How to know if a bedbug is alive or dead? - briefly
«Observe the insect’s response to a gentle touch; a living specimen moves or flicks its antennae within a few seconds, while a dead one remains motionless regardless of stimulation.»
«A living bedbug also retains a glossy, slightly raised abdomen, whereas a deceased one appears dull, flattened, and may show discoloration.»
How to know if a bedbug is alive or dead? - in detail
Observing a specimen provides the most reliable indication of its condition. A living insect will display movement, respond to tactile or thermal stimuli, and retain a characteristic coloration. In contrast, a deceased individual remains motionless, exhibits discoloration, and may emit a distinct odor.
Key characteristics to assess:
• Movement: any crawling, leg twitching, or wing‑beat vibrations confirm vitality.
• Response to touch: gentle pressure with a fine brush or a puff of warm air should provoke a defensive motion in a live bug.
• Coloration: living specimens retain a reddish‑brown hue; death often leads to a paler, grayish or blackened exoskeleton.
• Surface texture: a fresh, supple cuticle indicates life, while a brittle, dry shell suggests mortality.
• Odor: a strong, musty scent, sometimes described as “coconut‑like,” can develop after death due to decomposition.
Additional methods enhance certainty:
- Heat test: applying a brief, low‑temperature heat source (approximately 40 °C) will cause a live bug to move away or become agitated; a dead one shows no reaction.
- CO₂ exposure: introducing a small burst of carbon dioxide can stimulate activity in living specimens, while dead ones remain inert.
When multiple indicators align—movement, responsiveness, vivid coloration, flexible cuticle—the organism is alive. If all signs point to immobility, discoloration, rigidity, and odor, the specimen is dead. Combining visual inspection with simple stimulus tests yields a conclusive assessment.