Can Bed Bugs Live in Your Hair?

What is the difference between male and female bed bugs?

Can bed bugs live in your hair? It may seem like an odd question, but the answer is NO. Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, and they need blood to survive, so your head would be an unsuitable environment for them. In addition, bed bugs don’t like to linger on your hair since bed bugs prefer that the host not be moving. So they immediately crawl back to their harborage to digest their meal. However, that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down when it comes to these pests. While bed bugs don’t live in your hair, bed bugs can get in your hair. Bed bugs can hitch a ride on your clothing and end up in your bed that way. When leaving their harborages to find food, they may walk across your hair to get to your skin. So whether you’re traveling or not, always be vigilant about checking for bed bugs.

How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Your Hair?

Bed bugs can get into your hair by hitching a ride on your clothing. They may also crawl across your hair to get to your skin. Bed bugs are attracted to warmth and the carbon dioxide that we exhale. This combination makes our heads an ideal target for these pests.

Bed bugs do not intentionally seek out your hair. Your scalp is just another food source to them. Waking up before they finish their meal or going back to their hiding places during the daytime, you will carry the tiny insects with you out of bed. From there, they may hitch a ride to other parts of your home, into your car, or even to other buildings.

Symptoms Of Bed Bugs In Hair

Bed bugs in the hair are not as common as those on the skin. Though bed bugs won’t live on your head, they could bite around your hair. You may notice redness and inflammation around the bite site if they are present. The bites themselves can be itchy and irritating. You may also see small black dots near or on the bite site. These are bed bug excrement, which is left after they have fed. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s best to consult a professional to help you get rid of the bed bugs.

How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs From Your Hair?

As we mentioned earlier, bed bugs aren’t attracted to your hair specifically – they’ll bite wherever they can find an exposed area of skin. However, if you’re worried about bed bugs in your hair, there are some things you can do to help prevent them.

  • Make sure you check your bed for signs of bed bugs before getting into bed. For example, look for blood stains or small black dots, evidence of bed bug excrement.
  • Keep your bedroom clean and free of clutter. Bed bugs like to hide in the dark, warm places, so removing excess clutter will make it harder for them to survive.
  • If you're traveling, be sure to check your hotel room for signs of bed bugs before unpacking. If you find bed bugs, report them to the hotel staff immediately.
  • If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, seek professional help right away. They can help you identify and get rid of these pests. Unfortunately, bed bugs can be difficult to get rid of on your own.