What do bedbug shells look like? - briefly
Bedbug exoskeletons are flat, oval, reddish‑brown, roughly 4–5 mm long, and become semi‑transparent after molting. Empty shells appear pale, translucent, and are commonly found in mattress seams, furniture crevices, or baseboard cracks.
What do bedbug shells look like? - in detail
Bed bug exuviae are the empty outer skins left behind after a nymph molts. They are oval, slightly flattened, and measure roughly 4–5 mm in length, matching the size of the instar that produced them. The exoskeleton is thin and semi‑transparent, allowing internal structures to be faintly visible. Color ranges from pale yellow‑white in newly shed skins to a duller, brownish hue after exposure to air and light. The surface appears smooth, lacking the glossy sheen of adult cuticle, and the edges are rounded without pronounced spines or hairs.
Key visual traits:
- Shape: elongated oval, broader at the posterior end.
- Size: 4–5 mm for third‑instar shells, smaller for earlier stages.
- Transparency: partially see‑through, especially in fresh molts.
- Color: initially pale yellow‑white, darkening over time.
- Texture: smooth, flexible, without setae or ridges.
When found, shells are typically located in seams of mattresses, cracks in furniture, or along baseboards. Their presence indicates recent activity, as each molt leaves a distinct exuvia that does not regenerate. Recognizing these characteristics enables accurate identification and informs pest‑management decisions.