What do domestic bed bugs look like, where do they hide, and why do they appear? - briefly
Domestic bed bugs are small (≈5‑7 mm), flat, reddish‑brown insects that swell after feeding and are typically found in mattress seams, box‑spring crevices, furniture joints, and wall voids. Infestations occur when the insects are introduced through travel, used furniture, or insufficient pest‑control practices.
What do domestic bed bugs look like, where do they hide, and why do they appear? - in detail
Domestic bed bugs are small, oval insects measuring 4–5 mm in length when unfed and expanding to about 7 mm after a blood meal. Their bodies are flat and reddish‑brown, with a lighter, almost white abdomen when engorged. Six legs end in tiny claws, and the antennae are short, not protruding beyond the head. The dorsal surface shows faint, pale markings that form a “W‑shaped” pattern on the pronotum. Color darkens after feeding, turning a deep mahogany.
Typical refuges include:
- Mattress seams, tufts, and box‑spring folds
- Bed frames, headboards, and nightstands, especially cracks and crevices
- Upholstered furniture, under cushions, and inside sofas
- Wall baseboards, picture frames, and electrical outlet covers
- Luggage, backpacks, and clothing left on the floor or in closets
These insects prefer environments close to a host, where warmth and carbon dioxide are readily available. They hide during daylight, emerging at night to feed for 5–10 minutes, then retreat to the same concealed sites.
Infestations arise from several factors:
- Introduction via travel luggage, used furniture, or second‑hand clothing that already contains eggs or adults
- High population density in multi‑unit housing, facilitating migration through wall voids and plumbing shafts
- Lack of regular inspection and cleaning, allowing early stages to go unnoticed
- Warm indoor temperatures (20–28 °C) and moderate humidity, which accelerate development cycles
A single female can lay 200–500 eggs over her lifetime, each hatching in about a week under optimal conditions. The life cycle—from egg to adult—takes 4–6 weeks, enabling rapid population growth when food sources are uninterrupted. Early detection and prompt treatment are essential to prevent the exponential increase typical of these pests.