What is the coldest temperature bed bugs can survive in?
When it comes to bed bugs, we all know that they are not welcome in our homes or beds. These pesky little creatures can make your life a living hell with their constant biting and irritating presence. But how exactly do we get rid of them? And what is the coldest temperature they can survive in? Let’s dive into this topic and explore some interesting facts about bed bugs.
Introduction
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on human blood. They are notorious for infesting beddings, furniture, and even clothing items which makes them hard to get rid of. There have been many methods developed over the years to eradicate these pests such as steam cleaning and pesticide use but one common question remains among people; ‘What is the coldest temperature at which bed bugs can survive?’ This article will explore this question.
The Basics of Bed Bugs
Before diving into temperatures capable of killing bed bugs we need to understand few things about them first:
- Life cycle: It takes around 5-10 days from egg hatching for a bed bug nymph (baby) to become an adult.
- Reproduction: Unlike other insects like roaches who lay hundreds of eggs in one setting, female beg bugs only lays a maximum of five eggs daily.
- Diet: As stated earlier your beloved blood! A week after feeding they mate so reproduction potential increases while furthering their invasion.
Knowing more fully how these organisms behave helps us put cold weather survival needs into context.
The Effects Of Low Temperature On Bed Bugs
Bedbugs like warmer conditions ranging between room temp (70°F/21°C) till multiple degrees above humans’ ideal range providing max comfortability provided by those blood meals mentioned – just kidding there aren’t really any pros associated with sleeping partners that only show up when you’re defenseless against them.
But getting back to their survival capabilities, low temperatures inhibit the bugs’ ability to reproduce and slow down the development of eggs or nymph stages till death is due – in other words it’s a major duress that leads either to numbing/paralysis or gradual metabolic system shutdown.
We can hence assume colder climates would have some impact on these pests but what temperature determines the killing threshold?
What Is The Coldest Temperature At Which Bed Bugs Can Survive
According to studies, there are different strain landrace species of bedbugs with abilities better adapted for certain extreme environments than others- We shall discuss them below:
Artic populations of Bed-Bugs
It’s assumed that during this specie ‘s creation they may have traveled through glacial mountain expansions meaning lower required temps as well given environmental circumstances. This means at around three-point-two degrees Fahrenheit (-16°C) bed bugs will start succumbing since their bodies simply do not work properly in such conditions freezing out any chance at movement until death knocks.
Hence if you’re looking for an Arctic field trip make sure you grab your winter gear and leave those uninvited guests behind at home!
Southern populations (also known as “tropical strains”)
In contrast southern regoin insects like Cimex hemipterus(who hail from tropical regions), show adaptation signs slightly differing compared to other landraces. As these creatures typically adapt over time increasing chances of longer lifespan under stressors it somewhat evolving into superbug status thanks warmer average surroundings suitable for growth potential & genetic refinement; thus showing resistance/ resilience capacity upto about two point six degrees Farenheit(-17°C).
Overall both scenarios suggest colder climate results in increasingly drastic effects cold weather when combined with less hardy landrace presence suggests very limited survival timeframe.
If somehow needing survivability within the two lethal ranges mentioned above previouly keep in mind the steps necessary can prove to be more than just adjustment. An increase in non-native support tools being used alongside efforts like dedicated heaters or specialized, specifically-formulated insecticides becomes paramount.
Tips On Preventative Measures Against Bed Bugs
If thinking now you don’t want even the slightest risk of bedbug invasion there are a few things we recommend as preventative measures:
Inspect hotel rooms before check-ins
If travelling staying for an hotels; inspect mattress seams, headboards, and any furniture identifying marks that could indicate activity including excretory waste spots.
Vacuum your home regularly
Utilizing vacuuming systems (particularly those with strong suction may help exterminate unwanted populations making recovery advances active upon follow up procedures .
Hope this information helps you maintain a bug-free environment!
Conclusion
Bed bugs are certainly not something to take lightly but it is heartening whoever first thought “I wonder how they do when Polar vortex hits?” While some species showed survival adaptibility & success characteristics under extreme temperatures during their evolutionary design other landraces did not fare so well. Artic pests faced extreme challenges in order just survive while maginal tactics applied meant if found oneself trapped between -17°C passing away would be very likely.In such cases methods involving higher intensity heating elements and chemical solutions will unequivocally play vital role moving forward. In general terms having high awareness levels concerning overall bedroom hygiene practices coupled with early detection across industry-specific disinfection techniques remains highly sought along accomodating universal prevention tipd against bedbugs alike!
So next time someone asks you about bed bugs’ survival abilities share what you’ve picked up here!