The Life Cycle of a Bed Bug: From Tiny Nymph to Prolific Pest

1. The Egg Stage
   A bed bug's life begins as a tiny, translucent egg, barely visible to the naked eye. Female bed bugs lay their eggs in hidden cracks and crevices close to their food source—human blood. A female bed bug can lay up to 200 eggs in her lifetime, usually in batches of 10 to 50 eggs at a time. The eggs are secured with a sticky substance and typically hatch within 6 to 10 days.
2. The Nymph Stage
   After the eggs hatch, bed bugs enter the nymph stage. Nymphs are immature bed bugs that resemble smaller versions of their adult counterparts. They are translucent or light brown and undergo several molts before reaching adulthood. During each molt, the nymphs shed their exoskeletons and grow larger. They require a blood meal to molt, progress to the next stage, and typically feed every 3 to 7 days.
3. The Adult Stage
   Once a nymph reaches adulthood, it becomes a fully formed, reddish-brown adult bed bug. At this stage, they are approximately the size of an apple seed and have a flattened oval shape. Adult bed bugs can reproduce and feed regularly, often biting humans during sleep. They can survive for several months without a blood meal but are attracted to the warmth and carbon dioxide exhaled by their sleeping hosts.
4. Reproduction and Infestation
   Adult bed bugs are highly reproductive, with females capable of laying 1 to 5 eggs daily. Under favorable conditions, a bed bug population can multiply exponentially. The mating process involves traumatic insemination, where males use their sensitive reproductive organs to pierce the female's abdomen. This reproduction method can lead to injuries and infections in female bed bugs.