How long do bedbugs live in a house? - briefly
Adult bed bugs usually live between six and twelve months inside a home, with cooler environments prolonging their lifespan. They can survive several months without feeding.
How long do bedbugs live in a house? - in detail
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) can persist in a dwelling for several months to over a year, depending on environmental conditions and access to blood meals.
Adult insects typically survive 4–6 months when they feed regularly. In cooler rooms or during winter, metabolic rates decline, extending survival to 12 months or longer without a host. Laboratory studies report that unfed adults may live up to 14 months, although field observations suggest most die sooner due to dehydration or predation.
The developmental timeline influences overall population longevity:
- Egg stage: 6–10 days at 70–80 °F (21–27 °C). Eggs hatch only after a blood meal is taken by the female.
- Nymphal stages: Five instars, each requiring a blood meal. Development from hatch to adult takes 4–6 weeks under optimal temperature and humidity; lower temperatures lengthen each molt.
- Adult stage: As noted, 4–6 months with regular feeding; up to a year without feeding in favorable conditions.
Key factors affecting duration in a home:
- Temperature: 70–80 °F accelerates development and shortens adult lifespan; temperatures below 50 °F slow metabolism and can prolong survival.
- Humidity: 40–60 % relative humidity supports egg viability and prevents desiccation; very dry environments increase mortality.
- Host availability: Frequent blood meals shorten the interval between molts and sustain adult vigor. Absence of a host forces adults into a dormant state, extending life but reducing reproductive output.
- Control measures: Insecticide exposure, heat treatment (≥120 °F for 90 minutes), or thorough vacuuming can dramatically reduce survivorship, often killing adults within days.
In practice, a single infestation may persist for many months if untreated, with successive generations replacing older individuals. Effective eradication requires disrupting the life cycle at multiple points—eliminating eggs, nymphs, and adults—while maintaining environmental conditions that do not favor prolonged adult survival.