How Long Can Bed Bugs Die Without a Blood Meal?
WouterBedbugs are cold-blooded creatures and can survive for up to a year without a blood meal. This is because blood is rich in proteins and vitamins. However, the colder temperatures slow the metabolism of bedbugs. Nonetheless, the insects can survive without a blood meal for several weeks.
When bedbugs feed, they can drain significant amounts of blood. This blood loss can be dangerous because it can lead to anemia. A bedbug’s feeding period can be as short as three minutes or as long as 15 minutes. The bedbug will usually feed on exposed areas during the night. After feeding, it will crawl to a secluded area to digest the blood.
Some strains of bed bugs may be resistant to insecticides. Nevertheless, there is still some uncertainty about the survival of these pests. Residual populations may persist for months after a treatment, even if furniture or structures have been removed. This means that it’s not practical for pest management professionals to eliminate bedbugs completely. In addition, they may migrate to other locations.
Bed bugs may live months without feeding if the temperature is cool enough. However, they need a blood meal in order to produce eggs, which is why they feed two or three times a week. However, bedbugs can survive for more than a year without feeding, especially nymphs. Late instar nymphs can live up to a year without feeding, but newly emerged nymphs will die within a few days.
