What Do Bed Bugs Look Like? 100 Photos of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are the last thing any homeowner wants to deal with, but you need to identify these pesky critters for proper treatment. Many folks turn to the internet, frantically searching, Is this a bed bug? when they spot a suspicious insect. While bed bugs seem elusive, they have distinct characteristics that make them identifiable to the trained eye.

This comprehensive guide will walk readers through what bed bugs look like, how to spot them, and what to do if they suspect an infestation. With 100 photos of bed bugs in various life stages and situations, you will be well-equipped to identify these unwanted house guests and take action to protect your home.

Visually identifying a bed bug is usually an easy task for those familiar with them.

Bed bugs are typically reddish-brown, with six legs and two small antennae. Depending on where they are in their lifecycle, they can also be more of a white/clear color. Their bodies are usually flat and circular, though they appear more oval-shaped after feeding. Adult bed bugs typically measure 4-5 mm in length. Their coloring helps conceal them in various settings, allowing them to blend into furniture or bedding.

Like many insects, bed bugs go through several stages throughout their life cycle, from egg to adult. Each stage has a slightly different appearance. Eggs are tiny, pearl-white, and about the size of a pinhead. Hidden crevices or seams of furniture often reveal clusters of these eggs. Nymphs are smaller versions of adult bed bugs, ranging from translucent to light brown. As they grow, they mold and shed their skins. This shed skin is often an early sign of their presence. Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, flat, and oval-shaped. Typically, they are about 4-5 mm in length.

After a blood meal, bed bugs change in appearance. Their color shifts from a reddish-brown to a deep, dark red. Their bodies become more elongated and swollen, which gives them a different look from their usual flattened state. Their size also noticeably increases due to the ingestion of blood.

Bed bugs are notoriously great hiders. Understanding where they hide helps prevent a full-blown infestation. Their hiding spots vary, but they are usually near where people sleep or rest.

Bed bugs prefer dark, secluded areas near their food source: humans. Some common hiding spots include mattress seams and tags, box springs and bedframes, headboards, cracks in wooden furniture, behind wallpaper or picture frames, and electrical outlets or switch plates.

Besides spotting live bugs, there are other indicators of a bed bug problem. These include rusty or reddish stains, dark spots on fabrics or walls, bed bug eggs and eggshells, and shed skin from growing nymphs.

To help homeowners identify bed bugs, heres a comprehensive collection of 100 photos showcasing these pests in various situations and life stages.

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What Do Bed Bugs Look Like? 100 Photos of Bed Bugs