When the snow piles high in Western New York, most pests seem to disappear. Carpenter bees, hornets, mosquitoes, and centipedes vanish until spring, and rodents become the most significant nuisance. But what about bed bugs? Many Buffalo homeowners wonder: Do bed bugs die in the cold, or can they survive indoors throughout the winter? Unfortunately, bed bugs don’t take a season off.
How to Identify Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed (3/16–1/4 inch long). They are oval-shaped, wingless, and cannot jump, but they crawl quickly and can climb walls. These pests often hide in:
- Mattress seams and box springs
- Bed frames and headboards
- Behind the wall art and electrical outlets
- Upholstered furniture and curtains
Unlike ants, you won’t see bed bugs traveling in long lines. They hide during the day and emerge at night to feed on human blood, detecting us by the carbon dioxide we exhale. After feeding, they retreat to tight cracks instead of living on the host.
Does Cold Weather Kill Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs can die at sub-zero temperatures, but only after several days of consistent exposure below 0°F. Simply leaving a mattress, suitcase, or couch outside in the snow will not work. Sunlight, moisture, and fluctuating temperatures prevent a complete freeze.
Inside Buffalo homes, the opposite effect occurs—heaters make houses warm and cozy, providing the perfect environment for bed bugs to thrive. According to the EPA, a single female bed bug can lay up to 7 eggs per day after a single feeding, doubling the population in just over two weeks when conditions are ideal (70–90°F with a nearby host).
Why Bed Bugs Spread More in Winter
The cold itself doesn’t make bed bugs worse, but holiday travel does. Flying, staying in hotels, and visiting relatives during Thanksgiving and Christmas increases the chance of running into them. Bed bugs spread by hitchhiking in luggage, backpacks, coats, and furniture—not by living outside in snow or soil. Once inside, they multiply quickly.
Winter Travel Tips to Prevent Bed Bugs
When checking into hotels during winter travel, follow these steps to avoid bringing pests home:
- Inspect mattresses and bedding – Pull back sheets and check mattress seams and corners for spots, eggs, or live bugs.
- Examine furniture and headboards – Look for signs on chairs, couches, and cracks behind the bed.
- Avoid adjacent rooms – If you change rooms, don’t pick one directly next door or above/below a suspected infestation.
- Protect your luggage – Keep bags sealed in a trash bag or suitcase cover during your stay.
Back home, continue prevention by vacuuming suitcases, steaming luggage, and washing all clothes (even unworn ones) in hot water before putting them away.
Professional Bed Bug Removal in Buffalo, NY
If you suspect an infestation, DIY efforts won’t solve the problem. At Buffalo Exterminators, our licensed bed bug exterminators use proven treatments, including:
- Mattress and box spring encasements
- High-heat steaming of infested areas
- Targeted pesticide applications in outlets, wall voids, and baseboards
Unlike many pest control companies, we don’t require extreme prep like emptying every drawer or stripping closets. We know how stressful bed bugs can be, so we provide efficient, discreet service and a full guarantee. If you need bed bug removal in Buffalo, NY, trust Buffalo Exterminators. Call today to schedule a same-day inspection and protect your home from winter infestations.
