Bed bugs in a sofa – how do they reproduce? - briefly
Females deposit eggs in the seams, folds and crevices of the sofa, each laying 5‑7 eggs daily for up to five weeks, resulting in 200‑300 offspring. The eggs hatch in about a week, and the nymphs progress through five molts before reaching adulthood, completing the life cycle in 4‑6 weeks under favorable conditions.
Bed bugs in a sofa – how do they reproduce? - in detail
Bed bugs that colonise a sofa follow the same reproductive biology as those in any other indoor environment. Adult females require a blood meal before oviposition. After feeding, a female can lay 200–300 eggs over her lifetime, depositing them in crevices, seams, and the fabric’s folds where humidity and temperature remain stable.
Eggs hatch in 6–10 days at 22–26 °C. Nymphs emerge as first‑instar individuals, measuring about 1 mm. They must obtain a blood meal at each of the five developmental stages before reaching adulthood. Molting occurs approximately every 5–10 days, depending on ambient conditions and host availability.
Mating typically occurs shortly after the female’s first blood meal. Males locate females by following pheromone trails and using tactile cues. Copulation lasts several minutes, after which the male may remain attached for a brief period to ensure sperm transfer. Females store sperm in a spermatheca, allowing fertilisation of multiple egg batches without repeated mating.
Reproductive rate accelerates in warm environments. At 28 °C, the complete life cycle—from egg to fertile adult—can be completed in 4–5 weeks, enabling rapid population growth on a couch if regular feeding opportunities exist. Conversely, temperatures below 15 °C extend developmental periods and reduce fecundity.
Key factors influencing reproduction on a sofa include:
- Micro‑habitat protection: Fabric seams, cushion folds, and wooden frames provide sheltered sites for eggs and nymphs.
- Blood‑meal frequency: Proximity to sleeping occupants supplies the necessary blood sources every 3–5 days.
- Temperature stability: Indoor heating maintains optimal conditions for egg development and nymphal growth.
- Humidity: Relative humidity of 50–70 % supports egg viability and prevents desiccation of early instars.
Understanding these biological parameters clarifies why a sofa can become a prolific breeding ground and highlights the conditions that must be altered to disrupt the life cycle.