What do domestic bedbugs look like and where do they hide? - briefly
Domestic bedbugs are tiny, wingless insects about 4–5 mm long, flat, oval, reddish‑brown in color, with a pale, swollen abdomen after feeding and often a faint dark spot where the head meets the thorax. They conceal themselves in tight spaces such as mattress seams, box‑spring folds, bed‑frame joints, headboard cracks, furniture crevices, and luggage compartments.
What do domestic bedbugs look like and where do they hide? - in detail
Domestic bedbugs are small, wingless insects measuring 4–5 mm in length when unfed and expanding to about 7 mm after a blood meal. Their bodies are flattened, oval, and reddish‑brown; the abdomen may appear darker after feeding. The head is concealed beneath the pronotum, and the antennae consist of five short segments. Legs are slender, ending in claws that aid in clinging to fabric. Eggs are tiny, about 1 mm, and appear white or translucent.
These pests favor environments that provide easy access to human hosts and concealment during daylight hours. Typical refuges include:
- seams, folds, and tufts of mattresses, box springs, and pillowcases
- cracks in headboards, footboards, and bed frames
- behind wallpaper, picture frames, and wall hangings
- inside upholstered furniture, especially cushions and crevices
- behind baseboards, electrical outlets, and heating vents
- luggage seams, travel bags, and folded clothing left on the floor
During the night, bedbugs emerge to feed on exposed skin, returning to their hiding spots before daylight. Their ability to survive without feeding for months enables them to persist in rarely used rooms or stored belongings. Identifying the characteristic reddish spots of digested blood on bedding and the faint, sweet odor of their excrement can confirm their presence.