Bed Bugs 101: What Bed Bugs Look Like and Where They Hide

Bed bugs are small, brownish insects that likely get their name from their habit of taking refuge in beds and feeding on humans while asleep. Bed bugs are skillful hitchhikers, readily latching onto suitcases, clothes, or anything else they can find, and ending up wherever these items land. Their hitchhiking techniques allow infestations to spread rapidly.

Bed bugs are found in nearly every place people gather, including residences, hotels, schools, offices, retail stores and even public transportation.

Bed bugs are brown, flat and oval-shaped insects with six legs and two antennae. They grow to about 3/16th of an inch in length and 1/8th of an inch wide. They will become redder in color, swollen, and elongated after feeding.

Although these insects have reduced wing pads, bed bugs do not have wings and cannot fly.

Bed bugs only eat blood. Bed bugs do need to eat regular meals to survive and develop; however, it is possible for adult bed bugs to go several months without eating a blood meal. These insects dine on many warm-blooded animals, but they primarily feed on humans, latching onto any exposed skin. Bed bugs typically require 5-10 minutes to engorge with blood. After feeding, they move to secluded places to digest their meal, mate and lay eggs.

Bed bugs are often described as nocturnal creatures because they typically come out at night to eat, though they can sometimes take a blood meal during the day. They come out at night as they are drawn to the warm, steady stream of carbon dioxide a person emits while they sleep.

As their name suggests, bed bugs often hide in the bedroom. They also hide in:

Cracks and crevices in walls or wood

Armchairs and couches

Behind baseboards

Around mattress buttons

Within bedding

Inside box springs.

Stuffed animals

Suitcases

Upholstery of bus seats

Backpacks

Clothing

Seams and pockets of purses

Fluorescent light bulbs

Seats, carpet and vents on airplanes

Inside electrical switch plates

Picture frames

Wallpaper

Bed bugs are less dangerous than they are a nuisance. Bed bug bites are virtually painless and do not transmit diseases. However, most people develop an allergic reaction to the saliva transmitted during bites, causing red, itchy welts that can often be relieved with topical steroid creams. After periods of extended exposure, it is possible for humans to reach a point where they no longer have a reaction to bed bug bites, or those reactions may become more severe.

Be proactive. If youre about to take a trip, read up on how to prevent bed bugs to avoid bringing this pest home.

For additional tips and information on avoiding bed bugs while shopping, traveling, at college, at summer camp, and so on, read our articleBed Bug Prevention.

Once bed bugs enter a household, theyll quickly make themselves at home and are extremely difficult to get rid of, so dont waste time. If you are worried you may have brought bed bugs home, contact a qualified pest control professional to do an inspection and identify the problem. They are expertly trained in bed bug control and have the best experience in eliminating this resilient pest. A pest control professional, also known as a bed bug exterminator, can clearly explain how to get rid of bed bugs in your home. For help, use our zip code locator to find a pest control company near you.

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Bed Bugs 101: What Bed Bugs Look Like and Where They Hide