Bed Bugs In Winter
When you think about this question for a moment it does seem reasonable that bed bugs do not hibernate since they usually live in a structure with consistent room temperatures.
Bed bugs in winter. Keep in mind that not only extreme cold can kill bed bugs but also extreme heat. Winter calls for flannel sheets and cuddling up by the fire. Even in this state extreme cold can kill bed bugs if temperatures dip low enough. If temperatures do drop significantly bed bugs will enter a hibernation like state.
About the only way bed bugs living in a residence are affected by winter is that the bedrooms where they hide are probably a few degrees cooler at night in january than they are in july. This slight temperature drop can have a bit of an effect on bed bug development and reproduction. Bed bugs do not stay outside when it gets cold. Bed bugs can be very resilient.
Important facts about bed bugs in winter. In this state the adults can survive without feeding for months. Now that you know you can get bed bugs in winter it s time to find out how to prevent them. Exposing bed bugs to temperatures of 22 f 30 c is the best way to kill bed bugs off quickly.
A recently published study revealed that bed bugs need to be exposed to temperatures at or below 0 fahrenheit 18 celsius for at least 80 hours 3 5 days. Do bed bugs hibernate in the winter. Bed bugs may enter diapause at temperatures below 61 in an effort to endure suboptimal conditions until said conditions improve. Freezing temperatures under 32 degrees will kill them but so will temperatures over 120.
Preventing bed bugs in winter. Bed bugs can t live in extreme temperatures. Though below freezing temperatures can kill bed bugs they can even survive those temperatures for a brief time. Worse winter can actually be a boon of sorts to bed bugs.
Typically bed bugs are found in furniture items that are indoors in heated environments so they are not deterred by freezing temperatures. Unlike mammals who hibernate in the winter bed bugs will remain active as long as there is a food source. Bed bugs might be difficult to get rid of especially in the case of an infestation but their bodies are fragile. This a tricky question because there is one simple truth to face.
Bed bugs like to be warm and cozy too. Bed bugs don t truly hibernate in the same sense of the word that many other critters do by overwintering in response to seasons of cold temperatures. Where do bed bugs hide outside when it s cold. Bed bugs in winter.
Cut down on clutter. According to findings by the entomological society of america bed bugs are less susceptible to death by freezing than was previously believed.