Bed Bug Identification

" Bed bug identification can be accomplished via pictures of the insects themselves, and other signs such as mattress markings and skin bites. This page shows bed bugs pictures at every stage of development and provides multiple mehtods for identifying bed bugs.."

Bed Bug Identification

It's easy to confuse bed bugs with other common insects found in homes. If you find a bed bug, be sure to save it so that an entomologist or exterminator can properly identify the sample.

Bugs that are similar or often confused with bed bugs include:

Swallow Bug Identification: Swallow bugs are found in beds and bite humans.

Swallow Bug Identification

Bed Bug Picture

Source: Dr. Harold Harlan
Bat bug identification: this insect is commonly confused with bed bugs and also bites humans

Bat Bug Identification vs. Bed Bug Identification

Bat Bug Identification
Bed Bug Identification
Assassin or Kissing Bugs

Assassin or Kissing bugs
Bed Bug
Tropical Bed bugs
Mexican Chicken/Poultry bugs
German Cockroaches

Baby or young cockroaches are similar in appearance to bed bugs. Eggs are rectangular instead of the oval or pear shape found with bedbug eggs. Insects are closer to brown than red.
Source: University of Nebraska Department of Entomology
Carpet and Warehouse Beetle Adults

Carpet and warehouse beetles and larvae are found in beds. The beetles can shed hairs that cause skin itch. Beetles do not bite.
Source: University of Nebraska Department of Entomology
Spider Beetles

Spider beetles are often confused with bed bugs. Like the carpet and warehouse beetles, they do not bite humans.
Source: University of Nebraska Department of Entomology

Use a Professional to Identify Bed Bugs

There area several ways to have a sample insect correctly identified:

Contact Your Local Cooperative Extension Office: Many offices have a staff entomologist that can do bed bug identification for free.
Call a local University and ask if they have a staff entomologist or a department of entomology.
Call your local health department and see if they provide insect identification services.
Send a sample to Identify LLC, a company that specializes in insect identification, with this form ($20 charge). They are an excellent resource for any type of house bug identification.
Check our local bed bug resources page

Bed Bug Identification

Bed bugs change in appearance at different stages of the life cycle. They pass through 5 infant stages after being hatched. Baby bedbugs are called nymphs. They then pass into a 6th adult stage. They also change in appearance before and after feeding on a host.

Bed bugs at each stage of the life cycle. Picture is magnified.

Males have a pointed abdomen and females have a rounded abdomen.

Male Bed Bug

Female Bed bug

Bed bugs have a 3 segment beak with a 4 segment antennae.

bed bug identification
Bed bug Dorsal View

bed bug identification
Bed Bug Ventral View

Bed Bugs Signs

Bed bugs also leave behind signs that they are present. This includes:

Odor or Smell: At times a bed bug infestation will give off a musty or raspberry type odor. There are other scents given off that are detected by trained bed bug sniffing dogs.
Bed Bug Bites: Bed bugs tend to bite just before dawn and in some individuals will cause an allergic skin reaction. Bed bug bites can appear immediately to as late as 14 days after being bitten, depending on the sensitivity of the individual. Since bed bug bites are an allergic reaction, those that do react vary in severity. Bites can appear as a single bite, or in clusters, patterns or groups. Bites have clear centers, unlike flea or mosquito bites which have red centers.

Picture Bed Bug Bites - Immediate reaction after bed bugs bites. Mild skin reaction which will heal in 2 to 3 days. Bites result in skin itch which can be treated with an over the counter topical such as Aveeno or a product made specifically for bed bug bite itch.

Picture bed bugs bites reaction 30 minutes after being bitten
Photo by H. J. Harlan

Picture Bed Bug Bite 48 Hours after Being Bitten. Bites are a common source of bed bug identification.
Photo: by H.J. Harlan

Bed bug bites and scabies identification are often confused. Read more about causes of body itch.

Picture of Scabies Bites.
Fecal Markings on the Bed: Bed bugs leave behind egg shells, blood stains and fecal matter on the mattress and sheets.

Bed Bug signs on mattress

Bed Bug stains on mattress

Bed Bug fecal stains on mattress

Live Bed Bugs on Mattress

Bed Bugs Mattress Infestation Picture
Bed Bug eggs: Bed bug eggs are white, pear shaped and about the size of a poppy seed. They care laid in groupings of 3 to 5 eggs and are stuck to rough surfaces with a sticky substance. Eggs can be removed with packing tape, or killed with steam or bedbug sprays/

Picture Bed Bug Eggs, Feces and Live Bed Bugs on Mattress

Bed Bug Eggs on Surfaced

Bed Bug Identification Next Steps

Once you confirm that you have bed bugs, your next steps are as follows:

Apartment Owners: Contact your building management immediately as several apartments will probably need to be treated. Most municipalities do not require that building managers pay for treatment, so if this is the case, see if you can split the cost. Other options are to organize tenants, or contact a local health department.
Home Owners: Contact a local experienced bed bug professional. Since treatment can cost $1,000 or more and companies use different methods, at minimum contact 2 companies. A good place to start is the Service Magic Network (1.877.233.1145) which certifies that members are pre-screened, and are insured and licensed. They will also provide up to 4 free quotes. You can also search our list of local contractors.

If you prefer to treat a bed bug infestation yourself, it requires a combination of products which can be economically purchased in a bed bug kit. Kits have the added advantage of providing bed bug treatment instructions.