Can Bed Bugs Live in the Winter?
Can Bed Bugs Survive Winter Weather?
At Advanced Bed Bug Preparation, we understand how frustrating it can be to deal with bed bugs. A common question people ask is whether bed bugs can survive during the winter.
Bed bugs can survive and thrive during winter months, primarily because they live in temperature-controlled indoor environments. These resilient insects have evolved several survival mechanisms that help them endure cold conditions.
Let’s dive more into this topic in the article below. If you suspect that you have bed bugs in your home or rental property, we’d recommend reading our article on the 9 signs you have bed bugs in your home for more information.
Temperature Tolerance
First, let’s talk about what temperature bed bugs can tolerate. Bed bugs can survive in temperatures as low as 46°F, though they become dormant below 50°F.
They begin dying when exposed to temperatures below 0°F for several days. However, these conditions rarely occur in heated indoor spaces where bed bugs typically reside.
Winter Survival Strategies
During winter, bed bugs can survive in several different ways:
Seeking Warmth: Bed bugs migrate deeper into walls, furniture, and bedding where temperatures remain stable.
Reduced Activity: In cooler conditions, bed bugs slow their metabolism and become less active, though they continue feeding when hosts are available.
Cold Resistance: These bugs produce a chemical similar to antifreeze in their bodies, allowing them to withstand brief exposure to freezing temperatures.
Indoor Protection
Inside your home, modern heating systems create ideal conditions for bed bugs to survive winter:
Consistent indoor temperatures between 65-80°F
Humidity from daily activities like showering and cooking
Abundant hiding spots near human hosts
Protection from extreme outdoor temperatures
Do you suspect you have bed bugs in your home? In this article, we cover what bites from a bed bug look like.
Related: What Attracts Bed Bugs?
Treatment Methods
Cold temperatures can be used strategically to eliminate bed bugs. We detail more about the different types of bed bug treatments in our article linked here, which include freezing methods. Here’s what to expect when it comes to freezing treatments:
Professional freezing treatments must maintain temperatures below 0°F for at least four days
Home freezers can kill bed bugs in small items if maintained at 0°F for several days
Items must be sealed in plastic bags to prevent escape and condensation damage
Prevention During Winter
To prevent bed bug infestations during winter:
Inspect secondhand furniture and clothing before bringing items indoors
Check luggage and clothing after traveling
Maintain regular inspection routines, as bed bugs remain active year-round indoors
Seal cracks and crevices where bed bugs might seek shelter from cold
Understanding that bed bugs remain a year-round threat is vital for effective prevention and control. While winter's cold temperatures might kill bed bugs outdoors, indoor infestations require targeted treatment regardless of season.
Contact Advanced Bed Bug Preparation
Need a bed bug preparation service? At Advanced Bed Bug Preparation, our team is licensed and fully-trained in preparation, laundry treatment, and restoration services. We can get your home ready in just one business day for the bed bug removal team to come in and perform the extermination service. We detail more about our bed bug preparation process here.
Our bed bug preparation specialists serve the cities of Oshkosh, Fond Du Lac, Sheboygan, Appleton, Green Bay, and Northeast Wisconsin. Let Advanced Bed Bug Preparation help you prepare to eliminate your bed bug infestation!
