After how long will bedbugs disappear if the apartment is unoccupied? - briefly
Bedbugs usually die out after three to six months of continuous vacancy, though a small fraction can survive up to a year without a blood meal.
After how long will bedbugs disappear if the apartment is unoccupied? - in detail
When a residence is left empty, bedbugs survive by waiting for a blood meal. Their longevity without a host depends on species‑specific physiology, ambient temperature, humidity, and the availability of food sources such as stray rodents or birds.
Adult bedbugs can endure starvation for several months. Under cool conditions (15‑20 °C or 59‑68 °F) they may live up to six months, sometimes longer, because metabolic rates decrease. Warmer temperatures (25‑30 °C or 77‑86 °F) accelerate metabolism, reducing survival time to about two to three months. Extreme heat (above 45 °C or 113 °F) kills all life stages within hours, while sustained cold below 0 °C (32 °F) can also be lethal over several days.
Humidity influences desiccation risk. Low relative humidity (below 30 %) speeds dehydration, shortening survival by weeks. High humidity (above 80 %) helps maintain moisture, extending the possible lifespan.
Eggs hatch in 4‑10 days when conditions are favorable; newly emerged nymphs follow the same starvation limits as adults, though the first instar is more vulnerable to desiccation.
In practice, an unoccupied apartment left at typical indoor temperatures (20‑22 °C or 68‑72 °F) and moderate humidity will retain a viable bedbug population for 2‑4 months. Extending vacancy beyond three months without climate control reduces the likelihood of survivors, but does not guarantee eradication because some individuals may persist in hidden cracks or in a dormant state.
To increase the probability of elimination during vacancy, consider the following measures:
- Maintain the interior temperature at or below 18 °C (64 °F) and reduce humidity to under 40 %.
- Seal cracks, crevices, and entry points to prevent migration of stray animals that could supply blood.
- Use passive monitoring devices (e.g., interceptor traps) placed under furniture legs to detect any residual activity.
- Apply a professional heat‑treatment or cold‑treatment cycle before vacancy if a complete guarantee is required.
Without active intervention, a vacant dwelling typically requires at least three months of uninterrupted vacancy under average indoor conditions for the majority of the population to die off. Complete certainty demands either environmental extremes (heat or cold) or targeted chemical or physical treatment.