Bed bugs are most attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat emanating from humans (and other warm-blooded animals).
Bed bugs have limited vision, and may even be entirely blind. Because of this, they rely on other senses to locate their hosts. The combination of these two stimuli makes it easy for them to find a blood meal. Let's break down why these are so attractive:
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Carbon Dioxide (CO2): As humans breathe, we exhale carbon dioxide. Bed bugs possess highly sensitive receptors that can detect even small fluctuations in CO2 levels, guiding them towards potential hosts, even from a distance. This is a primary attractant, signaling the presence of a living, breathing being.
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Body Heat: Bed bugs are also drawn to the warmth emitted by our bodies. This heat signature acts as a secondary cue, confirming that the CO2 source is indeed a living creature and a viable source of blood.
In summary, bed bugs use carbon dioxide and body heat in conjunction to locate their next meal. Without these key attractants, finding a host would be significantly more challenging for these pests.
