How long does a blood‑feeding bedbug live? - briefly
An adult hematophagous bed bug can survive up to 12 months without a meal, and with regular blood intake its total lifespan ranges from 6 to 18 months.
How long does a blood‑feeding bedbug live? - in detail
The adult female of the hematophagous cimex typically survives several months under optimal conditions. When a female obtains a blood meal, she can lay up to five egg batches, each containing 5‑7 eggs, before death. The interval between oviposition cycles ranges from 4 to 7 days, depending on temperature and host availability.
Key factors influencing longevity:
- Temperature: At 22 °C (71 °F) an adult may live 4‑6 months; at 28 °C (82 °F) the lifespan shortens to 2‑3 months, while at 10 °C (50 °F) development stalls and survival can exceed a year in a dormant state.
- Feeding frequency: A well‑fed adult can persist for 2‑3 weeks without another blood source. Starvation beyond 30‑45 days typically results in mortality.
- Sex: Males generally die sooner, often within 1‑2 months after emergence, because they do not require blood for reproduction.
- Humidity: Relative humidity above 50 % supports longer survival; low humidity accelerates desiccation and reduces lifespan.
Lifecycle overview:
- Egg stage: 6‑10 days at 22‑25 °C.
- Nymphal instars (5 stages): Each molt requires a blood meal; total nymphal period ranges from 4 to 6 weeks under warm conditions.
- Adult stage: Emerges after the final molt; lifespan as described above.
In the absence of a host, adults enter a quiescent state, reducing metabolic demand. This diapause permits survival for many months, occasionally up to a year, until a suitable blood source becomes available.
Overall, a blood‑feeding bed bug can persist for several months to over a year, with the exact duration determined by environmental temperature, humidity, feeding intervals, and sex.