. The presence of these salivary components also contributes to the delayed skin reaction that often appears hours later.
Understanding these stimuli helps in developing targeted control measures, such as CO₂ traps, heat‑based lures, or chemical repellents that mask or disrupt the host cues.