It is no secret that insect populations flourish in the summer months. Be it flies, bees, spiders, fleas or ticks, we name it, and you’ve probably seen it at some point during the summer. If you live in a densely populated neighbourhood, you may also have noticed a resurgence of the dreaded bed bug, leading you to wonder if bed bugs are seasonal and do they leave on their own. To answer this question, it’s important to look at the various studies that focus on bed bug behaviour during the winter and summer months, and in various types of extreme temperature situations.

July and August Are the Worst Months for Bed Bugs

In response to the question regarding bed bugs’ seasonality, scientists agree that it would not be unusual if they were. Most other insects — from flies to mosquitoes to ticks — typically only rear their ugly heads when it’s hot out. Therefore, adding bed bugs to the list of seasonal pests wouldn’t be that far-fetched of an idea.

Adding weight to the theory that these little critters generally prefer the warmer weather, a series of studies by New York City-based pest control companies found that July and August are the worst months for bed bug infestations. In North America, July and August are notorious for being the hottest months of the year. According to the study, bed bugs become most active during peak summer months for one simple reason: They’re dehydrated and, therefore, thirsty.

These bed bug control companies, and a major news publication, went on to assert that in addition to being most active during peak summer months, the critters hibernated in the winter. However, considering that bed bugs are indoor pests, so long as you maintain a comfortable indoor environment, there is little chance that your unwanted friends will scurry away at the first sign of snow.

Bed bugs also tend to metabolize, breed and go through their lifecycle more quickly during the warmer months. If you notice fewer bed bugs during the winter, it’s not because they went into hibernation but simply because they do not have the energy to remain active when it’s cold out. (Again, however, this fact may not affect you if you keep your thermostat up during the winter.)

The Ideal Bed Bug Climate

For many people in urban areas, the question shouldn’t be “Are bed bugs seasonal” but rather, “In what type of climate do bed bugs thrive?” Possibly to your dismay, bed bugs thrive in densely populated areas. Most bed bug populations can be found in temperate climates, such as those anywhere in the U.S. and Southern Canada.

Historically speaking, the bed bug epidemic has only impacted developed countries. This is because they can spread more easily when there is overcrowding. In fact, bed bug infestation rates are three times higher in urban areas than they are in rural areas due to close living arrangements, larger populations and increased mobility. That said, bed bugs thrive anywhere humans are, which means rural single-family homes, office buildings, schools, dorm rooms, movie theatres, retail stores and public transportation are not guaranteed pest-free zones.

Managing Bed Bug Infestations 

The fact that bed bugs don’t appear to be seasonal, coupled with the fact that they thrive in human populations, makes infestations very difficult to eradicate. To make matters worse, however, is the fact that most species no longer respond to typical treatment methods. At Truly Nolen, we know this, which is why we have developed a highly advanced approach to bed bug extermination. Our high-pressure misting system effectively pushes control material into all of bed bugs’ typical hiding places, including cracks, seams and voids. While our system is tough on bugs, it’s safe on the environment and meets Canada’s highest standards for environmental and human health safety. Learn more about our bed bug control methods today.