Who do bedbugs like? - briefly
Bedbugs are primarily attracted to humans, detecting carbon‑dioxide, body heat, and skin odors, though they will also feed on other warm‑blooded mammals such as dogs, cats, and birds.
Who do bedbugs like? - in detail
Bedbugs are hematophagous insects that feed exclusively on the blood of warm‑blooded animals. Their host selection is driven by a combination of physiological cues, environmental conditions, and species‑specific adaptations.
Carbon dioxide emitted by breathing organisms serves as the primary long‑range attractant. When a potential host approaches within a few meters, the insects respond to the gradient and move toward the source. Skin temperature further refines the target; bodies that maintain a surface temperature between 30 °C and 34 °C generate the strongest thermal signal.
Chemical signatures on the skin influence feeding preference. Certain volatile compounds—such as lactic acid, ammonia, and fatty acids—are detected by chemosensory receptors and increase the likelihood of a bite. Human skin typically produces higher concentrations of these metabolites than many other mammals, making people the most common hosts in domestic settings.
Host size correlates with blood volume availability. Larger animals provide more sustenance per feeding event, allowing a single bedbug to engorge fully. Consequently, adult humans, dogs, and cats are preferred over small rodents or birds when these species coexist in the same environment.
The presence of protective barriers modifies exposure. Bedbugs exploit seams, folds, and crevices in bedding, clothing, and furniture to access a host’s skin while remaining concealed. Materials that reduce skin exposure—such as tightly woven fabrics or sleeping bags—decrease feeding success.
In summary, bedbugs favor hosts that emit strong carbon‑dioxide plumes, maintain optimal skin temperature, release attractive skin volatiles, and present ample blood volume without effective physical barriers. Human occupants typically satisfy all these criteria, which explains their predominance in infestations.