The short answer
No. Bed bugs do not live on people or in their hair, because their bodies and legs are not built to cling on the way lice are. They may bite your scalp or neck while you sleep, but then crawl off to hide in and around the bed.
Finding bed bugs at home can leave you feeling that they are everywhere, including on you. If you have woken with bites on your neck or along your hairline, it is easy to imagine them nesting in your hair.
The good news is that this is one place they do not live. This guide explains why, what might be going on if you have found something in your hair, and where to put your effort instead.
Can bed bugs live in your hair?
No. The US National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is clear on this: bed bugs do not live on humans or in their hair. They are not built for it.
Why hair does not suit them
The NPMA explains that a bed bug’s flat, oval body is not designed to cling to hair, fur or feathers. Bed bugs are built for crawling over surfaces and squeezing into cracks, not for holding on to a moving head the way head lice do.
Bed bugs also cannot fly or jump, according to the University of Kentucky. They have no easy way to get up onto your head other than crawling, and once they have fed they have no reason to stay.
Why you might have bites on your scalp or neck
Bed bugs feed on skin that is uncovered while you sleep. NHS 111 Wales mentions the face, neck and arms as common places for bites. The NPMA notes that bed bugs can bite the scalp too, and the hairline and neck are easy to reach from the pillow.
After feeding, the bug does not settle in. The NPMA says it will not stay, but crawls back to a hiding place. The CDC says bed bugs hide during the day in places such as mattress seams, bed frames and cracks, and come out to feed, usually at night.
So bites near your hairline are a sign of bed bugs in the bed, not in your hair.
If you have found something in your hair
If you have actually found a small insect in your hair, or tiny specks stuck to the hairs, it is much more likely to be something else.
Head lice
Head lice live on the scalp and lay eggs, and the empty egg cases (nits) stay stuck to the hairs. The NHS head lice page explains how to check for them by combing through the hair with a special fine-toothed detection comb. Head lice are common, especially among children, and they are nothing to do with bed bugs.
If you think it might be head lice, a pharmacist can advise on treatment, including which products to use and how to comb out lice and nits.
Other possibilities
Dandruff, flakes of hair product and bits of fluff can look like something living at a glance. If you are unsure what you have found, keep it on a piece of clear sticky tape so you can show a pharmacist or a pest professional.
Bed bugs vs head lice at a glance
| Bed bugs | Head lice | |
|---|---|---|
| Where they live | Mattress seams, bed frames, cracks near the bed | On the scalp, holding on to hairs |
| Can they cling to hair? | No: flat body made for crawling and hiding | Yes: they live on the head |
| When they feed | Usually at night, then leave to hide | While living on the head |
| What you might see | Bugs, blood spots or small brown spots on bedding | Lice in the hair, or nits stuck to hairs |
| Who to ask | A pest professional | A pharmacist or GP |
You do not need to treat your hair for bed bugs
There is no need to shave your head, cut your hair short or use special shampoos because of bed bugs. Normal washing is fine. Bed bugs are not on you, so treating your hair will not make any difference to the problem.
If the bites themselves are itchy or sore, a pharmacist can suggest something to ease them. If they look infected or you are worried, speak to your GP.
Where to focus instead
The bed and bedroom are where the bed bugs actually are. While you arrange treatment, NHS and BPCA advice includes:
- Washing bedding, pillowcases and nightwear at 60C, then tumble drying on hot for at least 30 minutes.
- Vacuuming the mattress, bed frame and floor, and emptying the vacuum into a sealed bag outside.
- Reducing clutter around the bed so there are fewer places to hide.
The BPCA says self-treatment is unlikely to succeed, and the NHS says bed bugs are very difficult to get rid of yourself. Avoid shop sprays and foggers. Professional treatment is the reliable route.
If you are not sure whether you are dealing with bed bugs at all, our guide to bed bugs vs fleas may help. It is also worth knowing how long bed bugs live, because they can survive months without feeding.
A bed bug inspection will confirm what is going on and how far it has spread, and our cost calculator gives a rough idea of price. We can help you find a bed bug exterminator who covers your area.
If you have found signs at home, tell us where you are and we will find an exterminator who covers your area.