Bed bugs are nocturnal insects, which means they come out at night to eat. In other words, they are most active at night and tend to come out of their hiding places to feed on blood during the dark hours.
Their main feeding strategy is opportunistic, so they will take blood meals during the day in heavily infested areas. The time it takes for bed bugs to engorge on blood is usually between 5-10 minutes.
As soon as they finish feeding, they move to secluded places to congregate until it is time to feed again.
The bed bug digests its meal, mates, and lays eggs during this phase of its life cycle. An adult bed bug can go several months without a blood meal.
Why Do Bed Bugs Come Out At Night?
Apart from being opportunistic eaters, there are several reasons why bed bugs exhibit this behavior:
Host Availability
Bed bugs are opportunistic feeders that primarily feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including humans.
They have adapted to feed when their hosts are most vulnerable, which is typically when people are sleeping.
At night, humans are stationary, and their body heat and exhalation of carbon dioxide are more concentrated, making it easier for bed bugs to locate and feed on a host.
Avoidance of Detection
Bed bugs are skilled at avoiding detection. They are small and flat, making it easy for them to hide in cracks and crevices during the day. By coming out at night when their host is asleep, they reduce the chances of being spotted and squashed.
Photophobia
Bed bugs are sensitive to light, and they tend to avoid it. While they can feed during the day if necessary, they prefer the darkness of night. This aversion to light helps them stay hidden during daylight hours.
Circadian Rhythm
Bed bugs have a natural circadian rhythm that influences their behavior. Their internal clocks are synchronized with nighttime activities, making them more active and hungry during the night.
Do Bed Bugs Come Out When The Lights Are On?
It is generally believed that bed bugs are nocturnal and prefer to hunt for hosts and feed on blood at night.
It is also not uncommon for them to come out during the day or during the night when the lights are on, in order to take a blood meal, particularly when there haven’t been any humans in the structure for some time.
Bed bugs can also be seen during the day for the following reasons:
- In homes where the residents work at night and sleep during the daytime, bed bugs often change their nocturnal behavior and feed during the day.
- An infestation of bed bugs that is very large.
In a lit environment, bat bugs, which resemble bed bugs in appearance, can also cause activity when they come out during the day or night to consume blood from their preferred hosts, which are bats or birds.
A professional management professional should be contacted if an occupant sees bed bugs during the day, regardless of the cause.
When Do Bed Bugs Come Out?
You shouldn’t think you can outsmart these pests if they like to come out before dawn.
If you work nights, bed bugs will come out and feed on you during the day since they are opportunists and feed most often from 2 am to 5 am.
Can You Always See Bed Bugs?
You should conduct a thorough inspection to determine if you are infested with bed bugs even though itchy bites may indicate the presence of bed bugs.
Many people will miss the signs of a low-level infestation. If you want to find the evidence, you should call an expert. Taking a look at each room for signs of bed bugs takes at least an hour.
How To Find Bed Bugs During The Day?
There are some things you should look for, including “peppering” – black fecal spots usually located in mattress seams or on box springs.
It is also possible to find insect skins, immature bed bugs shed their skin five times before they mature into adults.
There is also the possibility of seeing actual bedbugs, which are either clear or rusty depending on their age. Don’t panic, but don’t be too cautious.
Final Words
It’s important to note that while bed bugs are most active at night, they can still feed during the day if they are extremely hungry or if they are in a location with limited access to hosts at night.
Additionally, infestations can become severe enough that bed bugs may be active during the day as well. If you suspect a bed bug infestation, it’s essential to take prompt action to eliminate them.