How long can bedbugs survive in a dormant state? - briefly
Bed bugs can remain viable without a blood meal for up to six months, and under cool, low‑stress conditions they may survive as long as a year.
How long can bedbugs survive in a dormant state? - in detail
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) can remain alive without a blood meal for extended periods, but survival depends on temperature, humidity, and life stage.
At moderate temperatures (around 20 °C / 68 °F) and relative humidity of 70 %–80 %, adult insects have been recorded to live for up to 300 days without feeding. Laboratory observations show that under cooler conditions (10 °C / 50 °F) the metabolic rate drops, allowing individuals to persist for more than a year, with some reports of 400 days. Warmer environments (30 °C / 86 °F) accelerate metabolism and reduce starvation endurance to roughly 30–60 days.
Nymphal stages survive for shorter intervals. First‑instar nymphs may endure 2–3 weeks at 25 °C, while later instars can last several months under optimal humidity. Eggs require moisture; without it, hatching fails within a few days, but once laid they remain viable for about two weeks even in dry air.
Key factors influencing dormant survival:
- Temperature: lower temperatures prolong life span; extreme cold (< 0 °C) can be lethal.
- Relative humidity: high humidity prevents desiccation; below 30 % humidity dramatically shortens survival.
- Life stage: adults outlive nymphs; eggs are most vulnerable.
- Food availability: intermittent access to a host can reset starvation clocks, extending overall longevity.
In field conditions, bed bugs often exploit cracks, furniture, and luggage to locate microhabitats with stable temperature and moisture, enabling them to persist for months while awaiting a host. This capacity explains why infestations can reappear long after apparent eradication.