Bed Bug Egg

" Bed bug egg removal involves learning how to identify the eggs and then killing and/or removing them. Bed bug eggs are small, white, and about the size of the head of a pin (1/32"). Because of the small size they are difficult to find and offer require the use of magnification and flashlight when searching for eggs. They cannot be picked up with a vacuum as when they are laid, they are sticky and attach to the surface. Most bed bug sprays will kill bedbug eggs on contact (check the label). Since they are easy to miss, a failure to kill bedbug eggs is usually the reason why 2 to 3 treatments before a bedbug population is removed from a home. "

Bed Bug Life Cycle

A bed bug will pass through 5 stages (called instars) before reaching adulthood which is the 6th stage of the bedbug life cycle. To rate at which bed bugs move through the various life stages depends on the temperature of the room and the availability of a host. A bed bug must feed on a human or other warm blooded animal to move to the next stage. When born, a baby bed bug (instar) can inflict a bed bug bite in the same manner as an adult. Bed bugs can procreate in as little as 5 weeks after being born.

A bed bug can live from 10 months to about a year. Adults can survive for just over a year without a blood meal with baby bed bugs (nymphs) surviving for several months. In favorable temperatures (70-80F) bed bugs can completely develop in 30 days and can produce 3+ generations in a year.

A female bedbug needs a blood meal before laying eggs.

Picture Bed Bug Life Cycle

Bed Bug Egg

A female bed bug will lay 5 to 7 eggs/week, 1 or more eggs per day and 200-500 eggs over her lifetime. The eggs are small (1 mm, 1/32"), whitish in color and slightly pear shaped. Bed bug eggs are difficult to see without magnification and are about the size of a pin head or speck of dust.

An egg hatches in 10 days and will develop into an adult in 2 to 4 months.

When laid, the bedbug eggs are sticky, and adhere to the surfaces where they are placed. Eggs are found in harborages where bedbugs hide in loose clusters.

Pictures of Bed Bug Eggs

Various bedbug egg pictures are shown below. Given their small size, the eggs are magnified.

Picture BedBug Egg Next to Nymph (baby bed bug)

Picture Bed Bug Eggs on Surface

Picture Bed Bugs Eggs and Bedbug Nymphs

bed bug egg

Picture BedBug Eggs Cluster on Surface

Where to Find Bed Bug Eggs

Bedbug eggs will be located in locations near the areas where bed bugs hide as indicated in the picture below.

bed bug eggs

Picture Bed Bug Hiding Places

How to Kill Bedbug Eggs

There are several methods available for killing bed bug eggs. A vacuum will not pick up bed bugs eggs since they are stuck to the surface. Effective ,methods for killing bedbug eggs includes::

Knock Down Bedbug Sprays: There are natural and insecticide sprays that are effective at killing bedbug eggs.

Insecticide Based Bedbug Sprays: Our recommended options are Sterifab (pump spray, alcohol base plus synthetic pyrethroid), and Bedlam (aerosol that uses multiple chemicals). Both products have been independently verified (University of Kentucky Study) for being able to kill both bed bugs and bed bug eggs on contact. They both also work on insecticide resistant bedbugs, an important factor in areas with larger bed bug problems such as New York. Both products are mattress safe (follow manufacturers directions).

These bed bug sprays are more economically purchased as part of a bed bug kit, which includes the combination of products needed to kill bed bug eggs and bedbugs yourself.
Natural or Organic Bed Bug Sprays: The spray Bed Bug Patrol will kill bed bugs and bed bug eggs. It is manufactured using plant extracts which are known to kill both bed bugs and bedbug eggs on contact. The spray is mattress safe (follow manufacturers directions) and comes from a reputable organic products manufacturer. It is also available as part of a natural bed bug kit.

Bed Bug Treatment Heat: Bed bugs and bedbug eggs will be killed at 113F. There are several approaches for using heat.

Steam: A hand held steamer can be used to kill bedbug eggs. The steam is at approximately 250F, more than enough heat to kill bedbugs and bed bug eggs.
Dry Heat: Professionals use portable heating units to heat a room to the required temperatures. All bedbug eggs in the treated room will be killed. According to the New York City Department of Health, a home approach is to holding a hair dryer on hottest setting with the low air setting will generate enough heat when held on a surface for 30 seconds.

Portable heating units called a PackTite are available to home owners. They are designed to hold items such as a suitcase to ensure that no bed bugs or eggs were carried home. It is also the perfect way to treat typical items found in a home.

Wash and Dry Clothes: Washing clothes in hot water followed by at least 15 minutes in the dryer will kill all bedbugs and eggs.

Freezing: Eggs will be killed in 10 days in freezing temperatures (some studies show this will occur in as little as 5 days). Also a freezing spray such as a carbon dioxide spray used by professionals will kill bed bugs and eggs immediately.

Egg and Bed Bug Removal:

A quick home remedy is to use double sided packing tape to remove bedbug eggs. Place the tape on top of the eggs and pull. Dispose in a plastic bag and remove from the home.

Bedbug eggs are usually the reason why bed bug treatments fail. For this reason, it is preferable to call in a professional such as Terminix (1.877.289.4849) since they provide a free in-home inspection. Another good source of local experienced bed bug exterminators is Service Magic (1.877.233.1145).

If interested in doing it yourself, see our step by step instructions for bed bug removal.