06/16/2026
What exactly is a bedbug, and how can you tell if you've found one? Understanding the basics of bedbug biology and behavior is one of the best ways to recognize a problem early!
What Do Bedbugs Look Like?
Adult bedbugs are about the size of an apple seed, with flat, teardrop-shaped bodies that are reddish-brown in color and have a striped, textured appearance. After feeding, they become swollen, elongated, and darker.
Life Stages
Bedbugs begin as eggs, progress through five immature nymph stages, and eventually become adults. Nymphs are smaller, lighter in color, and nearly translucent, making them harder to spot—but all life stages are visible to the naked eye and do not carry diseases!
Sign of Bedbugs
F***l matter appears as small clusters of dark, ink-like speckles. Eggs are extremely small and resemble tiny grains of rice, often found clustered together in protected cracks and crevices. After feeding, a bedbug may become over-engorged and leak, leaving behind small blood spots or streaks on sheets or pillowcases. Bedbugs also shed their outer skins, leaving behind empty exoskeletons. These signs are a strong indicator of current or previous activity, and are frequently found before a live bedbug is ever seen!
Feeding Behavior
Bedbugs feed exclusively on blood and are attracted to carbon dioxide, body heat, and other natural cues that help them locate a host. With regular access to a host, a single bedbug will typically feed about once a week before returning to a hiding place to digest. They generally prefer humans over pets due to fur.
Activity & Hiding Places
-Bedbugs are primarily nocturnal and typically emerge at night to feed. However, if populations become large enough, they may also be seen during the day. When disturbed, bedbugs move surprisingly fast and quickly seek cover.
-Despite their name, bedbugs don't just live in beds. Common hiding spots include:
• Mattress seams and box springs
• Bed frames, headboards, and furniture
• Nightstands and furniture joints
• Baseboards, outlets and wall voids
• Wall décor, picture frames, and books
Commonly Confused Bugs
Not every small bug is a bedbug. Bat bugs, carpet beetles, spider beetles, fleas, ticks, and booklice are all commonly mistaken for bedbugs.
📸 If you find an unknown insect, take a quality photo or save the specimen if possible. Proper identification is the first step toward determining whether bedbugs are actually present.
What About Bites?
-Bite reactions vary greatly from person to person. Some individuals develop noticeable welts, while others show little to no reaction at all. Because of this, bites alone should never be used to confirm a bedbug infestation.
-Seasonal increases in mosquitoes, biting flies, spiders, and other insects often lead people to suspect bedbugs when another pest is actually responsible. Bedbug bites also do not always appear in a row or straight line.
The more you know about bedbugs, the better prepared you'll be to recognize warning signs and take action early. If you ever have questions about bedbug behavior or need identification, we're always happy to help!
