Bedbug Bites – Does Bed Bug Have Blood?
WouterWhen a bedbug bites, does it leave a stain of blood? The answer depends on when the bedbug was last feeding. Usually, it will take two to five days to digest a blood meal. Younger bedbugs will digest their meals faster, leaving less blood behind at each feeding. In fact, bedbugs do not have blood, but they do have hemolymph fluid similar to blood. This fluid transports nutrients to their body cells, and it also clots in the event of an injury.
Blood stains are often small, red and smeared and may appear on your bed sheets, clothing or pillowcase. These stains may appear near the foot of the bed, as bedbugs feed on the human blood. These stains are most likely located near the pillowcase. The gap between the pillowcase and pillow is an ideal place for a bed bug to hide and feed.
The eggs of bedbugs are white or yellowish and stick to almost any surface. They may also leave faint yellow stains on fabric. These insects can also leave a pheromone, which has an alarming scent similar to that of a stink bug. This odor may be sweet or musty.
Besides human blood, bedbugs also feed on bats and other animals. However, the most common source of blood for these insects is human blood. The insects can live for up to a year without their host, thanks to the nutrients in human blood. Their waxy shells also help them retain moisture.
