What does a domestic bedbug look like in a bed? - briefly
A domestic bedbug is a flat, oval, reddish‑brown insect roughly 4–5 mm long, commonly found along mattress seams, folds, or headboard cracks. It is wingless, with a smooth dorsal surface and often has tiny white eggs attached to the fabric.
What does a domestic bedbug look like in a bed? - in detail
A domestic bed bug is a flat, oval‑shaped insect about 4–5 mm long when fully fed and 2–3 mm when unfed. Its body is reddish‑brown, becoming darker after a blood meal. The dorsal surface is smooth, lacking wings or visible antennae, while the ventral side shows a light‑colored abdomen with a pale, almost translucent membrane covering the legs.
Key visual markers on a mattress or bedding include:
- Size and shape: Small, elongated oval; easily mistaken for a small apple seed.
- Color variation: Light brown to deep mahogany after feeding; pale when empty.
- Body segmentation: Distinct head, thorax, and abdomen; abdomen may appear swollen after a meal.
- Legs: Six short, slender legs tucked under the body; not protruding.
- Eyes: Two dark, dot‑like compound eyes on the head, often invisible without magnification.
- Eggs: Tiny, white, about 1 mm in length; clustered in lines or scattered across seams.
In a bed, the insects are most often located:
- Along the seams and folds of the mattress.
- In the creases of the box spring or headboard.
- Beneath the fitted sheet, especially near the pillow area.
- Within the folds of a duvet or comforter.
After feeding, a bed bug’s abdomen expands, giving it a bloated appearance. The exoskeleton remains glossy, and the insect may leave a faint, rusty‑colored spot where it has been crushed. These characteristics allow reliable identification without reliance on subjective descriptions.