Recognizing a Bed Bug

From its appearance

Bed bugs are small insects that feed
mainly on human blood. A newly hatched
bed bug is semi-transparent, light tan in
color, and the size of a poppy seed. Adult
bed bugs are flat, have rusty-red-colored
oval bodies, and are about the size of an
apple seed.
Bed bugs can be easily confused with
other small household insects, including
carpet beetles, spider beetles and newly
hatched cockroaches (nymphs).








From its markings, droppings
and eggs
Blood stains, droppings and eggs can
be found in several locations including:
• Mattress seams and tufts, sheets, pillow
cases and upholstered furniture.
• Crevices and cracks in furniture.
• Baseboards of walls.
Carpet beetle
Spider beetle Cockroach nymph
(juvenile)
Bed bug adult
(fed & unfed)









From its bite
Some people do not react to bed bug bites.
But for those who do, bite marks may
appear within minutes or days, usually
where skin is exposed during sleep. They
can be small bumps or large itchy welts.
The welts usually go away after a few
days. Because the bites may resemble
mosquito and other insect bites, a bump
or welt alone does not mean there are
bed bugs.

What should I do if I find bed bugs?

Integrated pest management, which uses multiple ways to get rid of pests, is one of the best ways to rid your home of bed bugs. Prevention, sanitation, and pesticide/insecticide use are several tactics that can be applied.

How long do bed bugs live?

The typical life span of a bed bug is between 10 months and a year. In general, bed bugs seek a meal of blood every 4 or 5 days. However, they can survive for weeks to several months without eating.

Are bed bugs dangerous?

Bed bugs do not transmit disease. However, bed bug bites can cause large itchy welts on the skin. A person’s reaction to insect bites is an immune response and can vary widely from person to person. The bites themselves are usually painless and rarely awaken a sleeping person.

Why don’t people see bed bugs?

Bed bugs are most active between midnight and 3 am. They are rarely active during daylight hours, and only come out when they sense the warmth and odors of a body at rest.
Because of their small flat bodies, they can hide in the cracks and crevices of mattresses, bedding, furniture, and draperies, and are difficult to spot without careful inspection.

Where are bed bugs found?

Bed bugs are found most often around areas where people sleep or rest. Adult bed bugs or evidence of their presence can be found with the aid of a flashlight and careful inspection. Small bloodstains from crushed bed bugs or dark brown spots from bed bug droppings may be evident on mattresses. Because bed bug nymphs shed their skin several times, the “empty shells” may also be evident.

What are bed bugs?

A bed bug is a small insect without wings. Adult bed bugs look similar to a tick and have flat copper colored bodies that are about ¼ inch in length. Young bed bugs (nymphs) are nearly colorless and very small. Bed bugs mostly feed on the blood of humans.