How long can bedbugs survive in a state of dormancy? - briefly
Adult bed bugs can endure without a blood meal for several months, typically up to six months under moderate temperatures, and up to a year when conditions are cool and humidity low. Nymphs survive slightly less time, generally a few weeks to a couple of months without feeding.
How long can bedbugs survive in a state of dormancy? - in detail
Bed bugs can endure extended periods without feeding by entering a state of reduced metabolic activity known as dormancy. The length of survival varies with several environmental and physiological factors.
Temperature exerts the strongest influence. At ambient temperatures around 20 °C (68 °F), adult insects have been documented to live up to 300 days without a blood meal. Cooler conditions prolong survival: at 10 °C (50 °F), individuals may persist for more than a year, while at 5 °C (41 °F) they can remain viable for up to 18 months. Warmer environments accelerate metabolism and shorten the fasting interval; at 30 °C (86 °F) the maximum duration drops to approximately 60 days.
Humidity also affects longevity. Moderate relative humidity (45–55 %) supports the longest fasting periods. Extremely dry air leads to desiccation, reducing survival to a few weeks, whereas high humidity (>80 %) can increase the risk of fungal infection but may slightly extend fasting time.
Life stage matters. First‑instar nymphs possess limited energy reserves and typically survive only 2–4 weeks without nourishment. Later instars and mature females, with larger fat bodies, endure considerably longer fasting intervals as indicated above.
Additional considerations include:
- Starvation reserves: Fat bodies and glycogen stores are depleted gradually; the rate of depletion correlates with ambient temperature.
- Host availability: In the absence of a host, bed bugs cluster in sheltered cracks, which helps maintain microclimatic stability.
- Physiological adaptation: Prolonged dormancy triggers hormonal changes that lower activity levels and suppress reproductive processes.
Empirical studies report the following maximum fasting times under optimal dormancy conditions:
- Adult females at 20 °C, 50 % RH – up to 300 days.
- Adults at 10 °C, 50 % RH – up to 12 months.
- Adults at 5 °C, 50 % RH – up to 18 months.
- First‑instar nymphs at 20 °C, 50 % RH – 2–4 weeks.
Overall, the capacity for extended fasting enables bed bugs to survive prolonged periods of host absence, but survival diminishes sharply under high temperature, low humidity, or when the insects are in early developmental stages.