If you’re wondering, “Do bed bugs go away on their own?”, the short answer is no. Bed bugs are resilient parasites that won’t simply disappear without intervention. These persistent insects feed primarily on human blood and have evolved to stay close to their food source—you. Understanding why bed bugs don’t leave on their own is the first step toward effectively eliminating them from your home.
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Do Bed Bugs Go Away On Their Own?
Bed bugs are not the type of pests that will “pack up and leave” on their own accord. They have one primary goal: to feed on your blood. As long as you’re providing them with meals, they have no reason to go elsewhere.
Bed bugs will not disappear without targeted intervention. Waiting for them to leave on their own is not a viable solution and will only prolong your discomfort.
These parasites have evolved specifically to live near humans, hiding in mattresses, furniture, and wall crevices during the day and emerging at night to feed. Their entire lifecycle depends on regular blood meals, which means they have every evolutionary incentive to stay right where they are—in your home.
Bed bugs feed exclusively on blood, primarily from humans
A mattress on the floor can make bed bug problems worse
Bed bugs life cycle
How Long Can Bed Bugs Live Without Feeding?
You might wonder if temporarily leaving your home could starve the bed bugs. Unfortunately, these insects are remarkably resilient when it comes to surviving without food.
Bed Bug Survival Facts
- A bed bug’s life span ranges from several months to a full year
- Most bed bugs feed approximately once per week
- They can survive 6 to 12 months without a blood meal, depending on climate conditions
- Young bed bugs need blood to molt and reach maturity (requiring 5 molts)
These survival capabilities mean that a bed bug infestation will not die out on its own unless the home remains completely unoccupied for potentially a year or more. There are documented cases of buildings suffering from bed bug infestations for 10 years or longer. Even if an apartment or house sits empty between residents, the bed bugs can remain dormant, waiting for the next occupant.
Bed bugs evolved alongside humans for thousands of years. Their ability to survive long periods without feeding is an adaptation that helped them persist through human migrations, seasonal changes, and periodic absences of hosts.
Comprehensive Treatment Options for Bed Bugs
Since bed bugs won’t leave on their own, you’ll need to take action to eliminate them. There are several effective approaches, each with their own advantages and limitations.
| Treatment Method | Effectiveness | Cost Range | DIY Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Treatment | Very High (95-100%) | $1,000-$2,500 professional $300-$600 for DIY equipment |
Partially (room devices available) |
| Chemical Treatment | Moderate to High (70-90%) | $250-$900 professional $50-$200 for DIY products |
Yes |
| Steam Treatment | High for accessible areas (80-95%) | $300-$1,200 professional $70-$300 for steamers |
Yes |
| Diatomaceous Earth | Low to Moderate (40-60%) | $10-$30 | Yes |
For most serious infestations, a multi-faceted approach combining several methods will be most effective. Professional exterminators typically use integrated pest management techniques that address the specific characteristics of your infestation.
Will Bed Bugs Leave After Treatment?
After treating your home for bed bugs, you might hope that any survivors would decide to abandon ship and find a new home. Unfortunately, this isn’t how bed bugs operate. They’re remarkably persistent and will continue to hide and seek blood meals even after treatment attempts.
While repellents won’t eliminate a bed bug infestation, products containing calamine lotion or rubbing alcohol may help reduce bites temporarily. However, these are not long-term solutions and won’t make the insects leave your home.
The truth is that you need to kill every single bed bug, including eggs, to completely eliminate an infestation. Any survivors will continue to reproduce, and the cycle will begin again. These insects don’t get “scared away” by the death of others in their colony—they simply continue their quest for blood meals as long as hosts are available.
How To Know If Bed Bugs Are Finally Gone
After treatment, you’ll want to confirm that your bed bug problem has truly been resolved. Here are five indicators that your efforts may have been successful:
- You find dead bed bugs throughout your home
- No new live bed bugs, eggs, feces, or shed skins are visible for several weeks
- You stop experiencing new bites and itching sensations
- CO2 bed bug traps don’t catch any insects
- Thorough inspections of common hiding places (mattress seams, box springs, baseboards) reveal no signs of activity
However, these signs don’t guarantee complete eradication. Only a professional heat treatment that raises your home’s interior temperature to at least 118°F for an hour or more can ensure all bed bugs and eggs are killed. These insects cannot survive such high temperatures for extended periods.
Preventing Bed Bug Reinfestation
Even after successful treatment, preventing reinfestation is crucial. A single pregnant female bed bug that hitches a ride into your home can restart the entire problem. Prevention should begin before your eradication efforts are complete to ensure bed bugs don’t immediately return.
Key Prevention Tips
- Inspect and wash secondhand furniture thoroughly before bringing it home
- Use protective covers on mattresses and box springs
- Reduce clutter to eliminate hiding spots
- Be cautious when traveling—inspect hotel rooms and keep luggage off the floor
- Regularly vacuum and clean your home, paying special attention to cracks and crevices
Conclusion: Taking Action Against Bed Bugs
The bottom line is that bed bugs are among the most stubborn and difficult pests to eliminate. They won’t go away on their own, and you can’t simply wait them out or hope to starve them. Effective elimination requires targeted treatment approaches, either DIY or professional, followed by vigilant prevention measures.
Don’t get discouraged—many people have successfully eliminated bed bug infestations. With persistence, proper techniques, and preventative measures, your bed bug story can have a happy ending too.
I need some bed bugs in my apt and my landlord won’t do anything about it what should I do?
I think I have bed bug nymphs on my clothes and they crawl in my hair too
Bed bugs were bitting me every night for weeks and they suddenly stopped and its been a few weeks without a bite. I think I am fine right?
They are kinda fun to kill. I have a vendetta against them now. Found hundreds last week
Tom, if you’ve got 8 you have to many!!!!
One is to many, just wait the rest will come! Sleep tight don’t let the Bedbugs bite! Sorry remember the saying. Wish it was still.
Carol. ps Alpine flea and bedbug spray
61 yrs young, never had a bedbug. Do now, rather have fleas. Still having Co. come out and paying to get rid of them.
Try Alpine flea and Bedbug treatment not sure where to get it I think major stores. That’s what Pest control uses.
I found 8 bed bugs in my bed in the morning is that a lot usually to find in one sitting?
And what’s the action to take?