Where does a female bedbug lay eggs? - briefly
Female bed bugs deposit their eggs in concealed locations like mattress seams, furniture joints, wall cracks, and baseboard crevices. The eggs, each encased in a thin white shell, are laid singly or in small clusters.
Where does a female bedbug lay eggs? - in detail
Female Cimex lectularius deposit their eggs in protected micro‑habitats close to the host’s resting area. After a blood meal, the adult seeks cracks, crevices, or seams in the mattress, box spring, headboard, or wall baseboards. The ootheca, a small, white, oval capsule containing 5–7 eggs, is placed in the narrow space between fabric layers, under the bed frame, or within the folds of upholstery. Typical oviposition sites include:
- seams of mattress fabric or zippered openings
- edges of box springs where the fabric meets the wooden frame
- gaps behind headboard panels or wall‑mounted headboards
- cracks in the wall plaster or baseboard molding
- folds of upholstered chairs or sofas adjacent to sleeping quarters
The female selects locations that remain undisturbed, retain a stable temperature (20‑30 °C), and provide humidity levels of 50‑70 %. These conditions promote embryo development, which lasts about 10 days at optimal temperature. After the eggs hatch, the nymphs emerge directly into the same protected area, where they remain until they disperse to find a blood source. The strategic placement of the egg capsule ensures proximity to the host while minimizing exposure to cleaning or disturbance.