Why do bedbugs bite me and not my husband?

Author: Orland Kemmer  |  Last update: Thursday, July 31, 2025

There are no specific blood types which bed bugs are attracted to, but there are instances where the pests will sometimes feed on one person in a bed and not the other. This could very well be an example of blood type playing a part in what bed bugs are attracted to.

What keeps bed bugs from biting you?

Here are some options: DEET: Products containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) are effective at repelling a variety of insects, including bedbugs. Look for a concentration of 20-30% for effective protection. Picaridin: This is another effective repellent that can be used against bedbugs.

Why do I have bed bug bites but my partner doesn't?

Heat and Moisture: Bed bugs are attracted to body heat and moisture. Individuals who are warmer or sweat more may be more likely to be bitten. Blood Type: Some studies suggest that people with certain blood types, particularly Type O, may be more attractive to bed bugs.

Why would bed bugs bite one person and not another?

Heat and Moisture: Bed bugs are attracted to body heat and moisture. Individuals who are warmer or sweat more may be more likely to be bitten. Blood Type: Some studies suggest that people with certain blood types, particularly Type O, may be more attractive to bed bugs.

What is the first thing to do when you have bed bugs?

- Remove all bedding, linens, and clothing from the bed and surrounding areas. Place them in sealed plastic bags to prevent spreading the bugs. Clean the Bedding: - Wash all affected items in hot water (at least 120°F or 49°C) and dry them on high heat for at least 30 minutes. This will kill bed bugs and their eggs.

Bug Bite Showdown: Identifying Flea vs. Bedbug Bites

What scent kills bed bugs instantly?

Blood Orange Oil

This essential oil is proven to be one of the most effective solutions when bed bugs are the matter as it can kill the pest successfully.

What can I put on my body to prevent bed bug bites?

Essential oils. While essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and peppermint are popularly recommended for DIY bed bug treatments due to their strong scents and supposed insect-repellent properties, there is not much scientific evidence to support their effectiveness in eradicating bed bug infestations.

Does anything repel bed bugs?

Bed bugs are sensitive to strong smells and certain scents can help keep them away. Essential oils like lavender, tea tree and peppermint are popular choices. These oils not only smell good but also act as natural repellents.

What blood type do bed bugs like?

Bed bugs prefer blood groups that they are accustomed to. For example, if a bed bug grew up drinking A- blood, they may develop a slight preference towards A- blood. That being said, a bed bug will happily feed on any blood type it has access to, even if the preferred blood group is not available.

What attracts bed bugs in the first place?

Bed bugs are attracted to a home primarily by the presence of humans, since they feed on human blood. They are often brought in via luggage, furniture, or clothing after being in an infested area.

What else could be biting me if not bed bugs?

There are three likely sources for bug bites at night — spiders, mosquitos or bed bugs. Spiders and mosquitos usually find their way into your home — and into your bedroom — during the warmer months. “Honestly, many mosquito and spider bites look similar.

How to tell if bedbugs are gone?

Generally, when the itchy bites stop and you don't see further signs of bed bugs, you can be comfortable that your treatments worked, but if you're still experiencing bites or seeing bed bugs, you're probably still battling an infestation.

Can bed bugs go in your private parts?

No. Bedbugs do not typically hide on your body and prefer to stay on places like mattresses and clothing.

What kills bed bugs instantly on skin?

There's no treatment that will instantly get rid of bedbugs or bedbug bites. Your body will react to the bite with inflammation (redness, swelling, itching), and then this reaction will go away over time.

Can I have bed bug bites but not my husband?

There are several reasons why you might wake up with bites while your husband does not get bitten: Different Bite Reactions: People react differently to insect bites. You may swell or itch more noticeably than your husband.

How can I stop getting bitten by bed bugs?

Don't
  1. do not keep clutter around your bed.
  2. do not bring secondhand furniture indoors without carefully checking it first.
  3. do not take luggage or clothing indoors without checking it carefully if you have come from somewhere where you know there were bedbugs.

What brings bed bugs out of hiding?

To lure bed bugs out of their hiding spots, you can use a steamer or a hairdryer to heat areas such as mattresses. Neither of these is hot enough to kill the bed bugs, but it can trick them into thinking a human host is near. You can also keep an eye out at night to locate their nests when they are most active.

Why am I the only one getting bit by bed bugs?

Some of us don't react to bed bug bites even though we may have as many or even more bites than another family member. While you're covered in welts, others may appear to be bite-free. It's not that bed bugs only bite one person. It's that people respond to the bites differently.

What smell attracts bed bugs?

Bed bugs are attracted to the scent of human sweat and body odors. Piles of dirty laundry, especially in bedrooms, can serve as attractive hiding spots and potential breeding grounds for bed bugs. Regularly washing and drying bedding, curtains, and clothing can help eliminate odors that may attract these pests.

What do bedbugs hate most?

Tea tree oil, renowned for its antibacterial properties, is like a natural bug repellent that bed bugs can't stand. Peppermint oil, with its invigorating minty freshness, overwhelms their acute senses. And eucalyptus oil, known for its refreshing aroma, is a formidable deterrent against these tiny intruders.

Does Vicks VapoRub keep bed bugs away?

While some people believe that the strong smell of VapoRub might repel bed bugs, there is no reliable data to support this claim.

Do dryer sheets repel bed bugs?

Wiping down furniture and other infested items with dryer sheets will not eliminate or repel bed bugs. Sure, you can buy ultrasonic bed bug repellers on Amazon and in brick-and-mortar stores but that doesn't mean you should. In fact, don't. There is zero evidence to suggest these devices will eliminate bed bugs.

What can I spray on my bed to prevent bed bugs?

Permethrin is an effective tool for helping control bed bugs. By implementing this approach, permethrin discourages bed bugs from infesting the bed and reducing the likelihood of an infestation. The scent of peppermint and chrysanthemums also repels bed bugs.

What can I eat to keep bed bugs from biting me?

5 Foods That Repel Bugs
  • Onions. The sulfur component in onions keeps bugs at a distance by producing an odor that bugs hate. ...
  • Grapefruit. Okay, we know that onions are probably not your first choice to rub all over your body, so you're in luck! ...
  • Cucumbers. ...
  • Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  • Garlic.

Is it okay to sleep in a bed with bed bugs?

Although it sounds like a grim choice, it is best to continue sleeping in the infested area using the population reduction methods described above, until the bed bugs are eliminated.

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