As temperatures drop, many people assume bed bugs will naturally die off or slow down. While it’s true that colder conditions can reduce their metabolism and breeding rate, this does not stop them from thriving in heated homes, hotels, or offices, which is the environment most bed bugs encounter during colder months in the UK.
With over 65 years of combined experience in professional pest control, we see no real “winter break” when it comes to bed bugs at Obsidian Environmental. In this guide, we’ll explain why winter doesn’t stop bed bugs, the signs to look out for, and what to do if you think you’ve brought them home.
Why Bed Bugs Don’t Die Off in Winter
Bed bugs are incredibly resilient. Although extreme cold can affect them, the temperatures required to kill bed bugs, which can be as low as -17°C and need to be kept consistently at this level for around 3.5 days for mortality. These temperatures are not something you’ll find inside any modern property.
Warm, heated buildings = perfect winter conditions
Even though colder air outdoors can slow their metabolism and reproduction, indoor environments remain comfortably warm, especially with central heating running throughout winter. This means:
- They continue feeding regularly
- Eggs still hatch
- Populations continue to grow
- Infestations remain active year-round
So, while the cold might slow them outdoors, indoor heating creates ideal conditions for long-term survival.
Cold only impacts bed bugs outside or in unheated spaces
If exposed to low temperatures for long enough, bed bugs may die or enter diapause, a dormant state that allows them to survive until the environment warms up again. But heated homes, hotels, and offices prevent this dormant behaviour and keep them active.
Why Bed Bug Cases Often Increase in Winter
At Obsidian, we commonly see a spike in winter bed bug callouts for several reasons:
1. Winter travel & holiday stays
Hotels, short-term rentals, and public transport all become busier during winter, increasing the chances of unknowingly bringing bed bugs home.
2. Heavy winter clothing
Layered jumpers, coats, scarves and winter accessories give bed bugs more opportunities to cling on and travel between locations.
3. Crowded warm environments
Public transport is warm and busy, an ideal environment for insects that rely on close human contact to spread, such as bed bugs.
4. More time spent indoors
People are home more, giving bed bugs more chances to feed, and infestations more time to grow unnoticed.
Signs of Bed Bugs During Winter
The winter months can make symptoms harder to spot because bites are often confused with dry skin or irritation from cold weather.
Look out for:
Itchy bites or small red patches
Often appearing in lines or clusters – easy to misinterpret as a winter rash.
Black ink-like spots
Bed bug faecal marks on mattresses, sheets, headboards or upholstery.
A musty, sweet odour
More noticeable as infestations develop.
Live bugs or shed skins
Reddish-brown insects or pale shed casings in bed frames, furniture joints or mattress seams.
What to Do If You Suspect Bed Bugs
1. Don’t ignore the early signs
Bed bugs spread quickly, and delaying treatment usually leads to a more complex infestation.
2. Avoid moving items between rooms
This can unintentionally spread the problem.
3. Call Obsidian, BPCA-accredited professionals
Bed bugs hide deep in furniture, reproduce rapidly, and have growing resistance to amateur treatments. Professional intervention is the only consistent, effective solution.
We offer discreet and effective bed bug treatments across London, which target the problem at the source.
Why Choose Obsidian for Bed Bug Treatments
Call Obsidian, a BPCA-accredited company, with all of our technicians being RSPH-qualified to BPCA-accredited, with decades of hands-on experience handling complex bed bug infestations across London and the surrounding areas.
We provide:
- Discreet service, to ensure minimal disruption to your home or business
- Fast-acting treatments, including heat, steam, and spray options
- Follow-up visits to ensure your property remains fully bed-bug-free
- Clear preparation and aftercare guidance
- Trusted expertise across homes, hotels, offices and commercial premises
Concerned About Bed Bugs This Winter? We Can Help.
If you’re noticing bites, black marks on bedding, or unusual smells, or you just want expert reassurance, Obsidian Environmental can inspect your property and provide fast, effective treatment. Our treatments include routine follow-up visits to ensure the infestation has been eradicated.
Call Obsidian today, a BPCA-accredited company, for discreet, professional bed bug treatments throughout London.
