How Long Can Bed Bugs Live in Storage? Control & Prevention

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Bed bugs are small insects that feed on blood; their main food source is human blood, though they can also feed on other animals. An adult bed bug is often compared to an apple seed in size. They hide near where people rest, which is why they’re commonly found around beds, bed frames, mattresses, and soft furniture.

Bed bug bites can be itchy, but bites aren’t a reliable way to confirm an infestation. Different people react differently, and other insects can cause similar bites.

The bed bug life cycle goes: eggs, five nymph stages (immature bugs), then adults. That means there are different stages to tackle, and each stage behaves slightly differently. Each nymph needs a blood meal before it can moult to the next stage.

Female bed bugs can lay between one and five eggs a day and may lay hundreds over their lifetime. Bed bug eggs usually hatch in 6–10 days, depending on temperature. Under optimal conditions, they can go from egg to adult in roughly 21 days.

That’s why a small issue can turn into a severe infestation surprisingly quickly. With regular feeding, females produce more eggs, which is why small problems can escalate quickly.

Under ideal conditions, bed bugs can live for about 10 to 12 months. Without feeding, they eventually die; at typical room temperature, starved bed bugs often die within around 70 days.

In cooler temperatures, they can survive longer without feeding. Colder environments slow them down, sometimes pushing them into a dormant state during extended periods without a blood meal.

Yes. Storage doesn’t create bed bugs, but it can keep them alive. If infested items go into storage, bugs can hide inside furniture, clothing, boxes, and mattresses.

With plenty of hiding places and the right temperature, they can survive for a long period even without feeding. In practical terms, they can still be present after over four months, depending on conditions. This is why treating items matters more than simply waiting.

Temperature is the biggest factor. Warmer temperatures (roughly 21°C to 32°C) support bed bug activity and reproduction if a food source is available.

Cooler temperatures reduce activity and can help bugs live longer without feeding.

Extreme temperatures can kill them. Sustained high temperatures can eliminate bed bugs, including eggs, and deep freezing can also work if applied for long enough.

These approaches are tricky to apply consistently to bulky items, which is why people often choose pest control.

Higher humidity can help bed bugs survive by reducing dehydration. Cluttered items and tight crevices also help; bugs can cluster together and stay protected.

Immature bed bugs are often less resilient than adults. A young bed bug may die within a few weeks to a couple of months without a blood meal, while adult bed bugs can last longer.

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Bed bugs don’t feed on fabric, but clothes are full of hiding places; seams, cuffs, pockets, and folds. If clothing is among infested items, bugs can survive on it long enough to spread back into a house later. In cooler temperatures, they may last longer.

If you’re worried about bed bugs on clothes, treat before storage. According to NHS guidance, heat-safe items are usually best handled with a 60°C wash and a hot tumble dry for at least 30 minutes

Then store clean clothes in sealed bags or, better yet, hard plastic bins with tight lids. A plastic bag can tear; a rigid bin is more reliable. If you suspect bed bugs, seal clothing before you carry it through the house.

Common hiding spots include:

Mattress seams and labels

Bed frames and joints

Sofa seams

Folds in clothing and bedding

The edges of cardboard boxes

If you find one, assume there may be other bed bugs close by, even if you can’t see them yet. We recommend sliding a credit card into a gap, as bed bugs can often hide there.

Start with an inspection, especially for furniture and anything that’s been near beds. Look for live bugs, dark spotting, shed skins, and eggs. You might also spot shed skin caught in seams or folds.

Pack to contain. Hard plastic bins with tight lids help. If you use bags, double-bag and seal well. Keep treated items separate from untreated ones.

Avoid storing food. Bed bugs feed on blood, not food, but food can attract other pests and make problems harder to manage.

If you’re storing for a long period, do occasional checks. Catching a bed bug problem early is much easier than dealing with a full infestation later. A quick weekly check is usually enough to catch issues before they spread.

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