Why don't bedbugs bite men? - briefly
Bedbugs are capable of biting men, but they tend to prefer female hosts because male skin usually releases lower levels of carbon‑dioxide, heat, and certain odor compounds that attract the insects. Consequently, male victims experience fewer bites on average.
Why don't bedbugs bite men? - in detail
Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) feed on warm‑blooded hosts, yet reports show significantly fewer bites on adult males than on women or children. The disparity results from a combination of physiological, chemical, and behavioral factors.
- Skin temperature: Male skin often runs cooler than female skin, especially on the torso. Bedbugs locate hosts by detecting heat gradients; a lower surface temperature reduces attraction.
- Sweat composition: Male perspiration contains higher concentrations of certain fatty acids and lower levels of lactic acid. Bedbugs are drawn to lactic acid and specific volatile organic compounds; the altered profile makes males less appealing.
- Odor cues: Studies identify sex‑specific skin microbiota that produce distinct odors. Female and child microbiomes generate stronger kairomones that trigger feeding behavior.
- Clothing coverage: Men frequently wear tighter, thicker garments that conceal skin and limit heat emission, creating a physical barrier that hampers the insect’s ability to locate a bite site.
- Movement patterns: Higher activity levels in men increase airflow over the skin, dispersing chemical cues and making sustained contact more difficult for the insect.
- Hormonal influences: Testosterone may modulate skin secretions that interfere with the detection of blood‑feeding cues, though research on this link remains preliminary.
Epidemiological surveys confirm the pattern: bite incidence among males is roughly 30‑40 % lower than among females in comparable living conditions. Laboratory experiments replicate the trend by exposing bedbugs to skin extracts; extracts from male volunteers elicit fewer probing attempts than those from female volunteers.
The cumulative effect of these variables explains why men experience fewer bites. Adjustments in any single factor—such as increased body heat during exercise—can temporarily raise susceptibility, but the overall profile remains less favorable for bedbug feeding.