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Do I Have to Throw Out Food After a Bed Bug Infestation?

There is lot of misinformation about actions to take after a bed bug infestation. You do not need to throw away food or any pantry items during or after an infestation, because bed bugs aren’t interested in your food!

Bed bugs don’t possess teeth or a tongue, so they aren’t able to ingest food. Therefore, bed bugs rarely or never infest the following items:

  • Food crumbs
  • Electronics
  • Clothing
  • Pets
Man throwing out food after bed bugs

What Foods Do Bed Bugs Eat?

Bed bugs have evolved to eat one thing: blood! That means you don’t have to worry about bed bugs crawling into your pantry and infesting your food. When dealing with a bed bug infestation, it’s rare to have to throw out items. In fact, if treatment is administered properly by a professional exterminator, you shouldn’t even have to throw out your mattress after an infestation!

How Long Can Bed Bugs Survive Without Feeding?

Believe it or not, bed bugs can live an entire year without a blood meal. Depending on the temperature and humidity of its environment, adult bed bugs can survive from 20 to 400 days without feeding! This means that bed bugs can technically live in your home for more than a year without nourishment. Even without a blood meal, they will not try to consume your food items.

What Should I Throw Out After a Bed Bug Infestation?

Unlike other types of pests, you don’t need to worry about bed bugs invading your food products. When you discover a bed bug issue in your home, there’s no reason to panic and throw out everything in your pantry. Your best bet is to enlist professional treatment right away. This can help save you from throwing out food, bedding, and more. 

Do I Have to Throw Out Food After a Bed Bug Infestation in Southern Louisiana?

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