When do bedbugs go to sleep? - briefly
Bed bugs are primarily nocturnal, retreating to hidden crevices during daylight and remaining inactive until nightfall. Their activity peaks after the host settles, when they emerge to feed.
When do bedbugs go to sleep? - in detail
Bedbugs exhibit a distinct pattern of activity and rest that aligns with the host’s sleep schedule. Adult insects and nymphs become active shortly after the host settles down for the night, typically within 15–30 minutes of darkness. Feeding occurs during this initial phase, after which the insects retreat to concealed harborages to digest the blood meal.
Rest periods follow the feeding episode and can last from several hours to a full day, depending on ambient temperature and the time elapsed since the last blood intake. At temperatures above 25 °C, digestion proceeds rapidly, shortening the interval before the next activity bout. Cooler conditions (below 20 °C) extend the post‑feeding quiescence, allowing the insect to conserve energy.
The cycle repeats each night, with the following sequence:
- Emergence from harborage as darkness falls
- Locating a host and initiating a blood meal
- Withdrawal to a safe site for digestion
- Prolonged inactivity until the next nocturnal window
Light exposure suppresses activity; bedbugs remain motionless in darkness and are rarely observed moving during daylight hours. Their circadian rhythm is therefore tightly coupled to the host’s sleep period, ensuring maximum feeding efficiency while minimizing detection.