Bedbugs are ectoparasites whose food source is exclusively human blood. There is a widespread belief in society that blood-sucking insects attack only some family members, ignoring others.
To support this theoretical statement, one can cite facts such as the absence of bite marks on some people and many marks on the skin of children. In fact, the myth that bedbugs bite some people and not others is another mass misconception.
Parasites do not show selectivity when choosing a victim, but it is still possible to identify some factors that will reduce the likelihood of an attack by bed bugs.
Why do bedbugs not bite all people?
So, the myth that bedbugs do not bite all people in the family is widespread, but fundamentally wrong.
Parasites bite everyone, regardless of blood type, gender, dietary habits, use of personal hygiene products and a number of many other factors.
As for the misconception that bedbugs bite selectively, the following facts are the prerequisites for the emergence of such a myth::
- Bedbugs, as well as other parasites, sense blood circulation; therefore, people with thin skin are often attacked by parasites. Since representatives of the stronger sex have dense skin, it is believed that bedbugs do not bite men. From this we can draw the following conclusion: of two people sleeping together, the one with sensitive skin will be subject to a massive attack of parasites.
- Insect bites are more common in children. This can also be explained by the vulnerable and thin skin of children, increased blood flow in the child’s body. In addition, children throw off the blanket in their sleep, which provides access to the skin for parasites.
- The presence of thick clothing and thick hair, which some representatives of the stronger half of humanity possess, also prevent the attack of bedbugs. Thus, we can conclude that children and women are indeed bitten by bedbugs somewhat more often.
- According to statistics, only three out of ten people have sensitive skin that is prone to redness, swelling and other signs of bedbug bites. Even if parasites bite all family members, traces of the insect attack will remain only on those who have delicate skin.
We should also not forget that bedbugs bite people only in the dark, and the peak of attacks by parasites occurs between three and five o’clock in the morning. Accordingly, lovers of daytime sleep are extremely rarely attacked by insects.
The main differences between mosquito and bedbug bites
How to distinguish a mosquito bite from a bedbug bite? The question is somewhat complicated. It all depends on the conditions. For example, during the cold season there are no mosquitoes in houses. They prefer warm conditions, so their activity occurs in the summer season. Creatures that cannot fly do not react to temperature the same way. Even in a cold room they can easily attack residents.
The size and color of the lesion are no different. So relying on these parameters is useless!
If a mosquito is capable of biting a person at any time of the day, then the bug is pedantic in this regard. For his vampire hunt, he chooses exclusively late evening or night. However, there is one more thing worth reporting: when there is severe hunger, the arthropod becomes courageous. The parasite literally loses its fear and sets off headlong towards its visible victim. If a person is attentive, then the enemy who quickly paws at him comes to an end.
In addition, mosquitoes can bite through thin fabric: gauze, chintz and other materials. Bedbugs specialize only in exposed areas of the skin. Most of all they are impressed by necks, arms, legs, faces.
But mosquitoes are not the only ones that can cause trouble.
Features of choosing a victim
As mentioned above, bedbugs do not bite just one person.
However, it is possible to highlight a number of aspects according to which insects choose the most suitable victim for themselves.:
- Bedbugs do not bite people who have bad habits or do so extremely rarely. Alcohol consumption and smoking can be considered as effective methods of scaring away bloodsuckers.
- Bedbugs cannot tolerate strong odors. Using perfumes, deodorants and other personal care products that have a strong odor will help prevent parasite bites.
- Insects readily attack people who lead a healthy lifestyle and eat high-quality products of natural origin. For this reason, bedbugs often bite children.
The above rules can only work if the number of bedbugs in the apartment is small. In large numbers, insects attack all family members without exception.
What to do if you do get bitten?
If you have become a victim of a bedbug attack, then first of all you need to lie in a warm bath, then you should treat the bitten skin with alcohol or a decoction of herbs. You can also find many special ointments and lotions in pharmacies. If you are allergic to insect saliva, you will have to buy antihistamines.
IMPORTANT!
If bite wounds become inflamed or pus appears, you should immediately visit a doctor, since most likely an infection has occurred.
Why do bedbugs bite children more often?
Despite the fact that bedbugs bite everyone and not selectively, children are more susceptible to attack by parasites. This is due to thin skin, the absence of sharp specific odors of hygiene products, and increased blood flow.
In addition, babies often throw off the blanket in their sleep, which provides parasites with unhindered access to the skin.
All statements given above are not based on scientifically proven facts . Arthropods attack all people, focusing on the carbon dioxide released by humans during sleep.
Myths about the selectivity of bloodsuckers are a consequence of the fact that some people have less sensitive skin on which bite marks do not remain. As for children, traces of parasite attacks on children's skin are characterized by severe symptoms.
How to prevent pests in your home
If you do not want to treat bedbug bites on yourself or your loved ones, you need to do everything possible to prevent these pests from getting into your home. To do this, follow these simple rules:
- Always wash your clothes in warm water after traveling anywhere. Even if pests manage to penetrate them, with this treatment they will simply die.
- Wash bedding in hot water from time to time. It is especially important to do this if you have recently had guests.
- Pay due attention to pet hygiene. Remember that pests can enter your home in their fur.
- Monitor the sanitary condition of your own home. Make repairs in a timely manner.
- Always look out for any suspicious rashes on your skin. Remember that dealing with these pests when they first appear in your home is much easier than removing a large colony. If you find welts that look like a bedbug bite, it's time to take action.
- Use essential oils and twigs of fragrant plants to repel pests. If you suspect that insects may crawl to you from a neighboring apartment (which is quite possible), place such twigs around the house and treat the crevices with essential oils. Pests do not tolerate the smell of these substances very well and are unlikely to run over to you.
TOP 13 remedies for bedbugs in apartments and houses
Remember also that these pests extremely rarely get on other people's clothes during the daytime. During this period they usually hide well. You risk transferring them to your home only if you inadvertently spend the night in an infected house. It is in such cases that the risk of carrying pests on your own clothes is especially high.
Video: preventing pests:
Do bedbugs bite animals?
Regular bed bugs do not bite everyone. In particular, insects rarely attack domestic animals.
This is due to a number of the following factors:
- The dense fur of dogs and cats creates a natural barrier for insects to prevent attack.
- The use of various insecticidal products, for example, collars, flea sprays, also repels bedbugs.
- Parasites are attracted to the specific smell of carbon dioxide emanating from a sleeping person. Animals have completely different odors, which reduces the likelihood of parasites attacking them to a minimum.
- Animals have dense skin, which, due to the specific structure of the proboscis, parasites cannot bite through.
Arthropods can starve for long periods of time. An adult lives without food for more than ten days.
If during this period of time there are no food sources other than animals available to the insect, it may attack a domestic cat or dog. However, the likelihood of such an attempt being successful is extremely low.
How to completely eliminate bedbugs?
It is difficult to completely eliminate insects. Traditional methods are suitable for minor bedbug infestations. But in other cases, this helps only for a while, and then the pests appear again.
If the infestation is severe, it is advisable to contact the SES or a commercial pest control company. Only in this case will it be possible to carry out successful work on eliminating pests.
Source
Signs of a bite
The appearance of bedbugs in the house is often indicated by marks on the skin that appear after bites.
Signs of nighttime insect attacks include the following::
- Unlike other ectoparasites, which rely on human blood as a source of nutrition, bed bugs leave peculiar “paths” on the skin, that is, several spots located sequentially.
- Swelling, redness, and slight swelling may appear at the site of the bite.
- An unpleasant itching appears, intensifying at night.
The skin of most people is not sensitive to insect bites, which eliminates the appearance of any marks. People suffering from various forms of allergies may experience severe itching, redness, and swelling.
When scratching and infection occurs, inflammatory processes and suppuration may develop.
Consequences of bedbug infestation
Bed bugs
The individual characteristics of the human body determine how long bedbug bites last. Methods on how to get rid of bedbugs yourself. This is influenced by the strength of the immune system, the tendency to allergic reactions, and the characteristics of the skin.
One is characterized by a severe allergy with bite marks that go away within 5-7 days; a person with less sensitive skin may experience discomfort within 24 hours. When long chains of multiple bites persist for weeks, you should consult a dermatologist or use folk remedies. It is advisable to use antihistamines.
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The child was bitten by bedbugs
The most unpleasant consequence of a bedbug bite (how to smear yourself against bedbugs) can be infection of the scratched areas of the bites (with unbearable itching). It has not been definitively confirmed, but there is an assumption that the bedbug can carry tuberculosis, smallpox, hepatitis B, tularemia and other dangerous diseases. It has been proven precisely: insect waste products may contain rickettsia - microscopic intracellular parasites from the category of bacteria.
