How Long Do Bed Bugs Last Outside?
WouterIf you’ve ever wondered how long bed bugs can survive outside, the answer is several months. The temperature is the primary variable, but humidity is less important. Bed bugs can survive 4.5 months without feeding, as long as they can survive in a moist and cool environment. However, very dry or humid weather may cause bedbugs to die.
If the temperature is too cold for bedbugs to survive, they will retreat inside. They can also find shelter in cluttered places like garages or sheds. Similarly, if you suspect that your home is infested, cover your possessions with plastic. The length of time bedbugs can survive outside depends on the temperature and amount of blood they consume.
If you suspect that your home or building is infested, the first step is to get rid of the source of the infestation. Fortunately, bed bugs cannot fly. However, they can hitchhike, so old furniture or clothes washed at a laundromat will invite them to stay in the building. Once inside, bed bugs will continue to lay eggs. If the infestation is severe, you should contact a professional pest control service.
During the winter months, bedbugs can survive in unoccupied homes. These insects are well-adapted to our unpredictable habits. As a result, they can survive in temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows them to survive outside for several months or even a year.
