Do Bed Bugs Need Blood to Survive?

Bedbugs get their nourishment from human blood, which is rich in proteins and vitamins. These insects feed for up to 15 minutes, but typically feed for three minutes. This heavy feeding can lead to serious complications, including anemia. It is also important to understand that bedbugs are nocturnal, which means they feed at night and on exposed areas.

Although bedbugs can survive without blood for a while, they must feed regularly in order to reproduce. Without a blood meal, they may be able to survive, but will stop making eggs and molt. Even adult bedbugs can last for up to five months before they have to feed again.

To determine whether bedbugs are present, you should examine the bed. You can look for a scab or red area. If there is pus or a reddish mark, bedbugs may be present. If the area is infested, apply topical antibiotics or antihistamines to the affected area. In some severe cases, you may need systemic antibiotics or intramuscular epinephrine.

Other factors may also affect bedbug survival. Temperature, the length of the blood meal, and the nutritional status of the blood meal can all influence a bed bug’s development and survival. A recent study evaluated two strains of human bed bugs and their blood diets. The study examined the development and survival of these insects in two different lab environments. The mice-derived ECL-05 strain had a longer life span than the HS strain.

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