How Long Can Bed Bugs Live in an Empty House?

PDF download Download Article
Answering your questions about a bed bug’s lifespan when there’s no food source in sight
PDF download Download Article

No one likes to see bed bugs around the house, especially in a property that you own. But if there’s no one living there or if you can stay somewhere else for a while, can the bed bugs live without you? The answer is yes, and we’re here to tell you just how long bed bugs can live without a human host. We’ll also let you in on some of their favorite hiding places, as well as some expert-backed strategies to get rid of them. To take care of your bed bug problem once and for all, read on.

This article is based on an interview with our MMPC-certified pest control specialist, Kevin Carrillo. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

  • Bed bugs can live for 3 to 5 months without feeding, especially in moderate temperatures and high humidity levels.
  • If there are no human hosts around, bed bugs will resort to feeding on pests and other animals.
  • Look for bed bugs hiding inside or around furniture. If there’s no furniture in the home, check any cracks in the walls, behind electrical outlets, or underneath floorboards.
  • Get rid of bed bugs by vacuuming daily and washing soft items on high heat. Call an exterminator to inspect your property and get rid of the bugs for good.
Section 1 of 4:

How long can bed bugs live without food?

PDF download Download Article
  1. There are a few factors that can impact whether or not a bed bug can survive, but at moderate temperatures and humidity levels, adult bed bugs can last over 150 days without feeding. [1] In fact, the longest recorded time of a bed bug living without food was 400 days, but that was in a lab under optimal conditions.
    • The average lifespan of a bed bug is 10 months to 1 year. However, during that time they will be mating and laying eggs, ensuring new generations of bugs for years to come.
    • Keep in mind that while bed bugs only feed on blood, they don’t just target humans. Bed bugs will feed on rodents, pets, and other animals if they have to.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Factors That Affect Bed Bug Survival

PDF download Download Article
  1. Bed bugs can withstand a wide temperature range, but extreme cold or warm temps will kill them. In general, temperatures below 25 °F (−4 °C) and above 119 °F (48 °C) will kill bed bugs. [2]
    • Bed bug eggs can survive in temperatures up to 130 °F (54 °C).
  2. Bed bugs thrive in high relative humidity zones. Studies have found that adult bed bugs can live for long periods of time in 75% to 100% humidity. However, as the humidity decreases, the lifespan of adult bed bugs does, too. [3]
    • Low humidity levels (meaning levels under 15%) can kill bed bugs in a matter of hours. Their bodies don’t perform well under dry conditions, because they need moisture to survive.
  3. Older bed bugs can survive longer without a meal than younger bed bugs can. While adult bed bugs might be able to last months, young bed bugs may only survive for a few weeks. [4]
    4. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Where do bed bugs hide in empty homes?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Typically, bed bugs will congregate in areas where people sleep or rest, like beds, couches, and chairs. Even if there are no humans in the home, bed bugs will still flock to the furniture inside.
    • Identify bed bugs by looking for soft, red excrement on mattresses and box springs.
    • Alternatively, examine yourself or anyone in the home for itchy, red bites, especially right after you wake up.
  2. Unfortunately, simply removing furniture won’t get rid of bed bugs for good. Since these bugs are so tiny, they can easily fit inside cracks in the wall, behind electrical outlets, behind loose trim or molding, and underneath floorboards. Check for bed bugs in these areas if the home is empty or you can’t find them on any furniture. [5]
    • Bed bugs are nocturnal, meaning they mostly come out at night. However, you can find bed bugs during the day by checking any nooks and crannies in the home.
    3. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

PDF download Download Article
  1. If there’s still a bed in the home, cover it with plastic to suffocate and kill bed bugs. Buy a plastic cover for both your mattress and your box spring, then seal the bed bugs inside. The warmth from the plastic will speed up the process, and the bed bugs will be dead in a month or two. [6]
    • Once the bed bugs are dead, uncover your mattress and vacuum up any dead bugs you see.
  2. Bed bugs love to hide in cluttered areas, so pick up any garbage or clothing on your floor. Focus on the areas around your bed specifically, since bed bugs like to stay nearby wherever humans sleep. [7]
  3. Vacuuming will suck up live bed bugs and their eggs so you can dispose of them. Vacuum your home, focusing on areas like carpets, baseboards, molding, and trim. Empty the vacuum bag into the outside garbage right away to keep the bed bugs from crawling back out again.
  4. Since steam is hot, it will automatically kill bed bugs and their eggs. Buy or rent a steamer , then make multiple passes over areas where you’ve spotted signs of bed bugs. Do this daily until you don’t see bed bugs anymore.
    • Steam is great for soft fabrics and materials that can’t be washed, like couches, carpets, and curtains.
  5. If you know the bed bugs are on any clothing, curtains, or bedding, throw them into the washer and wash them on high heat. Then, dry them in the dryer on the highest heat setting. Since bed bugs can’t handle a high temperature, the heat from your washer and dryer will kill them. [8]
    • Have any items that can’t be washed? Bag them up in plastic bags to suffocate the bed bugs. They’ll be dead in 1 to 2 weeks.
  6. Getting rid of bed bugs is tough, especially when you’re doing it on your own. When you first notice bed bugs, contact a professional right away so they can come out and inspect your home. [9]
    • Professionals will often use heat treatments or pesticides to kill bed bugs and their eggs.
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Bed bugs are visible to the human eye. They are typically small and reddish-brown in color.
        Thanks
        Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Identify Bed Bug Droppings
      How to
      Check for Bedbugs
      A Complete Guide to Getting Rid of Bed Bugs
      How to
      Draw Bed Bugs Out of Hiding
      How to
      Kill Bed Bugs With Steam
      How to
      Identify Bed Bug Bites
      Easy Ways to Naturally Kill Bed Bugs Without Pesticides
      Bed Bugs: How to Spot Them & What to Do About It
      How to
      Kill Bed Bugs
      How to
      Find Bed Bugs and Confirm an Infestation
      How to
      Check a Hotel Room for Bed Bugs
      How to
      Stop Bed Bug Bites Immediately
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/347BBMyths.pdf
      2. ↑ https://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/347BBMyths.pdf
      3. ↑ https://academic.oup.com/jme/article/47/6/987/992893?login=false
      4. ↑ https://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/347BBMyths.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/how-find-bed-bugs
      6. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/do-it-yourself-bed-bug-control
      7. ↑ https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/pests/bedbugs.htm
      8. ↑ https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/pests/bedbugs.htm
      9. ↑ https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/emergingdiseases/Folder2/Getting_the_Bed_Bugs_Out_Guide.pdf?rev=d873b1084bdf424bbb36c084feac9413

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 46,342 times.
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement