Bed bugs live for approximately one year. They can also survive a year without feeding. Some factors determine how long a bed bug can survive without feeding. Hot summer temperatures will shorten their lives greatly if they cannot feed (A little over two months when the room is kept hot). But they can survive over one year when temperatures are around 50 degrees!
First instar nymphs will die soon after birth if they cannot feed. The longest they will survive without feeding is three months. Adults and older nymphs survive longer than early instar nymphs.
Bed bugs can remain viable in protected harborages for months after treatment. That is why occupying the space as soon as possible after treatment is important. That way, you are pulling them through the pesticide products while they are still fresh.
If you want to store infested furniture or belongings, try the rag-in-a-bag trick. Placing furniture in your garage over winter is an unreliable way to control bed bugs in Ohio. Cold temperatures must be steady below freezing for extended periods to control them.
We do not recommend vacating a treated room or treating a vacant structure with pesticides. Bed bugs have adapted to starvation. You could have problems controlling bed bugs by storing furniture or leaving an infested home vacant. You will wait a while unless you raise the temperature to at least 80 degrees and wait three months.
One way to kill bed bugs in your car is by rolling the windows up and parking in the full sun on black asphalt during the summer. We do not recommend that untrained people use unnaturally high heat to kill bed bugs.