Bed bug insects have three life stages: eggs, young or nymph, and adulthood. The Nymph stage has five molting periods to go through before becoming an adult. In comparison, the adult bed bug has two kinds: the fed and unfed adult. These two kinds of adults have different colors, sizes, and shapes. An unfed adult is more active in searching for food than a fed adult. Overall, bed bug insects have a lifespan of three to twelve months.
Bed bugs die independently when they face certain environmental stresses, such as high temperatures when exposed to temperatures above 45°C and below -18°C. These pests cannot survive for several months without food, leading to eventual death when they don’t eat their meal. When bed bugs do not find a perfect place to hide and build their habitat, they are prone to danger from predators.
Bed bugs have multiple stages of their life cycle that start with their small, transparent egg and continue through several nymph stages before they mature into adults.
Do you know how a bed bug’s life starts? How do they develop from eggs to the adult stage? How long does
bed bug life span last? One way to keep bed bugs out of our house and avoid getting bitten by them is to be aware of their life cycle.
This article aims to help you understand the life cycle of bed bugs and their stages.
TABLE OF CONTENT
BED BUG LIFE STAGES
The picture above shows the bed bug life cycle stages, from egg to newly hatched nymph and to mature adult. The Bed bugs’ development has different changes depending on the conditions. As they move from egg to adult, their size and appearance change.
Each development stage of bed bug requires a blood meal so they can reach the stage of adulthood. Nymph bed bugs molt through five (5) different stages before they reach adulthood.
Egg Stage
The bed bug’s life cycle begins with the egg, whose appearance is small, oval, and white; the size is about 1 mm long. Females lay eggs in small crevices or hidden areas. Every female can lay up to 7 eggs daily and will lay 200 to 500 eggs in her lifetime; the hatching time is about 6 to 10 days.
Although bed bug numbers are not as high as those of other insects, early symptoms of bed bugs are sometimes disregarded until the infestation becomes uncontrollable.
Nymph Stage
Bed bugs have five (5) nymph stages. The appearance of a nymph is tiny, lighter in color, and resembles but not fully developed wings and reproductive organs. Every stage requires a blood meal to move to the next stage. After every blood meal, nymphs shed their skin and grow bigger each time.
Different stages and sizes of Bed bug nymphs are shown below:
| Stage | Size |
| First stage | 1. 5 mm |
| Second stage | 2 mm |
| Third stage | 2.5 mm |
| Fourth stage | 3 mm |
| Fifth stage | 4.5 mm |
Under optimal conditions, each nymph stage takes only a week to develop, but when environmental conditions occur, it lasts for about 4 to 6 months.
Knowing the Early Signs of Bed Bugs will help protect your home from being infested. Read our article about 7 Early Signs of Bed Bugs to learn more.
Adult Stage
The bed bug’s adult appearance is about 4 to 5 mm long, flat, oval, and reddish brown in color. Depending on conditions, an adult bed bug life span can live several months to a year or more. The adult bed bug continues to feed on blood and reproduce, with females laying eggs that start the cycle.
Below are the two kinds of adult bed bugs:
| Stage | color | size | shape |
| Unfed adult | Brown or mahogany color | 4-5 mm | Flat and more rounded |
| Fed adult | Reddish brown | 5-7 mm | Elongated |
Unfed adult bed bugs are more active and aggressive in searching for their meal than fed adults. Bed bug unfed adults are more likely to come out from their hiding spots, and it’s easier for a person to notice them. While fed-adult bed bugs spend many days hiding in their place to digest the food they eat, they also spend their time resting and reducing their activity.
You may visit our article for more information about bed bugs insect.
BED BUG LIFESPAN
Bed bugs usually have a life span of three to twelve months. They possess a unique ability to hibernate or become inactive for years when food sources are not available. When they are inactive, their overall lifespan can be greatly increased.
It also explains why houses can go for a long time without occupants and why bed bugs return once a house is occupied. When the bed bugs detect carbon dioxide exhaled by a person or individual, bed bugs become active. Bed bugs may depend on a number of factors, including food availability and the surrounding environment.
Our article on a natural bed bug bite treatment will naturally help you.
DO BED BUGS DIE ON THEIR OWN?
Similar to other insects, bed bugs typically do not die naturally in nature unless they encounter specific environmental pressures. Some factors, including food availability, environmental circumstances, and predator activity, have a significant impact on their life span and survival.
The list below is the reasons why bed bugs die on their own
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High-Temperature
Bed bugs are sensitive to high temperatures. If bed bugs are exposed for 90 minutes at temperatures above 113°F (45°C) or below 0°F (-18°C) for several days, they can kill them. Professional pest control methods often use heat treatments to eradicate bed bugs.
Starvation
Bed bug insects can survive without eating for several months. Still, prolonged periods without feeding will eventually lead to death. While the adults can live on average up to four to five months, younger bed bugs, sometimes known as nymphs, may die within several weeks without food.
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Lack of Shelter
If bed bugs are unable to find a suitable hiding place or their habitat is significantly disturbed, they may die of exposure or dehydration.
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Natural Predators
Bed bugs have few natural predators in human environments, but in their natural habitats, certain insects might prey on them.
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The bed bug life cycle is a series of critical stages of egg, nymph (with five stages), and adults, each critical to their reproduction and survival. From egg to adult, the cycle can be completed in as little as 5 weeks under favorable conditions but can extend over several months.
Understanding Bed Bug Behavior and this cycle is essential for effective control and eradication efforts, as each stage requires targeted intervention to successfully disrupt the cycle and Prevent bed bugs.
Reading this article can help you understand the cycle of bed bugs and prevent bed bug infestations to protect your family and home.
