What does a house bedbug look like and do they have a smell? - briefly
A house bed bug is a tiny, oval, reddish‑brown insect about 4–5 mm long with a flat, wingless body and visible segmented antennae. When threatened it can produce a faint, musty odor reminiscent of coriander or mold.
What does a house bedbug look like and do they have a smell? - in detail
The common household bed bug, Cimex lectularius, measures approximately 4–5 mm in length when fully grown. Its body is flat, oval, and resembles a small apple seed. The dorsal surface is a reddish‑brown hue that darkens after a blood meal, while the ventral side remains lighter. Adults possess six legs, each ending in a small claw, and two elongated antennae. The head is concealed beneath the thorax, giving the insect a smooth silhouette.
Key visual characteristics:
- Size: 4–5 mm (adult); 1.5–2.5 mm (nymphs, increasing with each molt).
- Shape: Broad, dorsoventrally flattened, oval.
- Color: Reddish‑brown, turning darker after feeding; nymphs are lighter, translucent.
- Wings: Absent; mobility relies on short legs.
- Eyes: Simple ocelli, not prominent.
- Mouthparts: Piercing‑sucking proboscis adapted for blood extraction.
Bed bugs lack a noticeable odor under normal conditions. When threatened or crushed, they release a defensive secretion from their scent glands. This fluid has a characteristic sweet, musty smell often described as similar to coriander or a “wet dog” scent. The odor is detectable only in close proximity and is not emitted continuously.
In summary, the insect can be identified by its small, flat, reddish‑brown body and six‑legged silhouette, while any distinctive smell is a short‑lived defensive response rather than a constant feature.