Do bed bugs live outdoors? We’ll be looking at establishing if these bugs can live outside.
For the most part, bed bugs are known to infest homes from the inside. These are accidentally or unknowingly carried around or transported to new locations and spread quickly. This naturally prompts a question; do bed bugs live outside?
Since humans unknowingly carry or participate in the spread of these bugs, isn’t it possible that bed bugs could live outside? This is what we intend to discuss.
We’ll find if outside temperatures and conditions are favorable enough to support bed bug habitation.
Is Outdoor Living for Bed Bugs Even Possible?
The simple answer to this question is a yes, but with a catch. Whether in parks, lawns, or wherever, bed bugs are known to survive outside conditions but not for long.
Outside of their ideal conditions, bed bugs will die when they can’t get into homes.
Speaking of ideal conditions, it’s necessary to explain what it means and how it affects bed bugs. Two key ideal conditions support bed bug presence.
They include the presence of food and ideal temperature for development and reproduction.
Now, a room’s temperature ranges between 65 degrees to 85 degrees F. This mostly supports bed bug development and reproduction. Also, bed bugs have to feed.
Unfortunately, humans are their targets as they need to feed on blood to survive and reproduce.
If you have an active infestation, bed bugs won’t feed when you’re active. They prefer to feed while you rest or sleep as you’re likely to be stationary. The outdoors isn’t ideal for bed bugs to feed.
Also, temperatures are harsher outdoors than indoors.
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Bed Bugs Won’t Survive For Long
While bed bugs may live outdoors for a while, these pests won’t survive for long. Outside temperatures are harsher and the availability of food isn’t much.
So, what about a situation where homeless people live outdoors? Won’t they still survive for long? Remember, the topic being discussed looks at the possibility of bed bugs surviving outdoors.
It doesn’t really consider how long they survive. The duration of survival was only included to better explain how the outdoors affects their lifespan.
In a homeless people situation, there’s a possible supply of blood or food for bed bugs. However, even at that, these bugs are still exposed to harsher temperatures.
Again, we reiterate the fact that bed bugs can live outside but not for long.
If Outside Conditions Don’t Favor Bed Bugs, Can Infested Items be Taken Out?
This is one of the likely questions that may arise from our discussion so far.
To properly answer the question, we’ll need to also ask a question; how long do you intend on leaving your belongings outdoors? Such properties may succumb to harsh weather or get damaged in the process.
During the winter season when the weather gets extremely cold, taking out a few items and leaving them until bed bugs are killed or destroyed is possible. However, this isn’t a reliable way to treat a bed bug problem.
Any Delay Worsens the Situation
The moment you spot or identify bed bugs within or around your home, it’s important to get immediate help.
These bugs are known to be prolific breeders. On average, a single bed bug can lay over 400 eggs during its lifetime. In a single day, it can lay anywhere from 1 to 5 eggs.
This is one problem you don’t want to toy with. It’s best to get the much-needed help you need as fast as you can.
Of course, this does not involve taking out your belongings outdoors as a way to eliminate them. It’s totally unreliable and a waste of time.
It’s best to call for professional help. Reputable pest control services offer comprehensive bed bug extermination services. It will serve you best to call them for any bed bug issues whether indoors or outdoors.
Avoid any DIY strategy of dealing with the problem yourself as it’s difficult to succeed in such an undertaking.
Protecting Yourself From Bed bugs
You should know that bed bugs living outside will seize any opportunity they have to hitch a ride with you.
They could be lying in wait in parks, or other public spaces. Also, these bugs could be hidden in second-hand furniture. In such situations, you end up unknowingly bringing them home from a friend’s place.
So, what do you do to protect yourself and your family from these pests? Several tips could be of great help. These actions are largely your responsibility and are in the form of preventive actions like those listed below.
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Leave Your Bags Outdoors After a Journey
This action mostly depends on your living arrangements. If your home has a fence and your compound is safe enough, you can consider leaving your bags outside after a journey.
Another option is to keep them in your garbage if it’s detached from your home.
This is necessary until you’re prepared to do your laundry. Remember, you cannot be too careful when there’s an outbreak of bed bug infestation within your area.
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Wash All Clothing Used During the Journey
All clothing used during the journey, especially those worn when you returned home should be washed immediately. This helps stop a bed bug infestation in its tracks before it has the chance of spreading.
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Be Careful When Buying Second Hand Furniture
Purchasing second-hand furniture is a thing practiced by many. However, this exposes you to bed bugs which may be hiding in furniture corners or crevices.
Therefore before you bring in such furniture, a thorough inspection will be necessary.
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Treat Infested Items Before Properly Disposing of Them
When creating an active bed bug infestation, you want to contain or eliminate them without extending the problem to others. We’ve affirmed the possibility of bed bugs surviving outdoors.
So, when infested items are disposed of, they must be treated first.
When such items aren’t treated, bed bugs are likely to find their way into other homes which perpetuates the problem.
We’ve seen that bed bugs do live outside. However, their stay outside is short-lived due to unsuitable conditions such as weather, absence of food (blood), and temperature.
Also included are ways to protect yourself from such bed bugs.