Bed bugs. Just the name itself evokes feelings of discomfort and dread. These blood-sucking insects infest homes, businesses, and other structures, causing itchy bites and sleepless nights. However, there’s no need to panic, even if you suspect a bed bug infestation. You can effectively combat these unwelcome guests by understanding their life cycle, behaviour, and vulnerabilities.
Our bed bug control specialists have compiled a comprehensive guide on the bed bugs life cycle and habits that will allow you to look deep into the world of these pests. We’ll arm you with the knowledge you need to identify, prevent, and eradicate these persistent pests.

Bed Bug Life Cycle: Egg, Nymph, Adult
A bed bug’s life cycle is a multi-stage process called incomplete metamorphosis (simple metamorphosis). They feed entirely on blood, with a “blood meal” usually lasting about 5-10 minutes, explaining their preference for feeding on their human host when asleep. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each stage:
Egg Stage:
- Appearance: Tiny, oval-shaped, pearly white, about 1 millimetre long (think: a grain of rice).
- Location: Hidden in cracks and crevices near mattresses, box springs, headboards, furniture, and luggage.
- Development: Female bed bugs lay 1-5 eggs daily, glueing them to surfaces. A single female can lay between 200 and 250 eggs in her lifetime. Eggs hatch in 6-10 days, given the right conditions.
Nymph Stage (Immature Bed Bug):
- Stages: Five nymphal instars (stages) exist, each requiring a blood meal to moult (shed its exoskeleton) and grow.
- Appearance: Similar to adults but smaller (1.5 mm to 4.5 mm), translucent at first, turning reddish-brown after feeding.
- Behaviour: Nymphs are highly mobile, actively seeking out blood meals from humans and sometimes pets.
- Development: Each nymph stage usually lasts about a week (longer if a bed bug can’t find a host to feed on), requiring a blood meal to develop into the next stage. The entire nymph stage can take as little as 3 weeks but can extend to several months if food sources are scarce.
Adult Stage:
- Appearance: Flat, oval-shaped body, about the size of an apple seed (4-7 mm long) when unfed, reddish-brown and more elongated after feeding. They are considered “true bugs” with beaks, antennae, non-functional wings, and short, golden hairs. They can also produce a musty-sweetish odour.
- Behaviour: Nocturnal feeders, typically feeding every 4-5 days. They pierce human skin with their proboscis and painlessly withdraw blood.
- Reproduction: Females lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime, contributing to rapid population growth.
- Lifespan: The adult bed bug’s lifespan usually lasts 6-12 months. Depending on temperatures, adult bed bugs can live without feeding for around a year.
Bed Bug Life Cycle Without Food
A crucial aspect of bed bugs’ survival is their ability to survive long periods without feeding. This resilience makes them particularly difficult to eradicate.
- Nymphs: Newly hatched nymphs can survive for a few weeks without a blood meal. Older nymphs are more resilient, surviving several months without feeding and waiting for a suitable host.
- Adults: Adult bed bugs are the most resilient. They can survive for several months and sometimes up to a year without a blood meal, especially in cooler environments. This extended survival period is a significant factor in why simply leaving an infested property vacant won’t eliminate the problem.
How Long Can Bed Bugs Live Without Food?
As mentioned above, the duration a bed bug can survive without food depends on its life stage and environmental conditions:
- Newly hatched nymphs: A few weeks.
- Older nymphs: Several months.
- Adults: Several months to up to a year, with cooler temperatures increasing survival time.
This ability to withstand starvation is a key reason why professional pest control is essential. DIY methods often fail to account for this resilience, leading to recurring infestations.
Bed Bug Behavior and Traits
Bed bugs’ unique behaviours and adaptations play a significant role in their ability to thrive in human environments:
- Feeding Habits: Bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide humans exhale and the warmth of our bodies. They typically feed at night when people are asleep, leaving itchy, red bites in a line or cluster.
- Hiding Places: Bed bugs are masters of concealment. They hide in cracks and crevices near mattresses, box springs, bed frames, furniture, luggage, and behind baseboards. They can also travel within walls and crawl between apartments.
- Resilience: Bed bugs are incredibly resilient. Their flat bodies allow them to squeeze into tiny spaces. They can survive long periods without feeding and resist certain pesticides if not appropriately treated.
- Odour: In large infestations, a sweet, musty odour may be present, indicating the presence of bed bug pheromones.
Check also: How To Tell If You Have Bed Bugs?
Strategies for Eradicating Bed Bugs
There a 3 main steps in dealing with bed bug infestations:
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- Early Detection: Regularly inspect mattresses, box springs, and furnishings for signs of bed bugs, including live insects, shed skins, and faecal matter (small, dark spots).
- Professional Intervention: Don’t attempt DIY methods. Bed bug infestations are best handled by experienced pest control professionals who can identify the extent of the problem and implement a targeted treatment plan. This may involve a combination of methods, such as:
- Insecticides: Professional-grade insecticides targeted specifically for bed bugs.
- Heat Treatment: Heats infested areas to lethal temperatures for bed bugs in all life stages.
- Cryonite Treatment: Utilises extreme cold to kill bed bugs.
- Encasements: Special encasements seal mattresses and box springs to trap and kill bed bugs.
- Preventing Reinfestation: We recommend the following aftercare steps after the professional bed bug treatment:
- Vacuuming: Regularly vacuum upholstered furniture, carpets, and baseboards. Dispose of vacuum cleaner bags immediately after use.
- Decluttering: Reduce clutter around beds and furniture to minimise hiding spots.
- Laundering: Wash bedding, clothing, and other washable items in hot water and dry them on high heat.
- Freezing: For items that can’t be washed, such as shoes or certain fabrics, seal them in plastic bags and freeze them at -18°C for at least 4-5 days to kill bed bugs and their eggs.
Read also: How to Prevent a Bed Bug infestation?
Effective Bed Bug Solutions from Toxic Respond
Don’t lose sleep over bed bugs! If you suspect a bed bug infestation, it’s crucial to act immediately. Early intervention reduces the spread and makes eradication easier. While attempting DIY extermination may seem tempting, bed bugs are notoriously resilient. These pests’ ability to hide in tiny spaces and survive for long periods without feeding makes professional help the most effective solution.
Toxic Respond offers a professional bed bug control service. Our experienced technicians will determine the extent of the infestation and implement a targeted treatment plan to eliminate these pests quickly and efficiently. We use safe, effective methods to ensure the comfort and safety of your home and family.
Don’t wait – reclaim your peace of mind and contact Toxic Respond today!