Guide to Bed Bug Information

table of contents

• Overview
• Appearance
• Identification Checklist
  
• Tips for Identifying Bed Bugs
  
• Similar Insects
  
• Identification Service
  
• Signs
• Bite Pictures
• Mattress Signs
• Bed Bug Egg Pictures
  
• Brochures

overview

Bed bug identification can be accomplished via pictures of the insects themselves along with other signs such as mattress markings and skin bites. 

It is easy to confuse bed bugs with similar looking insects, so look for multiple signs before concluding that you have an infestation. You can also bring an insect for confirmation to a local cooperative extension or send a sample to the Cornell Diagnostic Laboratory.

This page shows bed bugs pictures at every stage of development and provides multiple methods for identifying bed bugs.

Bed Bug identification: Appearance

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 have a 3 segment beak with a 4 segment antennae.

tips for identifying bed bugs

Adults are approximately 3/16 inches long, nymphs are smaller and start life about the size of a sesame seed.

Bed bugs are flat and covered with golden hairs.

insects confused with bed bugs

It is 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 Compared to Bed bug

Bat Bug Compared to a Bed Bug

Assassin or Kissing 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.

Carpet and Warehouse Beetle Adults

Spider Beetles

Other Insects Confused with Bed Bugs

• Tropical bed bugs
• Mexican Chicken/Poultry bugs
• Earwig
• Fleas
• Stink bugs
• Wheel bugs
• Ants
  

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 the Cornell Diagnostic Laboratory, which  specializes in insect identification.
  
• Check our local bed bug resources page
• Call a professional from our database or that is listed with Home Advisor (provides free extermination quotes)
  

other bed bug signs

Bed bugs 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 Bite Images

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. 

Bites are one form of bed bug identification.

Photo of Immediate Reaction to Bed Bug Bite

Mild skin reactions 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.

30 Minute Bed Bug Bite Reaction

Symptoms 48 Hours After Bed Bug Bite

Bed Bug Bite Compared to Scabies

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

bed bugs and mattress signs

Bed bugs leave behind egg shells, blood stains and fecal matter on the mattress and sheets.  They position themselves as close to the host (human) as possible. As the seams fill with bed bugs they spread to the box spring, head board, nearby furniture and then appliances and walls.

bed bug eggs

Bed bug eggs are white, pear shaped and about the size of a poppy seed.  They are 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 low cost bedbug sprays such as Sterifab (not all sprays kill bedbug eggs, check the label if buying a different brand).

What to do after discovering bed bugs

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

Apartment Renters or Owners

Contact your building management immediately in writing as several apartments will probably need to be treated.  Some municipalities require that building managers pay for treatment.  Other do not, 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.  See our resources section for specific State (U.S.) or country information.

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 Home Advisor Network.  You can also call 1.877.673.2704. 

Exterminators are pre-screened and should be  insured and licensed.  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.  For example, kits contain a knock down spray to kill bed bugs and eggs on contact, and another spray applied after the first to provide lasting protection. Kits have the added advantage of providing bed bug treatment instructions.

brochures

Each of these free brochures provide additional information on bed bug identification and treatment. (click on title to download each bed bug identification brochure).

Ask a question or share your experience

references

University of Nebraska Department of Entomology