What Do Bedbugs Look Like?

Life for a bed bug is not as comfortable as it is for many of us. A bed bug, or Cimex lectularius, is a tiny, reddish-brown bug that feeds on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts. These pests can be found in homes, hotels and other public places, making them a persistent problem that needs to be addressed. But how can you determine if you may have bedbugs without a microscope? Let’s explore what bedbugs look like to the naked eye.

Appearance

Bedbugs are small, wingless bugs with an oval body shape. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and will range in color from reddish-brown to almost black. They have six legs and two antennae, and they are usually between 1/5 and 1/4 of an inch long. When a bed bug has recently fed on a human, its body will be more of a reddish-purple color due to the blood it ingested.

Juvenile bed bugs, or nymphs, are much smaller than adults. Nymphs are the baby or juvenile stage of a bed bug, and they can be as small as 1 millimeter. Because of their smaller size and color, which is commonly translucent or whitish in color, they can be extremely difficult to spot with the naked eye.

Signs of an Infestation

In addition to what bedbugs look like, you should also be aware of the signs of an infestation. Bedbugs become active at night and emerge from their hiding spots such as mattress crevices and furniture joints to feed on unsuspecting hosts. Aside from the bugs themselves, there are other signs of an infestation, such as black or brown spots around the bed, mattress seams, box springs, bed frames and other furniture. These are usually dried excrement or dried blood from their meals. You may also find molted skin around the house, as a bed bug shed their skin as they grow.

The best way to spot a bed bug infestation is to be vigilant and watch for red flags. Pay attention to your surroundings and use everything you know about what bedbugs look like and the signs of an infestation to identify these pests and take the steps to prevent them from infesting your home.