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5 Reasons Why Can Bed Bugs Bite One Person and Not the Other?

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Bed bugs have a unique ability to feed on the blood of one person but not the blood of another. Let’s discuss in this article why bed bugs bite one person and not the other. This is due to the bed bug’s saliva, which contains an anticoagulant. Anticoagulants prevent blood from clotting, so when a bed bug feeds on someone, it injects its saliva into the person’s bloodstream and sucks out their blood.

Anyhow, let’s drop conjecture and dig into the facts!

Can bed bugs bite one person and not the other?

can bed bugs bite one person and not the other?

Bed bugs cannot bite one person and not the other. If there are bed bugs that have infested a room, they will bite anyone who is sleeping in that room. Bed bugs are typically attracted to human blood and will feed on any person who is available.

This means that there are other reasons why bed bugs are only biting one of you in bed! Here are five of some of the most common reasons!

A late bed bug bite reaction

Some people experience an instant reaction to bed bug bites upon waking up from sleep. This visible response can include redness, swelling, and itching. For others, the reaction may not be as noticeable and can take several days or weeks to manifest.

There could be different reasons why this may happen, but it is still not fully understood. This can be due to different factors such as skin sensitivity and the amount of time it takes for the bug’s saliva to activate.

Different types of reactivity to bed bug bites

It is a fairly common misconception that if someone does not react to bed bug bites, then they are not being bitten. In fact, this is simply not true.

Different people will have different types of reactivity to bed bug bites, which means that some people may not show any signs of being bitten while others will experience severe reactions.

People react differently to bed bug bites because their skin has different levels of sensitivity.

Some people may not even notice when they’ve been bitten, while others may experience a wide range of symptoms, including redness, swelling, itching, and pain. The severity of the reaction also varies from person to person.

You’re being bitten by some other insect that is not a bed bug.

Mosquito bite

It is possible that you are dealing with the bites of some other insect that is not a bed bug. There are many different types of tiny biting bugs, and they can be found in all sorts of places- including soft furnishings.

If you have ruled out bed bugs as the source of your bites, it is worth investigating other possible culprits. There are other biting insects that look very similar to bed bugs and can cause the same reaction as a bed bug bite.

While bed bugs are a common culprit for unexplained bites, it’s important to rule out other biting insects before you start treatment. Mosquitos, chiggers, and mites are some of the most common biting insects.

Your blood type is preferable to bed bugs.

In all honesty, there is no specific blood type that insects prefer over the other. However, there are some subjective qualities that tend to be higher in specific blood types, and of course, certain environmental factors play an essential role.

Even in bed bugs, for example, these parasites are highly attracted to people or areas that are warm and have plenty of carbon dioxide. Your bed, especially when you sleep at night, is rich in those desirable environmental factors.

Therefore, it is relevant to note that the blood-type O is typically associated with higher body temperature. Therefore, it would not be completely wrong to say that bed bugs prefer the blood type O over the others.

Alternatively, bed bugs could be biting only you because you’ve been in the house the longest, and the bed bugs have simply gotten used to the taste of your blood.

It might take them a while to explore the blood of the new inhabitant! Additionally, women tend to be warmer than men, making them more desirable targets for bed bugs.

Mold mites cause the same signs as bed bugs.

Mold mites bite in the same way that bed bugs bite in

Mold mites are tiny creatures that feed on mold. Now, mold mites are close relatives of bed bugs and can cause the same signs and symptoms. However, they are not as well known as bed bugs and often go undiagnosed.

They can be found in homes without bed bugs, but they often come out of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This is because the warm air inside a home provides an ideal environment for them to thrive.

Although bed bugs and mold mites are different, they can cause some of the same signs. Both creatures cause itchiness, redness, and liquid secretion when scratched or bitten. However, mold mites are much smaller than bed bugs and are not as easily visible.

Does washing or bathing help avoid or prevent bed bugs from biting you in your sleep?

There are many different reasons why bed bugs might bite one person and not the other. Bed bugs are attracted to human skin pheromones, so people with more active sweat glands might be more attractive to them.

They are also drawn to dirty clothes, so people who don’t regularly wash their sheets and clothes might be more likely to get bit.

That said, bed bugs’ primary focus is still the availability of warmth, blood, and ample carbon dioxide. Therefore, don’t be too disappointed that bathing before bed didn’t do any wonders to keep bed bugs from biting you!

Does wearing bed bug repellant help?

bug repellant

There are a few reasons why bed bugs might bite one person and not the other, including the ones I’ve mentioned above. One more reason why bed bugs could be biting only one person and not the other in the same bed is the presence of natural bed bug repellants.

Though bed bugs cannot discriminate when it comes to biting someone, there are certain measures that can be adopted in order to make it more difficult for them to bite. For example, wearing bed bug repellant is a good way to discourage the bugs from biting.

Additionally, applying essential oils through everyday activities- like taking a shower or brushing teeth- can help discourage bites.

There are many various ways to apply essential oils. Some are riskier than others, but they can all be effective in repelling bed bugs. It is important to find the method that works best for you and use it regularly.

Therefore, if one of the two people is wearing essential oils, the chances are that bed bugs will avoid biting that person and bite the other one instead!

Do bed bugs prefer men or women?

There is no scientific evidence that suggests bed bugs prefer to feed on people of a certain gender. Some people believe that this may be the case, but there is no factual basis for this claim.

It is possible that bed bugs are more attracted to some people than others because of their scent or the warmth of their skin, but there is no concrete evidence to support this idea.

Some people believe that bed bugs are more likely to feed on men because they tend to have larger blood vessels, but this has yet to be proven.

Similarly, logic tells us that women, on account of having a naturally higher body temperature than men, attract bed bugs very quickly. As a result, women get bitten by bed bugs more often.

In fact, it is more probable that bed bugs feed on whoever is available to them. Whether you’re a male or female person, it is important to be vigilant about inspecting your bedding materials and the furniture in your home for any signs of an infestation.

Do bed bugs prefer certain colors over others?

There are many myths and misconceptions about bed bugs. One of these is that bed bugs prefer certain colors over others.

It is said that they are more attracted to dark colors, but, again, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. The logic is that dark colors seem like shelter, therefore, are attractive to bed bugs.

What we do know is that bed bugs are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, so wearing light-colored pajamas may make you less visible to them.

That said, the general rule to live by is that they are attracted to open skin- whether it is red, white, black, or any other color. This means that anyone can get bitten by bed bugs if they are not careful.

Conclusion

Scientifically speaking, there is no real evidence to suggest that bed bugs would choose a specific person or type of person over the other. However, anecdotal evidence here and there suggests that there are various environmental factors that are usually overlooked in answering this question!

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.