Mastering Hoarding Bugs in Lethal Company

Hoarding bugs, also known as loot bugs, are persistent scavengers in Lethal Company that compete directly with players for valuable scrap on various moons. These creatures roam facilities, collect items, and fiercely defend their nests, making them a frequent obstacle during expeditions. Understanding their behavior and weaknesses allows players to turn the tables, securing more loot without unnecessary risks.

Understanding Hoarding Bug Behavior and Habitats

Hoarding bugs prioritize gathering scrap over direct confrontation, often transporting items back to a fixed nesting area within the facility. They appear on seven out of eight moons, with higher frequency on certain locations like Assurance. Nests are identifiable by clusters of bugs standing guard over piled loot, typically indoors behind doors or in secluded rooms.

These bugs only become aggressive under specific conditions: lingering too close for about three seconds while roaming, entering their nest vicinity, or removing items from their pile—even if the bug isn’t present at the time. Once provoked, they pursue relentlessly but can be de-aggressed by dropping an item for them to collect or exiting the building, resetting their pursuit.

• Roaming Phase: Bugs patrol and pick up unattended scrap or bodies, returning them to nests.
• Nest Defense: Multiple bugs (often 3+) guard loot piles aggressively.
• Nest Location: Fixed per moon and day; doesn’t change unless blocked by locked doors, splitting groups.

Combat Strategies: Direct Elimination Tactics

The simplest approach to hoarding bugs is outright elimination, as they possess low health—equivalent to two hits from basic melee weapons like the shovel. Solo bugs are straightforward targets, but groups demand caution due to their numbers and flight patterns.

Dodge their charges with half-circle motions or circular strafing to avoid damage while counterattacking. Weapons like shotguns excel at clearing swarms, delivering multi-kills efficiently.

Killing one bug near others does not alert the group, allowing selective eliminations. However, repeated deaths may trigger moon respawns of more dangerous entities, so reserve mega-murder for end-of-run nest raids.

Non-Lethal Avoidance and De-Aggro Methods

Avoidance conserves time and resources, as bugs ignore players who maintain distance outdoors or avoid nests. Leave scrap outside facilities to prevent collection, assuming no other threats like baboon hawks interfere.

If aggroed, drop unnecessary items (keys, low-value scrap) to distract them—they prioritize pickup over pursuit. Stun tools like grenades, radar boosters, or flash devices provide escape windows, though bugs remain hostile post-stun unless killed.

Stealing from empty nests still provokes bugs upon encounter; always drop stolen items immediately if chased to reset aggression.

Exploiting Nests for Maximum Scrap Gains

Hoarding bugs accumulate substantial scrap in nests, often rivaling player hauls. The optimal strategy: ignore bugs during collection, then raid the nest late in the run. Clear guards with explosives or ranged weapons, claim the pile, and extract quickly.

Creative distractions include throwable items like Easter eggs or pickle jars, which explode on interaction or lure bugs into self-harm. No trade mechanic exists—offering items before stealing still triggers anger.

• Prep Phase: Map nest location early via roaming bug paths.
• Raid Timing: Post-collection, with team coordination.
• Extraction: Use doors to segment pursuits.

Team Coordination and Advanced Tips

In multiplayer, assign roles: one player scouts nests, another distracts with items, while the team handles combat. Communicate nest locations via proximity voice to avoid surprises. Solo players should prioritize mobility, using facilities’ layout for chokepoints.

Advanced maneuvers include baiting bugs into hazards or using the drop-and-retrieve loop to farm de-agro cycles. Track moon-specific spawn rates—Assurance sees the most activity.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Players often rush nests prematurely, spawning worse threats, or leave scrap indoors unattended. Chasing roaming bugs unnecessarily triggers attacks, and ignoring nests forfeits free loot. Always verify nest status before engagement and prioritize outdoor storage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do hoarding bugs respawn after death?

Nests refill over time, but individual kills don’t immediately summon replacements unless it triggers moon events.

Can you trade with hoarding bugs?

No, giving items does not pacify them for swaps; aggression persists.

What’s the best moon for farming bug scrap?

Assurance hosts frequent nests with high loot yields.

How do you spot a nest from afar?

Look for stationary bug clusters guarding piles indoors.

Are hoarding bugs affected by updates?

Behavior stable post-v69, with consistent two-hit kills.

Conclusion: Turn Competitors into Resources

By blending avoidance, combat, and strategic raids, hoarding bugs shift from threats to opportunities in Lethal Company. Master these tactics for superior scrap quotas and thrilling runs.