How long do bedbugs live after reproduction? - briefly
A fertilized female usually lives 4–6 months after laying eggs, though under optimal conditions she can survive up to a year. Males tend to die within a few weeks following copulation.
How long do bedbugs live after reproduction? - in detail
Bedbugs survive for a limited period after they have laid eggs. A fertilised female typically lives between 30 and 45 days after the first oviposition event, assuming she obtains at least one blood meal during that interval. The exact duration depends on temperature, host availability, and the number of successful feedings.
- Temperature influence – at 25 °C (77 °F) the post‑reproductive lifespan averages 35 days; at 30 °C (86 °F) it shortens to roughly 25 days, while cooler conditions (20 °C/68 °F) can extend survival to about 50 days.
- Feeding frequency – each additional blood meal adds roughly 5‑7 days to life expectancy; a female that feeds twice after laying eggs may reach 50 days, whereas one that does not feed again may die within two weeks.
- Male longevity – males do not lay eggs and generally live 20‑30 days after mating, with a similar dependence on temperature and feeding.
The life cycle continues because newly hatched nymphs require three to five blood meals to reach adulthood, each meal spaced several days apart. Consequently, a population can persist for months even after the original females cease reproductive activity, provided environmental conditions remain favourable and hosts are accessible.