How do furniture bedbugs look? - briefly
Furniture bedbugs are small, oval, reddish‑brown insects about 4–5 mm long, with flat bodies that swell and darken after feeding. They lack wings, possess visible antennae and six legs, and their bodies are covered with fine hairs.
How do furniture bedbugs look? - in detail
Bed bugs that inhabit upholstered chairs, sofas, and other household furnishings share a distinctive morphology. Adults measure approximately 4–5 mm in length, resembling a small apple seed. Their bodies are flat and oval when unfed, becoming noticeably swollen after ingesting blood, expanding to about 6–7 mm in diameter. The dorsal surface displays a uniform reddish‑brown hue; newly emerged individuals appear lighter, almost tan, and darken with each molt.
Key physical traits include:
- Six short, sturdy legs attached to the thorax, each ending in a pair of tiny claws.
- Two elongated antennae, each composed of four segments, positioned near the head.
- Two compound eyes situated on the dorsal side of the head, visible as tiny dark dots.
- A pair of wing pads (hemelytra) that cover the fore‑wings; these are non‑functional for flight and remain folded over the abdomen.
- Distinctive, pointed mouthparts (proboscis) designed for piercing skin and extracting blood.
Nymphal stages resemble miniature adults but are paler and lack the deep coloration of mature insects. Each molt adds a darker shade and a slight increase in size. After a blood meal, the abdomen expands sharply, creating a rounded, balloon‑like appearance that can be mistaken for a small, soft lump in the furniture fabric.
These characteristics enable reliable identification of the pest within chairs, couches, and other upholstered items.