How to feed bedbugs? - briefly
Bedbugs obtain nourishment by piercing a sleeping host’s skin and ingesting blood, usually for 5–10 minutes per feeding session. Providing a warm, dark environment allows natural feeding, while artificial feeding requires a membrane feeder with warmed defibrinated blood.
How to feed bedbugs? - in detail
Feeding bedbugs requires a reliable blood source, appropriate delivery system, and controlled environmental parameters.
A suitable blood supply must be defibrinated to prevent clotting, free of pathogens, and maintained at body temperature (≈37 °C). Common options include commercially available rabbit, sheep, or human blood, each supplemented with an anticoagulant such as heparin.
Delivery methods fall into two categories: artificial membrane feeders and direct host exposure. Artificial systems employ a stretched membrane (parafilm or silicone) stretched over a heated reservoir; the membrane mimics skin, allowing insects to insert their proboscis. Direct exposure involves placing insects on a restrained live host, but ethical considerations limit this approach.
Feeding frequency depends on developmental stage. Adult specimens typically require a blood meal every 5–7 days, while early instar nymphs may need nourishment every 3–4 days to sustain growth.
Environmental conditions must support activity and digestion. Maintain temperature between 25 °C and 28 °C and relative humidity at 70 %–80 %. Provide a dark, humid hide for post‑feeding recovery.
Monitoring includes checking for engorgement, removing uneaten blood, and cleaning the feeding apparatus to prevent microbial contamination.
Step‑by‑step protocol
- Prepare warmed, anticoagulated blood in a sterile container.
- Assemble the membrane feeder, ensuring the membrane is taut and free of tears.
- Position the feeder within the insect enclosure, allowing access from all sides.
- Observe insects for probing behavior; allow 15–30 minutes for complete engorgement.
- Remove the feeder, discard residual blood, and clean all components with ethanol.
- Return insects to a humid hide for 24 hours before the next feeding cycle.
Adhering to these procedures ensures consistent nutrition for «Cimex lectularius», promotes healthy development, and supports reliable experimental outcomes.