Why Do Bed Bugs Need Blood to Reproduce?
WouterYou may wonder why do bed bugs need blood to reproduce. These insects are almost exclusively blood feeders and will penetrate human skin with a needle-like beak to feed. Once they have fed, the bugs will darken in color and change into a cigar shape. Then, they will molt. The life cycle of a bed bug can take anywhere from five weeks to four months, depending on the temperature and other factors.
Female bed bugs lay about 120 eggs in their lifetime. They feed every five days to a week. They feed during the night, usually an hour before dawn. In cooler temperatures, they may go as long as 400 days between blood feedings. Adult female bed bugs feed once a week, while male bed bugs feed once a month or every five to ten days.
Bedbugs feed on human blood, and their feeding process can result in significant blood loss. Bedbug bites can also cause an allergic reaction in some people. If an infestation of bedbugs is severe, it may require medical treatment to control the problem. It is important to identify the source of infestation as early as possible.
The bugs are most active at night and hide during the day. You may be able to see adults and nymphs with the naked eye, but to see eggs, you may need a hand magnifying glass. When identifying bedbugs, look for dark blood spots on your body, shed skins and other signs of infestation. You may also notice an unpleasant odor in the area.
