Have you wondered what do baby bed bugs look like?
Knowing what to look for is the first step in preventing bed bug infestation.
And it always starts with locating these baby bed bugs.
But how will you prevent them from damaging your home if you don’t know what they look like?
Don’t worry because we’re here to help you out.
This article will provide all the information about the appearance and growth of baby bed bugs.
All About Baby Bed Bugs
Baby bed bugs, or nymphs, are three times smaller than adult bed bugs.
Some say that they look similar to lice, ticks, and cockroach nymphs.
If bed bugs look like apple seeds, how about baby bed bugs?
Are they more harmful than the mature ones?
Can they be located easily?
We will answer your questions in this article.
We have gathered some interesting information regarding the topic, “what do baby bed bugs look like.”
Feature #1. Translucent color
Baby bed bugs are known to have a pearl-white or translucent color.
And they are hard to notice in light-colored bed sheets and spreads.
With this, they will reach their prey in a matter of time without getting squished or killed.
This characteristic of baby bed bugs is also why they develop quickly through the stages of their cycle.
Additionally, their light color only stays after hatching and before their first feed.
Feature #2. They are visible to the human eye
Despite their color, you can see them, especially when they are in groups or crawls on a dark surface.
One of the most common myths about immature bed bugs is that we need a magnifier to locate them.
This myth has no enough evidence to be proven valid.
If you are observant about your surroundings, there will be no growing infestation in your home.
Feature #3. Size
Baby and adult bed bugs already differ in color but also in size.
Imagine a single grain of rice.
A baby bed bug looks like that in both size and color.
There are five nymph stages in the bed bug cycle.
In each phase, they grow about .5 mm.
So, when they are about 1.5 mm in the first nymph stage.
They will range from 3.5mm to 4.5mm once they reach the fifth stage.
Every nymph may have different sizes depending on how much food they consume.
Feature #4. They can scatter rapidly
Once an egg has hatched, the nymph could travel wherever it wants to go.
But they crawl mostly onto dark and tight surfaces.
If you happen to catch a glimpse of a single baby bed bug.
It’s a sign that there is an ongoing infestation.
Note that an adult female bed bug could lay about 500 eggs.
So, if you see a single nymph, there are still 499 hatchlings ready to crawl.
Moreover, bed bugs don’t crawl in groups but they have similar nesting places.
Feature #5. They consume blood
Baby bed bugs get darker in color once they consume animal or human blood.
Their reddish-brown color is also due to the blood they ingest.
You can easily see this color in their abdomen because their exoskeleton is translucent in color.
The good news is they cannot carry and spread blood-borne diseases.
But their bites are itchy and would make you scratch your arm, resulting in secondary skin diseases.
How To Get Rid Of Baby Bed Bugs
You have already learned about the appearance and other features of baby bed bugs.
Now, start protecting your home.
You can do this by following these steps:
Step #1. Observe
There is an ongoing infestation if you have seen one of them or smell a disturbing odor.
Baby bed bugs usually let out a smell similar to adult bed bugs.
You can also know if there are baby bed bugs in your bedroom if you woke up having itchy and swollen bed bug bites.
Observing this situation in your home will give you a sign if there is a growing infestation.
Step #2. Locate them
An adult female bed bug usually lays her eggs in one place and can mostly be found in dark and tight surfaces near its prey.
Such as under your bed or mattress, cracks, behind wallpapers, picture frames and many more.
You can also locate them if there are eggshells on the surface.
Baby and adult bed bugs nest in groups, and you can mostly find them where the eggs have hatched.
Step #3. Call in an exterminator
You can use home remedies to eliminate baby bed bugs.
But eggs, nymphs, and bed bugs are resistant to household products such as insecticides.
Eggs remain fertile after being sprayed on, and they still survive.
Products with neonicotinoid and pyrethroid mix have the highest mortality rate against bed bugs.
However, if you second guess their efficiency, you should call in a professional.
Bed bugs exterminators make sure that every corner of your household is well-sprayed and is bed bug-free.
So, make your call now.
Conclusion
And that’s it!
We have finished the tackle about what do baby bed bugs look like.
This article will guide you on how to look for baby bed bugs and terminate them.
Protect your home and prevent them from making more destructive infestation sites.
Stay safe!