Do Bed Bugs Ever Die on Their Own?
WouterThe question often asked is “Do bed bugs ever die on their own?” While the answer to this question varies depending on what type of infestation you’re dealing with, the short answer is “no.” Bed bugs will often survive for 3-5 years before dying on their own. However, an infestation can take longer to complete if there’s a large number of these pests.
There are several reasons that bedbugs live and thrive in human homes. The most obvious reason is that they feed on human blood. This is one of the reasons why bedbugs are so resistant to the majority of pesticides. Their natural resistance to common insecticides is a result of their evolution.
Bed bugs feed at night by puncturing the skin. Their mouthparts have four stylets. When they’re resting, these stylets are folded under the body. When feeding, they fully extend their stylets. Each stylet forms two canals, a small salivary canal that carries saliva into the wound and a large food canal that absorbs body fluids.
Temperatures are another reason why bed bugs do not die on their own. The temperature in your house needs to be consistently above 113 degrees Fahrenheit for bedbugs to die off. Depending on the temperature of your home, you can expect bedbugs to live for up to 4.5 months without feeding.
