What are the feeding habits of bed bugs?
• All forms, except eggs, require a blood meal and thus feed on a variety of animals. • Humans are a preferred host in many cases. • Bed bugs feed mainly at night. Some research shows they prefer the hours of 2-5am. • A single bed bug can inflict multiple bite sites when feeding, looking for a good blood source. • Bed bugs first inject a salivary gland substance that numbs the area so their host (you!) cannot detect. their mouthpart puncturing your skin to siphon up a blood meal. • Believe it or not! Bed bugs can travel 20-100 feet for a blood meal. So, even though you do not see them, they are coming from significant distances in a room to reach you.