How fast can a few bed bugs turn into a full infestation?

Faster than most people expect — a female bed bug can lay over 300 eggs in her lifetime, and eggs hatch in as little as 6 days. Under warm conditions, new bugs reach reproductive age in about three weeks, so an unnoticed infestation can multiply within a month or two.

Can bed bugs survive without feeding for a long time?

Yes — adult bed bugs can go for weeks, and in some cases months, without biting anyone, which is part of why an empty home or vacation rental can still have an active infestation waiting for the next guest.