No, bed bugs do not like cold rooms. In fact, they prefer moderate environments and are often found in homes with heat during the winter months. Turning your AC on in the summer will be just the right temperature for bed bugs.
Bed bugs are attracted to CO2 and body heat, so they typically congregate in areas where people sleep or spend a lot of time sitting or lying down. Typical spots include beds, couches, recliners, and other furniture. But they are not particularly attracted to the cold.
Where do bed bugs hide? You can find them in cracks and crevices, walls and floors, behind baseboards and moldings, and in other small spaces. They do not like the light; in fact, when you shine a bright light on a cluster of bed bugs, they may start scattering.
**If You Are Worried About Bed Bugs, Learn All About How To Find: “early-stage early bed bug stains on sheets.”
Do Bed Bugs Die In Cold Weather?
Bed bugs are not known to thrive outside in cold weather. Freezing temperatures will kill them, so they tend to gravitate towards warmer environments like your home.
If the temperature is below freezing, then there’s a good chance that the bed bugs will die in the cold weather. On the other hand, a bat bug vs. a bed bug is more adept at living outside, so it is more tolerant of the cold.
Does Freezing Kill Bed Bugs?
Yes, freezing kills bed bugs, which is why Freezing with Cryonite is a proven treatment that can instantly kill a bed bug. Cryonite uses liquid carbon dioxide (co2) to kill bed bugs and other insects. To clarify, it will immediately freeze the bugs by surrounding them with -110 °F frozen co2.
If you are placing items in a freezer to kill bed bugs, then you’ll want to leave them there for seven days primarily because bed bugs will not be killed instantly. Unfortunately, they can sometimes go dormant if the temperature is not low enough to kill them.
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Can you Freeze Clothes to Kill Bed Bugs?
Yes, a freezer can kill bed bugs on clothing. How do you freeze clothes to kill bed bugs?
- Buy a thermometer for the freezer; you can get these cheap ones and place one in the center of the clothing you are freezing. Or you can get a more advanced one like the Sensorpush that you can check with an app on your phone.
- Place the clothes into a plastic bag.
- Ensure the freezer temperature is -19°C (0°F).
- Put the plastic bag into the freezer for seven days. Many scientists suggest five days is sufficient, but with bed bugs, it’s always better to go above and beyond. So the longer you keep the clothes in the freezer, the better your chances of killing all the bed bugs.
- Keep in mind that there are studies.
Does a Hard Freeze Kill Bed Bugs?
A hard freeze is when the temperature reaches 28° F or lower for at least a few hours. If the temperature drops suddenly, you’ll have a better chance of killing the bugs, but if it’s a gradual drop, the bugs may have time to migrate somewhere warmer.
A hard freeze may not be cold enough to kill bed bugs. When learning things that bed bugs hate, remember that cold is not one of them.
Are Bed Bugs More Active in Summer or Winter?
Both female and male bed bugs are just as active in the summer and winter. The reasoning is that bed bugs are indoor pests, where the temperature is usually controlled. We only see a spike in bed bug cases during the summer and fall because more people travel.
When you travel, you are more likely to pick up bed bugs in a hotel, Airbnb, airplane seat, Uber/Lyft, or theatre. The bed bugs will reproduce and bite you the same, whether in summer or winter.
The only time we see a decrease in bed bug activity is if your indoor space is freezing (below 32°F) or extremely hot (above 100°F). Otherwise, the bugs don’t care what season it is; they only care about getting a blood meal and reproducing.
Therefore you can even find bed bugs in a basement if it’s not too hot or not too cold.
Do Bed Bugs Go Away in Winter?
No, bed bugs do not go away in winter. If anything, they may become more active as people tend to spend more time indoors during the colder months. But as we said above, bed bugs are just as active in the winter as in the summer.
Do Bed Bugs Hibernate in Winter?
No, bed bugs do not hibernate in winter. They are active year-round, regardless of the temperature outside. However, they are not capable of hibernation. If a bed bug does not have a source of blood, it can go into a dormant state where they stay still and conserve its energy.
Hibernation is a metabolic state of inactivity and lowered metabolism that animals enter to survive the winter months. During this time, the animal’s heart rate and breathing slow, and they can go without eating for long periods. Bed bugs do not undergo these changes and are active year-round.
How Long Can Bed Bugs Live in the Cold?
It really depends on how cold it is; If the temperature is well above freezing, a bed bug can live in the cold for up to a year. (but most will die way before that) However, this is contingent on them getting regular blood meals.
If your house is cold but not freezing, a bed bug can survive in the cold place until it dies a natural death or succumbs to treatment.
Note the lifespan of a bed bug is usually around six months. Remember that a bed bug can live for up to a year under optimal conditions. People often wonder, “Can bed bugs come from outside?” unless you pick up used furniture, they tend to be indoor pests.
Final Thoughts for Do Bed Bugs Like The Cold?
So, there you have it! Bed bugs don’t like the cold but love moderate temperatures – like we do. You’re more likely to find them in heated homes during winter. And when you turn your AC on in the summer, that perfect temperature is just right for bed bugs. They can survive in chilly temperatures as long as they get a weekly blood meal.