Who besides bed bugs can bite at night? - briefly
Mosquitoes, fleas, certain mites, spiders, sandflies and blackflies can also bite during the night. They are drawn to body heat, carbon dioxide, or movement and may leave itchy welts.
Who besides bed bugs can bite at night? - in detail
Many arthropods other than bed bugs can deliver bites while people sleep. Mosquitoes are the most common; species such as Culex and Anopheles are active after dusk and are attracted to body heat and carbon dioxide. Fleas, especially cat‑ and dog‑fleas (Ctenocephalides spp.), can crawl onto beds and bite exposed skin during the night. Bird mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) and rodent mites (Ornithonyssus bacoti) leave their hosts to feed on humans, often causing itchy welts while occupants are asleep.
Ticks, particularly the larvae of the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), may attach in the evening and remain unnoticed until daylight. Sand flies (Phlebotomus spp.) and biting midges (Culicoides spp.) are small, fast fliers that can infiltrate bedrooms and bite in darkness. Chiggers, the larval stage of harvest mites (Trombiculidae), settle on clothing and bite after prolonged contact, frequently during nighttime rest.
Spiders such as the brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) and black widow (Latrodectus spp.) may bite when disturbed in bedding, though incidents are rare. Fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) sometimes invade homes and sting during night hours, especially in regions where colonies build nests close to human structures.
Mammalian sources include rodents and bats that may bite if they encounter a sleeping person, though such events are uncommon. Lice, particularly body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), can bite at any time, including night, when the host is immobile.
In summary, nocturnal biting agents encompass mosquitoes, fleas, various mite species, ticks, sand flies, biting midges, chiggers, certain spiders, fire ants, and occasional mammalian bites. Identification of bite patterns and prompt environmental control are essential for effective management.