What do bedbugs dislike and fear? - briefly
Bedbugs are repelled by high temperatures (typically above 45 °C/113 °F), extreme cold (below 0 °C/32 °F), and substances such as diatomaceous earth, certain essential oils, and approved insecticides. They also avoid prolonged periods without a host, especially in dry or low‑humidity conditions.
What do bedbugs dislike and fear? - in detail
Bedbugs are highly sensitive to environmental conditions that threaten their survival.
- Temperature extremes – temperatures above 45 °C cause rapid mortality; prolonged exposure to 30 °C accelerates dehydration. Temperatures below 15 °C slow development and increase mortality over weeks.
- Direct light – intense illumination, especially ultraviolet, leads to desiccation and disrupts hiding behavior.
- Chemical repellents – essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus reduce activity; synthetic pyrethroids induce paralysis; diatomaceous earth abrades exoskeletons, causing fatal water loss.
- Moisture imbalance – environments that are overly dry or overly humid impair egg viability and nymph development.
Physical disturbances also provoke avoidance. Frequent relocation of bedding, vacuuming, and steam treatment raise substrate temperature and introduce mechanical stress, prompting insects to retreat or disperse.
Biological antagonists present additional threats. Entomopathogenic fungi (e.g., Beauveria bassiana) infect and kill through cuticle penetration; parasitic nematodes penetrate the hemocoel, leading to rapid death.
Collectively, these factors create conditions that bedbugs instinctively avoid, limiting their ability to feed, reproduce, and persist.