How do bedbugs appear during dormancy? - briefly
During dormancy, bedbugs stay concealed as eggs or inactive adults, reactivating only when temperature rises or a host’s presence is sensed. They then emerge from cracks and crevices to seek a blood meal.
How do bedbugs appear during dormancy? - in detail
Bedbugs enter a dormant state, known as diapause, when temperatures drop below approximately 15 °C (59 °F) and food sources become scarce. During this period, metabolic activity slows dramatically, development halts, and the insects seek protected micro‑habitats where temperature and humidity remain relatively stable.
The transition from dormancy to activity occurs when environmental conditions improve. Key triggers include:
- Temperature rise above the diapause threshold, typically to 20 °C (68 °F) or higher.
- Increased humidity, maintaining relative humidity around 60 % to prevent desiccation.
- Presence of a blood‑feeding host, detected through carbon‑dioxide, heat, and skin odor cues.
Physiologically, the insect reactivates enzyme systems, resumes feeding behavior, and resumes molting cycles. The first visible sign of re‑emergence is the appearance of newly hatched nymphs or adult insects near host sleeping areas. These individuals are often found:
- In seams, folds, and crevices of mattresses, box springs, and headboards.
- Inside upholstered furniture, particularly in cushion seams and under fabric covers.
- In cracks of wall baseboards, picture frames, and electrical outlets where the insects can remain concealed during diapause.
The presence of eggs laid before dormancy can also lead to immediate detection once conditions become favorable, as the eggs hatch within a few weeks. Infestations become apparent through:
- Live insects observed crawling on skin or bedding.
- Exuviae (shed skins) left behind after molting.
- Fecal spots, dark specks resembling pepper grains, deposited near feeding sites.
- Blood‑stained areas on sheets, indicating recent feeding.
Understanding these cues and the locations where insects concentrate during dormancy helps in early identification and targeted control measures.