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What are Bed Bugs Attracted To?
As a child you might have heard of the popular saying, “sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite.” Back then, you never imagined that such insects were real because you never experienced them. In reality, however, when the bed bugs do decide to bite, there’s nothing you can do to stop them. Your best option know what bed bugs are attracted to and try and be prepared to take action when necessary.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny insects that depend on warm blood for their survival. They are attracted to your body by the heat you give off and the carbon-dioxide that you breath out.
These insects are mostly found on the bed’s wooden frame or your bedding. They prefer such an environment because it’s the perfect place to feed on human blood. Bed bugs will wait until you are fast asleep to suck on your blood.
Interestingly, these insects can feed on you at anytime and anywhere. They are patient little creatures and will hold back any activity until you are inactive or unaware to suck on you. You could be watching a movie in your living room or theater, and a bed bug could be feeding on you.
What Attracts Bed Bugs?
1. Breathing
When you are in a stationary position, the carbon-dioxide that you breathe out tends to settle where you are. This invisible cloud of air acts like a sensor and alerts the bed bugs about your current position.
A good way to avoid detection is to turn on the fan or air conditioner so that it spreads the carbon-dioxide evenly around the house.
2. Temperature
Did you know that you are the warmest object in the room anytime the radiator, fan or oven is switched off. Similarly, if you use LED lights instead of incandescent ones, most of the heat in the room comes from you. The furniture remains at room temperature depending on the outside weather. Bed bugs are attracted to you because of such high temperatures.
You can avoid detection be setting your thermostat on lower temperature so that your body cools down and gives off less heat.
3. Sheet Color
As it turns out, bed bugs love black and red sheets. They prefer black because it makes it easy for them to hide from you. The reason why bed bugs love red is because that is the color of a full bed bug – these insects turn red when they drink too much blood.
Here, the best way to prevent bed bug infestation is avoid buying sheets and any wooden furniture that is red or black.
4. Surroundings
If you have things cluttered all over your room, you create hiding spots for bed bugs. Since these insects hate being detected, they prefer to set camp in dark places. Bed bugs will hide under a pile of clothes or shoes because its convenient.
The best way to deal with this situation is to get things in order. Fold your clothes when you are done with them and put them neatly in the laundry basket. Alternatively, you can add a special cover (encasement) for your mattress to prevent bed bugs from reaching your bed sheets and biting you.
5. Blood Type
Since mosquitos are more attracted to universal donors, bed bugs also have a blood type preference. Different blood groups give off diverse scents. A bed bug will come where you are if they like the smell of your blood.
The best way to prevent this kind of attack is to call an exterminator and get rid of the insects completely because you can’t change your blood type.
6. Hairless Body
The reason why bed bugs rarely go for cats or dogs is because these animals have fur all over their body. On the other hand, human beings are less hairy and have a smooth skin that enables the bed bug to suck blood easily.
The best way to protect yourself from an attack in this scenario is to wear long-sleeved clothes when you sleep. That way the bed bug can’t suck on your arms and legs.
Final Words
If you have ever experienced a bed bug bite, you know how annoying it can be. Nothing feels creepier than having some insect crawl on you when you’re asleep. Follow the above remedies to avoid being a victim of bed bug infestation. If it is too late and you already have a bed bug infestation, use the link below to get a 100% safe and natural to eliminate bed bugs.