How long will bedbugs live? - briefly
Bedbugs typically survive six to twelve months, but in cooler temperatures they can live up to two years. Their lifespan depends on access to blood meals and environmental conditions.
How long will bedbugs live? - in detail
Bedbugs typically survive between six months and two years, depending on environmental conditions and access to blood meals.
When a female lays eggs, each nymph must undergo five molts before reaching adulthood. The time required for a complete life cycle ranges from 30 days in warm, humid settings to more than 90 days in cooler, drier environments.
Key factors influencing longevity:
- Temperature: Optimal development occurs at 24 °C–27 °C (75 °F–81 °F). Below 15 °C (59 °F), metabolic activity slows dramatically, extending lifespan but delaying reproduction. Above 35 °C (95 °F), mortality rises sharply.
- Food availability: Regular blood intake sustains adult health; prolonged starvation can extend life up to a year, but reduces fecundity.
- Humidity: Levels above 50 % support egg viability; low humidity accelerates desiccation and shortens survival.
Adult females can live up to 12 months without feeding, while males generally survive slightly less, often 6–9 months. In laboratory conditions with constant warmth and regular meals, individual bugs have been recorded living close to two years.
Overall, the expected duration of a bedbug’s life is a function of temperature, moisture, and host access, with typical field observations clustering around one year.