The way bed bugs reproduce can be very traumatic for the female bed bug. In order to inseminate the female, the male bed bug first has to pierce her belly. Because the mating process can be traumatic for the female, she will isolate herself and travel to an area where she can feed.Due to the fact that pregnant female bed bugs are more likely to travel to isolated areas away from other bed bugs, it is more likely that any bed bug you do accidentally pick up will be a pregnant female.After a blood-feeding, a female bed bug can lay one to seven eggs per day and will lay anywhere from 200 - 300 eggs during her lifetime and can cause an infestation of 5,000-bed bugs within a six-month period. Eggs are laid singly or in clusters and are placed within tight cracks or crevices.  This can include electrical outlets, inside wood frames, inside boxes or shoes stored under beds, sofas, chairs, recliners, etc.The eggs hatch in about 6 -10 days.  The newly hatched nymphs will then begin to travel on their own to seek out a blood meal.