Wondering what happens to bed bugs in cold weather? They don't disappear, if that's what you're wondering. But, can bed bugs survive cold temperatures?
Temperature Drops
As the temperature drops, bed bugs in cold weather, gather fibers that weren't noticeable before and create a ball that resembles a tiny tumbleweed. These small scattered fibers are used as insulators for the bed bugs as they move into stage two of heat preservation. This highlights the relationship between bed bugs and temperature.
Strength in Numbers
Similar to humans, bed bugs have social survival tendencies. When cold weather threatens their comfort or well-being, they turn to each other. They tend to huddle together in balls of gathered fiber from clothing, mattresses, or blankets. This keeps them warm and puts them in a state of little to no movement until it warms up, and they can start moving and wreaking havoc again. This behavior is closely tied to how bed bugs and temperature interact.
This is not a behavior unique to bed bugs. Other insects, such as box elder bugs, will huddle together to preserve heat and shield each other from the elements. Similar to the theory of a market's invisible hand, their self-interest in survival drives them to seek out heat sources. Other bed bugs nearby would be naturally attractive.
Do Bed Bugs Go Dormant?
The fibers and combined body heat help the bed bugs maintain their warmth longer than they can on their own. Unlike many insects, bed bugs do not go into a state of dormancy similar to a mammal's hibernation. In this state, other bugs may survive if the fluids do not crystallize and damage essential body components too much. But can bed bugs survive cold temperatures indefinitely? They have some defenses, but prolonged exposure can be fatal.
What About Cryogenic Freezing?
While freezing is a way to kill bed bugs, its important to note that the precision that must occur to be successful. Even though professional freezing equipment will take the temperature far lower than a cold Minnesota night, bed bugs have several defenses against the cold. The question remains: does bed bugs die in the cold? Under precise freezing conditions, the answer can be yes.
Bed bugs do not have time to do much when temperatures drop, but in an established population, it wouldn't take more than a second or two for clusters of bugs to form. This is why it is essential to use a combination of methods against bed bugs when aiming for control.
What Can I Do About Bed Bugs?
Being vigilant for hitchhiking bed bugs and any signs of an infestation is the best preventive measure. If you do end up with bed bugs, the bed bug experts at Greenix Pest Control are ready to help. Assistance is available for inspection, identification, treatment preparation, treatment, and post-treatment verification.
