After how long will bedbugs die? - briefly
Adult bed bugs usually survive 1–2 months without feeding at typical indoor temperatures, but can endure up to 6 months or longer in cooler environments. Starvation alone is insufficient for rapid control; chemical or thermal treatments are needed to eliminate them promptly.
After how long will bedbugs die? - in detail
Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) survive without a blood meal for up to 12 months, though most individuals die within 4–6 months under typical household conditions. Temperature is the most decisive factor: exposure to 45 °C (113 °F) for 30 minutes or to –15 °C (5 °F) for 24 hours results in rapid mortality. At moderate indoor temperatures (20–25 °C) and normal humidity, an adult can live 2–3 months after its last feed, while nymphs may persist longer due to slower metabolism.
Key variables influencing the time to death:
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Starvation:
• Adults: 4–6 months without blood.
• Fifth‑instar nymphs: up to 9 months.
• Early‑stage nymphs: 2–3 months. -
Desiccation: Low humidity (<30 % RH) accelerates water loss, shortening survival by 30–50 %.
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Thermal extremes:
• Heat treatment: 48 °C (118 °F) for 90 minutes guarantees >99 % kill rate.
• Freezing: –20 °C (–4 °F) for 48 hours eliminates all stages. -
Chemical control: Residual insecticides maintain lethal concentrations for 2–4 weeks; resistance can extend survival despite exposure.
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Biological agents: Entomopathogenic fungi (e.g., Beauveria bassiana) cause death within 5–7 days after infection under optimal humidity.
In practice, an integrated approach—combining heat or cold treatment, thorough vacuuming, and targeted insecticide application—reduces the population to zero within a 2–3 week window, after which any remaining individuals die from starvation within the next several months. Continuous monitoring for at least 6 months verifies eradication, as the longest documented survival without feeding does not exceed a year.