What do bedbugs look like and where do they live? - briefly
Adult bedbugs are small, oval, flat insects about 4–5 mm long with a reddish‑brown color; they conceal themselves in mattress seams, box‑spring folds, furniture cracks, and other crevices near sleeping areas. They infest homes, hotels, and similar accommodations, preferring locations that provide close proximity to human hosts.
What do bedbugs look like and where do they live? - in detail
Bedbugs are small, oval‑shaped insects measuring 4–5 mm in length when unfed and expanding to about 7 mm after a blood meal. Their bodies are flat and dorsoventrally compressed, facilitating movement within narrow crevices. The exoskeleton is a matte, reddish‑brown hue that darkens after feeding. Six legs emerge from the thorax, each ending in a curved claw. Antennae consist of five segments and are positioned near the head, which bears no visible eyes. Two small, wingless wing pads are present on the thorax, confirming their inability to fly. Nymphs resemble adults but are lighter in color and smaller, undergoing five molts before reaching maturity.
Typical environments for these parasites include:
- Mattress seams, box‑spring folds, and bed frames
- Headboards, footboards, and surrounding wall cracks
- Upholstered furniture, especially sofa cushions and chair seams
- Baseboards, picture frames, and electrical outlet covers
- Luggage, backpacks, and personal items that have been in infested areas
- Hotel rooms, dormitories, shelters, and other high‑turnover accommodations
Eggs are deposited in protected micro‑habitats such as the inner folds of fabric, carpet fibers, or behind wallpaper. Nymphs and adults remain close to their food source, usually sleeping humans, but can survive several months without feeding by retreating to sheltered locations with stable temperature and humidity. Preferred ambient conditions range from 21 °C to 29 °C and relative humidity of 60‑80 %. In colder climates, bedbugs may inhabit heated indoor spaces year‑round, while in warmer regions they can be found in outdoor structures that provide similar shelter.
Geographically, these insects are cosmopolitan, reported on every continent except Antarctica. Their spread is facilitated by human travel and the movement of infested belongings. Detection relies on visual identification of the insects, shed skins, or fecal spots—tiny dark specks resembling pepper grains—found in the aforementioned locations.