Bed bugs are one of the most persistent pests that can infest your home, and they are notorious for their ability to multiply rapidly. These tiny insects are difficult to spot, and even more difficult to get rid of once they’ve established a foothold in your living space. Understanding how bed bugs multiply is crucial for preventing an infestation and keeping your home safe from these unwanted intruders. In this article, we will explore the reproductive habits of bed bugs, including their life cycle, mating habits, and methods of reproduction.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other animals. They are small, brownish-red insects that are about the size of an apple seed. Bed bugs are most active at night and can be found hiding in cracks and crevices in mattresses, bed frames, and other furniture. Bed bugs can quickly multiply and infest a home, making it difficult to get rid of them once they’ve taken hold. In this article, we will explore how bed bugs multiply and what you can do to prevent and treat infestations.
WHAT ARE BED BUGS?
Bed bugs are parasites that feed on blood. They feed only on blood and unfortunately, their main food source is human.
The physical features of bed bugs are below:
- They are flat and oval-shaped
- Half-winged (so few useless wings so, no wings at all)
- Bed Bugs Reddish brown colored (More reddish after recently fed)
WHAT DO BED BUGS LOOK LIKE?
They are not microscopic creatures so, you can see them with the naked eye. What you have to know about bed bugs first is they can’t fly or jump which means that if you see an insect flying or jumping, you can eliminate the bed bug option easily.
The Life Cycle of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs go through a process called “simple metamorphosis.” This means that they go through three stages of development: egg, nymph, and adult. The egg stage lasts about 10 days, and the nymph stage can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the availability of food and temperature. Once they reach adulthood, bed bugs can live for up to a year.
BED BUG EGGS
Here is a video showing bed bug multiply and about its eggs:
Bed bugs aren’t mammalians which means Bed bugs multiply by laying. Bed bug eggs can be differentiated from other bug eggs with their shapes and appearances on the floor.
Bed bug eggs are yellow-white, they stand together and glued to the surface, mostly in cracks. The most distinguishing feature of those eggs from the other bug eggs is “glue”.
Other places where bed bugs lay their eggs are:
- Behind walls
- Inside clothes
- Check Bed Bugs in the Mattress
- Behind wallpapers
- Other places near to their food source
BEG BUGS MALE/FEMALE RATIO
BEG BUGS MALE/FEMALE RATIO is important because reproducing activity of beg bugs depends on the number of females. After laying their eggs, the number of female and male eggs hatching is almost the same: 1:1 ratio.
The success hatching ratio of a female is usually more than 95 percent.
HOW FAST BED BUGS SPREAD?
The laying ability of a female adult bed bug depends on how much it feeds. So, the more blood they can have, the more eggs they will produce.
After a female bed bug feeds enough once, she will produce 1 to 7 eggs per a day for next 10 days.
Eggs will hatch in 7 to 10 days if the air condition is suitable for them, otherwise hatching time can take up to 30 days.
So, a female bed bug can hatch 100 to 500 eggs in her lifetime which means they will reproduce rapidly and if no action is taken, the invasion will be inevitable.
HOW FAST BED BUGS GROW?
After hatching, newborn bed bug will have 2 more life stages. First will be nymph and this stage has 5 instars in it.
They will need a month in average to become an adult which has a body size more than 5 mm.
HOW LONG DO BED BUGS SURVIVE WITHOUT FEEDING
The main reason that makes bag bugs invasive is their resistance to hunger. They can survive without feeding at least for months, nevertheless, it was observed that they can live without feeding for more than a year in some cases.
IDEAL TEMPERATURE FOR BED BUGS
The ideal environment for bed bugs is where the temperature is between 65° and 85°. So, their activity will reduce below 65° and above 85°.
Factors Affecting Bed Bug Reproduction
The reproductive rate of bed bugs can be affected by a variety of factors, including temperature, humidity, and access to food. Bed bugs reproduce most rapidly at temperatures between 70 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and they require a relative humidity of at least 70% to survive. If bed bugs do not have access to a blood meal, they will not be able to reproduce, so keeping your home clean and free of clutter can help to prevent infestations. Bed bugs are also able to survive for long periods of time without feeding, so it is important to be vigilant and take action at the first signs of an infestation.
Conclusion
What you must know about bed bugs reproduction are:
- They usually start mating after 1 month they hatched.
- They multiply by laying.
- Their eggs are glued and in groups.
- Hatching success for the eggs is more than 95 percent.
- An adult female can lay 100 to 500 eggs during her lifetime.
- They are more reproductive during ideal conditions: When they feed enough and it’s 65° and 85° around.
- If no action is taken on time, you must face a bed bug invasion.
FAQs
Q: Can bed bugs multiply quickly?
A: Yes, bed bugs are able to reproduce quickly, with a female able to lay up to 5 eggs per day.
Q: How long do bed bugs live?
A: Bed bugs can live for several months to a year without feeding.