No, bed bugs do not hibernate. They are active throughout the year, and their activity level may even increase in warmer temperatures but they can still survive the cold. Bed bugs are capable of surviving in a range of temperatures, but they prefer temperatures between 70-80°F (21-27°C). They can also survive for several months without feeding, which enables them to wait out periods of cold or unfavorable conditions. Therefore, it’s essential to take proactive steps to prevent bed bugs from infesting your home, regardless of the season.
8 Steps to get Bed Bugs away
- Regularly inspect secondhand furniture, luggage, and clothing before bringing them into your home.
- Store ALL luggage in hefty plastic bags, either in your garage or up in a closet
- Vacuum regularly, paying special attention to cracks and crevices where bed bugs can hide.
- Seal cracks and gaps in walls and baseboards.
- Wash all bed sheets, comforters, and pillow cases with hot water/high heat
- When returning from travel, unpack your luggage outside and wash all clothing and belongings immediately.
- Investing in mattress and box frame plastic covers
- Keep your house area clean!
Best Treatment to Prevent Bed Bugs
The best treatment to prevent bed bugs is a combination of proactive prevention methods and professional pest control.
Proactive prevention methods include regularly inspecting your home for signs of bed bugs, using protective covers on your bedding and furniture, vacuuming regularly, reducing clutter, and washing and drying your clothing and bedding in hot water.
Professional pest control is necessary if bed bugs have already infested your home. A licensed pest control professional can provide a variety of treatments, such as insecticide sprays, heat treatments, and fumigation, depending on the severity of the infestation.
It’s important to note that DIY treatments for bed bugs are often ineffective and can even make the problem worse by spreading the infestation to other areas of your home. Professional pest control is the most reliable way to eliminate bed bugs and prevent future infestations.
Summary
While bed bugs are not known to hibernate, cold weather can have an impact on their activity levels. Bed bugs are most active in temperatures between 70-80°F (21-27°C), and as the temperature drops, their activity level may slow down. However, this does not mean that they will disappear. Bed bugs are capable of surviving in a range of temperatures, including cold weather. In fact, they can even survive in temperatures as low as 32°F (0°C) for a limited period of time. Moreover, bed bugs can survive for several months without feeding, which allows them to wait out periods of cold or unfavorable conditions. Therefore, it’s important to be diligent in your efforts to prevent bed bugs from infesting your home, even during the colder months of the year. Regular inspections, vacuuming, and washing bedding in hot water can help to keep bed bugs at bay, regardless of the season.