Many people dread bed bug infestations at home. These small, reddish-brown insects feed on blood from humans and other warm-blooded animals, leaving behind itchy, red bites. One question you might have about bed bugs is how long do bed bugs live without a host. Read on to learn the answer to this concern and find helpful tips for dealing with bed bugs.
Bed bugs can survive in numerous environments. They can go without food for long periods and can withstand extreme temperatures. Reports indicate that younger bed bugs can stay for up to 6 months without feeding. On the same point, adult bed bugs can live for about a year without a meal.
That said, they often require blood meals to survive and reproduce. When a bed bug feeds, it can take up to 10 minutes to get engorged with blood. After feeding, it will return to its hiding place, digest the blood meal and molt into its next life cycle stage.
So, how long do bed bugs live without a host? The definite answer to this question depends on a few factors, including the temperature and humidity of the environment, as well as the life stage of the bed bug. Typically, adult bed bugs can survive for several months without a blood meal. Younger bed bugs, known as nymphs, can survive for shorter periods.
While assessing how long bed bugs exist without a host, you must consider numerous factors. At room temperature, which is usually around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, adult bed bugs can survive for about 5 months without a blood meal. However, this survival time can extend to a year if the temperature drops to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, if the temperature rises above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, bed bugs will typically die within a few weeks.
Nymphs are not as hardy as adults and can only survive for a few weeks without a blood meal, even at room temperature. Typically, the younger bed bugs require regular blood meals to molt into the next stage of their life cycle.
While bed bugs can endure without a host, they are usually attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, indicators of a potential food source. If you leave your home vacant for long, bed bugs may still be attracted to the empty house’s space and begin to infest it.
When a bed bug settles on a new host, it often feeds for a few minutes. Feeding length typically depends on its development stage, how much blood it ingested last time, and how long it’s been since it last fed. Once it gets full, it leaves the host and returns to its crack or crevice.
How long do bed bugs last without a host? It’s a known fact these pests can live for a long time without the need to feed. That’s why you must start considering eradication. Are you dealing with bed bug infestation? Bed bugs reproduce quickly, with a single female laying up to 500 eggs throughout their lifetime. If left unchecked, a small infestation can quickly become a significant problem.
A bed bug extermination approach that includes chemical and non-chemical treatments helps eliminate bed bugs. An ideal process involves using insecticides, vacuuming, bed bug heat treatment, steam cleaning, and washing infested items in hot water. Seal any cracks or crevices where bed bugs may hide.
A proactive bed bug control approach is also valuable. Watch out for small blood spots on the sheets or mattress whenever you travel. When returning home, unpack your luggage outside and check your belongings for any signs of bed bugs. Vacuum your home regularly and wash your linens and bedding in hot water to help curb infestations.
How long do bed bugs last without a host? Remember that bed bugs can survive for several months without a host, with adult bed bugs being tougher than nymphs. These pests can be challenging to eliminate. Work with a pest control company to get rid of bed bugs.
McDonald Pest Control boasts expert technicians who implement effective methods to eliminate bed bugs. Contact our pest control services to schedule your bed bug treatment. We’ll help you eradicate all life stages of bed bugs and their eggs.
