◉ Why do bedbugs stink - what and how do domestic bed bugs smell when you crush them

Physiological, natural cause of odor. Close-up photo of a bedbug

Domestic parasites reach a length of 6-8 mm, females are larger. Representatives of the species are characterized by a brown color as adults or milky white at the larval stage.

They have 3 pairs of limbs, no wings, and their back is segmented.

The basis of the principle of existence of such insects is communication with each other, the ability to transmit information in various situations. This function is realized due to the secretion of a special secretion by the glands. The substance is characterized by a specific odor. If you are interested in what bedbugs smell like, you need to remember the associations that are on everyone’s lips - first of all, they mention the aroma of old cognac. Less common is the opinion that the secretion secreted by bedbugs smells like sour raspberries.

The intensity of the odor is low if there are few parasites in the room. A few weeks after infection, pronounced signs of the presence of insects appear. This is due to the fact that a large number of parasites simultaneously secrete a special secretion as they exist.

The specific smell arises due to its composition: the pheromone contains elements of the alkanes class, aldehydes. But the parasite begins to stink when the secretion enters the air.

Bed bug photo

Bedbug bite

Bed bug

Smell in the apartment

Only a person who knows it well can notice the smell of bedbugs in an apartment. For people who have never encountered it, it is almost impossible to determine the cause of this incomprehensible stench.

In addition, a specific smell appears only when parasites multiply massively. Therefore, initially, the appearance of bed bugs in the house can be detected, for the most part, only by bites on the body, since the vital activity of bed bugs directly depends on human blood.

If there is a smell in the apartment, but there are no bites on the body, you need to sort through your food supplies. Mucoed beetles and weevils emit a similar smell. They can be found in grocery stocks.

- Unbearable!...

Is the stink of bedbugs dangerous for humans?

The smell itself does not contribute to the development of negative reactions, diseases, or pathological conditions. However, as its intensity increases, the risk of a person developing signs of allergy increases. Symptoms:

sneezing;
allergic rhinitis;
itchy throat;
impaired respiratory function, up to the occurrence of an asthma attack (in people with high sensitivity).

At the same time, signs of allergy to parasite bites appear. A strong smell indicates that there are already a lot of bedbugs in the room. They will bite the victim, resulting in a large number of red spots on the body. Sometimes under such conditions complications arise even in people who are not prone to developing allergies. This means that an increase in the intensity of the odor causes harm not directly, but indirectly.

In addition, it is unpleasant to be in a room that smells of sweetish, cloying insect secretions.

An allergic reaction may occur due to the unpleasant odor.

Why do bedbugs stink?

This is a physiological feature. If you are wondering why bedbugs stink, you need to learn more about the principles of interaction between such parasites. They “communicate” with each other, finding a food source by perceiving aromas. This is facilitated by a sensitive sense of smell. Bedbugs release pheromones in different cases:

during mating;
when danger arises: if a person discovers them or the process of baiting begins, the bedbugs seek to hide in a safe place, they may even leave the object if they do not find a suitable area.

Bed bugs start to stink the most during mating season.

Do bed bugs smell?

Apartment parasites, like street parasites, secrete a special secret. If you are wondering whether house bugs smell, the answer is yes, but the intensity of the odor is much lower. This is due to the fact that there are fewer natural enemies of such insects in the apartment. There is no need to release pheromones in large quantities.

When danger arises (during bullying), a moderate odor is sufficient, since it will still reach the target. This is due to the fact that the conditions in the room and in nature are different. In the second case, the distribution of aromas is influenced by the wind. The smell can also be interrupted by plants, other animals, and insects. It is important to understand why the bug stinks not only on the street, but also at home.

Thus, bed parasites also secrete pheromones during reproduction, like representatives of other species.

Home bugs stink less than street bugs

Features of bedbug physiology

The bloodsucker has a smell - it's true. Moreover, it is quite persistent and not particularly pleasant. Trying to remember what bedbugs smell like, many compare the “aroma” of the pest with the smell of fresh raspberries, cognac, cilantro, sour jam or fermented rotten fruit. But the characteristic peculiar amber can be felt in the apartment if the population of parasites is extensive and has been living in this area for a long time. One or more specimens cannot release enough pheromones for the human sense of smell to sense their presence.

The structure of the insect includes special glands in which a special secretion of an unpleasant, sickly-sweet and tart odor is formed and released. In adults, odorous sacs are located in the metathoracic part of the peritoneum, and larvae have them on the abdominal segments.

In terms of the chemical composition, the bedbug's secretions are a biological mixture of toxic substances that are destructive to other insects - this is the bloodsucker's natural weapon. Specifically, in the bed (domestic) variety of the bug, the secretion includes unsaturated aldehydes in combination with elements of the alkanes class - para-tridecane. This substance belongs to the category of hydrocarbons and, when mixed with oxygen in a free state, a certain aroma is formed. This is why bed bugs smell. The insect releases stinking “clouds” especially actively in some cases:

During reproduction. The more sexually mature individuals in a colony, the more often they copulate and smell, emitting pheromones.
When danger occurs. A disturbed nest of pests in this way gives an alarm; if a person discovers it, the bugs will immediately begin to smell.

In addition, insects use secretory secretions for intraspecific interaction. That's why a bedbug still smells - this is its communication style and signaling method to satisfy the most powerful instinct of all living on Earth - the survival instinct.

Do house bugs smell if you crush them?

When the integrity of the chitinous shell is violated, substances that are characterized by an unpleasant odor are released into the air. However, house bugs are not the smelliest. Even when you press them, the odor released is not as strong as when the integrity of the shell of predators or herbivorous individuals is violated.

In the latter case, the smell from one pest will be much stronger than in the case of mechanical damage to an entire colony of domestic insects.

In addition, it is not so easy to crush them in a hungry state. Parasites are injured without much effort on the part of humans, only if they have received a portion of food and the body has increased several times. Then you can accidentally put pressure on the parasite. But it should be taken into account that in this case a strong odor will not be released, but its intensification will gradually be felt in the room.

What does a bug smell like when you crush it?

House bugs

(Cimex lectularius) and
tropical bugs
(Cimex hemipterus), which live in apartments in Moscow and the Moscow region, use pheromones to transmit signals, but they do not have the same pungent and all-consuming odor as garden bugs. What then does a blood-sucking bug smell like if you crush it?

They can emit a putrid-sweet smell (the body of the bug) with an “iron” impurity (the blood on which the insects fed). Stains on bed linen can smell like the same mixture if you accidentally crushed an insect while sleeping or did it on purpose after noticing it. At the same time, you will only be able to smell it if you purposefully sniff the area with the suspected remains of the bedbug. One crushed blood-sucking parasite is not able to instantly fill the entire room with stench the way its garden cousin can.

What grass smells like bedbugs?

When street bugs transmit a danger signal, a pheromone is released. It is characterized by an intense odor that is difficult to get rid of. It remains on fruits and plants. Then they say that berries and herbs smell like bedbugs. However, this is still a temporary phenomenon; sooner or later such signs will disappear.

There is also grass that smells of such insects, even if they were not nearby. It is called cilantro and belongs to the Apiaceae family. The plant looks similar to parsley, but has a more pronounced taste and aroma. The herb has an official name – coriander. It is used in various fields: cooking (as a seasoning), perfumery.

In addition, it is believed that cilantro is a good honey plant.

The plant has gained wide popularity, despite its specific aroma. So, during flowering, a bug smell appears. This is no coincidence. The name “cilantro” is translated from Greek as “bug” (koris). Everyone knows about this property of greens, but its use in cooking is not always welcomed. For example, cilantro is not often used in European cuisine.

Cilantro

The smelliest bugs

Not all pests emit an intense odor. The order Hemiptera includes more than 40,000 species of bedbugs. Some of the most unpleasant bugs upon close acquaintance are street bugs. But even among them, the smelliest group is noted - these are representatives of the shield bug family. They live in open areas and feed on plants. For protection, such insects have a hard shell, bright color, and a strong unpleasant odor. Moreover, the substances that are released can cause harm to small insects.

All these signs help warn natural enemies of the danger that awaits them during an attack.

The most unpleasant neighbor is the tree shield bug. It may seem that there are beetles in the area, because... they have a hard shell that is green and pentagonal in shape. They're actually bedbugs. They live on plants, are found on bushes, trees, and feed on the sap of plantings. Such pests are not dangerous to humans. They cannot bite through the skin and do not drink blood.

However, stink bugs can get home through an open window. If they sense danger, they can release pheromones, which are characterized by an unpleasant odor. In addition, tree shield insects enter the apartment in the off-season, when the temperature begins to drop. Bedbugs are looking for shelter for the winter; they are attracted to the warmth of human habitation.

To protect yourself from such an invasion, it is enough to install mosquito nets on the windows.

Tree stink bug

Bedbugs and cognac: what should a noble drink smell like?

The opinion that such insects and alcoholic beverages have the same smell is based on associations. Those who have tried cognac claim that it smells like bedbugs. Others believe that these insects smell of such an alcoholic drink. In fact, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

Insects emit a smell that is somewhat reminiscent of cognac.

Previously, the alcoholic drink was aged in oak barrels for 15-20 years. During this time, he absorbed tannins and other substances contained in the wood. As a result, it acquired a characteristic aroma. But the smell of bedbugs also resembles other aromas, for example, spoiled raspberries and almonds.

Some claim that cognac smells like bedbugs

Getting rid of odor

It is quite difficult to remove the smell from a home infested with bedbugs. First of all, you need to completely get rid of insects. This process is slow and in advanced cases can take a whole month. To quickly get rid of pests, they use the most effective poisons, without worrying about their toxicity and the stench they emit. As a result, the parasites are defeated, and the apartment smells unbearably of a mixture of the smells of bedbugs and their poisons.

It is wiser to choose drugs that last longer but wear off easily. Destruction of bedbugs without the smell of chemicals is quite possible; you can use the following means:

aerosols with pyrethroids have little odor and are quickly ventilated; the smell of chemicals in them is often drowned out by unobtrusive fragrances;
aqueous solutions containing chlorpyrifos have virtually no odor;
Most modern microencapsulated preparations are also odorless.

In most cases, to get rid of the stench it is impossible to do without cosmetic repairs, since traces of the vital activity of parasites are eaten into the wallpaper, wood and whitewash.

Thus, the smell of bedbugs is absolutely useless for detecting these insects, because it becomes noticeable only when there is a large number of pests. But getting rid of ingrained aromas is associated with significant difficulties and material costs.

Variety of stink bugs

Representatives of almost all species of these insects are capable of leaving unpleasant impressions upon “meeting”. Only water pests do not have this function. Among gardeners, there are representatives of certain species that emit a specific smell:

Berry shield. This insect is of an interesting color: with a glossy shine, red-brown with a yellowish tint, and punctures on the sides. Body length up to 12 mm. Shield insects attack plants of various types, including garden crops, berry bushes, as well as industrial plantings, ornamental flowers, grain and oilseed varieties. They emit a smell if there is a source of danger nearby. Then the berries will be spoiled. Many people are familiar with the situation when an apparently undamaged raspberry turns out to be completely spoiled if you try it.
Turtle bug. These bugs stink no less than their counterparts of other species. The body length of the insect corresponds to the berry shield bug, but differs in other characteristics - the color is faded (light brown), the shell is rounded, reminiscent of a turtle. Such insects have wings, thanks to which they move over significant distances. Bugs of this species prefer to live on grain crops. They help reduce wheat yields.
Soldier bug. This insect also emits a specific odor, but it is less intense than that of other pests. The insect can be recognized by its black and red, narrow body. It is considered conditionally non-dangerous, because soldiers live on tree trunks, near fences, on stumps. Such insects smell much stronger when crushed than when alive.

Berry bug

bug bug

Soldier bugs

What to do if a stink bug bites a cat

Parasites living in the sofa can attack not only people, but also animals. However, they only consider alternative food sources if no other blood sources are available. True stink bugs (herbivores) do not have the habit of attacking warm-blooded creatures. This is explained by the fact that they do not have a powerful enough oral apparatus for this. This means that if a cat is bitten by a bug, most likely it was done by a predatory pest.

Bugs of this group can bite large creatures, but they do this solely for the purpose of self-defense.

If it seems that some insect has attacked the cat, you should treat the bite site with an antiseptic. You can also contact your veterinarian when signs of allergies appear in your pet. But in most cases, such bites quickly pass without consequences.

Bedbug bite on a pet's body

How to get rid of a stinky smell in your home

Sofa bugs ruin furniture. They leave behind numerous dark spots – excrement. Like the release of pheromones, this factor contributes to the appearance of an unpleasant odor. It will be possible to completely introduce it only if traces of insect activity have been removed. But in case of urgent need, the smell can be masked. For this purpose, improvised means are used.

Traditional methods

When it is not possible to reduce the concentration of parasite secretions (for example, during the process of baiting or at the stage of preserving an apartment after treatment), the following recipes are used:

irrigate the surfaces with a solution based on essential oils; you can add a few drops to 1 liter of liquid or 1 tsp. in a glass of water, the concentration of the aromatic component will be higher in the second case;
Herbs that smell nice, such as lavender, are laid out around the apartment; in addition, this method will help repel parasites;
Citrus fruits are used to improve the aroma of the home, you can use fresh peels, they are laid out inside upholstered furniture and cabinets.

Essential oil will help get rid of unpleasant odors in the apartment

The smell of other representatives

Bugs with an unpleasant odor In nature, there are about 40 thousand varieties of these insects. Whether other representatives smell or not – yes. Each has its own specific aroma.

The leading role in our area in terms of unpleasant aroma is occupied by forest dwellers - green bugs. You can meet them in raspberries, currants and gooseberries in the garden. This beetle is nicknamed the stink bug. If you put a berry on which an insect has recently sat in your mouth, the unpleasant taste will remain for a long time.
An agricultural pest, the turtle also does not smell very pleasant. With the onset of cold weather, this species of bugs begins to attack human homes, but prefers outbuildings rather than residential buildings and apartments.
The wood shield insect, which lives in the forest, has a bright color that warns enemies of danger. At the slightest alarm, it releases a substance with a pungent odor. But the specificity of this component is also that it is poisonous. Paralyzes the victim, forces the birds to open their beaks and release the insect.

Every bug in the home or in nature has a characteristic odor, but people encounter only a few representatives. The most unpleasant is the bed bug, because it feeds on human blood, lives in his house, and parasitizes in the bed. Bites provoke an allergic reaction, severe itching. Destructive measures should begin immediately after detection of parasitic fauna.

Reviews

Marina, 32 years old, Stary Oskol

When we went to visit a distant relative, we almost suffocated - the stench was so strong. But the strange thing is that when we were in the apartment, I no longer felt any discomfort, I got used to it, maybe. But we noticed that the furniture was in poor condition - like dark spots. Then we put together “2+2” and realized that these were bedbugs. At home they immediately processed the clothes and other things that they came there with.

Olga, 28 years old, Pskov

After the bed bugs were poisoned, the smell remained. At first, I thought it was an insecticide, but when the poison wore off, it was still felt. I began to struggle with these consequences: I cleaned the upholstery of the sofa, washed the wooden frame, but then also sprayed essential oils. That helped.

Anastasia, 45 years old, Tula

In order not to tolerate the unpleasant smell that appeared along with the parasites, I spread orange peels around the apartment. I had to change it every 2-3 days, but the stink was no longer noticeable.

Orange peels will help get rid of the smell

Do bedbugs have a smell?

If you try to remember what the smell of bedbugs is, then most people will come to mind what the “stink bug” smells like, which prefers raspberries and gives the berry a memorable taste. This smell is so unique that everything that somehow resembles it - syrup, jam, cilantro or parsley - is compared to bedbugs. This odor has even found practical application in folk medicine - just look at the cost of treating alcoholism with vodka infused with bedbugs. But do house bugs have a smell? Household bugs do not mean garden pests, but “dirty brown” parasitic bed bugs that feed on the blood of people. The thing is that if a bedbug has settled in the house, the smell from it can either be felt or not noticed at all. In the case of a strong infestation, it is definitely felt, but even in this case it is much weaker than the smell of forest bugs.

When the number of bedbugs is low, it is difficult for a person to detect the smell of bedbugs in an apartment. But a specially trained dog knows what a bug smells like. It is known that in Europe and the USA it is widespread to use dogs for this purpose, because trained animals can easily find places where bedbugs accumulate by smell. In addition, even cats with their sensitive sense of smell subtly detect it, they simply cannot be trained like dogs.

The question of how to get rid of the smell of the product remaining after the treatment procedure is sometimes more worrying than the question of how to get rid of the smell of bedbugs in the apartment. After all, the product eliminates the smell of bedbugs, and after clearing out their accumulation, the natural “aroma” most often goes away quickly and unnoticed. However, getting rid of the smell of bedbugs in a room may not be easy, because it is also caused by feces - “black spots”. These marks remain even after the bedbugs have been eliminated and spoil the aesthetic appearance of the furniture and walls.

You can remove the smell of bedbugs if you carry out general cleaning, and if there is a large accumulation of traces of bedbugs, make cosmetic repairs.

There are several things you can do to kill or repel bed bugs. What repels insects:

insecticides (Raptor, Reid, Dichlorvos, Clean House, Fufanon, Agrant, Fumitox);
high and low temperatures. Sharp temperature fluctuations are a factor influencing the activity of bedbugs. If you lower the temperature in the house to 10°C or increase it to 35°C, bedbugs will begin to look for more comfortable living conditions;
herbs. The aromas of herbs can repel bed bugs, since they are guided by their sense of smell, for example, they are afraid of the smells of wormwood, tansy, wild rosemary, chamomile, calamus;
essential oils or perfumes. Another source of pungent and unpleasant aromas for the parasite. A scent that repels bedbugs: essential oils of lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus or cheap cologne;
traditional methods. Bed bugs are afraid of vinegar, turpentine, denatured alcohol, kerosene, acetone and other compounds with a pungent odor;
Bedbugs do not like bright light. If you turn on a bright light at night, the parasites will scatter;
bleach - this powder destroys insects if you pour it directly onto the pest source.

There are not so many such plants in nature, but their smell can cause quite strong disgust and sometimes nausea. Among them is the holocolumnar ash tree, already known to many

(Dictamnus gymnostylis). The essential oils it produces smell like gasoline, and touching the plant causes burns.

Holostolumnar ash tree, photo by the author

The smell of the entire Phuopsis stylosa plant from the Rubiaceae family is also unpleasant.

Even if you accidentally touch it (not to mention pick or rub the raw material in your palms), you will immediately hear its unpleasant “fragrance”. As a rule, behind its veil it is no longer possible to smell the pleasant orange aroma of its inflorescences.

Its scent is identical to that of the imperial hazel grouse (Fritillaria imperialis) 'Raddeana'.

Imperial hazel grouse 'Raddeana', photo by the author

They are echoed by the deciduous shrub Clerodendrum bungei from the Verbenaceae family. There is also an article on the site dedicated to two plants that can charm you with anything but their smell: Two in one.

Expert advice

Marinina Evgeniya Vitalievna, entomologist, work experience – 16 years:

Marinina Evgenia Vitalievna

Entomologist, researcher. Work experience 16 years.

Ask a Question

• if you crush a bug, an unpleasant odor will immediately appear; it is not recommended to crush even domestic bugs; a more effective method is disinfestation; in order to wait until the moment when you can do cleaning, you can partially clean the surfaces (where there are the most traces of insects); • general cleaning in order to eliminate the smell cannot be carried out earlier than 2 weeks after spraying the insecticide, as this will reduce the effectiveness of the treatment; at this stage the smell will have to be tolerated or auxiliary products (fragrances, essential oils) must be used; • the best way to mask an unpleasant odor is a combination of strong-smelling substances (different types of essential oils).

What should you do immediately after treatment?

It is important to avoid mistakes, otherwise the insects will survive. If you are studying the question of what to do after disinfestation against a bed bug, you must follow the recommendations:

after a few hours (3 hours or more), or better yet the next day, you need to clean some surfaces of the solution;
the chemical is removed from door handles, armrests of upholstered furniture, from the surfaces of bedside tables, cabinet handles, chairs, tables, as well as other objects that are frequently touched;
prepare a neutralizing composition: take soap and soda, stir in water, then partially clean the surfaces.

After 2 weeks, the treatment is performed again, so there is no need to completely unpack things that are hermetically sealed with polyethylene after the initial spraying of the product.

It is necessary to clean the apartment of chemical residues