In order for a young bed bug to grow into a sexually mature reproducing bed bug, they must feed. When I say feed, I mean drink mammal blood. When they eat, they grow and exceed the capacity of their own exoskeleton. This process causes the bed bug to literally shed its skin (molt) and move to the next level of life. The bed bug will molt five times before it is sexually mature. Prior to maturity, the young females (instars or nymphs) release a chemical that repels adult males. But once that chemical is gone, the process begins again. Now you know.
May the heat be with you!
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