Bed bugs leave a distinctive odor indicating their presence. What is this odor typically described as?

Bed bugs leave a distinctive odor indicating their presence. What is this odor typically described as?

• A. A chemical odor of ammonia
• B. A sour odor
• C. A sweet odor
• D. A burnt odor

Answer: (C)

Bed bugs produce a distinctive scent from their scent glands, and that smell is typically described as sweet. When the insects are disturbed or in larger numbers, they release volatile aldehydes that give a fragrance some people describe as sweet or fruity (sometimes likened to coriander or overripe fruit). This is not an ammonia-like chemical odor, nor a sour or burnt smell, so the best match for their typical odor is a sweet odor.

Bed bugs produce a distinctive scent from their scent glands, and that smell is typically described as sweet. When the insects are disturbed or in larger numbers, they release volatile aldehydes that give a fragrance some people describe as sweet or fruity (sometimes likened to coriander or overripe fruit). This is not an ammonia-like chemical odor, nor a sour or burnt smell, so the best match for their typical odor is a sweet odor.