How many times does a bedbug feed? - briefly
A bedbug normally takes one blood meal each night, though it may feed a second time if the first is interrupted. Feeding intervals usually span 24–48 hours between meals.
How many times does a bedbug feed? - in detail
Bedbugs require a blood meal to progress through each developmental stage. After hatching, a nymph must feed five times before reaching adulthood, one meal per instar. The interval between meals varies with temperature, host availability, and physiological state. At 25 °C, a newly emerged nymph typically seeks a host within 3–5 days; later instars may extend the fasting period to 7–10 days. Adult insects feed every 4–7 days under optimal conditions, but can survive several months without nourishment when hosts are scarce.
Key factors influencing feeding frequency:
- Temperature: Higher ambient heat accelerates metabolism, shortening the interval between meals; lower temperatures prolong fasting periods.
- Host accessibility: Easy access to a sleeping or sedentary host reduces search time, leading to more frequent feeding.
- Reproductive status: Females require additional blood for egg production, often taking a supplemental meal after oviposition.
- Starvation tolerance: Bedbugs can endure prolonged periods without feeding, entering a dormant state that conserves energy.
During each blood meal, the insect ingests up to 7 µl of blood, sufficient to complete molting or support egg development. Digestion takes 2–3 days, after which the bug resumes host‑seeking behavior. The cumulative number of meals over a lifespan ranges from six to eight, depending on survival length and environmental conditions.