Does Having Bed Bugs Make You Dirty?
WouterIf you’ve ever had bed bugs, you know how dirty they can make you feel. These tiny insects often bite at night, when their hosts are sleeping. They use their beak-like mouthpiece to ingest your blood. This causes an itchy, red bite mark. The bed bug bite marks are easily noticeable, even on lighter colored bed sheets.
The presence of bed bugs in your home does not have to be a reflection on your personal cleanliness. Bed bugs can enter any home, whether it’s clean or dirty. These creatures are attracted to humans because they feed on blood. They can enter your home through an animal, like a dog or a cat. The only way to prevent this is to keep your home clean.
A study from the University of Sheffield found that bed bugs find human hosts through clothing that has the scent of their host. While they’re not attracted to filth, they do seem attracted to dirty clothing. This makes a home feel more inviting to them. You can help reduce the chances of getting bed bugs by putting clean clothes on the floor.
Bed bugs produce an odor that can make you feel very dirty. Their saliva contains an anticoagulant, which keeps your blood from clotting while they feed. This is why bed bugs can leave tiny stains on your clothes, sheets, and bed. Usually, these bloodstains appear near the harborage areas.
