"Night" - what is it, definition of the term
The nocturnal phase denotes the segment of a daily cycle when the sun lies beneath the horizon, producing darkness, cooler temperatures, and diminished natural light; during this interval, organisms such as ticks, bugs, lice, and fleas often become more active, taking advantage of the low‑visibility conditions for feeding, movement, and reproduction.
Detailed information
The period of darkness influences the behavior, physiology, and control strategies of several hematophagous arthropods.
Ticks become more active during the hours of low light, especially in humid environments where host movement is reduced. Their questing posture aligns with the host’s nocturnal activity, increasing the probability of attachment. Temperature thresholds around 10–15 °C trigger increased activity, while relative humidity above 80 % sustains questing stamina. Preventive measures focus on timed acaricide applications before peak activity and the use of barriers that limit host exposure during these hours.
Bugs, particularly species such as the bed bug (Cimex lectularius), exhibit a circadian rhythm that concentrates feeding attempts in the late evening and early morning. Their sensory organs detect carbon dioxide and heat emitted by sleeping hosts, facilitating rapid blood intake. Integrated pest management recommends regular inspection of sleeping areas, heat treatments calibrated to exceed 45 °C for a minimum of 30 minutes, and the deployment of interceptors that capture individuals during their nocturnal dispersal.
Lice, including head and body varieties, are less dependent on ambient light but show heightened mobility when hosts are at rest. The reduced disturbance during sleep allows lice to move between hair shafts and lay eggs (nits) with minimal detection. Effective control relies on systematic combing with fine-toothed devices, topical pediculicides applied according to the life cycle, and environmental decontamination of bedding and clothing after the host’s rest period.
Fleas, especially the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), synchronize their host‑seeking flights with the twilight transition. Their jumping ability peaks when visual cues are limited, and they exploit the host’s reduced vigilance. Management includes regular grooming of pets before the evening, environmental insecticide treatments timed to precede the dusk period, and vacuuming of carpets and upholstery to remove concealed stages.
Key considerations for all four groups:
- Timing of interventions should align with peak activity periods of darkness.
- Environmental humidity and temperature critically affect survival and host‑seeking behavior.
- Host protection measures (e.g., bedding covers, pet collars) are most effective when applied before the onset of low‑light conditions.
- Monitoring tools (traps, interceptors) gain accuracy when deployed during the hours when these arthropods are most active.