Are you waking up to itchy bites on your skin? Do you suspect that you have a bed bug infestation in your home? If so, you may be dealing with more than just adult bed bugs. Baby bed bugs, also known as nymphs, can be just as problematic as their adult counterparts. In this article, we will take a closer look at what baby bed bugs are, how to identify them, and what you can do to get rid of them.
Table of Contents
BED BUGS FEATURE
You can easily differentiate bed bugs from other bugs at home by identifying the following psychical features:
- Bed bugs are 1 to 5 mm sized
- They are oval shaped
- They do not have wings
- They have 6 legs and 2 antennas
- Bed Bugs Color
For more information about what Bed Bug looks like, you can check these posts
WHAT ARE BABY BED BUGS?
However you call them baby bed bugs, those little bed bugs are literally called nymphs. Before explaining these bugs or nymphs, you must learn about the life stages of bed bugs.
Bed bugs have 3 life stages: Egg, nymph, and adult. As you can see easily, they are eggs first. After hatching the eggs, bed bugs that hatched are called nymphs and when they grow big enough, they’re called adults Bed Bugs.
Identifying Baby Bed Bugs
Appearance
These early-stage bed bugs are small and translucent, with a whitish-yellow color. They are roughly the size of a pinhead when they first hatch and can grow up to 4-5mm in length as they reach adulthood. At each stage of development, their color darkens and their bodies become more elongated.
Behavior
Like adult bed bugs, these bed bugs are nocturnal and prefer to feed on their hosts at night. They are also very good at hiding, and they can squeeze into tight spaces that are difficult to reach. They are attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans exhale and the warmth of our bodies, which helps them locate their hosts.
Signs of a Baby Bed Bug Infestation
If you suspect that you have a baby bed bug infestation in your home, there are several signs to look out for.
Bites
Tiny bed bug bites are similar to adult bed bug bites and typically appear as small, red, itchy welts on the skin. However, because these tiny bed bugs are smaller than adults, their bites may be more difficult to see.
Blood Spots
When small bed bugs feed, they can leave behind small blood spots on sheets and other bedding. These blood spots are typically about the size of a pinhead and may be red or brown in color.
Fecal Matter
As mini bed bugs digest their blood meals, they will excrete fecal matter that can appear as dark spots or smears on bedding, furniture, and walls. These spots are often referred to as “bed bug poop” and may be mistaken for other types of stains.
How Do Baby Bed Bugs Get into Your Home?
Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can easily travel from one location to another on clothing, luggage, and other personal belongings. Here are some of the most common ways that baby bed bugs can enter your home:
Travel
If you travel frequently and stay in hotels or other accommodations, you may inadvertently bring bed bugs home
Second-hand Furniture
Second-hand furniture, such as mattresses, couches, and chairs, can be a common source of bed bugs. When purchasing used furniture, it’s important to inspect it thoroughly for signs of bed bugs before bringing it into your home.
Clothing and Personal Belongings
Bed bugs can also hitch a ride on clothing and other personal belongings. If you come into contact with bed bugs while you’re out and about, they may attach themselves to your clothing or backpack and travel home with you.
Conclusion
Baby bed bugs are almost the same as adult bed bugs. They are a few mm smaller and a little bit thinner than big ones.
The bite of the small bed bug isn’t different from an adult bed bug’s bite. The main difference between these bed bugs and adult bed bugs is their size.
What you must care about is to have some bed bugs at home, not to have baby or adult ones. Those posts below may help you on fighting with bed bugs, especially at home.
FAQs
How long do baby bed bugs live?
Baby bed bugs can live for several months, depending on the availability of food and other environmental factors.
Can baby bed bugs be killed by cold temperatures?
Yes, bed bugs, including baby bed bugs, can be killed with cold temperatures, but it typically requires temperatures well below freezing for an extended period of time.
