Click Free Pest Control Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free pest control quote today.
overview
Bed bugs have three life stages and vary in appearance depending on the stage. They start in an egg that is 1mm in length and then are born into 5 baby (also called juvenile or nymph) stages (1.5mm to 4.5mm in length). This is followed by adulthood where the insect grows to approximately 3/8" (5.5mm long).
A picture of bed bug at each stage of development is depicted below. Pictures are provided to make it easier when asking "how to identify bed bugs."
Pictures are also provided to help distinguish bedbugs from other insects which are similar in appearance.
Bed bugs move through 5 instars or stages on their way to adulthood. After hatching they are about the size of a poppy seed. To pass from stage to stage, the need to take in a blood meal. Bed bugs have a stylet on their head which is used to puncture the skin of their human host. Photos and descriptions of each instar can be found below.
In favorable conditions it takes between 4 weeks to 5 weeks to go from a hatched nymph to adult (at 83 to 90 degrees F). A nymph or baby bed bugs can live for 3 to 4 months without a blood meal, adults can live just over a year.
The first signs of an infestation are usually bites on the legs, torso, neck or arms. Since the bites look like the bites of other insects such as mosquitoes, it is important to confirm the presence of the insects in other ways. This includes capturing an identifying an actual insect or the presence of fecal (black or brown marks) on a mattress.
To be sure, the easiest way to confirm that you have an infestation is to have a bed bug expert check a sample bedbug or have them come to your home. Check our list of local bed bug experts here.
Bedbug eggs are the size of a sesame seed (about 1 mm). They are white and oval shaped. On average, a 3 eggs a day are laid by females (for a total of 200 to 500 per female), which appear glued to the surface. This is why vacuuming is not an effective way to pick up the eggs.
Eggs are killed with sprays that are specifically labeled as being able to penetrate the egg. Steam via a hand steamer is also used to kill eggs as bed bugs and bed bug eggs are killed at 114F.
Nymphs are lite brown and are approximately 5/100 of an inch in length. These baby bed bugs will change in appearance before and after feeding. They need to feed in order to move from instar to instar.
Adult bed bugs are approximately 3/16 of an inch long. When you identify bed bugs, check the color which is red/brown in color and look for a 3 segment beak and 4 segment antennae. They have wings, which are referred to as being vestigial, meaning that they aren't used. The bugs are covered by fine gold colored hair.
The bed bugs give off an odor that can be detected by dogs, which is why many bed bug pest control companies use dogs to identify places where bed bugs are hiding.
From a side view bedbugs are flat.
A bed bug changes in appearance and size before and after feeding as shown below: A bed bug feeds every few days, with feeding itself taking about 10 minutes.
There are several insects that look like bed bugs. If you aren't sure, send a picture or insect to the Cornell Diagnostic Laboratory for review ($25 charge).
Another approach is to ask a local pest control professional. Check our list of local bed bug experts here or call Home Advisor at 1-877-233-1145.
Insects similar in appearance to bed bugs are shown below:
Look for Young Roaches that look like bed bugs. They lay rectangular egg cases and fecal pellets. The color is more brown than red.
Carpet and Warehouse beetles may appear in beds feeding on hair and feathers. Larvae may shed tiny hairs that cause skin itch. These insects do not bite people.
Shiny spider beetles are often confused with bed bugs and ticks. They feed on dried plant material, seeds, or dried meat and do not bite humans.
Each of these free brochures provides additional information on insects that bite.
Bed Bug Diagram
Diagram of bed bug anatomy.
Written by: FMCt/span>
Available in a free Ebook
Bed Bug Biology and Behavior
Overview of bed bug lifecycle and behavior. Bed Bug Pictures and lifecycle diagram.
Written by: Dini Miller
Available in a free Ebook
Do you have a question or great story about bed bugs? Share it!
University of Nebraska Department of Entomology
Harold J. Harlan, Board Certified Entomologist (B.C.E.)
Texas A&M
View original post here:
Picture of Bed Bugs, Anatomy and Diagram
- Bed Bugs Attack! - September 8th, 2011 [September 8th, 2011]
- Da Kid Future- Fabolous- Ne-Yo- Ryan Leslie Look At Her (You Be Killin' 'Em) - September 21st, 2011 [September 21st, 2011]
- Bed Bug Extermination - September 30th, 2011 [September 30th, 2011]
- Pest Control Albuquerque - Live Bed Bugs - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Ants and Bebugs at Hotel near the airport in Miami FL - Video - November 23rd, 2011 [November 23rd, 2011]
- Bed Bug Bite Marks | Bed Bug Rash | Bedbug Bites | Pictures of Bed Bug Bites - Video - December 23rd, 2011 [December 23rd, 2011]
- Human Bed Bug Feeding | Picture of Bed Bug | Bedbug Pictures - Video - December 23rd, 2011 [December 23rd, 2011]
- Live Bed Bug Picture | Bed Bug Images | Picture of Live Bedbugs - Video - December 23rd, 2011 [December 23rd, 2011]
- Pictures of Bed Bugs | Images of Bed Bugs | Bedbug Looking to Feed - Video - December 23rd, 2011 [December 23rd, 2011]
- Picture of Bedbugs up Close and Personal | Test Bed Bugs Pictures - Video - December 23rd, 2011 [December 23rd, 2011]
- Feeding a Bed Bug | Pic of Bed Bugs | Bed Bug Pictures - Video - December 23rd, 2011 [December 23rd, 2011]
- Feeding a Bed Bug | Images Of Bed Bugs | Bed Bug on a Human - Video - December 24th, 2011 [December 24th, 2011]
- Training a Bed Bug Sniffing Dog Live | Bed Bug Detection Dog - Video - December 24th, 2011 [December 24th, 2011]
- Feeding a Bed Bug | How to Feed a Bed Bug | Pic of Bed Bugs - Video - December 24th, 2011 [December 24th, 2011]
- Bed Bug Sniffing Dog Training Session | Bed Bug Detection Dog Training - Video - December 24th, 2011 [December 24th, 2011]
- Bed Bug Images | Fully Fed Bed Bug Nice and Fat | Bed Bug Pictures - Video - December 24th, 2011 [December 24th, 2011]
- Emails about bedbug situation - January 31st, 2012 [January 31st, 2012]
- UNO Deals With Isolated Bedbug Incident - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- Treating bed bug infestation (Burmese version) - Video - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- Preventing bed bug infestation (Burmese version) - Video - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- Treating bed bug infestation (Karen version) - Video - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- Preventing bed bug infestation (Karen version) - Video - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- Treating bed bug infestation (Arabic version) - Video - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- Preventing bed bug infestation (Arabic version) - Video - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- Preventing bed bug infestation (French version) - Video - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- Treating bed bug infestations (French version) - Video - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- University of Nebraska to Kill Bed Bugs - Video - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- UNL Criticized For Handling Of Bedbug Problem - Video - February 6th, 2012 [February 6th, 2012]
- UNL: Full Assault On Bedbugs Under Way - Video - February 6th, 2012 [February 6th, 2012]
- UNL Housing cooperation during bedbug situation raises concerns - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- A Few Bedbug Reminders - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- UNO Deals With Isolated Bedbug Incident - Video - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- Search Finds 54 UNL Dorm Rooms Infested by Bedbugs - February 13th, 2012 [February 13th, 2012]
- IFC discusses conference, character campaign - February 15th, 2012 [February 15th, 2012]
- Second Case of Bed Bugs Reported at UNK - February 18th, 2012 [February 18th, 2012]
- After bedbugs suspected in 166 rooms, accuracy of dogs is questioned - February 27th, 2012 [February 27th, 2012]
- Bedbugs confirmed in 166 rooms; treatments continue regardless of 'false-positives' - February 27th, 2012 [February 27th, 2012]
- Bedbugs confirmed in 166 rooms; treatments continue even in cases of false positives - February 28th, 2012 [February 28th, 2012]
- Can a Glass of Wine a Day Keep the Bed Bugs Away? - May 30th, 2012 [May 30th, 2012]
- Nina In New York: Apparently, Liquor Is Like Kryptonite To Bed Bugs - June 5th, 2012 [June 5th, 2012]
- Bug Bombs Ineffective Against Bedbugs, But Booze May Help - June 5th, 2012 [June 5th, 2012]
- Reports of Bed Bugs in Omaha Hotels - Omaha, Nebraska | Raveable.com - November 9th, 2013 [November 9th, 2013]
- Reports of Bed Bugs in Omaha Hotels - Omaha, Nebraska ... - November 18th, 2013 [November 18th, 2013]
- How to Kill and Get Rid of Bed Bugs - Do It Yourself Pest ... - November 23rd, 2013 [November 23rd, 2013]
- Omaha NE Dermatologist Doctors - Bed Bugs Bites, Signs, in ... - November 25th, 2013 [November 25th, 2013]
- Bed Bugs Omaha Nebraska Prevention and Treatment - November 27th, 2013 [November 27th, 2013]
- Bed Bugs Treatments2013 - Reviewed and Ranked - December 6th, 2013 [December 6th, 2013]
- Bed Bug Identification and Pictures Guide - December 7th, 2013 [December 7th, 2013]
- Dust Mites Vs. Bed Bugs | eHow - eHow | How to Videos ... - January 10th, 2014 [January 10th, 2014]
- Bedbug Information | University Housing | University of ... - January 22nd, 2014 [January 22nd, 2014]
- Bed Bugs in Lincoln Nebraska - Lincoln Journal Star Online ... - April 15th, 2014 [April 15th, 2014]
- Nebraska Shelter Announces It's Cleared of Bed Bugs, My Cleaning Products Recommends a Spray to Help Others Kill Bed ... - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- Bed bug infestations on the rise in Lincoln : Lincoln, NE ... - May 7th, 2014 [May 7th, 2014]
- Bed Bugs in North Platte Close Down Local Library, My Cleaning Products Suggests a Spray to Kill Bed Bugs Anywhere - May 29th, 2014 [May 29th, 2014]
- Bed bugs in Lincoln, Nebraska Got bed bugs? Bedbugger.com - October 13th, 2014 [October 13th, 2014]
- Bed Bugs | Informational Guide to Bed Bugs | Purdue ... - February 6th, 2015 [February 6th, 2015]
- Pest Control Service | Exterminator | Bed Bug | Omaha - February 24th, 2015 [February 24th, 2015]
- How to See Bed Bugs | eHow - October 5th, 2015 [October 5th, 2015]
- How to Use Diatomaceous Earth for Bed Bugs (5 Steps) | eHow - October 23rd, 2015 [October 23rd, 2015]
- How Can I Clean Furniture With Bed Bugs? | eHow - March 7th, 2016 [March 7th, 2016]
- Omaha Pest Control And Bed Bug Control | Omaha Nebraska - March 7th, 2016 [March 7th, 2016]
- Where Do Bed Bugs Nest? | eHow - March 30th, 2016 [March 30th, 2016]
- 20 Questions about Bed Bugs, Part 2 - About.com Home - December 11th, 2016 [December 11th, 2016]
- Bed bug infestation temporarily closes Alabama fire station - NTV - February 6th, 2017 [February 6th, 2017]
- Answer Man: Want to avoid bedbugs on vacation? Follow these tips - San Angelo Standard Times - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Disgruntled man releases bedbugs in Maine city office - WJLA - June 5th, 2017 [June 5th, 2017]
- Bed Bugs Are Most Drawn to This Color - Mind & Body ... - June 19th, 2017 [June 19th, 2017]
- Bed Bug Infestations | Bed Bug Eggs - livescience.com - June 19th, 2017 [June 19th, 2017]
- Treating the Common Bed Bugs, Cimex Lectularius - August 19th, 2017 [August 19th, 2017]
- Bedbugs | Nebraska State Historical Society - August 24th, 2017 [August 24th, 2017]
- Bed bugs - Signs of an Infestation & How to Get Rid of Bed ... - October 14th, 2017 [October 14th, 2017]
- Nebraska, United States Bed Bug Registry Map Bed Bug ... - February 19th, 2018 [February 19th, 2018]
- Bed bugs in Lincoln, Nebraska - Bedbugger.com - March 3rd, 2018 [March 3rd, 2018]
- The Bed Bug Company - April 16th, 2018 [April 16th, 2018]
- Lincoln, Nebraska Bed Bug Attorney - July 20th, 2018 [July 20th, 2018]
- Bed Bug Registry: Resources - March 9th, 2019 [March 9th, 2019]
- Managing Bed Bugs | Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County - March 18th, 2019 [March 18th, 2019]
- Bed Bugs Nebraska | Pest Control Omaha - Exterminator ... - April 25th, 2019 [April 25th, 2019]
- K9 Bed Bug Detect - Nebraska's First, Most Trusted, Most ... - March 15th, 2020 [March 15th, 2020]
- Omaha Pest Control, Inc | Bed bugs - Nebraska - March 15th, 2020 [March 15th, 2020]
Click Free Exterminator Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free exterminator quote today.