Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

How long can bed bugs live in an empty house?

For almost a week we’ve had bed bugs living in our family home. It’s pretty intolerable, but we’re planning on taking a trip next week. We’ll be out of the house for three months, so I figure the bedbugs will be long dead when we get back. How long can bed bugs survive in an empty house?

avatar
Patrick Price · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh no! Bedbugs are one of the most annoying pests to find in your home—I’m sorry to hear that your family has been dealing with them. Based on how long bed bugs can live in an empty house, I wouldn’t count on them being gone when you return from your trip. Bedbugs can survive four to five months without a host to feed on.
If you have a bedbug infestation, you’ve probably already noticed that they feed on you while you sleep. The itchy red bites are pretty hard to miss. These pesky parasites don’t drink water or eat other types of food. All the sustenance and hydration they need, they get from your blood. Without a host to feed on, bedbugs will eventually die, but that can take several months, even in an empty house.
While you can take steps to keep your house safe from bedbugs, some perils are out of your control. For those, you’ll need a good
homeowners insurance
.
If you want cheap home and renters insurance quotes fast, go to
Jerry
. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and helps to cancel your old policy. Even better—Jerry will help you bundle your home and auto policies for maximum savings.
MORE: How to get bugs off your car: A handy guide
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings