What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Bed bugs are oval-shaped, flat bugs that are about the size of an apple seed and are usually red to brown. Their bodies have three portions with a total of six legs and two antennae at the top of their head.
The main characteristics of bed bugs are:
- Eggs are white, oblong, and about 1 mm long
- Reddish-brown in color
- Adults grow to be 5 mm long
- Flat bodies that may appear engorged after feeding
How to Identify Bed Bugs: What Does a Bed Bug Look Like?
Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that can be difficult to spot due to their flat bodies and ability to hide in tiny spaces. It is important to know what bed bugs look like as they are easily mistaken for other bugs. Since they are relatively small and discrete, it is recommended that you use a magnifying glass to observe the bed bug to help with identification.
Newly hatched bed bugs, or nymphs, are smaller and lighter in color, often almost translucent. In comparison, adult bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, but their ability to blend in with their surroundings can make them tricky to spot without a detailed inspection.
Although they don’t have wings, bed bugs are excellent at crawling and can move quickly across bedding, headboards, and other furniture in search of a blood meal.
To identify a bed bug infestation, look for dark spots of fecal matter, shed skins, or blood stains on bedding or around headboards. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to contact a professional exterminator to handle the problem and eliminate the pests safely.
How Big are Bed Bugs?
Do You Have a Bed Bug Problem? We Can Help.
Click the button below to leave your information & we'll be in touch in an hour or less.
You can learn more about the signs of a bed bug infestation in our separate article, how to spot bed bugs.
Bed Bug Life Cycle
Bed Bug Eggs
Bed bugs lay their eggs in mattresses, furniture, wall cracks, baseboards, and floorboards. These eggs are white, oblong, and only about 1 mm long. As you can see in the image above, these eggs are small, white, and oval-shaped, about the size of a grain of rice—around 1mm in length. They can be found in crevices in bed frames, headboards, and mattresses. Bed bug eggs are sticky, allowing them to adhere securely to surfaces, often making them difficult to spot. Typically, bed bug eggs hatch in about six to ten days, producing the nymphs.
Baby Bed Bugs (Nymphs): Size and Appearance
Nymphs are tiny, translucent insects that are challenging to detect. They are about the size of a pinhead and lighter in color than adult bed bugs, often pale yellow or whitish. Nymphs look like miniature versions of the adult bed bug. After blood meals, the bed bug nymph will shed its exoskeleton (as pictured above) several times before maturing into an adult bed bug.
The nymphs will gradually darken as they mature, eventually resembling the reddish-brown adult bed bugs. Though small and difficult to spot, nymphs are often found in the same hiding spots as adult bed bugs, such as mattress seams, headboards, and bedding.
Adult Bed Bugs: Identifying Fully Grown Bed Bugs
Adult bed bugs are the largest stage of the insect and the most recognizable stage in the bed bug life cycle. Their flat, oval bodies are reddish-brown and become more noticeable after feeding when they swell and elongate.
How to Tell Bed Bugs Apart From Other Pests
Identifying bed bugs can be challenging, as they resemble several other pests. Understanding their unique characteristics — such as their preferred hiding spots, feeding habits, and how bed bugs spread — can help you distinguish them from other insects.
Bed Bugs vs. Fleas: Size, Bites, and Hiding Spots
While bed bugs and fleas bite and feed on blood, there are notable differences. Fleas are smaller, measuring only about 1/8 inch long, compared to the larger bed bugs, which are about 1/4 inch long. Fleas are also wingless but can jump long distances, whereas bed bugs are slow crawlers.
Another difference is the bites. Bed bug bites tend to be in clusters or zigzags, while flea bites usually appear in random spots, usually around the feet or ankles. Fleas also tend to bite multiple times in a single area but don’t create a specific pattern like bed bugs. Flea bites are generally smaller and cause intense itching, often leaving a small red dot.
As for hiding spots, bed bugs are often found in mattress seams, headboards, and box springs, whereas fleas typically dwell on pets, carpets, and upholstery.
Bed Bugs vs. Cockroach Nymphs: What to Look For
At first glance, cockroach nymphs may resemble bed bugs, but key differences exist. Cockroach nymphs are generally darker and have a more cylindrical body, while bed bugs are flatter and oval-shaped. Cockroaches have long antennae, unlike bed bugs, which are known for their small, almost non-existent antennae. Cockroach nymphs are faster and more agile, while bed bugs move slowly.
Cockroach nymphs prefer dark, damp places like under appliances, whereas bed bugs hide in crevices near sleeping areas.
Bed Bugs vs. Carpet Beetles: Key Differences
While both carpet beetles and bed bugs are commonly found in homes, they differ in appearance and behavior. Carpet beetles are small, round, and range from black to patterned brown, with hard, shiny bodies. Bed bugs, on the other hand, are flat, reddish-brown, and oval-shaped. Carpet beetles feed on organic materials such as fabrics and carpets, while bed bugs feed exclusively on blood. Carpet beetles do not bite humans, but bed bugs cause itchy bites.
You’ll often find carpet beetles in closets and hidden areas, whereas bed bugs are more likely to hide around bedding, headboards, and mattresses.
Do You Have a Bed Bug Problem? We Can Help.
Click the button below to leave your information & we'll be in touch in an hour or less.
Should bed bugs be difficult to identify or become a nuisance in your home, it is wise to consult the help of a professional bed bug company. Knowing how to distinguish different bugs in your home can help you eradicate any ongoing infestations that may be taking place!
FAQs
How can I tell if we have bed bugs?
You can identify a bed bug infestation by looking for reddish-brown bugs, bites, or dark spots on bedding. Check headboards, bed frames, and box springs for signs.
What kills bed bugs the fastest?
The fastest way to kill bed bugs is to hire a professional exterminator to treat the infested space. Professional exterminators like Florida Pest Control can treat the infestation at all stages of the life cycle, providing the best long-term protection and minimizing the risk of the bed bugs returning as eggs hatch.
Can you see bed bugs on your skin?
It’s rare to see bed bugs on your skin since they usually hide in crevices, headboards or bedding during the day. They come out at night to bite. If you notice bed bug bites, you likely have an infestation, but the bugs themselves are usually not visible on the skin.
What scent kills bed bugs instantly?
While no single scent kills bed bugs instantly, certain essential oils like tea tree oil or lavender have been known to repel them temporarily. However, for effective treatment, consult a pest control expert who can recommend appropriate chemical or heat-based methods for elimination.
What is the main cause of bed bugs?
The main cause of bed bugs is their ability to hitchhike on luggage and clothing. They are commonly spread through travel, secondhand furniture, or through cracks in walls in multi-unit buildings. Preventing infestations requires vigilance and proper inspection of potential sources.
Where do bed bugs hide on your body?
Bed bugs do not typically hide on your body. They prefer to hide in crevices around your bed frame, headboard, and bedding. They bite while you’re asleep but retreat to these hiding spots afterward.
What to do if you slept in a bed with bed bugs?
If you suspect you’ve slept in a bed with bed bugs, wash your bedding in hot water immediately. Inspect your headboard and mattress for signs of infestation, and contact a pest control expert for professional treatment to eliminate the bugs.