What are bed bugs? What do bed bugs look like? What do bed bug bits look like? If you’ve suspected that these pests could be lurking in your home, you’ve likely asked yourself these questions. Suspecting bed bugs in your home can cause quite a bit of stress and worry. Identifying these pests accurately and quickly is an important step to getting rid of them. If you can identify them quickly, you can begin to take action or call in a professional bed bug exterminator. Here, we’re answering some common bed bug questions to help you identify these pests when it matters most.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, non-flying insects that belong to the insect family Cimicidae, which includes three species of bugs that bite. Bed bugs feed by sucking blood from humans or animals. It’s no wonder we want to keep these pests away from our families, right? Temperatures between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit are most favorable for bed bugs, allowing them to develop into adults most rapidly and produce up to three generations per year.
A bed bug infestation has nothing to do with cleanliness – you can pick them up in even the finest hotels, and they can hitchhike into the cleanest homes at any time. Luckily, you can help reduce your chances of a bed bug infestation by catching them early. Knowing how to identify best bugs can help you take action quickly.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
So, what do bed bugs look like to the human eye? What color are bed bugs? How big are they? We’ll dive into all of these questions to help you identify these pests in your home.
Bed bugs are small, oval insects with flat bodies, sometimes leading them to be mistaken for ticks or small cockroaches. Adult bed bugs are typically reddish brown in colors, appearing more red after feeding. They reach about 5 to 7 millimeters in length, about the size of an appleseed. Younger bed bugs, or nymphs, are clear in color, appearing a brighter red after feeding. These juveniles are harder to spot, with lengths as short as 1.5 millimeters.
The wings of bed bugs are vestigial, so they cannot fly. However, they are able to crawl at a fairly quick speed. You may see them scurrying across floors, walls, and ceilings, and are typically found in groups. Indicative of their name, bed bugs are commonly found in hiding places like our mattresses, bed frames, and boxsprings. Knowing how to identify bed bugs, based on their look and behaviors, can help you spot them before a full blown infestation occurs.
What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
If bed bugs do find their way into your home, you may start to notice bites and small marks, as they survive off of our blood. Knowing what a bed bug bite looks like to the human eye can help you detect if you have these critters in your home.
Bed bugs are most active at night and bite any exposed areas of skin while an individual is sleeping. The face, neck, hands, and arms are common sites for bedbug bites. A bed bug bite is painless and typically goes unnoticed.
So, what does a bedbug bite look like? Although you will not feel it when it occurs, you’ll likely see the mark it leaves behind the next day. Small flat or raised bumps on the skin are the most common sign, typically smaller than a quarter-inch across in size. They will likely be red on lighter skin, and a faint pink color on darker skin. However, unlike a flea bite, there will be no red spot in the center of the bite. You will typically see these bites in a zigzagged pattern, appearing in grouping of three or more. Commonly, a bed bug bite will cause redness, swelling, and itching to occur.
What are the Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation?
Besides identifying that you have bed bug bites, there are some other common signs that can help you to identify a bed bug infestation. Some of these other signs include:
- Rust-colored blood stains on your sheets, pillowcases, or pajamas
- An unusual, unexplained musty odor, which is caused by the pheromones of bed bugs
- Fecal marks, eggs, and shells left behind by bed bugs on your bed
- Finding live bed bugs on your bed, other furniture, or walls
There are several steps that you can take to protect your home from bed bugs, such as inspecting hotels that you visit. However, when these pests do enter your home, it is important to know what to look for. Being able to identify bed bugs will allow you to take action quickly to protect you and your family.
If you do see bed bugs or identify bed bug bites, act immediately! You need to call an expert like Eliminate’Em to take control of the problem and remove all Bed Bugs quickly. The professional technicians at Eliminate’Em are available to you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Give us a call. Toll-Free 1-866-652-1367 (7378) in Connecticut, New York & Massachusetts.
