Bed bugs multiply by laying eggs. This is why an infestation can quickly get out of control. It may start small, but bed bugs can quickly multiply.
After all, bed bugs themselves are relatively short-lived. The average lifespan is only from 4 to 6 months. But if the bed bugs are reproducing and multiplying this entire time, the infestation itself continues to grow. So how fast will this happen?
An average of one egg per day
To get a sense of how fast bed bugs can spread, you need to know that a female can lay approximately one egg every single day. This is the average, so it’s generally what you’re going to see from every female bed bug on the property.
That said, they can lay even more at their peak. There have been some cases where bed bugs have laid 5 to 7 eggs in a day.
After the eggs have been laid, there is a slight delay before they hatch. But this is only around 10 to 15 days, so all bedbugs should have hatched in about two weeks.
As you can see, even though bedbugs have a short lifespan, because of this quick reproduction rate, they are able to maintain a foothold in the property if there is no direct intervention. Even a bedbug who only lives for four months and only lays a single egg every day could end up creating dozens and dozens of new bed bugs – who can then do the same thing.
What should you do next?
Do you have bed bugs in your property or have you suffered harm due to a bed bug infestation? If so, please contact us at Bed Bug Law today. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you explore your legal options moving forward.