Bed Bug Identification Guide

Bed bugs go through 5 stages of development after hatching from their tiny eggs.  At some stages, they are so small they can be difficult to see and identify.  Properly identifying bed bugs is one of the most important steps in their elimination. Once bed bugs have been properly identified and their locations noted, a successful heat treatment can be performed. 

The Bed Bug Life Cycle

Eggs:  The eggs are nearly microscopic and are virtually clear.    Eggs are often found in groups hidden inside furniture where they cannot be easily disturbed.  Once the bug emerges from the egg a translucent shell is left behind.

Nymphs: Once the bed bugs hatch the young nymph’s body is nearly transparent.  These small bed bugs will feed and turn red (the blood shows through its body).  Once they have fed they will molt and shed their outer shell.  Each stage ends with the bug shedding their outer shell and having a blood meal.

Growing from a Nymph to an Adult:

There are 4 more stages that bed bugs must go through before becoming an adult.  At each stage the bugs become bigger and darker in color.  During these stages, they also leave behind small dark droppings that can be seen during an inspection.

Adult Bed Bugs:

At full size, bed bugs are reddish brown and approximately 8mm in length.  They like to feed every 1-3 days but can go as long as a few weeks without a meal.  Their blood “meals” usually take about 5-10 minutes and they prefer human victims over other animals.

Eliminating Bed Bugs

Once a proper identification has been performed you can begin a professional heat treatment.  Convectex.com provides the highest quality bed bugs heaters and all the information and training you need to perform effective elimination treatments.  Whether you are an apartment manager, hotel/motel owner, or a pest professional, Convectex can help you start killing bed bugs today!  Start shopping at http://convectex.com/collections/bed-bug-packages. Have questions?  Call us at 877-375-0005.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bed Bug Identification

What do bed bugs look like?

Adult bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped insects that are typically reddish-brown. Before feeding, their bodies appear flatter and more oval. After a blood meal, they become more swollen, elongated, and darker red in color.

How big are bed bugs?

Adult bed bugs are generally about the size of an apple seed. Younger bed bug nymphs are much smaller and can be difficult to see, especially shortly after hatching. Bed bug eggs are even smaller and may be difficult to spot without a careful inspection.

What color are baby bed bugs?

Newly hatched bed bug nymphs are pale, translucent, or nearly colorless. After feeding, the blood inside their bodies can make them appear bright red. As nymphs grow and molt through their developmental stages, they gradually become darker and easier to see.

How can you tell the difference between bed bugs and other bugs?

Bed bugs have flat, oval bodies, six legs, short antennae, and no functional wings. They are sometimes confused with carpet beetles, fleas, ticks, bat bugs, and other small insects. Proper identification is important before beginning treatment because different pests require different control methods.

What are the signs of bed bugs besides seeing a live bug?

Common signs include dark fecal spots, shed skins, small pale eggs, eggshells, and blood spots on bedding. These signs are often found around mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, upholstered furniture, baseboards, and other areas close to where people sleep.

What do bed bug eggs look like?

Bed bug eggs are very small, pale white to translucent, and roughly shaped like tiny grains of rice. They are often attached to surfaces in protected cracks, seams, and crevices near bed bug hiding areas.

Where should I look for bed bugs?

Start by inspecting mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards, and nearby furniture. Bed bugs can also hide behind baseboards, inside cracks and crevices, around electrical outlets, underneath furniture, and in other protected areas close to a sleeping or resting person.

Can bed bug bites confirm that I have bed bugs?

No. Bites alone cannot reliably confirm a bed bug infestation because reactions vary from person to person and can resemble bites or skin reactions caused by other insects or conditions. Finding an actual bed bug or physical evidence such as fecal spotting, shed skins, or eggs provides stronger evidence of an infestation.