When do bedbugs bite people? - briefly
Bedbugs generally emerge after darkness to feed, preferring exposed skin while the host is resting. They may also bite during daylight if their hiding place is disturbed or the infestation is severe.
When do bedbugs bite people? - in detail
Bedbugs are nocturnal feeders. Their activity peaks after the host’s lights are turned off, typically between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Feeding is triggered by a combination of heat, carbon‑dioxide, and body odors emitted by a sleeping person. Once attracted, a bug climbs onto the skin, inserts its beak, and draws blood for 5–10 minutes before retreating to a hideout.
Factors influencing the exact moment of a bite include:
- Host temperature: Elevated skin warmth intensifies attraction, prompting earlier feeding.
- Carbon‑dioxide concentration: Higher levels, produced by deeper breathing during sleep, accelerate host detection.
- Light exposure: Darkness suppresses activity; sudden illumination can interrupt feeding.
- Previous blood meals: After a recent meal, bugs may delay the next feeding cycle by several days.
Typical feeding cycle:
- Detection: Heat and CO₂ gradients guide the insect toward the host.
- Approach: The bug walks across the mattress or bedding, seeking a suitable site.
- Attachment: The beak pierces the epidermis; anticoagulants prevent clotting.
- Blood intake: Blood flow continues for several minutes; the bug swells visibly.
- Retreat: The insect drops to the crevice, where it digests the meal for 5–10 days before seeking another host.
Bites often appear in exposed areas such as the face, neck, arms, and hands, reflecting the insect’s preference for accessible skin during the night. Feeding frequency varies with ambient temperature; warmer conditions shorten the interval between meals, leading to more frequent nocturnal bites.