How long after infestation do bedbugs start laying eggs? - briefly
Bed bugs commence egg‑laying roughly «5‑7 days» after their first blood meal, generally within a week of establishing a presence. A single female can deposit between 200 and 500 eggs over several months.
How long after infestation do bedbugs start laying eggs? - in detail
Bedbugs typically begin oviposition within five to seven days after the first adult female establishes a feeding site. The process follows several biological phases:
- Initial feeding period – A newly emerged adult requires one or two blood meals to mature sexually. This stage lasts 3–5 days, depending on temperature and host availability.
- Mating – Once the female has taken sufficient blood, she mates with a male. Mating can occur within a day of the female’s sexual maturity.
- Egg‑laying onset – After successful mating, the female starts depositing eggs. The first clutch appears roughly 4–6 days later, corresponding to the total 5–7 day window from infestation to oviposition.
Temperature strongly influences the timeline. At 25 °C (77 °F) development proceeds at the fastest rate; lower ambient temperatures extend each phase, potentially delaying the first eggs by several days. Conversely, temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) accelerate metabolism, shortening the interval.
Egg production continues for the remainder of the female’s lifespan, usually 2–3 months under favorable conditions. A single female can lay 200–500 eggs, distributed in multiple batches of 5–7 eggs each, placed in hidden crevices near the host’s resting area.
Understanding this schedule assists in early detection and timely intervention, as the appearance of eggs marks the transition from a solitary infestation to a proliferating colony.