How Long Can Bed Bugs Live Without Eating?
And How Can You Get Rid of Them?
In a dream world, a week in the guest bedroom will kill your bed bug problem. Is it too good to be true? Find out how long bed bugs can live without eating and what your next steps for taking care of an infestation should be.
How Long Can Bed Bugs Live Without Eating?
Don’t plan on waiting out bed bugs and letting them starve to death! They can go for 20 to 400 days without eating, depending on the temperature and humidity levels. (The ones who lived for 400 days were kept in a low-temperature laboratory setting.) That means you can’t escape from them by sleeping in another room, and that mostly vacant hotel can still be home to bed bugs even after a period without guests.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Use Heat
Sunlight: Put the black trash bags full of linens, clothing, and towels outside into direct sunlight, preferably in 80F+ degrees and leave them there until sunset. Heat should kill the existing bugs.
Washer and Dryer: If it’s cooler than that outside, put your things straight into the dryer for a longer time than usual. Now wash the items in hot water, and dry everything and toss the trash bags in an outdoor trash can.
Chemical Treatments
Mattresses and box springs are difficult to carry outside, so your best solution is to use chemical treatments. However, these are less effective, and the mattress and box spring are often ruined.
Clean Areas of Infestation
You should scrub every surface with a stiff brush to cleans off the eggs and then vacuum. You should also vacuum every carpet multiple times to ensure you get every bug. You should even use an attachment to vacuum every inch of the room several times to ensure every spot has been covered. Be sure to toss vacuum cleaner bags in outside cans immediately.
Bed Bug Problem? Call Green Pest Solutions.
You won’t get to see how long bed bugs live without eating when you contact Green Pest Solutions. We offer a free bed bug inspection so you can feel comfortable knowing you don’t have any hidden visitors. Call us today at 855-312-7157 to learn more.