What Do Bed Bugs Look Like to the Human Eye?

You wake up one morning and find suspicious marks on your skin. Could you be dealing with a bed bug infestation? It can be challenging to tell whether you’ve had a run-in with a biting parasite like a mosquito or a bed bug.

What do bed bugs look like to the human eye? Specific telltale signs can tell if you have a bed bug infestation. Read on to learn how these pests look like to the human eye.

How Do Bed Bugs Look Like to the Human Eye?

As Eggs

Bed bugs as eggs look like white poppy seeds. They are pearly grew after the female lays them in the first five days. On the sixth day, they look like tiny black dots. The dots are the eyespots for the bed bug. It’s impossible to spot them in the dark, and you can easily miss them. You may need a magnifying glass to identify the eggs.

As Nymphs

What do baby bed bugs look like to the human eye? Immature bed bugs also called nymphs have a translucent tan coloring and look like a small capsule. They feed on human blood, something that makes them turn into a reddish color. Nymphs molt five times before they get to adulthood. They turn into something not bigger than a sesame seed that makes it easy to spot them.
Nonetheless, due to their small size, it may be difficult to tell if they are bed bugs. Failure to identify them earlier on could lead to an infestation as the bugs grow and multiply.

Adults

Grown bed bugs have an oval, flat body that looks like small cockroaches. They have a reddish-brown color after they’ve fed. Their body turns round like a pinhead once they are full.
Bed bugs have six legs, two antennae, and are wingless. Their legs are half of their body length, which doesn’t exceed 5mm in size. These insects prefer settling near people, as they need blood to molt and survive.

Can You Identify Bed Bugs in Stages of Development?

Yes, bed bugs are visible in all stages of their development. However, with them being tiny and evasive, it can be challenging to detect and identify them. It’s easier to see signs of the pests than the bugs. Look out for bed bugs signs like eggshells, bloodstained spots, live bed bugs, and fecal spots as this indicate that you may be dealing with an infestation.

Pest Control For Bed Bugs

If you suspect that you may have a bed bug infestation, contact a professional pest control company immediately. They have the expertise, equipment, and experience to handle this problem.