Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » General Topics
Feeding question for the experts
(4 posts)-
MyWorstFear
senior member
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 610offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Jan 29 2010 2:27:34
#
Login to Send PM
If a bed bug had a full blood meal which was not interrupted, and thus ate its fill, would it not eat again until it was "empty", even if a feast (a human) was put near it? Also, how often do they eat? Thanks!
-
loubugs
old timer
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 1,637offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Jan 29 2010 5:05:44
#
Login to Send PM
Bed bugs don't have to completely digest a blood meal to have another. Since their lives are temperature dependent, warm to hot conditions means that they will digest sooner and therefore feed more quickly than those bugs living at cooler conditions. There have been many references to the number of days between feedings from a few to 5-7 or others, I believe.
-
oldtimer
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 6,739offline
Posted 3 years ago
Fri Jan 29 2010 13:19:04
#
Login to Send PM
Hi,
I would say 3 - 7 from field observations and analysing bite diaries that we get people to keep.
As with many biological systems however its very variable and environment and development stage will have a lot to do with it.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
MyWorstFear
senior member
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 610offline
Posted 3 years ago
Sat Jan 30 2010 0:22:08
#
Login to Send PM
Thanks guys. I am rather obsessed with finding out everything about these creatures (from a distance). I was thinking maybe someone could be safe in an infested room if the bugs had all eaten their fill and were contentedly off digesting said meal in a crack somewhere in the room, thus letting someone sleep in that room without getting bitten. Although now that I think about it, the well fed pregnant female would be busy laying eggs at that point, so that even if you didn't get bitten, you could be likely to take eggs with you when you left the room. :((
Reply
You must log in to post.
