News Animals Scent of alarm identifies male bed bugs Bed bug guys find the girls by trial and error — and smell By Susan Milius October 29, 2009 at 4:20 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Male bed bugs get confused in bed. Now a scientist has found a bug chemical signal that translates, “Whoa, buddy. I’m a guy too.” OVERTURNED Here, a male and female bed bug have found each other, but sometimes a male bed bug will mistake another male for a good mating partner.