After how long do bed bugs die? - briefly
Bed bugs can live up to six months without a blood meal, but they typically die within a few weeks when deprived of food. Extreme temperatures (below 0 °C or above 45 °C) can kill them in days.
After how long do bed bugs die? - in detail
Bed bugs can survive for extended periods without feeding, but their lifespan is limited by several environmental factors.
When deprived of a blood meal, adult insects typically endure between 100 and 150 days. Under optimal humidity (≥ 70 % RH) and moderate temperatures (20‑25 °C), some individuals may persist for up to six months. In cooler conditions (10‑15 °C), metabolic rates drop, extending survivorship to roughly eight months, while extreme heat (≥ 35 °C) accelerates dehydration and can cause death within 24‑48 hours.
Temperature extremes exert the greatest influence:
- Heat exposure: Sustained temperatures of 45‑50 °C eliminate all life stages within 30‑60 minutes. A brief exposure to 55 °C for 5 minutes is sufficient to kill adults and nymphs.
- Cold exposure: Prolonged refrigeration at 0 °C or lower results in mortality after 3‑5 days for all stages. Freezing at –20 °C for 24 hours guarantees complete eradication.
Moisture loss also contributes to mortality. With relative humidity below 30 %, adults may die after 7‑10 days due to desiccation, while eggs are more tolerant and can survive slightly longer.
Chemical control agents act quickly but vary in speed:
- Pyrethroid sprays: Typically cause paralysis and death within 30‑90 minutes for susceptible populations.
- Neonicotinoid dusts: Lead to lethal effects in 1‑2 hours.
- Desiccant powders (e.g., silica gel): Produce fatal dehydration over 24‑72 hours.
Eggs exhibit greater resilience. Without intervention, they hatch in 6‑10 days at 22‑25 °C. Under harsh heat (≥ 50 °C) or prolonged freezing (≤ –10 °C for 24 hours), embryonic development halts, resulting in death.
In summary, bed bugs may persist for several months without nourishment, but exposure to high heat, low temperature, extreme dryness, or effective insecticides reduces survival to minutes or hours, depending on the method and life stage.