How long do bedbugs live without food in an apartment: the secrets of survival of "tiny bloodsuckers"
Finding the presence of blood-sucking parasites in the house, many are horrified. Immediately questions arise: where did they come from, how tenacious and how to get rid of them. At the same time, it is important to know not only about the features of the life of insects, but also how long the bug lives under favorable conditions and without access to food.
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How long does a bed bug live on average
The average life expectancy of these little bloodsuckers under favorable conditions is 1 year, and the maximum is 14 months. In the absence of a food source and low temperatures, the bugs fall into a state similar to suspended animation, in which they retain their viability for the same time.
What affects the lifespan of a bedbug
How long a parasite lives depends mainly on:
- power frequency;
- temperature values of the environment;
- humidity.
The optimum temperature for them is 28-30 degrees and relative humidity of 25-30%. When the thermometer drops below 15 degrees, the bugs become inactive. With a change in conditions for the worse, bloodsuckers cease to multiply, develop and die faster.
Bed bugs are also threatened by natural enemies:
- centipedes;
- ants;
- cockroaches;
- predators;
- spiders;
- ticks.
This factor leads to a reduction in the life span of individual individuals, but does not significantly affect the decrease in the parasite population.
Features of nutrition and survival of bedbugs
How long can bed bugs live without food
For normal functioning, it is enough for bloodsuckers to eat only 25-30 times a year and the lack of food is not a problem for them. Bed bugs have the unique ability to stay without food for a long time at all stages of development. Speaking of larvae, the term depends on which of the five stages the individual goes through:
- I - from 10 to 38 days;
- II - 25-74 days;
- III - up to 120 days;
- IV - up to 132 days
- V - 142 days.
Adult insects generally show miracles of endurance, remaining viable for up to 11-12 months.
Anabiosis as a means of survival without food: how many bugs can hibernate
How long do bedbugs live without human blood
Bed bugs can survive without human blood for up to 400 days. But maximum life spans are possible if the absence of food is combined with a decrease in air temperature, which allows insects to slow down their metabolism. Otherwise, the period will be less.
So, at room temperature +23 degrees, parasites will live without human blood for no more than 3 months.
How long do bedbugs live in an empty apartment
The lifespan of bed bugs under different conditions
As already mentioned, the life expectancy of bloodsuckers is strongly influenced by environmental conditions and fluctuations in air temperature up or down. With the most favorable factors, this period becomes maximum, and when the parameters deteriorate, it is reduced.
If indoor conditions for bed bugs are close to ideal (comfortable temperature, environment, humidity, uninterrupted power, etc.), bloodsuckers will safely live and breed throughout the year, at least. The longest life cycle in mature adults is observed at temperatures not higher than +20 degrees. Then their life expectancy can be up to one and a half years.
To destroy the population of parasites can be the impact of potent chemicals. After disinfection, mature insects remain viable from a couple of hours to 10 days. More time is required to get rid of bed bug eggs. Even with a direct hit, not all insecticides destroy the embryo. For another two weeks, larvae can hatch from the eggs, which continue to contact the poison and die. But in general, after the disinfestation procedure, bed bugs can live indoors for up to 21 days. The term depends on the size of the colony, the composition and concentration of the agent used, the processing conditions.
Upon transition to a state of anabiosis, pests cease to need air, but when they return to a full life, their need for air increases rapidly.
How long the life of bloodsuckers will also depend on the humidity of the air. At rates of 40-50%, bedbugs are destroyed at the active stage, and at values below 15-20% - at the inactive stage.
Do bedbugs and their eggs die when exposed to different temperatures
The destructive effect on the body of bloodsuckers has a significant increase or decrease in temperature:
- at temperatures up to -7 degrees, eggs remain viable for up to one and a half months;
- at values from -15 to -20 degrees, individuals can withstand 24 hours without any damage to health;
- when exposed to temperatures from -27 degrees and below, instant death of parasites occurs;
- when the value rises to +45 degrees, the bugs die after 45 minutes, but up to 80% of insects survive, more than +45 - larvae, eggs and adult insects quickly die;
- with temperature fluctuations from +60 to -30 degrees, the egg shell retains its viability.
An increase in air temperature to 30 degrees accelerates metabolic processes and shortens the life of pests, while stimulating their reproduction.
What you need to know to kill bed bugs
To effectively combat a large population of insects, you can use a technology called "hot fog", which consists in exposing the bugs to hot steam, from which both adults and larvae die. The "cold fog" technology works similarly, but one or two re-treatments may be required to achieve the best result.
Why is it so difficult to kill a bed bug
Often It is not possible to destroy parasites even when using toxic substances due to the emergence of resistance to them in insects. Therefore, it is recommended to constantly change the type of insecticide used. For example, if a drug based on a component from the group of pyrethroids was previously used, then after it it is better to take an organophosphorus compound or neonicotinoids.
Under what conditions do bedbugs die?
The following factors contribute to the rapid death of bedbugs:
- temperature fluctuations with an increase in values \u45b\u27bto +XNUMX degrees or more or a decrease to -XNUMX degrees Celsius and below;
- low air humidity, at which insects literally dry out;
- exposure to potent insecticides.
Only with an integrated approach using effective methods of control can you permanently get rid of bed bugs.
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