How long do bedbugs live without blood? - briefly
Adult bedbugs can survive up to six months without a blood meal, and up to a year under cool conditions; nymphs typically endure only a few weeks to two months without feeding.
How long do bedbugs live without blood? - in detail
Bedbugs can persist for extended periods without feeding, but survival limits differ among life stages and environmental conditions.
Adult insects retain enough energy reserves to endure several months without a blood meal. Under optimal laboratory temperatures (approximately 22 °C / 72 °F) and low humidity, adults have been recorded surviving up to 300 days. In warmer settings (around 30 °C / 86 °F), metabolic rates increase, shortening the maximum starvation interval to roughly 100 days. Conversely, cooler environments (10 °C / 50 °F) can prolong survival beyond a year, as metabolic demand drops dramatically.
Nymphal stages possess less stored nutrients and therefore have shorter starvation thresholds. First‑instar nymphs may perish after 10–15 days without feeding, while later instars (third to fifth) can last 30–60 days, depending on temperature and humidity. The final nymphal molt before adulthood typically requires a blood meal; failure to obtain one results in death within a few weeks.
Key factors influencing starvation duration:
- Temperature: Higher temperatures accelerate metabolism, reducing survival time; lower temperatures conserve energy.
- Relative humidity: Moderate humidity (45–55 %) supports longer survival; extreme dryness or excess moisture can increase desiccation risk.
- Life stage: Adults outlast nymphs; earlier instars are the most vulnerable.
- Food availability history: Individuals that have recently fed possess larger energy reserves, extending their starvation window.
In practical terms, a bedbug infestation may persist for months even when hosts are absent, particularly if adults find shelter in insulated crevices where temperature fluctuations are minimal. Effective control therefore requires not only eliminating current hosts but also addressing the insects’ capacity to survive prolonged periods without blood.