Bed Bug Identification

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Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on blood and often hide close to where people sleep or rest. They can spread from place to place by hitching rides in luggage, clothing, furniture, and other belongings.

Because bed bugs are excellent at hiding, identifying the insects and recognizing the signs they leave behind can help you catch an infestation before it spreads further.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Adult bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects with flat, oval-shaped bodies. Their appearance changes depending on their age and whether they have recently fed.

• Size: Adults are typically about ¼ inch long, roughly the size of an apple seed.
• Color: Young bed bugs may appear pale or translucent, while adults are generally reddish-brown.
• Shape: Bed bugs are flat and oval before feeding and may appear more swollen and elongated after a blood meal.
• Legs: Six legs.
• Antennae: Two antennae.

Bed bugs commonly hide in mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, upholstered furniture, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas. Larger infestations may spread farther from the bed into other furniture and areas of the room.

Bed bug bites may appear as itchy red bumps, sometimes in clusters or lines, but bites alone cannot confirm a bed bug infestation because reactions can look similar to other insect bites or skin conditions.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

Bed bugs can multiply and spread throughout a property, so recognizing signs of activity early can help limit the extent of the infestation.

Common signs include:

• Live bed bugs around mattresses, furniture, or other hiding areas.
• Dark fecal spots on bedding, mattresses, or furniture.
• Small blood stains on sheets or pillowcases.
• Pale eggs or eggshells near hiding areas.
• Translucent shed skins left behind as bed bugs grow.
• Unexplained bites, especially when other signs of bed bugs are also present.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can be difficult to control because they hide in small cracks and crevices and may spread beyond the areas where they are first noticed. Successful treatment often requires identifying the extent of the infestation and treating the areas where bed bugs are hiding.

Rocket Pest Control has been helping homeowners and businesses manage pest problems since 1958. Our technicians can inspect for bed bug activity and recommend a treatment plan based on the conditions present.

Think you may have bed bugs? Contact Rocket Pest Control today for a free quote.