Can Bed Bugs Live Without a Host?
WouterBed bugs cannot live without a human host. They feed on human blood and cannot reproduce without it. Bedbug nymphs need a blood meal to mature and molt. Without a host, they will stop laying eggs and will not develop to adulthood. This is why it is so important to get rid of these bugs as soon as possible.
This type of pest can also cause damage to furniture and bedding. The main reason for this is that bedbugs feed on human blood, so a large infestation can make your bedding and furniture unclean. However, unlike other pests, bedbugs do not spread disease. However, these insects can cause a person to suffer a night full of discomfort and broken sleep. Bedbugs feed once every five to 10 days, and a full infestation can contain thousands of insects.
The best way to prevent bedbugs from invading your home is to prevent them from entering it in the first place. While bedbugs can live for several months without a host, they cannot survive in cold temperatures or humidity. As such, they need a host to make their home. If you travel to a new place, make sure to leave your luggage outside for at least 24 hours. Wash your clothes immediately when you get home, and avoid buying second-hand furniture unless it’s been cleaned and sanitized.
The longer a bed bug is left without a host, the higher the chances that it will die. However, in the most ideal of conditions, a bed bug can live for around 4.5 months without a host. They require high humidity levels to feed on blood, and once that food source has been exhausted, bedbugs will die.
