Ever wonder how bed bugs can bite without waking us up?  It’s in their saliva. Or more accurately the proteins in their saliva (technically called “sialomes”), which contain anesthetics to numb the pain associated with the bite.

There are also other proteins in bed bug saliva that dilate the blood vessel (vasodilators) and anti-clotting agents (anticoagulants), which overcome the body’s natural defenses that stop bleeding.  This allows for steady blood flow when bed bugs are feeding.

Creepy? Yes. But also interesting and explored in detail in this article.

Wondering what bed bug bites look like? Check out our article here.