How long can bedbugs survive without food in an empty apartment? - briefly
Adult bed bugs may survive for two to six months without a blood meal, with longevity increasing at cooler temperatures. Nymphs generally endure a shorter starvation period, often less than three months.
How long can bedbugs survive without food in an empty apartment? - in detail
Bed bugs can endure extended periods without a blood meal, especially when an apartment is vacant. Their survival varies with life stage, temperature, and humidity.
Adult insects are the most resilient. In warm environments (≈27 °C/80 °F) they typically survive 2–3 months without feeding. When temperatures drop to 15–20 °C (59–68 °F) the same adults may persist for 6–12 months, relying on reduced metabolic rates. Extremely low temperatures (below 5 °C/41 °F) can prolong survival even further, though prolonged cold may eventually be lethal.
Nymphs, which undergo five molts before reaching adulthood, have shorter starvation limits. First‑instar nymphs generally survive 1–2 months at room temperature, while later instars may last up to 4 months. Their capacity to endure starvation improves as they mature, approaching adult longevity.
Eggs cannot hatch without a blood source from the mother, but they remain viable for 1–2 weeks in optimal conditions. In the absence of a host, they will not develop beyond the embryonic stage.
Key factors influencing starvation endurance:
- Temperature: Lower temperatures slow metabolism, extending survival; higher temperatures accelerate metabolism, shortening it.
- Relative humidity: Moderate humidity (≈50–70 %) supports longer life; very dry air increases desiccation risk.
- Age and developmental stage: Older adults outlast younger nymphs.
- Access to shelter: Hiding in cracks, furniture, or wall voids reduces exposure to environmental extremes and helps conserve moisture.
In a completely empty residence maintained at typical indoor temperature (≈22 °C/72 °F) and moderate humidity, adult bed bugs can remain alive for at least 3 months and potentially up to 6 months. If the environment is cooler and less humid, survival may extend to a year. Nymphs will generally perish sooner, within 1–4 months depending on their instar.
Therefore, an unoccupied apartment can harbor viable adult bed bugs for several months, and under favorable conditions, for up to a year, while younger stages survive for shorter intervals. Effective eradication requires treatment before the insects exhaust their starvation tolerance.