Who do bedbugs bite the most? - briefly
Bedbugs primarily feed on humans, especially on exposed skin and areas with higher body temperature. They show no consistent preference for age, gender, or blood type, but bites are more common on people who are stationary or sleeping.
Who do bedbugs bite the most? - in detail
Bedbugs are obligate hematophages that locate hosts by detecting carbon‑dioxide, heat, and specific skin odors. The likelihood of a bite increases for individuals who present stronger or more consistent cues in these categories.
- Children – higher surface‑area‑to‑body‑mass ratio, frequent close contact with bedding, and elevated metabolic rate produce more CO₂ and heat per unit of body size, making them attractive targets.
- Pregnant women – increased body temperature and blood volume raise thermal and olfactory signals; hormonal changes may alter skin secretions that draw insects.
- Elderly persons – reduced mobility often results in prolonged periods spent in bed, providing extended exposure.
- People with blood type O – studies indicate a modest preference for this type, possibly due to specific antigens in the bloodstream.
- Individuals with higher skin bacterial diversity – certain microbiota generate volatile compounds that bedbugs detect more readily.
- Persons who sleep unclothed or wear loose nightwear – exposed skin offers easier access for the insect’s stylet.
Host‑selection behavior is opportunistic; when a suitable host is unavailable, bedbugs will feed on any warm‑blooded creature. Nevertheless, the groups listed above experience a statistically higher incidence of bites because they emit stronger attractant cues or spend more time in the insect’s preferred microhabitat.