How long do bedbugs die from starvation? - briefly
Adults can survive four to six months without a blood meal; in cooler conditions the period may extend to roughly a year before starvation causes death.
How long do bedbugs die from starvation? - in detail
Bedbugs (Cimex species) can survive for extended periods without a blood meal, but eventual death occurs when stored energy reserves are exhausted. Laboratory studies indicate that adult insects deprived of food die after 30 – 60 days under moderate temperatures (20‑25 °C). At cooler conditions (10‑15 °C) the mortality timeline stretches to approximately 90 days, while higher temperatures (30 °C) accelerate depletion, leading to death within 20 – 35 days.
Key factors influencing starvation duration:
- Metabolic rate: Increases with temperature, shortening survival time.
- Life stage: Nymphs possess less fat and glycogen than adults; they typically succumb 10 – 20 days sooner under identical conditions.
- Hydration: Access to water sources (e.g., humidity) can extend survival by reducing desiccation stress.
- Recent feeding history: Individuals that have recently ingested blood retain higher energy reserves, delaying fatal depletion.
Field observations suggest that infestations can persist for months in unoccupied dwellings because a fraction of the population may enter a quiescent state, lowering metabolic demands and prolonging life without feeding. However, without periodic blood meals, the colony’s viability declines progressively, culminating in complete mortality within the time frames outlined above.