Bedding

What Attracts Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are one of the most frustrating household pests. They are small, sneaky, and incredibly good at hiding. Once they enter your home, they can spread quickly and become difficult to eliminate. Many people assume that bed bugs are attracted to dirt or poor hygiene, but that is a common myth. So, what attracts bed bugs? The truth may surprise you. This article explores exactly what attracts bed bugs, what doesn’t, and how you can reduce the risk of an infestation in your home, apartment, hotel room, or office.

Key Takeaways

• Bed bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide, body heat, and human scent, not dirt or poor hygiene.
• They hide near sleeping or resting areas and feed mainly at night.
• Bed bugs spread by hitchhiking on luggage, clothing, furniture, and public spaces.
• Clutter, warmth, and easy access to hosts help infestations grow.
• Early detection, regular cleaning, heat treatment, and professional help are the most effective ways to control and prevent bed bugs.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, reddish-brown insects that feed exclusively on blood, primarily human blood. They are nocturnal and prefer to hide during the day in cracks, crevices, mattresses, and furniture.

Adult bed bugs are small about the size of an apple seed. Despite their small size, they are excellent hitchhikers and can travel easily between homes through luggage, clothing, used furniture, and public transportation. Most importantly, bed bugs are not attracted to filth. They are attracted to people.

What Is the Main Cause of Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects with flat, oval-shaped bodies. They are about the size of an apple seed. After they feed on blood, their bodies become bigger and more swollen.

The main reason bed bugs come into homes is people.

Bed bugs are attracted to two main things:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) — the air we breathe out
• Body heat — the warmth from our bodies

Bed bugs cannot see very well. Some scientists even believe they may be almost blind. Because of this, they use their sense of smell and body heat to find humans. When we breathe out carbon dioxide while sleeping, bed bugs follow that signal. It helps them locate us easily.

Most bed bugs become active at night. They prefer feeding while people sleep because it gives them an easy, low-risk meal. To make feeding simple, they stay close to sleeping areas.

They tuck themselves into small, dark spots near beds, bed frames, mattress seams, under the bed, inside nightstands, and tiny cracks in nearby walls. After feeding, they retreat to these hiding places, allowing them to spread through a home and trigger an infestation.

What Attracts Bed Bugs?

Many people wonder what attracts bed bugs. The answer often lies in things we deal with every day without even realizing it.

1) Bed Bugs and Dark Bed Sheets

Research has shown that bed bugs seem to prefer darker colors. A study from Oxford found that they are more attracted to red and black compared to lighter colors. However, if they are hungry, the color of your sheets does not really matter. Whether your bedding is dark or light, they will still search for a human host.

So changing your bedroom color will not stop bed bugs from trying to feed.

2) Bed Bugs and Dirty Laundry

Bed bugs are strongly attracted to human scent. Dirty clothes and used bedding carry our natural body odor, which can attract bed bugs. The scent left on worn clothing can trigger their search for a host, just like the carbon dioxide we breathe out does.

This is why regularly washing dirty laundry and guest bedding is important in preventing bed bug problems.

3) Bed Bugs and Warmth

Bed bugs need blood to survive. They are naturally attracted to warm-blooded animals, and humans are their favorite target. Our body heat and the carbon dioxide we release when we breathe are the main reasons they find us.

It’s important to understand that bed bugs are not attracted to dirt or messy homes. They are attracted to warmth and the presence of people, regardless of how clean or stylish a home may be.

What Does NOT Attract Bed Bugs?

There are many misconceptions about what attracts bed bugs. Let’s clear them up.

Myth 1: Bed Bugs Are Attracted to Dirt

False. Bed bugs are not attracted to filth or garbage. Clean homes can get infestations just as easily as messy ones. However, clutter provides hiding spots, which makes infestations harder to detect and eliminate.

Myth 2: Bed Bugs Prefer Certain Blood Types

There is some evidence that bed bugs may show a slight preference for certain blood types, but this is not a major attractant factor. They will feed on any available human host.

Myth 3: They Only Live in Beds

Bed bugs may be named for beds, but they can live in many places. They can hide in sofas, office chairs, curtains, carpets, baseboards and suitcases. They stay close to where people rest or sit for long periods.

Myth 4: Bright Lights Keep Them Away

Bed bugs are nocturnal but not afraid of light. They prefer darkness because it reduces disturbance but if they are hungry enough, they will feed even in lighted conditions.

Read Also: Mattress Sizes and Dimensions

How Do You Get Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers. They don’t fly or jump, they crawl and spread by clinging to people or their belongings. They often enter homes on items like suitcases, purses, backpacks, coats, and clothing.

Any place where people sit, rest, or set down their things can become a pickup point. As a result, frequent travelers or households with overnight guests are more likely to accidentally bring bed bugs home.

Adult bed bugs, young bed bugs (nymphs), and even their eggs can sometimes be seen with the naked eye on luggage or personal items. These tiny pests live in many public places, not just homes.

Many people believe bed bugs only live in dirty areas, but that myth spreads confusion. Bed bugs also show up in clean, public spaces, such as:

• Retail clothing stores
• Public transportation
• Libraries
• Train and bus stations
• Movie theaters
• Hotels, hostels, and guest houses
• Airports
• Apartments
• Second-hand wooden furniture

What Do Bed Bugs Eat?

Bed bugs do not eat human food. They are not attracted to crumbs, trash, or waste.

Instead, bed bugs feed only on blood. They prefer warm-blooded animals, and humans are their favorite source. They find people by sensing body heat, the carbon dioxide we breathe out, and our natural body scent.

Bed bugs do not care about blood type. They will bite anyone if given the chance.

They are called bed bugs because they are often found near beds. Bed bugs hide in small spaces, such as mattress seams, box springs, headboards, and bed frames. From these hiding spots, they wait for a person to stay still so they can feed.

However, bed bugs are not limited to bedrooms. They can bite during the day or at night. Bed bugs don’t wait for you to fall asleep. They simply wait until you stop moving.

Why Bedrooms Are Prime Targets

Bedrooms are ideal environments because they provide:

• A steady host (you)
• Warmth
• Darkness
• Limited disturbance
• Nearby hiding spots

Since people remain still for 6–8 hours while sleeping, it gives bed bugs ample time to feed unnoticed.

What Environmental Conditions Help Bed Bugs Thrive?

While they are hardy pests, certain conditions make survival easier.

Ideal Conditions:

• Temperatures between 70–80°F (21–27°C)
• Access to hosts every few days
• Dark hiding spaces
• Minimal disturbance

They can survive months without feeding, making them incredibly resilient.

How Do Bed Bugs Find You?

Bed bugs use a combination of:

1. Carbon dioxide detection
2. Heat sensing
3. Scent detection
4. Vibration sensing

They don’t rely on vision much. Instead, they follow chemical and thermal cues.

At night, they emerge from hiding spots and move toward CO₂ plumes and body heat.

Are Bed Bugs Attracted to Electronics?

Bed bugs are not attracted to electronics because of radiation or signals. However, they may hide in electronics because:

• They provide warmth.
• They offer tight, dark spaces.
• And they are often near beds.

Laptops, alarm clocks, and TVs can serve as temporary hiding spots.

Seasonal Activity: When Are Bed Bugs Most Active?

Bed bugs are active year-round, but infestations increase in warmer months due to:

• Increased travel
• Higher reproduction rates
• Warmer temperatures

Summer often sees spikes in reported infestations.

What Keeps Bed Bugs Away?

At the moment, there are no insect repellents approved for use on human skin that can prevent bed bug bites. Experts also warn against using outdoor pesticides indoors. This is illegal in many places and can make the problem worse. Instead of killing bed bugs, these products may cause them to scatter and hide in more places, making them harder to remove.

Some people use natural options like essential oils. Oils such as lavender, tea tree, and peppermint may help repel bed bugs. They also have calming scents that can improve sleep. However, essential oils alone are usually not strong enough to stop a serious infestation.

Other ways to help prevent bed bugs include:

• Use Diatomaceous Earth Carefully: Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder made from tiny fossilized organisms. It works by drying out bed bugs and damaging their outer shell, which eventually kills them. When used correctly, it can act as a barrier and help control bed bugs without harsh chemicals.
• Vacuum Regularly: Vacuum around your bed often. Clean mattress seams, bed frames, carpets, baseboards, and small cracks. The goal is to remove any bed bugs or eggs and eliminate hiding spots.
• Keep Your Home Clutter-Free: A tidy home makes it harder for bed bugs to hide. Reducing clutter gives them fewer places to settle and makes it easier to spot early signs of a problem.

What Should You Do if You Suspect Bed Bugs?

Getting rid of bed bugs can be difficult. Many people choose to hire professionals. But if you want to try handling it yourself first, here are some steps you can take:

1. Declutter the Area

Remove unnecessary items from the affected room. This helps reduce hiding places.

2. Vacuum Thoroughly

Vacuum the mattress, bed frame, carpets, furniture, and baseboards. After vacuuming, seal and throw away the vacuum bag immediately.

3. Use Heat Treatment

Heat is very effective at killing bed bugs. Wash bedding and clothes in water that is at least 120°F (48.9°C). Dry items on high heat for at least 20 minutes.

This works well for clothes and bedding, but heating an entire room to that temperature is more difficult without professional equipment.

4. Use Steam

A steamer can help kill bed bugs hiding in mattresses, furniture, and cracks. Steam reaches deep into fabric and small spaces where bed bugs hide.

5. Use Hot Car Treatment (With Caution)

If you live in a very hot climate, you can seal infested items in plastic bags and leave them in a closed car parked in the sun for a full day. High heat may help kill bed bugs, but results can vary.

6. Call a Professional

If the infestation continues, hiring a pest control professional is often the best solution. Professionals may use advanced heat treatments or other methods to completely eliminate the problem.

Bed Bug Prevention: How to Keep Bed Bugs Out

Most store-bought insect sprays do not effectively kill bed bugs. In many cases, they only cause bed bugs to hide deeper in walls or move to nearby rooms or apartments. This makes the infestation harder to control.

There is no magic spray that instantly removes bed bugs. These insects are very tough. They can survive for months without feeding, sometimes even up to a year in cooler temperatures (around 55°F or lower).

Bed bugs are also resistant to temperature changes. Studies show that to kill bed bugs and their eggs, temperatures must reach at least 118°F (48°C). At around 122°F (50°C), bed bugs cannot survive. Their eggs are even more heat-resistant, so you need higher temperatures or longer exposure to destroy them completely.

Because they are so resilient, early detection and proper treatment are very important.

Why Bed Bugs Are Hard to Eliminate

Even though they are attracted mainly to humans, they are difficult to remove because:

• They hide well and reproduce quickly.
• They can survive without feeding.
• Some products don’t kill them because they tolerate certain insecticides.

Professional pest control is often necessary for large infestations.

FAQs About What Attracts Bed Bugs

1. Are bed bugs attracted to dirty homes?

2. Does sleeping with lights on prevent bed bugs?

No. Bed bugs are primarily nocturnal, but they will feed whenever a host is available. Light does not deter them significantly.

3. Are bed bugs attracted to certain blood types?

There is no definitive evidence that bed bugs prefer specific blood types. However, they may be more attracted to certain body odors or higher CO₂ output.

4. Can pets attract bed bugs?

Bed bugs prefer human blood but can feed on pets if necessary. However, pets are not the main attraction for humans.

5. Does sweat attract bed bugs?

Yes. Chemicals in sweat, such as lactic acid and ammonia, can attract bed bugs because they help the insects locate a host.

6. How do bed bugs first get into a home?

Most infestations start through hitchhiking. Bed bugs enter homes via luggage, used furniture, clothing, or by traveling from neighboring units in apartments.

Conclusion

So, what attracts bed bugs? The answer is simple: you. Bed bugs are drawn to carbon dioxide, body heat, human scent, consistent access to hosts and safe hiding places. They are not attracted to dirt or poor hygiene. Anyone can experience a bed bug infestation. Understanding what attracts bed bugs empowers you to take preventive action. Early detection, travel awareness, and proactive inspection are your best defenses.