What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Bed bugs are frequently confused with other small insects. However, they have a few defining characteristics that set them apart from other insects. These characteristics include the following:
- Reddish-brown in color
- Flat bodies that may appear engorged after feeding
- Adults grow to be 5 mm long
- Eggs are white, oblong, and about 1 mm long
What is the Size of a Bed Bug?
Adult bed bugs can grow to be 5 mm long, or about the size of an apple seed. On average, the adult bed bug ranges from ¼ to 3/16 of an inch. Their size can change depending on whether they’ve recently fed or not. This is because after feeding, the bed bug body will appear slightly longer, more cylindrical, and redder in color due to the blood. Adult bed bugs are visible to the human eye even though they tend to hide away from the view of people.
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Bed Bug Life Stages
The bed bug life cycle includes bed bug eggs followed by five larvae (or nymph) stages. Bed bugs lay their eggs in mattresses, furniture, wall cracks, baseboards, and floorboards. These eggs are white, oblong, and only about 1 mm long. Nymphs look like miniature versions of the adult bed bug. After blood meals, the bed bug nymph will shed its exoskeleton several times before maturing into an adult bed bug.
Bed Bug Identification in Santa Fe NM
Because bed bugs are so frequently confused for other insects, it’s important to know how to identify them. The trouble with that is that bed bugs are minuscule! So, using a magnifying glass can assist. When in doubt, it’s best to contact your local bed bug exterminator for help. They can properly identify bed bugs in your home by looking at their appearance, habits, and more.