Bed bugs are not always easily spotted. Being that they mainly come out at night when people are sleeping, that makes it even more challenging to spot them. So, how can you identify them so you can get rid of them as quickly as possible? There are a few ways to tell whether you’re dealing with bed bugs, or another pest altogether.
Bed bugs are very small and flat. In fact, they can slip into any space that you could fit a credit card. They also have oval-shaped bodies, which can help distinguish them from other pests. Like many insects, they have six legs and two antennae. Although people don’t always realize it, bed bugs have hair that is short and golden in color. This doesn’t necessarily look like hair and actually gives bed bugs the appearance of having stripes.
Adult bed bugs look red or brown in color. They are usually about five or seven millimeters long. Shortly after they feed, bed bugs can swell, causing them to appear fatter and darker. Bed bug nymphs, or babies, are even smaller. They are approximately two to four millimeters in size, which is no bigger than the head of a pin. They remain white in color until they start to eat human blood. It’s this light color that allows nymphs to so effectively blend in with their surroundings, such as bedding and mattresses.
Knowing how to easily spot and identify bed bugs is important. When looking for bed bugs around the home, it’s a good idea to use a magnifying glass to do it. These creatures, particularly the nymphs, can be very difficult to see and a magnifier will help.
