How long do bed lice live? - briefly
Adult bed bugs typically live six months to a year with regular blood meals, and may survive up to two years if they go without feeding under optimal conditions. Nymphs progress through five molts, each lasting several weeks, before reaching adulthood.
How long do bed lice live? - in detail
Bed bugs typically survive for several months, with the potential to exceed a year when conditions are optimal. Their life cycle consists of distinct phases, each with a specific duration:
- Egg stage – incubation lasts about 5 to 10 days, depending on temperature and humidity.
- Nymphal development – five successive molts occur. Each instar requires roughly 5 to 7 days of feeding and digestion before molting, so the entire nymphal period spans 25 to 35 days under favorable conditions.
- Adult stage – mature insects live for 4 to 6 months on average. In warm, humid environments with regular blood meals, some individuals may persist for up to 12 months. In cooler or dry settings, survival time shortens to 2 to 3 months.
Key factors influencing longevity include:
- Temperature – optimal range (24‑30 °C) accelerates development and extends adult lifespan; temperatures below 15 °C markedly reduce survival.
- Humidity – relative humidity above 50 % supports egg viability and prevents desiccation; low humidity increases mortality.
- Feeding frequency – regular access to a host prolongs adult life, whereas prolonged starvation can limit survival to a few weeks.
Overall, the combination of environmental conditions and host availability determines the maximum duration an individual can remain alive, ranging from a few weeks in hostile settings to over a year in ideal habitats.