How do bedbugs live in a bed? - briefly
Bedbugs occupy seams, folds, and mattress edges, emerging at night to feed on human blood. They hide in fabric crevices, deposit eggs there, and reproduce within the sleeping surface.
How do bedbugs live in a bed? - in detail
Bedbugs occupy the sleeping surface by exploiting tiny crevices and fabric folds. Adult insects rest in the seams of mattresses, box‑spring frames, headboards, and the edges of bed frames where daylight exposure is minimal. The micro‑environment offers protection from disturbance and maintains the humidity levels required for survival.
Feeding occurs at night when a host’s body heat and carbon‑dioxide plume attract the insects. A bug inserts its proboscis into the skin, extracts blood for 5–10 minutes, then retreats to its hiding place. Blood intake triggers egg production and provides the energy needed for molting.
The life cycle proceeds through six nymphal stages before reaching adulthood. Each stage requires a blood meal to molt. Under optimal conditions (22‑26 °C, 70 % relative humidity) development from egg to adult takes approximately 5–7 weeks. The sequence is:
- Egg – 5–10 days before hatching.
- First‑instar nymph – requires first blood meal.
- Second‑instar nymph – second meal required.
- Third‑instar nymph – third meal required.
- Fourth‑instar nymph – fourth meal required.
- Fifth‑instar nymph – fifth meal required.
- Adult – capable of reproduction after the final molt.
Mating takes place shortly after the final molt; females lay 1–5 eggs per day, depositing them in concealed locations near the host’s sleeping area. Over a lifetime a single female can produce several hundred eggs, ensuring rapid population growth if unchecked.
Temperature and humidity directly influence activity. Warm nights accelerate feeding frequency, while high humidity prevents desiccation during the prolonged periods spent off‑host. Carbon‑dioxide gradients guide bugs toward the sleeping person, reinforcing nocturnal feeding patterns.
Dispersal relies on crawling and passive transport. Bedbugs move several meters per night, exploiting gaps in walls, floorboards, and furniture. They also hitchhike on clothing, luggage, or bedding, facilitating spread between rooms and dwellings.
Survival strategies include a flattened body that fits into minute cracks, a hard exoskeleton that resists mechanical pressure, and a metabolism that tolerates long fasting periods—up to several months without a blood meal. These adaptations enable the insects to persist in the bed environment despite occasional disturbances or chemical treatments.