How long do bedbugs live on a human body? - briefly
Bed bugs can remain on a person for several weeks, feeding roughly every five to ten days, and may survive up to six months if conditions are favorable. Their lifespan shortens dramatically without regular blood meals.
How long do bedbugs live on a human body? - in detail
Bed bugs can remain attached to a person for several weeks, but they do not feed continuously. After locating a host, an adult female ingests a blood meal that lasts 5–10 minutes. Digestion requires 4–7 days, during which the insect is inactive and concealed. Following this period the bug seeks another feeding opportunity; the interval between meals ranges from 5 days to two weeks, depending on temperature and host availability.
When a blood source is unavailable, an adult can survive up to 4 months at 22 °C (72 °F). Survival time decreases sharply in colder conditions; at 10 °C (50 °F) the maximum lifespan without feeding drops to 1–2 months. High humidity extends survivorship, whereas dry environments accelerate desiccation.
Nymphal stages exhibit similar feeding cycles but have shorter overall longevity. A third‑instar nymph may live 2–3 months, feeding every 5–10 days. The final molt to adulthood typically occurs after three to four blood meals.
Temperature exerts the strongest influence on life expectancy. At 30 °C (86 °F) the developmental cycle from egg to adult can be completed in 5 weeks, and adult longevity shortens to 2–3 months with frequent feeding. Cooler climates prolong development and increase the interval between meals, extending the total lifespan to 6–12 months under optimal humidity.
Practical implications: detection efforts should focus on the 4–7‑day post‑feeding window when insects are stationary, while control measures must address both active feeding adults and dormant individuals capable of surviving months without a host.