Who is bitten by bedbugs more often? - briefly
People who generate higher levels of body heat and carbon dioxide—such as children, pregnant women, and individuals with exposed skin—are bitten more frequently. Those with reduced immune responses may also notice bites more often.
Who is bitten by bedbugs more often? - in detail
Individuals who experience bedbug bites more frequently include:
- Children, especially those under five years old. Their skin is thinner, making bites more noticeable, and they often sleep on the floor or in shared bedding where insects can easily reach them.
- Elderly people living in assisted‑living facilities or nursing homes. Reduced mobility limits their ability to inspect and clean sleeping areas, and communal rooms increase exposure risk.
- Persons with compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or living with HIV/AIDS. Their bodies may react more intensely to the bites, prompting earlier detection and reporting.
- Residents of low‑income housing, shelters, or overcrowded apartments. Limited resources for regular pest control and the presence of clutter create favorable conditions for infestations.
- Travelers staying in budget hotels, hostels, or vacation rentals with inadequate sanitation. Short‑term stays often involve less thorough inspections, allowing bedbugs to establish unnoticed.
- Individuals with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Existing irritation can mask bite symptoms, leading to delayed treatment and prolonged exposure.
Factors influencing higher bite incidence are:
- Proximity to infested furniture or mattresses.
- Frequency of laundering bedding at temperatures below 130 °F (54 °C), which fails to kill eggs and nymphs.
- Lack of regular vacuuming and decluttering, which provides hiding places for the insects.
- Limited access to professional extermination services.
Collecting data from public health reports, pest‑control surveys, and hospital admissions confirms that the groups listed above bear the greatest burden of bedbug bites. Targeted interventions—such as routine inspections in senior facilities, education for caregivers of young children, and affordable pest‑management programs for vulnerable housing—reduce exposure and improve outcomes.