Where do bed bugs like to bite? - briefly
Bed bugs usually target uncovered skin, concentrating on the face, neck, arms, and hands where the epidermis is thin and warm. They bite most often at night while the host is stationary.
Where do bed bugs like to bite? - in detail
Bed bugs target exposed skin that is easily accessible during nighttime feeding. The most frequently reported areas include:
- Face and neck: cheekbones, jawline, and around the ears are often bitten because these regions are uncovered while a person lies on their back or side.
- Upper arms and forearms: especially when the sleeper’s arms are relaxed at their sides.
- Hands and wrists: skin exposed while reading or holding a pillow.
- Shoulders and upper back: reachable when a person rolls onto their side.
- Chest and abdomen: bitten when the torso is uncovered or when clothing is loose.
- Thighs and legs: common in individuals who sleep with shorts or rolled‑down blankets.
Bites typically appear in clusters or linear patterns, reflecting the insect’s probing behavior. The insects insert a straight‑piercing mouthpart, delivering a small amount of saliva that contains anticoagulants, which causes the characteristic red, itchy welts. The distribution of lesions can help differentiate bed‑bug activity from other arthropod bites.