How long do bedbugs sleep? - briefly
Adult bedbugs remain inactive for about 5–10 hours each day, typically during daylight, and resume activity at night to feed. Nymphs follow a comparable pattern, often extending their rest periods slightly between meals.
How long do bedbugs sleep? - in detail
Bed bugs are nocturnal insects that spend most of their active period feeding during the night. Their rest cycles are governed by a circadian rhythm that aligns with the host’s sleep schedule. Typically, an adult bed bug remains inactive for about 12 to 14 hours each day, entering a quiescent state that can be described as sleep‑like.
During this period, the insect reduces its metabolic rate, its antennae become less responsive, and it seeks a concealed refuge such as a mattress seam, furniture crevice, or wall crack. The duration of inactivity can vary according to temperature, availability of blood meals, and the developmental stage:
- Optimal temperature (around 22‑25 °C / 72‑77 °F): Inactivity lasts 12‑14 hours; feeding occurs once or twice nightly.
- Lower temperatures (below 15 °C / 59 °F): Metabolic slowdown extends rest to 18‑20 hours, with feeding intervals lengthening to several days.
- Higher temperatures (above 30 °C / 86 °F): Increased activity shortens rest to 8‑10 hours, prompting more frequent feeding.
Nymphs follow a similar pattern but may have slightly shorter rest periods because they require more frequent blood meals to complete each molt. After a blood meal, a bed bug will digest for 4‑6 hours, then return to its shelter for the remainder of the day.
In summary, the sleep‑like phase of a bed bug generally occupies half of a 24‑hour cycle under normal indoor conditions, extending or contracting in response to environmental factors and life‑stage needs.