Baby Bed Bugs

Baby bed bugs are bed bugs that are passing through the first 5 stages of development.  They are referred to as nymphs.  They are about the size of the head of a pin and are light brown/straw colored.

Picture of 2nd Stage Instar - Bed Bug Nymph

Bed Bug Bite Video

A bed bug (baby bed bugs-nymphs, adults) has a hollow tube or stylet which moves out from the head and into the host.  The sytlet impales the skin and then searches for a location where blood can be withdrawn.   In effect they bed bugs don't bite, they puncture.  It takes up to 10 minutes for a bed bug to finish the blood meal.  When done, they move back to their hiding place.

During its development a baby bedbug will pass through 5 stages (each stage is called an instar).  A bed bug will seek to feed on a human (or bat, bird as an alternative) as soon as they are born.  They need to feed in order to pass from stage to stage.  If a feeding opportunity is available they can feed more than one time between stages.  A nymph can live from 3 to 4 months without feeding.

 

It takes four to five weeks for a bed bug to move from egg to adult (1 week per stage), depending on the temperature.   The ideal temperature for development is 50 degrees F (10C).

Bed Bug Bites

Orkin Inc. recently completed a study which showed that only 3.7% of people will show a visible reaction to a bed bug bite (approximately 4 out of 100 people). Another .8% had a bed bug bite reaction within 18 days.  At these low levels, it is possible for a home to be suffering from bed bugs without actually seeing any skin reaction.  

A recent study by the University of Kentucky School of Agriculture study also shows that the odds of getting a bed bug bite skin reaction is even lower in elderly populations.

Here are some pictures of bed bug bites:

Bed Bug Video: Baby Bed Bugs or Nymphs

Bedbug Video

Life Cycle of the Bed Bug

As bed bugs develop they molt (shed their skin) between stages.  You can often find remnants of the bed bug on the mattress, a sure sign that there is or was some type of bed bug problem.

Bed Bug Eggs

Bed bug eggs are approximately 1mm in width.  They are white-yellow in color and tend to be laid in small groupings.  They are attached to each surface with a cement like substance.

A  female will lay about 500 eggs during her lifetime.  It  takes 2 weeks for a bedbug egg to hatch.  They will lay about 1 to 2 eggs per day.

Adult Bed Bugs

An adult bed bug will seek to feed every 3 to 5 days.  They live for approximately 6 to 12 months.

Bedbug Video of Adults in Action

National Geographic Bedbug Video

References

University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

Jama.com

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