Bedbug control: what do bedbugs look like? - briefly
Adult bedbugs are reddish‑brown, flat, oval insects about 4–5 mm long, with a distinctive “C‑shaped” abdomen and visible antennae. Nymphs appear similar but are lighter in color and smaller, darkening after each molt.
Bedbug control: what do bedbugs look like? - in detail
Bedbugs are small, oval‑shaped insects measuring approximately 4–5 mm in length when unfed and expanding to about 7 mm after a blood meal. Their bodies are flat dorsally and become noticeably swollen after feeding. Color varies from light brown to reddish‑brown; newly hatched nymphs appear pale, turning darker with each molt. Six legs emerge from the thorax, each bearing a single claw, and the antennae consist of four segments, visible under magnification.
Key visual markers include:
- Wingless form: No wings or wing pads are present, distinguishing them from many other hematophagous insects.
- Elongated abdomen: The abdomen ends in a pointed tip, often mistaken for a “beak” used to pierce skin.
- Faint orange‑red staining: After feeding, the exoskeleton may show a reddish hue, and excrement appears as tiny dark spots on fabrics or walls.
- Molting skins: Nymphs leave behind translucent shells after each growth stage; these skins are typically found near hiding sites.
Life‑stage differences:
- Eggs: About 0.5 mm, white, deposited in clusters of 10–50, often hidden in cracks.
- Nymphs (1st–5th instar): Similar shape to adults but smaller and lighter; each molt adds a darker, more defined body.
- Adults: Fully pigmented, capable of reproduction, and exhibit the characteristic swollen abdomen after feeding.
Typical hiding places align with the insect’s flattened body: seams of mattresses, box springs, headboards, picture frames, electrical outlets, and wall cracks. Night‑time activity concentrates on exposed skin, while daylight periods see the bugs retreat to these shelters.
Accurate identification relies on observing the combination of size, winglessness, elongated abdomen, and the presence of shed skins or fecal spots. Differentiation from similar pests—such as carpet beetles (hard, rounded bodies, often with varied coloration) or fleas (jumping ability, laterally compressed bodies)—is essential for targeted control measures.