How many days do bedbugs live? - briefly
Adult bedbugs typically survive 2–6 months without feeding, extending up to a year when they have regular blood meals. Their total lifespan ranges from roughly 180 to 365 days, depending on temperature, humidity, and host availability.
How many days do bedbugs live? - in detail
The lifespan of a common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) varies with temperature, food availability, and life stage. An adult can survive for several months under optimal conditions; at lower temperatures, survival extends to a year or more. In warm environments (≈30 °C/86 °F), the average adult lives 2–4 months, while at cooler temperatures (≈15 °C/59 °F) the same individual may persist for 6–12 months.
Development proceeds through five nymphal instars before reaching adulthood. Each molt requires a blood meal, and the duration of each stage depends on temperature:
- 20 °C (68 °F): 7–10 days per instar, total ≈ 40 days from egg to adult.
- 25 °C (77 °F): 5–7 days per instar, total ≈ 30 days.
- 30 °C (86 °F): 3–5 days per instar, total ≈ 20 days.
Eggs hatch within 4–10 days, depending on ambient heat. After reaching adulthood, a female can lay 200–500 eggs over her lifetime, with a reproductive period of 4–6 months.
Survival without a blood meal is limited. Adults can endure 2–3 months of starvation at room temperature; prolonged deprivation beyond 4 months typically results in death. Nymphs are less tolerant, surviving only 1–2 months without feeding.
Extreme conditions shorten life expectancy. Temperatures above 45 °C (113 °F) cause rapid mortality within hours, while freezing temperatures (< 0 °C/32 °F) lead to death after several days. Conversely, refrigeration (≈4 °C/39 °F) can prolong survival, allowing adults to live up to 18 months without feeding.
In summary, a bed bug’s total lifespan ranges from approximately 2 months to over a year, with the adult phase lasting 2–4 months under normal indoor conditions and extending considerably when temperatures are low or food is scarce.