What do bedbugs feed on in an empty apartment? - briefly
Bed bugs survive by feeding on human blood; in a vacant unit they may endure several weeks without a host but cannot sustain themselves indefinitely. Without occupants, they eventually starve and die.
What do bedbugs feed on in an empty apartment? - in detail
Bedbugs are obligate hematophages; they require vertebrate blood to develop and reproduce. In a vacant dwelling, the only viable sources of nourishment are:
- Stored blood from previous meals – Adult insects can retain enough ingested blood to sustain metabolic functions for several weeks. During prolonged starvation they reduce activity, lower respiration, and enter a quiescent state.
- Live vertebrate hosts that may enter the space – Stray cats, dogs, rodents, or birds that gain access to the unit provide fresh blood. Bedbugs will opportunistically feed on any warm‑blooded animal they encounter.
- Carrion or dead insects – Rarely, bedbugs may consume the fluids of dead arthropods, but this does not support growth or egg production and is not a primary survival strategy.
When no host is present, bedbugs rely entirely on their internal reserves. Adults can survive without a blood meal for up to 100 days under optimal temperature and humidity; some reports indicate survival for several months at lower metabolic rates. Nymphal stages are less tolerant, typically enduring 30–45 days without feeding. Eggs remain viable for months, awaiting favorable conditions.
Physiological adaptations that enable survival in an empty apartment include:
- Metabolic depression – Reduced energy expenditure prolongs the usable blood pool.
- Desiccation resistance – A waxy cuticle limits water loss, extending lifespan in dry environments.
- Behavioral quiescence – Inactivity minimizes exposure to predators and conserves resources.
Consequently, in a vacant apartment bedbugs do not feed on non‑biological materials such as furniture, carpet, or wall coverings. Their persistence depends on residual blood, occasional incidental hosts, and the ability to enter a dormant state until a suitable blood source becomes available.