How many bedbugs may not bite? - briefly
Only adult female bedbugs that require a blood meal bite; males and most immature stages generally do not. Consequently, a majority of the insects in a population—often more than half—may never bite.
How many bedbugs may not bite? - in detail
Bedbugs are obligate blood‑feeders, yet not every individual in a colony will take a meal during a given period. Several biological and environmental factors determine the proportion of insects that remain unfed.
In a stable infestation, roughly one‑third to one‑half of the population may be in a non‑feeding state at any moment. The estimate derives from observations of feeding cycles and population dynamics:
- Developmental stage – First‑instar nymphs require a blood meal to molt; however, if a host is unavailable, they can remain dormant for weeks, increasing the count of unfed individuals.
- Sexual dimorphism – Both males and females ingest blood, but females need larger blood volumes for egg production. Consequently, females are more likely to seek a host, while a modest fraction of males may forego feeding when food is abundant.
- Starvation tolerance – Adult bedbugs can survive without a blood meal for several months. Prolonged periods without a host raise the number of dormant bugs.
- Environmental conditions – Low temperature slows metabolism, extending the interval between feedings and temporarily expanding the non‑biting segment of the colony.
- Host accessibility – In homes where occupants use protective measures (encasements, frequent laundering, insecticide treatments), a larger share of the population may be unable to locate a feeding site, remaining unfed.
Laboratory studies report that, under optimal conditions with continuous host access, 70‑80 % of adults will feed within a 24‑hour window. When host contact is limited, the feeding proportion drops to 30‑50 %, leaving the remainder unfed. Field surveys of infested dwellings typically find a similar range, with 40‑60 % of captured specimens showing no recent blood meal.
Therefore, the number of bedbugs that do not bite at any given time can vary widely, but empirical data consistently indicate that between roughly one‑third and one‑half of the insects in an established infestation are not actively feeding.