What Do Bed Bugs Look Like To The Human Eye? 3 Amazing Facts!

Are you wondering what do bed bugs look like to the human eye?

Their appearance usually depends on what stage of development they are currently in.

what do bed bugs look like to the human eye

They vary in size and color, but they execute the same activities, such as consume blood.

And this article will discuss how different stages of bed bugs differ to the human eye.

So, stay tuned!

 

How Bed Bugs Look Like To The Human Eye In Different Cycle

The bed bug cycle has three main stages: the eggs, nymphs, and adult bed bugs.

These features of bed bugs will also help you familiarize yourself and locate them effortlessly.

And it allows you to differentiate them from other bugs or insects that look like bed bugs.

So, we have gathered some of the most observed characteristics of bed bugs in different stages.

And here they are:

 

Stage #1. Eggs

The thing is that the eggs of bed bugs are quite pale with a size of a poppy seed.

They also have an elongated capsule shape.

These eggs can be seen with the naked eye in principle; they are 1 mm in size.

However, they should be at least five days old to be recognized by the human eye.

So, if you aren’t an expert, they are difficult to recognize because of their small size and color.

If you’re trying to locate these eggs, bring a flashlight and a magnifying glass with you.

Moreover, bed bug eggs stick to the surfaces of the infestation site, which makes it challenging if you want to get rid of them.

You can try vacuuming or scraping them off, but we cannot be sure that there would be no eggs left behind.

 

Stage #2. Nymph

After the eggs hatched, baby bed bugs, commonly known as nymphs, change color from translucent tan to opaque.

Before reaching adulthood, they shred their skin a total of five times.

Nymphs are quite similar to a sesame seed or a grain of rice in terms of size.

Because of their small size, an infestation is more than likely to go unnoticed for several weeks, allowing the bugs to thrive and reproduce.

They digest blood and turn a bright crimson color when fed, making them easy to spot.

Their color returns to a transparent or whitish-yellow color if they are not fed for a couple of days and weeks.

In addition, nymphs need to consume blood to survive every nymph stage and to reach adulthood.

 

Stage #3. Adulthood

The adult bed bug resembles a tiny cockroach or tick and is around the size of an apple seed.

They measure up to 5mm in length.

When fed, it looks reddish-brown and has an oval, flat body.

Bed bugs have no wings, two antennae, and six legs that are shorter than their body.

Each leg is around half the length of the entire body.

The body of both adults and nymphs inflate, just like mosquitoes do after consuming blood.

Depending on the situation, their size can expand by 1-2 times.

Bed bugs require blood to survive and develop, which is why they prefer to concentrate near their prey.

Adult bugs are visible around the mattress, box spring, and headboard.

 

Health Concerns Brought By Bed Bugs

You have learned earlier what do bed bugs look like to the human eye in different stages of their cycle.

To know more about bed bugs and the harm they could do to you, we present to you how bed bugs consume blood using the parts of their body and how bed bug bites look like.

This information will help you know if your home is starting to get infested by bed bugs.

 

Concern #1. Bed bugs bites

An actual bed bug has three-segmented beaks, four-part antennae, non-flying wings, and short, golden-colored hairs.

How do bed bugs consume blood through their body parts?

Bed bugs use their antennae to guide themselves towards their sleeping hosts, you. And they are about half as long as their body.

As they have reached you, bed bugs will use their proboscis in their beak to suck the blood out of you.

Like a mosquito, they will also produce an itchy and swelling bite on the surface of your skin.

You will most likely scratch the infected area, which might cause secondary skin disorders.

 

Concern #2. Worsen allergies

When bed bugs bite, an anticoagulant substance is secreted, allowing blood to flow freely from the sufferer.

The body’s immune system reacts to this substance, resulting in moist bumps and unbearable itching.

Some people have sensitive skin, and this could harm them.

If you have a bed bug secretion allergy, the consequences can be even worse.

 

Concern #3. Bed bug PTSD

A bed bug infestation can also have psychological consequences.

Bed Bug PTSD could be a real thing.

People who have bed bug infestations report higher levels of paranoia, anxiety, and despair.

After encountering an infestation, sleeping may be challenging for some people since they tend to overthink that bed bugs are present or crawling on them.

The psychological impacts of a bed bug infestation can be even worse than the physical symptoms.

 

Conclusion

And that concludes our topic, “what do bed bugs look like to the human eye.”

Together with this are the health concerns brought to you by a bed bug infestation.

We suggest that you start taking action before the consequences worsen and they could cause more damage.

Keep safe!

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