Bed Bugs Cimex lectularius

Identify Bed Bugs

Color: Unfed adults are mahogany; engorged bed bugs are red-brown. Nymphs are nearly colorless.

Size: Adults are 1/4 inch long. Nymphs range from 1.3 mm to 4-5 mm.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Shape: Flat, broad oval when unfed; swollen and elongated when fed.

Region: Found throughout U.S.

What are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, brownish-red bugs famous for dwelling in beds and feeding on humans while they sleep. They have been associated with humans for more than 3,300 years and can be found anywhere people live, gather, or travel – homes, apartments, hotels, schools, offices, retail stores and even public transportation. 

Despite their small size, bed bugs are extremely resilient. 76 percent of pest control professionals say that bed bugs are the most difficult pest to eliminate, largely because they hide easily, reproduce quickly, and can survive for months without feeding. Yet, many Americans underestimate how hard they are to detect. Data from recent surveys conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of National Pest Management Association
(NPMA) shows that only about one in four people know the signs of an infestation or how to inspect for bed bugs.

Bed bugs ability to “hitch hike” long distances on suitcases, clothes, linens, and secondhand furniture means infestations can spread before homeowners even realize there’s a problem. Many people don’t recognize they’ve been bitten, as bed bug bites are often painless at first and can take days to appear.

What Does a Bed Bug Look Like?

Bed bugs are oval shaped insects that only grow to about 3/16th of an inch in length. Before feeding, they are brown and flat. After feeding, they become redder, swollen, and elongated. Adults can be seen with the naked eye in mattress seams and other hiding places, while younger nymphs are smaller and paler. Bed bugs have six legs and two antennae. Despite having reduced “wing pads,” bed bugs do not have wings and cannot fly. Only about one in five Americans say they’ve ever seen a bed bug.

Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?

Bed bugs thrive anywhere humans spend extended periods of time. A 2018 Bugs Without Borders survey conducted by the National Pest Management Association found the 9 most common places they are discovered:

Single-family homes (91 percent)
Apartments and condos (89 percent)
Hotels and motels (68 percent)
Nursing homes (59 percent)
Schools and daycares (47 percent)
Offices (46 percent)
College dorms (45 percent)
Hospitals (36 percent)
Public transportation (19 percent)

They hide in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, behind headboards, inside electrical outlets, wallpaper, picture frames, and even within wall voids. Many travelers do not check their rooms thoroughly for signs of bed bugs, and surveys show that fewer than one in five Americans inspect their accommodations carefully before settling in.

Travel is one of the easiest ways bed bugs spread. A notable portion of Americans report encountering bed bugs while traveling, and many worry about unknowingly bringing them home after trips.

How to Identify Where Bed Bugs are Coming From

Check the bedsheets for tell-tale blood spots or sightings of the bugs or eggshells
Use a small flashlight to assist with visual inspections
Because bed bugs also tend to travel easily, be sure to vacuum suitcases and inspect for any signs of bed bugs upon returning from a vacation
Also consider bringing a large trash bag to keep your suitcase in during hotel stays and wash clothes on hot cycles once you return home, even those that haven’t been worn

Additionally, never bring second-hand furniture, especially mattresses and box springs, into a home without thoroughly examining for signs of bed bugs. You might consider having a  pest control professional  inspect the furniture as it is difficult to detect an infestation if you are untrained.

How Do Bed Bug Infestations Start?

Bed bugs often enter homes by latching onto clothing, suitcases, boxes, shoes and other items. Once inside, they spread to beds, upholstered furniture, baseboards, and other hidden areas. Bed bug populations grow quickly. Females lay one to five eggs per day and may produce hundreds in a lifetime. Adults can survive months without a blood meal and tolerate a wide range of temperatures.

Despite their prevalence, only about one-quarter of Americans say they can recognize the signs of an infestation, which allows populations to grow unnoticed.

Threats from Bed Bugs

Bed bugs do not transmit disease, but their bites can cause discomfort, itching, and stress. Many Americans report feeling concerned about being bitten by blood-feeding pests like bed bugs, mosquitoes, and ticks.

Bed bugs reproduce rapidly: females lay one to five eggs per day, potentially up to more than 500 in their lifetime. Nymphs can reach adulthood in as little as three weeks under ideal conditions. Once established, infestations can spread throughout a home or building and are extremely difficult to eliminate.

Survey data conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of National Pest Management Association revealed that 22 percent of Americans say they know someone who has dealt with a bed bug problem, and 7 percent report experiencing bed bugs in their own homes. Early intervention is essential to avoid an infestation.

How Can Bed Bugs Impact You?

Although bed bugs can dine on many warm-blooded animals, they primarily feed on humans. Because their bites are nearly painless, humans usually don’t notice or wake up when bitten. Bed bugs do not transmit disease, but their bites can cause red, itchy welts. These bites do not need professional treatment, and people who experience severe itching usually can find relief with topical steroid creams. Learn more about bed bug bites in this Medical Minute video.

Perhaps the most alarming feature of bed bugs is their fast-reproductive nature. Females lay 1-5 eggs per day, reaching up to 541 eggs in their lifetime. It only takes about 21 days for these nymphs to become adult bed bugs. Once bed bugs start, they can quickly infest an entire household or building. Once established, an infestation can be extremely difficult to get rid of. This is why it is so important to contact an exterminator as soon as a bed bug infestation is identified.

Bed Bug Bite Symptoms

Humans are the preferred host for bed bugs, and they will latch onto skin that is exposed while the host is sleeping. Although the bite is painless at the time of the attack, most people develop an allergic reaction to the saliva that is transmitted during the bite. This is what causes bites to become red, itchy and swollen. Bites tend to be found in a pattern or in small clusters. This can be an indication that the bites are from bed bugs and not a different pest.

However, some humans never have a reaction to bites, making a bed bug infestation hard to identify. After times of extended exposure, it is possible for humans to reach a point where they no longer have a reaction or their reaction may become more severe.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

Look for:

Small reddish-brown fecal spots on mattresses, upholstery or walls
Shed skins and empty eggshells
Live bed bugs in seams or crevices
Red, itchy bite clusters on exposed skin

Not everyone reacts to bed bug bites, so the absence of welts doesn’t rule out an infestation. When they do appear, bites are often small, itchy, and clustered on the arms and legs, sometimes taking two to three days to show up. However, bites alone are not enough to confirm bed bugs without supporting evidence such as fecal spots, shed skins, or live insects.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are extremely elusive creatures, so professional help should be sought when dealing with an infestation. You should not try to treat them on your own. I According to an NPMA survey, 76 percent of pest professionals say they are the hardest bug to eradicate. If you suspect or discover an infestation, contact a licensed professional immediately.

You can also find additional, specific bed bug prevention tips here:

Do Bed Bugs Only Come Out at Night?

Bed bugs usually come out at night to eat. This is because they are drawn to the carbon dioxide we expel when we breathe. A steady state of sleep produces a steady stream of CO2. However, they are opportunistic feeders and will take a blood meal during the day, especially in heavily-infested areas.

How Long Does it Take a Bed Bug to Feed?

Bed bugs usually require 5-10 minutes to engorge with blood. After feeding, they move to secluded places where they will rest, digest their meal, mate and lay eggs over the next several days.

How Long Can Bed Bugs Survive Without Feeding?

Adult bed bugs can survive for several months without a blood meal, which makes them very difficult to eliminate once they are established.

Can Bed Bugs Survive Extreme Temperatures?

Yes. Bed bugs can withstand temperatures from nearly freezing up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing them to survive in harsh conditions.

Do Bed Bugs Only Bite Humans?

No. Although bed bugs can feed on many warm-blooded animals, including poultry and other birds, they primarily feed on humans. Their bites are nearly painless, so most people don’t notice or wake up while being bitten.

Why Are Bed Bugs Considered Such a Serious Problem?

Bed bugs reproduce quickly. Females lay 1-5 eggs per day, reaching up to 541 eggs in their lifetime. It only takes about 21 days for these nymphs to become adult bed bugs. Once bed bugs become established, they can quickly infest an entire household or building and are extremely difficult to get rid of, which is why it is so important to contact an exterminator as soon as a bed bug infestation is identified.

What Do Bed Bug Bites Look and Feel Like?

Humans are the preferred host for bed bugs, and they will latch onto skin that is exposed while the host is sleeping. Although the bite is painless at the time of the attack, most people develop an allergic reaction to the saliva that is transmitted during the bite. This is what causes bites to become red, itchy and swollen. Bites tend to be found in a pattern or in small clusters, which can help distinguish them from other insect bites.

Do All People React to Bed Bug Bites the Same Way?

No, some people don’t develop any reaction to bites, which can make bed bug problems harder to identify. Others may react quickly after just one bite and develop itchy red welts on their skin. With repeated exposure, a person’s reaction may lessen over time or, in some cases, become more severe.

Do Bed Bug Bites Require Medical Treatment?

Bed bug bites do not need professional treatment, and people who experience severe itching usually can find relief with topical steroid creams.  Learn more about bed bug bites in this Medical Minute video. Medical experts agree it is critical to keep bite sites clean and avoid scratching to prevent secondary skin infections.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs

It is important to stay alert for bed bugs when using public transportation or spending time in public spaces like libraries. Travelers should be especially cautious, as hotel rooms are a common place for bed bugs to hide. Before settling in, thoroughly inspect the room—particularly the bed—since early detection can help prevent bringing bed bugs home.

Tips to help prevent bed bugs include:

Checking bedsheets and mattress seams for blood spots, live bugs, or eggshells
Using a small flashlight to assist with inspections in dim or tight spaces
Vacuuming suitcases and inspecting luggage carefully after returning from a trip
Keeping your suitcase inside a large plastic bag during hotel stays
Washing and drying all clothing on a hot setting after travel, even items you didn’t wear

You should also use caution when bringing second-hand or donated furniture into your home. Mattresses, box springs, and upholstered items should be thoroughly examined for signs of bed bugs before use. Because infestations can be difficult to detect without proper training, consider having a pest control professional inspect used furniture before it is brought indoors.

You can also find additional, specific bed bug prevention tips here:

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are extremely elusive creatures, so professional help should be sought when dealing with an infestation. You should not try to treat them on your own. Even pest professionals say they are the hardest bug to eradicate. If you suspect or discover an infestation,  contact a licensed pest control professional  immediately.  

Bed Bugs Cimex lectularius

Identify Bed Bugs

What are Bed Bugs?

What Does a Bed Bug Look Like?

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