Bed bugs are insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. The Cimex lectularius is classified as a distinctive bed bug species because of its preference to feed solely on human blood. Show
Cimex pipistrelli, on the other hand, feeds on animals instead, as do two other bed bug species – Cimex adjunctus and Cimex pilosellus. Bed bugs are most active at night and hide in out-of-sight locations during the day. What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?An adult bed bug is brown-colored and has an oval body shape. Its body features a pair of wings located on the front, however, the insect is unable to fly. The entire bed bug body is also covered in tiny hairs which can’t be seen with the naked eye. How Big are Bed Bugs?The maximum size an adult bed bug can reach is about 5 mm in length and 3 mm in width. The smallest are only about 2.5mm long – almost the size of a bed bug egg. However, during an infestation bed bugs of various sizes may be observed. Can You See Bed Bugs With the Naked Eye?This depends on the scale of the infestation. If the bed bugs' population has reached a critical amount, they can form small clusters that can be easily observed. They are also easier to spot immediately after feeding since their bodies are virtually fully transparent. In case there are only a few insects crawling about in your home that are hidden within tiny crevices and cracks, spotting them may be next to impossible. Learn more on how to identify a bed bug Most Common Signs of Bed BugsBed bugs usually live in groups and rarely part with the rest of the colony. However, you can find plenty of signs that point to their presence if you know where to look. But before doing that, note that it’s possible to find bed bugs in other premises besides your bedroom for example in living rooms, bathrooms, or inside laundry rooms. A bed bug may also be easily transferred from one place to another via an infested object – suitcases, clothing, and even electrical appliances will usually do the trick. Faecal spotsSuch marks are usually found on the bedding and are left by the insects a short time after they stop feeding. Basically, these spots are the result of the host’s blood being excreted by the insect once it’s fully processed. While other insects, such as flies and spiders, can leave similar spots, their location differs significantly. As long as the blood marks are found on the sheets, on the mattress, and under the bed, you can be certain that you’re dealing with a bed bugs infestation. Dark, blood-stained spotsWhen bugs excrete after feeding, they leave some of the ingested blood behind. Usually, you can spot these marks on items, such as pillowcases, mattresses, sheets, other bedroom objects or surfaces. Eggs and eggshellsBed bugs go through multiple life cycles and shed their skin after each stage. When the bed bugs hatch, they can leave tiny eggshells across the infested area. Read more about bed bug eggs Live bed bugsOf all bed bug signs, seeing the actual living things in front of you is obviously the most telltale sign that you have a bed bug problem. However, you should know that there are some insects that look very similar to bed bugs so, if you’re having doubts, always seek the help of an experienced entomologist to identify the infiltrator with 100% accuracy. Don’t ignore an infestation even if you’ve spotted just a few insects – this doesn’t mean you’ve encountered their entire population! Their actual number is probably much higher due to the fact that they prefer to remain in hiding during the day. We recommend taking immediate action as soon as you spot any of the insects roaming about. Check also: What is the First Thing You Should Do If You See Signs of Pest Infestation? Reliable pest control serviceContact us and get assistance from experienced bed bug exterminator. Call usBed Bug BitesWaking up with bed bug bite marks all over the body can frighten anyone. Some individuals, however, may not experience any of the common bed bug bite symptoms at all. To identify a bed bug bite on your body, look for:
A bed bug bite often resembles a bite mark left by other animals, such as fleas or mosquitoes. This means that finding bites similar to what’s described above doesn’t necessarily mean that you have bed bugs in your home. It might be another pest that triggers this skin reaction, dust mites included. Image by: Wikimedia Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?Tiny in size, bed bugs are able to infest a variety of narrow cracks and crevices around the house, and can sometimes be even found living within electrical appliances. The usual hiding spots are suitcases, clothes, shoes, movable objects, mattresses, bedding, electrical bedroom appliances. They can also squeeze inside switch plates, vehicles, and any other place which provides shelter from direct sunlight and humidity. Bed bugs usually like to remain as close to the food source as possible. This means that the best area to look for them is your bed, followed by the area underneath your mattress and its immediate surroundings. During severe bed bug infestations, the insects can be observed in all parts of the property as the colony quickly grows in size. Check our dedicated article about the bed bugs on mattress Common hiding areas
Furniture bed bugs infestCheck the furniture, listed below, for signs of bed bugs:
Other infested areas
Read our guide on how to check for bed bugs Which places are preferred by bed bugs the most?A study by the University of Kentucky on the bed bugs’ behaviour gives us an insight on what are the most usual places that bed bugs use as hideouts. The results from the study are based on the documented findings of 13 professional property inspections. While the numbers presented in the study are approximate, they might be of use to you when determining where to start looking for the bugs first:
As you can see, the box spring is the first place you need to investigate, while nightstands, walls, and ceilings are much less likely to be infested. This is because the latter surfaces are located further away from the food source – you. Where do bed bugs hide during the day?Bed bugs always seek narrow places where they feel safe from harm, which makes their identification and extermination that much trickier. During the day, it’s not uncommon to spot insects near-bed frames. At night time, however, bed bugs may extend their reach to the furniture inside the bedroom or can even relocate to the corners of the room. Bed bugs may also be seen near baseboards during severe infestations. When this happens, they may also resort to feeding during the day, provided they can find a host. Finding bed bugs during an infestation is an essential step of the removal process. The sooner the bed bugs have been identified, the better for everyone who lives under the infested property’s roof. Below, we have explained all the essential steps you need to take to do it properly.
Which Insects Look Like Bed Bugs?Bed bugs have lots of features similar to those of other insects. A good example is the spider beetle. This bug has the size and shape of a flea, but is oval and dark brown - just like an adult bed bug. Often, spider beetles may assume a reddish appearance, which also increases the chances of them being mistaken for bed bugs. Other insects that may be confused with bed bugs are:
Learn more: Bugs that Look Like Bed Bugs Need help to get rid of the infestation in your property?Book a certified pest technician and get the issues resolved. Call usWhat to Do in Case You Find Any Signs of Bed BugsWe highly recommend the below list of Do’s and Don’ts in case you spot any signs of bed bug activity. It’s what any experienced pest technician would also recommend. What to do
Check also: How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs What not to do
How to Treat Bed BugsTry not to spray, burn, or dispose of anything within your home. Instead, use any of the following methods to take control over the bed bugs population until a professional arrives: VacuumingA neat way to quickly trap bed bugs located in tight areas inside a plastic container. The vacuum cleaner is especially effective at capturing clusters of bed bugs in case you have a serious infestation. Once you remove the plastic container, carefully place it inside a plastic rubbish bag. Seal the bag prior to its disposal to prevent the bugs from infesting another home. LaunderingDo it only at a high-temperature setting and with fabrics washable at temperatures above 60°C. Any linens and other soft fabrics should be safely isolated and frozen inside vacuum storage bags. FreezingThat’s right − bed bugs die at low temperatures as well. All that is required is a working freezer inside of which you can put a variety of infested items. Keep them in there for about 4 days at approximately -17°C, then unfreeze the items. InsecticidesThere is a wide range of bed bugs insecticides, all of which are used in specific circumstances. People who are not licensed to use professional-grade products can only purchase their consumer-grade variety. However, be warned that such products aren’t that effective at dealing with bed bug infestations. Save time and money instead by trusting an experienced and professional pest controller who has the licence to work with top-tier insecticides. If you’re interested in receiving help from certified pest control experts, you can visit our bed bugs control page for more information about the professional treatments we do. How can you tell if you have bed bugs?Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses caused by bed bugs being crushed. Dark spots (about this size: •), which are bed bug excrement and may bleed on the fabric like a marker would. Eggs and eggshells, which are tiny (about 1mm) and pale yellow skins that nymphs shed as they grow larger. Live bed bugs.
What do bed bugs look like actual size?Adult bed bugs, in general, are: about the size of an apple seed (5-7 mm or 3/16 - 1/4 inch long); long and brown, with a flat, oval-shaped body (if not fed recently); balloon-like, reddish-brown, and more elongated (if fed recently);
Can anything be mistaken for bed bugs?Baby cockroaches, or cockroach nymphs, are confused with bed bugs because of their similar coloring. Before they grow up to be easily identifiable, cockroach nymphs can be mistaken for bedbugs because of their brown hue.
Can you see bed bugs crawling on your bed?Adult bedbugs are indeed visible to the human eye — although some of us may need to put on our prescription glasses. Bedbugs are usually about the size of an apple seed, which is about 5 to 7 millimeters long, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
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