Bed bugs are a common household pest that can cause a lot of discomfort and trouble. They are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on human blood and can survive for months without feeding. But, how long can bed bugs live without feeding? In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and provide some additional information about these pesky bugs.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Bed bugs are small insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are a major nuisance in many households and can cause itching, discomfort, and even psychological distress. Bed bugs are nocturnal and are often found hiding in cracks and crevices in beds, furniture, and other household items.
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BED BUGS INFORMATION
Maybe you have bed bugs at your home and maybe you have not. The first thing you must do is to be sure about bed bugs.
But after a nymph become an adult, it’s always possible to see them naked-eyed while they are walking around.
A bed bug has the basic physical features:
- It is oval-shaped and flatted.
- Reddish-brown in color.
- Close to red after recently fed.
- It has no wings
- It can’t fly
- It can’t jump
- It can move fast when it notices you watching it.
HOW DO BED BUGS FEED?
Bed bugs feed on only blood. They are blood-fed creatures and the main food source of bed bugs is mammalians.
So, they feed on bats and humans primarily. They can feed on birds or cats or dogs too, but they prefer to feed on these animals only when there are not any human hosts around.
This means that their favorite food is us, humans!
HOW LONG DO BED BUGS FEED?
It depends on the conditions, even so, the average feeding time of an adult bed bug is 10 to 15 minutes if it is not disturbed.
As a matter of course, a smaller bed bug will feed for a shorter time.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A BED BUG TO STARVE TO DEATH?
This is also the answer to this question: How long do bed bugs live without feeding? There are several answers to this question.
After taking a glance at some studies, the answer will be around 1 YEAR!
WHAT DOES 1 YEAR MEAN?
This means that it’s difficult to get rid of bed bugs. you may have no bites for months or you may haven’t seen them for a long time, but they can still be there, near you.
Even after a house left empty for more than a year, new movers can face the same bed bug problem as the previous hosts had.
Factors that affect the survival of bed bugs without feeding
Several factors can affect the survival of bed bugs without feeding, including temperature, humidity, and access to a blood meal. Bed bugs are more likely to survive for longer periods in warmer, more humid environments. Additionally, bed bugs that have previously fed are more likely to survive without a blood meal than those that have not.
CAN BED BUGS LIVE WITHOUT ANY HOSTS?
You must understand that bed bugs do not host humans or other mammalians, unlike fleas. Their hosts are cracks, holes, furniture, clothes, or other stuff which are near their food sources.
So, bed bugs do not need to host humans for surviving. What they need is only a secure place close to their feeding sources.
Signs of a bed bug infestation
The most obvious sign of a bed bug infestation is the presence of live bugs. However, bed bugs are very good at hiding and can be difficult to find. Other signs of an infestation include blood spots on sheets and mattresses, shed skins, and a sweet, musty odor.
Prevention and treatment of bed bugs
Preventing bed bugs can be difficult, but there are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of infestation. These include inspecting used furniture before bringing it into your home, washing bedding and clothing in hot water, and vacuuming regularly. If you do have an infestation, professional treatment is usually necessary.
Conclusion
Yes, bed bugs need to feed for surviving too. But unlike most alive, they can deal with hunger for a very long time.
If conditions like temperature or hiding possibilities are suitable for them, So the answer of How long do bed bugs live without feeding? They can live for more than 1 year without feeding.
This doesn’t mean every single bed bug will survive for more than a year without surviving. Environmental conditions will, of course, change their resistance. But you must be ready for the worst scenario to get rid of them.
So if you had a bed bug problem once and you can’t see them around for a long time, do not relax to forget them.
Always be skeptical and keep searching them around on occasion.
FAQs
Can bed bugs die from starvation?
Yes, bed bugs can eventually die from starvation if they are unable to find a blood meal. However, they can survive for several months without feeding.
How long does it take for bed bugs to die without feeding?
The length of time it takes for bed bugs to die without feeding varies depending on several factors such as temperature, humidity, and previous feeding history. At room temperature, bed bugs can survive for about two to three months without a blood meal.