Bed bugs are small, wingless, reddish-brown insects that feed on human and animal blood. Although they are commonly associated with unclean environments, bed bugs can infest even the cleanest of homes. But have you ever wondered what color are bed bugs? In this article, we will discuss the color of bed bugs, their appearance, and how to identify them.
Table of Contents
What Are Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped insects that are about the size of an apple seed. They have six legs and two antennae. Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, but they can also appear to be tan, yellow-brown, or even white after molting. Bed bugs are nocturnal insects, which means they are active at night when their hosts are asleep
BUGS AT HOME
We all have hundreds of insects in our houses and we can see only a few of them during the day. However, it could be better not to see them, sometimes you would like to find some.
Here are some other bugs in our houses:
- Spiders
- Cockroaches
- Ants
- Silverfish
- Ladybugs
- Centipedes
- Masked hunters
You can check this post in which we explained the differences between those bugs and bed bugs: https://bedbugdetected.com/10-bugs-mistaken-for-bed-bugs/
The Life Cycle of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs go through several stages of development before reaching adulthood. The stages are as follows:
- Egg: Bed bug eggs are about the size of a pinhead and are white. They are typically laid in cracks and crevices and take about 6-10 days to hatch.
- Nymph: After hatching, bed bugs go through several nymphal stages. Nymphs are smaller than adults and are yellowish-white in color. They molt, or shed their skin, after each stage and require a blood meal to progress to the next stage.
- Adult: Bed bugs reach adulthood after five nymphal stages. Adult bed bugs are about 5-7mm in length and have a flat, oval-shaped body. They are reddish-brown and feed on blood.
WHAT COLOR IS AN ADULT BED BUG?
The certain color of a bed bug depends on if it’s fed or unfed. Unfed bed bugs are mahogany to brown colored. When they are fed well they become reddish-brown.
COLOR OF BABY BED BUGS
Baby bed bugs are called nymphs and they are almost colorless when they first hatched. Then they keep their translucent or whitish-yellow unless they are fed. They become brownish when they grow up.
SHAPE OF BED BUGS
Bed bugs are oval-shaped creatures. However, they have flatted and oval-shaped bodies, their body will change after they are recently fed. Their body will become like a balloon and elongate after they are fed and they will turn to a deep reddish-brown color.
Conclusion
Beyond the words, if you want to see real bed bug pictures, you can check this post which has more than eighty pictures of bed bugs, bed bug eggs, and bites: bedbugdetected.com/bed-bug-pictures-and-photos
Bed Bug Identification Tips
If you suspect that you have a bed bug infestation, there are several things you can look for to help identify them. Here are some bed bug identification tips:
- Look for reddish-brown or yellow-white oval-shaped insects that are about the size of an apple seed.
- Check your mattress and box spring for signs of bed bugs, such as blood spots or dark fecal stains.
- Look for bed bug eggs, which are small, white, and sticky.
- Use a flashlight to check cracks and crevices in furniture, walls, and floors for bed bugs or eggs.
Remember that, most bugs at home will look like bed bugs and their color will be similar too. The best way of recognizing a bed bug is to compare a real one with a picture. So you can be sure about their existence.
Conclusion
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that can be a nuisance in your home. It’s important to know what bed bugs look like so that you can identify them and take appropriate action to get rid of them. Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, while nymph bed bugs are often yellow-white. Bed bugs can range in color depending on their life stage and whether they have recently been fed or not. If you suspect that you have a bed bug infestation, contact a pest control professional to help you eliminate the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are all bed bugs the same color?
A: No, the color of bed bugs can vary depending on their life stage and whether they have recently been fed or not.
Q: Can bed bugs be white?
A: Yes, nymph bed bugs are often yellow-white
