When do bedbugs feed on blood? - briefly
Bedbugs generally emerge after dark to bite exposed skin while the host is asleep, though they may also feed during daylight if disturbed. They require a blood meal roughly every five to ten days.
When do bedbugs feed on blood? - in detail
Bedbugs are nocturnal hematophages; they typically locate a host after darkness falls and begin feeding shortly after the host becomes immobile. The majority of blood meals occur between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., with peak activity often observed from midnight to 3 a.m. This timing aligns with human sleep cycles, reducing the likelihood of host disturbance.
Feeding is triggered by a combination of heat, carbon‑dioxide, and kairomones emitted by a potential host. Once a suitable cue is detected, a bedbug climbs onto the skin, inserts its elongated proboscis, and draws blood for 3–10 minutes. The duration depends on the insect’s developmental stage and the size of the blood pool; nymphs usually require less time than adult females, which may ingest up to 5 µL per meal.
After a successful meal, digestion proceeds for 4–7 days. During this period the insect remains hidden in cracks, crevices, or the mattress seam, avoiding exposure. The interval between successive feedings varies with temperature, host availability, and physiological state:
- Optimal temperatures (22‑28 °C): 4–5 days between meals.
- Cooler environments (<20 °C): up to 10 days or longer.
- Pregnant females: may feed every 2–3 days to support egg production.
- Starved individuals: can extend the interval to several weeks, surviving on stored reserves.
Bedbugs exhibit a circadian rhythm that suppresses activity during daylight. Light exposure, even low‑intensity illumination, can inhibit host‑seeking behavior, causing insects to retreat to their harborages until darkness returns.
In summary, bedbugs concentrate their blood‑sucking activity in the late‑night hours, feed for a few minutes per encounter, and then enter a concealed, digestive phase lasting several days. Temperature, reproductive status, and host presence modulate the exact timing of subsequent meals.