Bed bugs are a nightmare for anyone who has encountered them. These tiny pests can cause a lot of distress and discomfort with their bites, and they can be incredibly difficult to get rid of once they’ve infested your home. One question that often comes up is whether bed bugs can actually get into your hair. Let’s explore this topic in detail. Table of Contents Bed Bugs Hide in Many Different Places, Including Your Hair Bed bugs are excellent hiders, and they can squeeze into the smallest of cracks and crevices. While they don’t live on the human body, they can temporarily take refuge in your hair during an infestation. This is because your hair provides a warm, dark environment that bed bugs find attractive. Bed Bugs Can Live on Your Body for Up to a Year While bed bugs don’t live on your body permanently, they can survive on you for an extended period if they have access to a blood meal. In fact, some studies have shown that bed bugs can live on a human body for up to a year, as long as they can feed regularly. You May Not Be Able to See Bed Bugs on Your Skin Bed bugs are tiny, with adults measuring only about 5-7 mm in length. They can be challenging to spot, especially when they’re in your hair or on your skin. Their flat bodies allow them to hide in the smallest of spaces, making them even harder to detect.
Bed Bugs are Attracted to the Human Scalp The human scalp is an appealing environment for bed bugs due to its warmth and the presence of blood vessels close to the surface. Bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide and heat that humans emit, which can draw them towards the scalp area. If You See a Bed Bug in Your Hair, You Must Remove It Immediately! If you do happen to spot a bed bug in your hair, it’s important to remove it immediately. Bed bugs can reproduce quickly, so allowing even a single bug to remain could lead to a full-blown infestation. Here are some steps you can take to remove bed bugs from your hair: 1. Use a fine-toothed comb: Carefully comb through your hair, paying close attention to the scalp area. Bed bugs and their eggs may be dislodged and caught in the comb. 2. Apply a hair treatment: Some hair treatments, such as those containing permethrin or other insecticides, can help kill bed bugs on contact. 3. Wash your hair thoroughly: Use hot water and shampoo to wash your hair thoroughly, which can help remove any remaining bed bugs or eggs. 4. Vacuum and clean: Vacuum your hair and scalp area thoroughly, and clean any surfaces where you may have sat or rested your head.