Bed bugs are nocturnal insects that depend on blood meals for their survival and development. These small pests emerge from their hiding spots, often in cracks and crevices, to feed on humans, typically during the night. A common question is whether they need to feed every night. Understanding their habits clarifies how they persist and why infestations are challenging.
How Often Bed Bugs Feed
Bed bugs do not feed every night; their feeding frequency varies based on several factors. Adult bed bugs generally feed about once every 5 to 10 days if a host is readily available. This feeding schedule allows them to digest their previous meal and prepare for the next.
Nymphs, which are young bed bugs, have different feeding requirements compared to adults. They must consume a blood meal to progress through each of their five developmental stages, shedding their exoskeleton after each feeding. This means nymphs need to feed more frequently than adults to grow and mature. A single blood meal sustains them for several days, allowing them to retreat to their hiding places until the next opportunity.
How Long Bed Bugs Survive Without Food
Bed bugs can survive extended periods without food, contributing to persistent infestations. Adult bed bugs can typically survive for several months without feeding, with survival times ranging from 2 to 6 months in typical room temperature conditions. Under cooler temperatures, their metabolism slows, allowing them to survive even longer, sometimes over a year in laboratory settings.
Nymphs are less resilient than adults but can still endure weeks to a few months without food, depending on their developmental stage and environmental conditions. Bed bug eggs are self-contained and do not require food to survive, hatching within 2 to 10 days under warm conditions. This resilience, allowing them to enter a dormant state, explains why vacating an infested property for a short period may not eliminate them.
Recognizing Bed Bug Feeding Signs
Even without nightly feeding, bed bugs leave noticeable signs of their presence. One common indicator is the appearance of bite marks on the skin, often characterized by small, red, itchy welts that may appear in lines or clusters. While reactions to bites vary among individuals, some people may not react at all, making bites an unreliable sole indicator of an infestation.
Blood stains on bedding are another sign, appearing as small, reddish or rusty spots. These stains can result from crushed bed bugs after feeding or from fresh bites. Fecal spots, which are digested blood excretions, appear as small, dark, or black spots resembling ink blots or flecks of pepper on mattresses, sheets, or furniture. These spots often cluster or form linear patterns. Additionally, bed bugs shed their exoskeletons as they grow, leaving behind translucent, empty shells. These shed skins, along with eggs, can be found in areas where bed bugs hide.