How Long Do Bed Bugs Survive Without Food?
WouterThe length of time it takes bed bugs to survive without food varies. Depending on the temperature and the time of year, the duration may be two to three months or longer. In warm temperatures, bed bugs are able to feed and digest more efficiently. In cool temperatures, they feed less frequently, resulting in a shorter lifespan. However, in colder climates, bed bugs can survive for up to five months without feeding. In cold climates, they may even last for a year without feeding.
The best way to keep bedbugs from feeding on your bed is to make sure you have clothing that doesn’t allow the bugs to penetrate. This will make it difficult for them to feed because they like exposed skin. You can also use repellents containing pyrethroids or permethrin. Diatomaceous earth is another great natural bed bug repellent.
Bedbugs feed by injecting a small amount of saliva into the host’s skin. This saliva can cause skin irritation or even cause an allergic reaction, depending on the person’s sensitivity to it. Because bedbugs feed during the night, the most common time to find a bedbug is from midnight to 5 a.m. Although bedbugs can feed during the day, this is rare.
Despite their tiny size, bedbugs can survive without food for up to 4.5 months. They can even survive in temperatures as low as -18 degC if they don’t feed. In colder climates, they can survive up to a year without food. Then, they will die naturally.
