How to distinguish a bedbug? - briefly
Bedbugs are small, reddish‑brown, oval insects about 4–5 mm long, wingless, with a flat dorsal surface and a tendency to hide in mattress seams, furniture crevices, and wall cracks, emerging at night to feed on blood. Distinguishing features include clusters of itchy, red welts arranged in a line or zigzag, shed exoskeletons, and dark fecal spots near their hiding places.
How to distinguish a bedbug? - in detail
Bed bugs are small, oval‑shaped insects that feed on human blood during nighttime hours. Adult specimens measure 4–5 mm in length, appear reddish‑brown after feeding, and possess a flat dorsal surface that becomes swollen after a blood meal. Wings are absent, and the antennae consist of four segments ending in a thin tip. The tarsal claws are robust, allowing attachment to fabric and mattress seams.
Key visual identifiers include:
- Size comparable to an apple seed, easily visible to the naked eye.
- Color transition from pale brown when unfed to deep rust after feeding.
- Presence of a distinct “triangular” or “shield‑shaped” dorsal plate (pronotum).
- Six legs with visible, curved claws; no wings or halteres.
- Antennae positioned near the head, each segment clearly delineated.
Behavioral clues support identification. Bed bugs hide in crevices near sleeping areas: mattress seams, box‑spring folds, headboards, and behind picture frames. They emerge after darkness, leaving small, reddish spots of excrement on bedding. The bites often appear in linear or clustered patterns, each puncture surrounded by a faint, raised welt.
Distinguishing features relative to similar arthropods:
- Fleas: possess jumping legs, are laterally compressed, and leave flea‑bite marks that are typically more scattered.
- Ticks: exhibit a hard, rounded scutum, are larger (up to 10 mm), and attach for extended periods rather than brief feeding.
- Moth larvae: have soft bodies, lack defined legs, and produce silk webbing, not blood‑feeding puncture marks.
- Carpet beetles: have rounded, hairy bodies and feed on fabrics, not blood.
Diagnostic procedures:
- Conduct a thorough visual inspection using a magnifying lens (10–20×) to confirm morphological traits.
- Place interceptor traps under bed legs; captured specimens confirm active infestation.
- Employ passive adhesive monitors on furniture edges; trapped insects provide physical evidence.
- Utilize trained detection dogs for rapid location of hidden colonies.
- Collect specimens for laboratory identification, referencing the scientific name «Cimex lectularius» for the common bed bug.
Confirming an infestation requires at least two of the following: direct observation of live insects, presence of shed exoskeletons (exuviae), detection of fecal stains, or identification of blood‑filled engorged specimens. Prompt verification enables targeted eradication measures.