Can One Bed Bug Multiply?

In this article we will discuss the age old question of “can one bed bug multiply”. There are myths that bed bugs spread quickly, but are those myths true or false, can bed bugs multiply quickly? Is one bed bug enough to cause some problems? In this article, we will talk about the chances of one bed bug increasing or not.

There’s a reason we usually talk about bed bugs infestation and not use the word “bed bug.” Finding a single bed bug in your home is rare, but there are lots of uncertainties around that one single bed bug. It is possible to bring home more than one bed bug, a single non-fertile bed bug, or a single fertile bed bug. There are lots of scenarios that the only way out would be to deal with the infestation as quickly as you can.

How fast can a one bed bug multiply?

One fertile female bed bug can produce over 200 eggs in her lifetime if she has access to food. Mating usually causes scarring, so the female that mates multiple times can have lesser eggs.

Most pregnant female bugs will quickly travel far to avoid mating again. Since bed bugs are great hitchhiker, the pregnant female with a driven agenda can latch on quickly to move to new places.

Bed bugs eggs need six to 17 days to hatch into nymphs. These nymphs can mature in 21 days in warmer temperatures or 4 months in colder climates. The female bedbug can still mate with the nymphs after they have developed. Looking at these facts, you realize that a single bed bug can bring about over 5,000-bed bugs in only six months.

How fast can bed bugs spread in the home?

Bed bugs can crawl relatively fast as soon as they have matured. They can also move from place to place through boxes, bedding, clothing, and furniture because they latch onto things firmly.

So sometimes, their spreading might not be caused by themselves but through the transfer or movement of items from one place to the next. Note that bed bug does not stick to the body, skin or hair like ticks and lice. They might not stay in clothes close to body heat, but they can travel in shoes, luggage, and backpacks.

So, whenever you come across a single bed bug. Be quick to take actions because a single bed bug can multiply given the right conditions. Contact the pest control professional and prevent a single sighting from becoming a nightmare.