Bed Bug Identification
Bed bugs are often confused with other pests, including fleas. Knowing what bed bugs look like and the signs to watch for can help you catch a potential infestation early and make treatment easier.
- Family: Bed bugs belong to the Cimicidae family. They are related to bat bugs, which typically only feed on bats.
- Size: Like ticks, bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed. Adults typically grow to 1/4 to 3/8 inch in size.
- Color: Bed bugs are typically brown; however, they can look reddish-brown or purplish after they have a blood meal. Bed bug eggs are pearly white and about the size of a pinhead.
- Legs: Bed bugs have six legs and two antennae.
Types of Bed Bugs
Common Bed Bug
Signs of Bed Bugs
Because bed bugs tend to seek dark, out of the way cracks and crevices, it can be a challenge to find them. However, the earlier you spot these nightmares, the better your chance of catching the problem before it becomes a widespread infestation.
Bed Bug Bites
Like many other insect bites, people’s reactions can vary widely. They inject a mild anesthetic when they bite, so you won’t likely feel it in the moment. Afterward, the bite may look like a pimple-like bump, a series of raised red bumps, or something that looks like a mosquito bite.
Itchiness That Keeps You Awake
Is itching disrupting your sleep? For some people, bed bug bites produce intense itching. Additionally, bite marks can take up to 14 days to appear. So, you could be sharing a bed with these little critters for weeks before realizing it.
Live Bugs, Eggs, or Exoskeletons
Bite marks are one common sign. Finding a live bug, the exoskeleton they leave behind after molting, or eggs can also signal an issue. Inspect the seams of mattresses and boxsprings, folds in sheets and bedding, behind artwork, and inside cracks and crevices behind baseboards, headboards, and furniture.
Spots on the Bedding
There are two culprits for unexplained red or rusty stains. It can come from the bite itself or from accidentally crushing the bugs as you move in your sleep. Dark spots can come from bed bugs’ excrement.
How Do I Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs can be challenging to eliminate entirely. They are tiny and have ample hiding spots, which is why professional bed bug control is essential for complete elimination. You can also take certain steps to help matters, including eliminating clutter to reduce hiding spots.
- Wash all linens (including comforters and mattress pads), drapery, clothing, and plush toys in hot water. Dry these items using the high heat setting on your dryer.
- Vacuum everywhere, paying attention to the mattress and boxspring seams, moldings, where walls meet ceilings and floors, and upholstered furniture.
- Get bed bug protectors, which are tightly woven, zippered mattress encasements, and put them on all beds. Leaving it on for at least a year can smother any bed bugs that survived other elimination methods.
Bed Bug Facts
Lifespan
These blood-thirsty insects undergo six life stages, requiring at least one feeding per stage to survive. They live for anywhere from six to 12 months, molting and leaving their exoskeletons behind as they transition to the next life stage.
Food Sources
Humans are the preferred food source for most bed bugs. However, they will also feed on other animals, including birds, rodents, dogs, and cats.
Reproduction
Females must have a blood meal before they can lay eggs. Provided they receive adequate sustenance, they can lay five eggs per day, or up to 500 eggs over the span of their lives.
Risk of Disease
Bed bug bites have no risk of spreading diseases. However, for some people, they can trigger an allergic response.
Where are Bed Bugs Found?
Bed bugs can be found anywhere near their hosts, most notably in the seams of mattresses and box springs. They may also hang out in cracks in bed frames, headboards, and footboards. Other less obvious hiding places include:
- Seams of curtains, couches, chairs, cushions, and other upholstered furniture
- Joints of furniture and drawers and where the wall and ceiling or baseboard meet
- Inside electrical receptacles and behind artwork and other wall hangings
- Any crack that is wide enough to slip in a credit card
When are Bed Bugs Active?
Bed bugs seek out their hosts as they sleep, making their peak activity during overnight hours. They will die if exposed to extreme heat or cold but stay active in temperatures as low as 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
More Information About Bed Bugs
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Travel Tips to Avoid Bed Bugs
Frequently Asked Questions
What do bed bugs look like?
Bed bugs are tiny, flat, oval-shaped brown to reddish-brown insects roughly the size of a lentil.
How do you get bed bugs?
Bed bugs are avid hitchhikers that travel on soft items, including luggage and clothing.
How to find bed bugs?
Finding bed bugs requires a thorough inspection of areas, including the bed and any nearby furniture, architectural elements, window coverings, upholstered items, and floor coverings.
Do bed bugs jump?
Bed bugs can crawl, but they do not jump or fly.
Do bed bugs have wings?
Bed bugs don’t have wings. They get around and reach their hosts by crawling from their nests.
Are there other kinds of bed bugs?
This article centers around the common bed bug. It’s the typical instigator of most bed bug infestations. However, other species do exist. For example, the tropical bed bug thrives in tropical and subtropical locations. Bat bugs, which feed on bats, can also infest homes if bats make a nest inside. Additionally, swallow and poultry bugs, which are bird parasites, can also infest homes if birds find their way indoors.
How do I know if I have bed bugs?
Look for rusty stains, dark spots, and live bugs in cracks and crevices, particularly in mattress seams, behind and around beds, and in any cracks in the bed frame.