Picture of Bed Bug

"Picture of bed bug at each stage of development is depicted below. Pictures are provided to make it easier when asking "how to identify bed bugs." Note that bed bugs change in appearance as they move through their life cycle...from egg to baby bedbugs or nymphs to adulthood. Pictures are also provided to help distinguish bedbugs from other insects which are similar in appearance.."

Picture of Bed Bug

Bed bugs move through 5 instars or stages on their way to adulthood. To pass from stage to stage, the need to take in a blood meal. Bed bugs have a stylet on their head which is used to puncture the skin of their human host. Photos and descriptions of each instar can be found below.

To be sure, the easiest way to have a bed bug expert check a sample bedbug or have them come to your home. Check our list of local bed bug experts here.

In favorable conditions it takes between 4 weeks to 5 weeks to go from a hatched nymph to adult (at 83 to 90 degrees F). A nymph or baby bed bugs can live for 3 to 4 months without a blood meal, adults can live just over a year.

Picture of Bed Bugs at Each Life Stage
Baby Bed Bugs to Adults

Pictures of Bed Bug Eggs

Bedbug eggs are the size of a sesame seed (about 1 mm). They are white and oval shaped. On average, a 3 eggs a day are laid by females (for a total of 200 to 500 per female), which appear glued to the surface. This is why vacuuming is not an effective way to pick up the eggs.

Eggs are killed with sprays that are specifically labeled as being able to penetrate the egg. Steam via a hand steamer is also used to kill eggs as bed bugs and bed bug eggs are killed at 114F.

Picture of Bed Bug Eggs on Surface

Baby Bed Bug Pictures

Nymphs are lite brown and are approximately 5/100 of an inch in length. These baby bed bugs will change in appearance before and after feeding. They need to feed in order to move from instar to instar.

Baby Bed Bug Picture Before Feeding

picture baby bed bug

Appearance and Picture of Baby Bed Bugs after Feeding

Bed Bug Adults

Adult bed bugs are approximately 3/16 of an inch long. When you identify bed bugs, check the color which is red/brown in color and look for a 3 segment beak and 4 segment antennae. They have wings, which are referred to as being vestigial, meaning that they aren't used. The bugs are covered by fine gold colored hair.

Picture of Bed Bug - Dorsal View

Picture of Bed Bug Ventral View

The bed bugs give off an odor that can be detected by dogs, which is why many bed bug pest control companies use dogs to identify places where bed bugs are hiding.

Bed Bug Picture - Adult Male
Note the Pointed Abdomen

Bed Bug Picture - Adult Female
Note the Rounded Abdomen

From a side view bedbugs are flat.

Picture of Bed Bug

A bed bug changes in appearance and size before and after feeding as shown below: A bed bug feeds every few days, with feeding itself taking about 10 minutes.

bed bug photos

Insects that Look Like Bed Bugs

There are several insects that look like bed bugs. If you aren't sure, send a picture to this site via the contact form at the bottom of this page (we'll do our best to review) or better yet, send a sample to Harvard University School of Public Health for review.

Another approach is to ask a local pest control professional. Check our list of local bed bug experts here or call Service Magic at 1-877-233-1145.

Insects similar in appearance to bed bugs are shown below:

Insects that Look Like Bed Bugs - Swallow Bug

Bat Bugs are Also Similar in Appearance to Bed bugs

Picture of German Cockroach
Look for Young Roaches that look like bed bugs.
Look for rectangular egg cases and
fecal pellets. The color is more
brown than red.

picture of bed bug

Picture of Carpet Beetle and Warehouse Beetle
May appear in beds feeding
on hair and feathers. Larvae may shed
tiny hairs that cause itching but these
do not bite.

picture of bed bug

Picture of Shiny Spider Beetle
Shiny spider beetles are often
confused with bed bugs and ticks.
They feed on dried plant material,
seeds, or dried meat and do not bite
humans.