Do I Have To Throw Out Food After A Bed Bug Infestation?

Do Bed Bugs Eat Food?

Bed bugs eat one thing and one thing only: blood! That means you don’t have to worry about bed bugs crawling into your pantry and feasting on your food. When dealing with a bed bug infestation, you very rarely have to throw out items.

As infestations grow, bed bugs focus on finding hiding places during the day and emerging at night to feed on their host—you are their food source! They don’t infest or consume food items, nor do they invade your pantry or kitchen cabinets. Unlike other types of pests, you don’t need to worry about bed bugs invading your food or pantry.

How Long Can Bed Bugs Live Without Feeding?

Bed bugs are remarkably resilient and can survive for extended periods without feeding. As scary as it sounds, it’s important to know that bed bugs can live an entire year without a blood meal. Depending on the temperature and humidity of its surroundings, adult bed bugs have been known to survive anywhere from 20 to 400 days without feeding. This means that bed bugs can technically live in your home for more than a year.

Despite their ability to go long periods without feeding, bed bugs won’t resort to eating food crumbs or pantry items. Their biology is adapted solely to feeding on blood.

What Should You Throw Out After a Bed Bug Infestation?

It’s common for people to feel the urge to discard belongings after discovering bed bugs, but this is often unnecessary. When you find out you have a bed bug problem, there’s no reason to panic and throw out everything in your home.
What to consider:

1. Food and Pantry Items
   You do not need to throw out food or pantry items when dealing with an infestation because bed bugs aren’t interested in your food! This includes sealed packages and unopened containers, which are safe to keep.
2. Electronics and Clothing
   Bed bugs don’t look for electronics, but they can hide in them. This happens often when the device is near a bed or resting spot.
   Their flat bodies help them fit into tight spaces. This includes vents and ports on laptops, alarm clocks, and bedroom speakers. However, they don’t live in electronics long-term since they need to feed on blood. You can usually get rid of bed bugs by washing clothing and other fabrics in hot water.
3. Furniture and Bedding
   If treatment is administered correctly by a professional exterminator, you shouldn’t have to throw out your mattress or bedding after an infestation! Professional bed bug treatments can often eliminate bed bugs fully, avoiding the need to replace these items.

Know the common signs of bed bugs to stay alert. Our expert team will help you identify which household items might affect you. We’ll also suggest treatment options. This helps you avoid throwing away food you don’t need to discard.

FAQs

No, you cannot get bed bugs from leaving food out. Bed bugs are not attracted to food like some other pests. Their only focus is finding a host to feed on, not scavenging crumbs or meals left behind. Leaving food out will not cause or worsen a bed bug infestation, as these pests prioritize hiding during the day and feeding on blood at night.

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