Bed bugs are one of the most common blood-sucking parasitic insects. Because they are small and have fast-crawling legs, they can be challenging to spot. Bed bugs are known to feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, especially humans. However, they can also feed on smaller animals like mice, cats, and bats. According to research published by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, “bed bugs actively feed on blood temperatures ranging from 28 to 43 degrees Celsius, with more than 88% feeding at 38 to 43 degrees Celsius”. From this, we can deduce that these creepy insects are more attracted to warm substances and the environment than cold ones. Our previous post mentioned that bed bugs are attracted to warmth, heat, and carbon dioxide. However, their activity level can depend on the year's season.
The two significant seasons when bed bugs are most active are spring and summer.
Spring
Spring is the year's season that occurs in March and April and may usually be between summer and winter. This season is often characterized by warm temperatures—the perfect period for bed bugs to breed and feed actively. Also, because of the warm weather, availability of cheaper hotels and flights, and the abundance of outdoor activities in the spring, you will meet people from all over the world. Since bed bugs are good hitchhikers, they can hitch a ride on your luggage from infested luggage while travelling, and eventually, you take them home, and infestation begins.
Summer
Bed bugs tend to be most active during the summer because it is the year's warmest season. According to research, the hotter an environment or space is, the more active the bedbugs will be, except for extreme heat temperatures, which may harm or kill the bedbugs. This season of the year occurs from June to August. As bed bug activity rises by the end of spring, it usually reaches its peak in summer.
Nights
Even though nights are not classified as seasons, this period of the day varies throughout the year. Likewise, nights differ from one location to another depending on factors like season and latitude, This period of the day is often characterized by darkness; at this time, bedbugs get the best of their activity because their hosts are almost always asleep, and as such, bed bugs can have blood meals undetected.
Read more about how to prevent bed bug infestation.
FAQs
What are bed bugs attracted to?
Bed bugs are usually attracted to humans due to the blood they get from them. They are also attracted to warmth, body heat, and carbon dioxide. These insects are less likely to be moved or attracted by brightness and cold climates, especially in winter.
Can bedbugs kill?
Bed bugs pose no significant threat to human life. They do not spread or transmit any form of disease. Although, in cases of hyper infestation, they may tamper with one's lifestyle or health, as they can make you anemic. You can read more on the side effects of bed bugs.
How do bedbugs initially start?
Bed bugs' history can be traced back to prehistoric times. Bats were the primary carriers of bed bugs during this period, but only until men began living in caves where these bats lived. It was believed that this was where a man picked bed bugs from and spread them near human dwellings.
How do you find bedbugs’ dwellings?
Once you spot a bug, it may be challenging to trace it back to their dwellings as they crawl very fast and disappear before you know it, especially when they detect a threat. However, you can look for signs like dark spots or blood stains on bedding and eggs, and you may decide to check for cracks on your walls.
To learn more about the hidden sites of bed bugs, check out our previous posts.
How long do bedbugs survive?
These creepy creatures never go extinct; they have hundreds of eggs to ensure continuity. However, a typical bed bug can survive for about two years or weeks without food (blood).