What do bedbugs look like and how do they bite? - briefly
Bedbugs are tiny, flat, reddish‑brown insects roughly 4–5 mm long with oval, wingless bodies. They bite by inserting a needle‑like proboscis, delivering anesthetic saliva before sucking blood, which typically results in small, red, itchy welts.
What do bedbugs look like and how do they bite? - in detail
Bedbugs are small, oval‑shaped insects measuring 4–5 mm in length when fully grown. Their bodies are flat dorsally and become more rounded after a blood meal. Color ranges from reddish‑brown to deep mahogany; after feeding, the abdomen expands and appears brighter. Antennae consist of six segments, and the legs are short, ending in tiny claws that enable rapid movement across fabric. Nymphs resemble adults but are lighter in color and increase in size with each molt.
Key visual cues for identification include:
- Uniformly shaped, cigar‑like silhouette without wings.
- Absence of a stinger; mouthparts form a beak‑like proboscis.
- Presence of tiny white eggs glued to seams and crevices.
- Dark spots on mattresses or furniture, representing excreted blood.
Bedbugs feed using a specialized piercing‑sucking apparatus. The proboscis penetrates the skin, delivering saliva that contains anticoagulants and anesthetic compounds. This combination prevents clotting and reduces immediate pain, allowing the insect to draw blood for 5–10 minutes before retreating.
Bite manifestations appear as a line or cluster of small, raised welts. Typical characteristics are:
- Red, itchy papules appearing 12–48 hours after exposure.
- Arrangement in a linear or zig‑zag pattern, reflecting the insect’s movement while feeding.
- Occasionally, a central puncture point visible under close inspection.
Severity of the reaction varies with individual sensitivity. Some individuals develop only mild erythema, while others experience intense pruritus, swelling, or secondary infection from scratching. Repeated exposure can lead to sensitization, resulting in larger, more pronounced lesions over time.