What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Bed bugs are characterized by their red to brown color and flat, oval-shaped bodies, reminiscent of an apple seed in size. Their segmented bodies feature six legs and two antennae positioned at the top of their head. Adults typically grow to be 5 mm long, or about the size of an apple seed, while eggs are white and measure just 1 mm.
How Big are Bed Bugs?
Adult bed bugs typically reach a length of 5 mm, approximately the size of an apple seed. On average, they range from ¼ to 3/16 of an inch. Notably, their size can vary depending on whether they’ve recently fed. Post a blood meal, bed bugs exhibit a slightly longer, more cylindrical, and redder appearance. Although they tend to hide, adult bed bugs are visible to the human eye.
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Bed Bug Life Cycle
The life cycle of bed bugs comprises eggs followed by five nymph stages. Eggs are laid in various locations, including mattresses, furniture, wall cracks, baseboards, and floorboards. These eggs, white and oblong, measure around 1 mm. Nymphs resemble miniature adult bed bugs and undergo multiple exoskeleton sheds after blood meals before maturing into adults.
Bed Bug Identification in Suffolk County & Nassau County
Bed bugs are frequently mistaken for other insects such as carpet beetles. Since it can be challenging to properly identify a bed bug, it’s always best to reach out to a local bed bug removal company if you suspect you have an infestation. They can determine what type of pest you have and help create a custom treatment plan to get rid of the infestation efficiently.
Carpet Beetles vs Bed Bugs
Carpet beetles and bed bugs have many similarities. Both of these pests reproduce quickly, are small in size, and prefer to be inside your home. Thankfully, there are many differences that can help set the two apart:
- The main difference is their color. Bed bugs are reddish brown because they survive on blood. Carpet beetles are black or brown or a pattern of black, brown and orange.
- Both are about 1/5 inch long with short antennae.
- Bed bug larvae look like little worms, while carpet beetle larvae look like miniature fuzzy caterpillars.
- They are vastly different in their behavior. True to their name, carpet beetles devour fabrics like carpet, wool, and other natural materials. Bed bugs prefer to feed at night and get their name from their tendency to breed and live in mattresses or in and around beds. Carpet beetles are not blood-feeders and do not leave the bite marks that bed bugs do.
- It’s hard to see the signs of carpet beetles, which get inside through openings or spaces in the exterior of your property.
Behavior Differences: Carpet Beetles vs Bed Bugs
Carpet beetles eat a wide variety of foods including carpet, wool clothes and blankets, furs, hair, stuffed animals, feathers, silk, plant products, and pollen. They are excellent fliers and can enter homes through open windows. Carpet beetles start life as eggs, then become larvae before becoming adults. A carpet beetle larvae can live for over 2 years. At room temperature, the larval life span ranges from 258 to 639 days. The larvae are small, light brown, hairy and worm-like. The larvae cause the most damage to your home and clothing. You can prevent damage by storing articles in tight fitting garment bags or plastic storage containers. All garments should be cleaned before storage.
Bed bugs must have human or animal blood to survive. They can go for long periods without eating. They hitchhike from place to place on objects, people, mice, deer and other animals. Unfortunately, you can bring a bed bug home and not even know it!
Call Suburban Exterminating to help you to identify and get rid of both carpet beetles and bedbugs. Same day service is available (631) 864-6900 or (516) 864-6900.