Life Cycle Bed Bug Division
Detection
Female Bedbugs lay from one to twelve eggs per day, and the eggs are deposited on rough surfaces or in crack and crevices. The eggs are coated with a sticky substance so they adhere to the substrate. Eggs hatch in 6 to 17 days, and nymphs can immediately begin to feed. They require a blood meal in order to molt. Bedbugs reach maturity after five molts. Developmental time (egg to adult) is affected by temperature and takes about 21 days at 86° F to 120 days at 65° F. The nymphal period is greatly prolonged when food is scarce. Nymphs and adults can live for several months without food. The adult's lifespan may encompass 12-18 months. Three or more generations can occur each year.
Other Information
- » Fox News, 15 January 2007: "Lawyer Sues London Hotel, Claims Bedbugs Attacked Him, Wife"
- » Pest Control Magazine, 1 January 2007: "Are Bedbug Dogs Up to Snuff?"
- » Bed Bugs and Blood-Sucking Conenose
- » University of Kentucky EntFacts Information Sheet on bedbugs
- » Shawn E. Brooks, University of Florida - Bed Bug Summary
