What are bedbugs in an apartment afraid of? - briefly
Bedbugs cannot survive temperatures above 45 °C (113 °F) or below –17 °C (1 °F), and they die when exposed to prolonged desiccation or approved insecticidal treatments. They also avoid environments lacking a blood source, as feeding requires a host.
What are bedbugs in an apartment afraid of? - in detail
Bedbugs in a residential setting exhibit aversion to several environmental conditions and substances that disrupt their survival and reproduction.
Extreme temperatures constitute a primary deterrent. Sustained exposure to heat above 45 °C (113 °F) for a minimum of 30 minutes leads to rapid mortality, while prolonged chilling below -17 °C (1 °F) for several days also proves lethal.
Desiccation poses a significant threat. Low‑humidity environments, especially relative humidity under 30 %, accelerate water loss and increase death rates, because bedbugs rely on a moist microhabitat near host bedding.
Chemical agents act as repellents and insecticides. Synthetic pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and desiccant dusts such as diatomaceous earth compromise the insect’s nervous system or damage the cuticle, resulting in incapacitation and death.
Physical barriers reduce access to hosts. Mattress encasements with zippered closures prevent insects from reaching feeding sites, effectively isolating the population.
Absence of a blood source curtails feeding opportunities. Extended periods without a human host—typically beyond 5–7 days—lead to starvation and eventual mortality, as bedbugs cannot survive indefinitely without blood meals.
Natural predators and biological control agents also deter infestations. Certain species of parasitoid wasps (e.g., Aphytis spp.) and predatory mites attack bedbugs, reducing population density.
In summary, bedbugs are repelled or eliminated by high heat, severe cold, low humidity, specific insecticidal chemicals, physical isolation, prolonged host deprivation, and biological antagonists.