How long do bedbugs live without treatment? - briefly
Adult bedbugs can survive up to six months without feeding, though most live 2–4 months under normal conditions. Nymphs typically endure only a few weeks without a blood source.
How long do bedbugs live without treatment? - in detail
Bed bugs can persist for extended periods when no control actions are taken, but their survival depends on life stage, environmental conditions, and access to blood meals.
Adult females typically live 6‑12 months under optimal indoor conditions (22‑25 °C, 50‑70 % relative humidity) if they feed regularly. In the absence of hosts, an adult may survive up to 5 months by entering a dormant state called diapause, during which metabolic demand drops dramatically.
Nymphs progress through five instars before reaching adulthood. Each instar requires a blood meal to molt. Without feeding, the duration of each stage lengthens, and the insect can survive for several weeks to months:
- 1st‑2nd instar: up to 2 weeks without a meal
- 3rd‑4th instar: up to 1 month without feeding
- 5th instar: up to 2 months without a meal
Temperature critically influences starvation tolerance. At 15 °C, adults may endure up to 7 months without blood, whereas at 30 °C, survival drops to 2‑3 months. Low humidity accelerates desiccation, shortening lifespan; high humidity extends it.
Food scarcity also triggers prolonged quiescence. Bed bugs can remain inactive for weeks, awaiting a host, and resume feeding when conditions improve. This capacity allows populations to survive prolonged periods of neglect, especially in cluttered environments where hidden harborages protect them from detection.
Overall, without intervention, a well‑established infestation can persist for many months, potentially over a year for adult females under favorable conditions, while younger stages may die off more quickly if deprived of blood. Effective management must therefore interrupt feeding opportunities and eliminate harborages to prevent long‑term survival.