How long does bedbug diapause last? - briefly
Bedbug diapause generally persists for a few weeks to several months, with duration influenced by temperature and daylight cycles. In most environments it does not exceed two months, though cooler, darker conditions can extend it up to six months.
How long does bedbug diapause last? - in detail
Bed bugs enter a dormant phase when environmental conditions become unfavorable, particularly low temperatures and limited food sources. This state can persist from several weeks to many months, depending on external factors.
Key determinants of the dormancy period include:
- Temperature: At temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F), development slows dramatically, and insects may remain inactive for 2–3 months. Cooler climates can extend the period to 6 months or longer.
- Humidity: Low relative humidity accelerates desiccation risk, prompting a longer arrest of activity to conserve water.
- Food availability: Absence of a host for extended intervals forces insects to rely on stored reserves, lengthening the pause.
- Life stage: Nymphs tend to resume activity sooner than adults when conditions improve.
Laboratory studies have documented that, under constant cold (5 °C/41 °F) and 70 % relative humidity, bed bugs can survive without feeding for up to 180 days before resuming normal behavior. Field observations indicate that in temperate regions, populations may persist through winter by remaining inactive for 4–5 months, reactivating when indoor heating raises temperatures above 20 °C (68 °F).
Physiological mechanisms involve suppression of metabolic pathways, accumulation of cryoprotectant compounds, and hormonal regulation that prevents molting and reproduction. When ambient conditions become favorable, metabolic rates increase, feeding resumes, and the insects re-enter their normal life cycle.
Understanding the range of this dormant interval assists pest‑management professionals in timing interventions, as treatments applied during the inactive phase may have reduced efficacy. Monitoring temperature trends and host availability provides predictive insight into when a hidden population is likely to become active again.