What are bed bugs attracted to

What are bed bugs attracted to?

Bed bugs are an ongoing problem for many people, especially those who live in small apartments. It is not uncommon to find them anywhere from your bed to your couch, but the truth is that they are often attracted to certain smells and items. In this article, we will explain precisely how bed bugs are attracted to things.

attracted to carbon dioxide, but also CO2 from human sweat

They are attracted to carbon dioxide, but also CO2 from human sweat.

Bed bugs breathe through their mouthparts, and when humans sweat, the body releases carbon dioxide into the air.

Carbon dioxide is a gas naturally released into the air during metabolism—when your body uses oxygen for energy or processes food (like digesting). It is also emitted when you exhale, and your muscles release carbon dioxide from working hard (think of how hard it feels after a run). In both cases, this gives off heat as well.

Moisture especially blood attract bed bugs

Moisture, especially blood, attract bed bugs.

You may have noticed that it is easiest to find bed bugs in areas with high traffic, like hotels or airports. And that they tend to congregate on the floor next to beds and other furniture. These places are damp, perfect for growing and feeding off their host’s blood. 

Human skin attracts bed bugs (and some other animals’ skins) because of human blood on our bodies. This means that if there aren’t any humans around, there won’t be any bed bugs around either!

Heat and movement attract bed bugs.

Since bed bugs only survive in temperatures between 0°C (32°F) and 40°C (104°F), you must keep your house at an ideal temperature range for bugs—ideally between 20°C (68°F) and 25°C (77°F). This can be challenging if you have older furniture or carpets that aren’t as effective at keeping heat away from the floorboards underneath them.

There are several reasons that heat attracts bedbug eggs:

  • First, the tiny egg is resilient and can withstand temperature changes during an infestation. 
  • Second, when it comes time for a female bedbug to lay her eggs, she will often wait until she finds a place with plenty of warmth or light (such as under a pillow or in your mattress). 
  • The third reason involves your body heat. 
Bed bugs can be attracted by smells

Bed bugs can be attracted by smells.

Bed bugs are attracted to certain smells. These can be found in your home’s bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. The following are some familiar smells that a bed bug may find appealing:

  • Crayons or markers
  • Pet urine (especially from cats)
Signs that you have bed bugs

Signs that you have bed bugs?

Bed bugs are small, brownish, oval-shaped insects that feed on blood. Their flat bodies can be seen through the cracks in furniture and bedding. Bed bugs are found in the seams of mattresses and box springs.

Bed bug infestations occur when there is an increase in the number of these insects without a corresponding rise in sightings or bites. Your home may have been infested with bed bugs if you have noticed the following:

  • Small red bumps on your skin after an insect bite.
  • Blood spots on sheets or pillowcases.
  • Dark smears around baseboards where they hide during the day.
How do bed bugs spread

How do bed bugs spread?

Bed bugs can travel up to 12 miles in one day. They do this by crawling on their backs and using their legs as feelers. If a bed bug bumps into something, it may be able to move that thing by touch alone—a phenomenon known as “rubbing” or “scratching.”

Bed bugs also have wings, which fly from place to place when they need more food or space. This is how they spread themselves across an entire house! They will even hitchhike on objects like clothing or furniture if the opportunity presents itself (which it often does).

Bed bugs are also spread through contact with each other. Suppose an infected person does not wash her hands after handling a dirty mattress cover (or any other item). In that case, she will soon be harboring hundreds upon thousands of hungry little monsters all over her bedroom flooring!

Can I get rid of bed bugs in my home myself

Can I get rid of bed bugs in my home myself?

Bed bugs are challenging to get rid of, and they can be tough to treat. To make matters worse, their bites are usually painless, so you may only notice the infestation once it is too late.

To get rid of bed bugs:

Use heat treatment (combined with chemical pesticides) for 8 hours at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This method will kill the eggs but not necessarily all adult members of this species as well as eggs on clothing or furniture that hasn’t been adequately treated beforehand.

Heat treatment using steam is effective against this species for 3 hours at 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit). In addition, various chemicals, such as pyrethrum, are also effective against these insects. The combination method involves treating your home with either heat or chemical pesticides and then vacuuming any remaining fecal matter within walls and floors after 24 hours since application.

Contact the bed bug heat treatment in Arlington Heights, IL, to ensure everything is done properly.

A way to prevent bed bugs from returning to my home

A way to prevent bed bugs from returning to my home?

  • Refrain from bringing your luggage into your home.
  • Do not use public transportation, like a plane or bus.
  • Do not share clothes, bedding, and furniture with anyone else in the household (including pets).
  • Wash all soiled clothing in hot water twice before wearing it again. This ensures that cleaning agents on the items’ outer surfaces have killed any remaining bed bugs.
Know how they behave

Know how they behave.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers or shortcuts to protecting your home from a bed bug infestation. You can reduce their chance of entering your home by taking precautions, providing proper treatment, and practicing good sanitation. But the only natural way to ensure you don’t end up with them is to know how they behave, which means learning what bed bugs eat. And what attracts them? — information which we hope we have provided for you here!

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