How long can bed bugs live without blood? - briefly
Bed bugs can survive without feeding for 4–6 months, and under cool, low‑humidity conditions may persist up to a year.
How long can bed bugs live without blood? - in detail
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) can endure extended periods without feeding, but survival limits vary with life stage, environmental conditions, and physiological reserves.
Adult insects possess the greatest capacity for starvation. Under optimal laboratory conditions—approximately 22 °C and 70 % relative humidity—adults have been recorded surviving up to 300 days without a blood meal. Field observations suggest a realistic upper limit of 150–200 days, as fluctuating temperatures and reduced humidity accelerate metabolic consumption.
Nymphal stages exhibit progressively shorter endurance. First‑instar nymphs, possessing minimal fat stores, typically survive 10–20 days when deprived of nourishment. Second‑ and third‑instar individuals can persist for 30–60 days, while fourth‑ and fifth‑instar nymphs extend survival to 90–120 days under favorable conditions.
Key environmental factors influencing starvation duration include:
- Temperature: Higher temperatures increase metabolic rate, shortening survival; lower temperatures slow metabolism, prolonging life.
- Relative humidity: Low humidity causes desiccation, reducing lifespan; moderate humidity (50–80 %) mitigates water loss.
- Access to shelter: Secure crevices limit exposure to predators and environmental stress, enhancing survivability.
Physiologically, bed bugs store lipids and glycogen in the fat body, which fuel metabolism during fasting. As reserves deplete, insects enter a state of reduced activity, conserving energy until a host becomes available.
In summary, adult bed bugs may live several months without blood, while nymphs survive from a few weeks to a few months, contingent upon temperature, humidity, and shelter quality.