When does a female bedbug start laying eggs? - briefly
A female Cimex lectularius becomes capable of oviposition roughly five to seven days after her final molt into adulthood, provided she has obtained a blood meal. She typically begins depositing eggs within 24–48 hours after feeding.
When does a female bedbug start laying eggs? - in detail
Female bedbugs become reproductively active shortly after their first blood meal. Once a female has engorged on blood, she requires approximately 3–5 days to digest the meal, develop mature eggs, and locate a suitable site for oviposition. The exact onset varies with environmental temperature: at 25 °C (77 °F) the process completes near the lower end of the range, while cooler conditions (20 °C or 68 °F) can extend it to about a week.
Key factors influencing the start of egg laying:
- Mating status – Females must receive sperm from a male; copulation typically occurs within 24 hours after feeding.
- Nutrient intake – A single full blood meal supplies enough protein and lipids for the first batch of 1–5 eggs.
- Temperature – Higher temperatures accelerate metabolism and reduce the pre‑oviposition period; lower temperatures delay it.
- Humidity – Moderate relative humidity (60–80 %) supports egg development, though it does not markedly affect the timing of the first lay.
After the initial batch, a fertilized female can produce a new clutch every 5–7 days, provided she continues to obtain blood meals. In optimal conditions, a mature female may lay up to 200 eggs over her lifetime, spanning several weeks to months.