What do domestic bedbugs and their bites look like? - briefly
Adult bedbugs are reddish‑brown, flat‑ovoid insects roughly 5 mm in length, with a dark spot on the wing covers and a habit of residing in mattress seams and furniture crevices. Their bites manifest as tiny, raised red welts, typically arranged in lines or clusters, and may cause itching or mild swelling.
What do domestic bedbugs and their bites look like? - in detail
Domestic bedbugs are small, oval‑shaped insects about 4–5 mm long when unfed and 6–7 mm after a blood meal. Their bodies are flat and reddish‑brown, becoming more swollen and darker after feeding. Six legs emerge from the thorax, each ending in a tiny claw. Antennae are short, segmented, and positioned near the head. The abdomen displays faint pale markings that may appear as a light‑colored band or mottled pattern, especially on mature specimens. When disturbed, they can emit a faint, sweet odor.
Bite lesions reflect the insect’s feeding method. A single bite is a raised, red papule, typically 2–5 mm in diameter. Multiple bites often appear in a linear or clustered arrangement, reflecting the bug’s movement along the skin. The lesions may develop a central punctum where the proboscis penetrated. Within hours, itching intensifies; after 24–48 hours, the area may become a wheal or develop a small vesicle. In some individuals, a secondary erythematous halo surrounds the primary spot, creating a target‑like appearance. The reaction can persist for several days, with possible mild swelling and a lingering darkening of the skin after resolution.
Key identification points: