Where do bedbugs lay their larvae? - briefly
Bedbugs deposit their eggs in concealed crevices near sleeping areas, such as mattress seams, box‑spring folds, bed frames, and adjacent furniture. The emerging nymphs stay within these sheltered sites until they locate a host for a blood meal.
Where do bedbugs lay their larvae? - in detail
Bedbugs deposit their eggs in locations that provide concealment, stability, and proximity to a blood‑feeding host. The female uses a cement‑like secretion to attach each egg to a surface, forming small clusters that remain hidden until hatching. Typical deposition sites include:
- seams, folds, and tufts of mattresses and box springs;
- the underside of bed frames, headboards, and footboards;
- cracks and crevices in walls, baseboards, and floorboards;
- edges of upholstered furniture, especially sofa cushions and chair backs;
- behind picture frames, wall hangings, and electrical outlets;
- carpet borders, especially where the carpet meets the wall or a rug;
- luggage compartments, suitcases, and other travel accessories left in the sleeping area.
These microhabitats share common characteristics: darkness, limited disturbance, and moderate humidity (45–65 %). Temperature around 20–30 °C accelerates development, but eggs remain viable at lower temperatures for several months. Once an egg hatches, the first‑instar nymph emerges directly at the deposition site and begins to seek a blood meal, continuing the life cycle without relocating far from the original oviposition point.