Where do bedbugs like to bite? - briefly
Bedbugs preferentially bite uncovered skin, concentrating on the neck, face, arms, hands, and occasionally the lower legs. They avoid areas protected by clothing or tight fabrics.
Where do bedbugs like to bite? - in detail
Bedbugs target areas where the skin is thin, less protected by hair, and where blood vessels are close to the surface. Their feeding behavior results in a predictable pattern of bite locations.
Commonly affected regions include:
- Face, especially around the eyes, nose, and mouth
- Neck and jawline
- Upper arms and forearms
- Hands, particularly the backs of the wrists
- Legs, focusing on the lower calf and ankle
- Feet, often the tops of the toes
These sites are chosen because they are frequently exposed during sleep and provide easy access to blood. The insects prefer warm, well‑vascularized skin, which explains the concentration on the face and neck. Bites often appear in clusters or linear arrangements, reflecting the bedbug’s movement across the host’s skin while feeding.
Less typical locations, such as the torso or areas covered by heavy clothing, receive fewer bites unless the clothing is thin or the skin is exposed. In environments where the host sleeps fully clothed, bites may shift to any uncovered area, but the preference for thin skin and proximity to blood vessels remains constant.