What are bedbugs and how do they live? - briefly
Bedbugs are tiny, wingless, hematophagous insects that colonize human sleeping environments. They remain concealed in crevices by day, emerge at night to pierce skin and drink blood, and complete a multi‑stage life cycle within a few weeks.
What are bedbugs and how do they live? - in detail
Bed bugs belong to the family Cimicidae, species Cimex lectularius being the most common human parasite. Adult insects are flat, oval, 4–5 mm long, reddish‑brown, and lack wings. Their mouthparts form a piercing‑suction proboscis adapted for drawing blood.
These insects inhabit environments where humans sleep or rest. Typical locations include mattress seams, box‑spring folds, headboards, upholstered furniture, and cracks in walls or floorboards. They can survive in hotels, dormitories, shelters, and private residences alike.
Feeding occurs at night; the bug locates a host by detecting carbon dioxide, heat, and body odors. After attaching to the skin, it inserts its proboscis, secretes anticoagulant saliva, and ingests a blood meal lasting 5–10 minutes. A single adult may consume up to five meals per week.
The developmental cycle comprises five nymphal instars and the adult stage. Eggs, about 1 mm in length, are laid in clusters of 10–50 on hidden surfaces and hatch in 6–10 days under optimal temperatures (24–30 °C). Each nymph must blood‑feed before molting to the next stage; the entire progression from egg to reproductive adult takes 4–6 weeks, but can extend to several months at lower temperatures.
Mating occurs shortly after the final molt. Females store sperm and lay eggs continuously for several months, producing up to 500 offspring in a lifetime. Temperature and humidity strongly affect reproductive rate; warm, humid conditions accelerate development and increase fecundity.
Dispersal relies on passive transport. Bugs hitch rides on clothing, luggage, or used furniture, enabling rapid spread between rooms, buildings, and cities. Within a dwelling, they move through wall voids, electrical outlets, and floor seams to locate new hosts.
Survival without feeding varies with environmental conditions. Under cool (≈10 °C) and dry circumstances, an adult can endure up to a year, while nymphs survive several months. Their flat body permits concealment in minute crevices, and their resistance to many insecticides complicates control efforts.