How quickly do bedbugs reproduce after being introduced into an apartment? - briefly
A mated female begins laying eggs within 4–7 days, depositing up to 5–7 eggs per day and a total of 200–300 eggs, so a noticeable infestation can develop in roughly one to two months.
How quickly do bedbugs reproduce after being introduced into an apartment? - in detail
Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) begin reproducing within days of establishing a population in a residential unit. After a female locates a blood source, she mates within 24–48 hours. The first batch of eggs is laid roughly 4–7 days later, with each female capable of producing 200–500 eggs over her lifespan.
Developmental timeline
- Egg stage: 6–10 days at 70–80 °F (21–27 °C); cooler temperatures extend incubation to 14 days.
- First‑instar nymph: emerges from the egg, requires a blood meal to molt; feeding occurs within 2–5 days.
- Subsequent nymphal stages (5 total): each molt follows a blood meal, with intervals of 4–7 days under optimal conditions. The complete transition from hatchling to mature adult takes 4–6 weeks.
- Adult reproduction: once fully matured, females can lay a new batch of eggs every 5–7 days, assuming regular blood meals.
Factors influencing population growth
- Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) accelerates development; below 65 °F (18 °C) slows all stages.
- Food availability: Frequent blood meals shorten molt intervals and increase egg production.
- Crowding: High densities can delay development due to competition for hosts.
Projected increase
Starting with a single fertilized female, a typical apartment can see the following approximate numbers under favorable conditions:
- Week 1: 1–2 females, 30–50 eggs laid.
- Week 3: 5–10 adults, several hundred eggs in various stages.
- Month 2: 30–50 adults, thousands of eggs present.
- Month 3: 200+ adults, potential for tens of thousands of eggs.
These figures assume uninterrupted feeding and temperatures between 70–80 °F. Adjustments in climate or host availability will modify the rate, but the overall pattern shows exponential growth within weeks, reaching infestation levels detectable by residents in a matter of months.