Adult bedbugs are indeed visible to the human eye — although some of united states of america may need to put on our prescription glasses.

Bedbugs are usually about the size of an apple tree seed, which is about 5 to 7 millimeters long, co-ordinate to the Environmental Protection Agency.

These pests can resemble a lot of other household bugs, so information technology's important to know the difference between bedbugs and similar ones, like the rug beetle or cockroach.

Keep reading to find out how to detect and identify bedbugs — also as how to go rid of them if they're in your dwelling.

What they wait like

Bedbugs can vary slightly in appearance by region. They commonly accept a few similarities, though, including:

  • Size. Their eggs are roughly the size of a pinhead. Adults are the size of an apple seed.
  • Color. Bedbugs are brownish to ruddy-dark-brown.
  • Shape. They may have an oval-shaped or elongated torso.
  • Smell. They take a musty smell.
  • Wings. Although they take wings, bedbugs don't fly.

It'southward of import to know that young bedbugs aren't visible to the naked eye (unless they've eaten recently). They're usually very pocket-size and translucent to whitish-yellow in color.

Share on Pinterest
An adult bedbug is roughly the size of an apple seed and cherry-red-brown in color.

Where to observe them

Sometimes, you may non see the bugs themselves, just instead the remains they leave backside. This includes:

  • ruby or rust-colored stains on bedsheets or mattress due to the bedbugs existence crushed
  • bedbug poop, which looks similar dark dots that may appear blurry
  • small eggs or shells of eggs

You may spot these remains when cleaning or changing bedding. Bedbugs can hibernate most anywhere that'south large enough to fit a credit card. Therefore, you tin can find them not only in a bed, but also:

  • in curtain folds
  • in drawer joints
  • under loose wallpaper
  • in chair seams
Share on Pinterest
Y'all might find bedbugs (and their poop) in the seams of mattresses or furniture.

Bedbugs prefer to feed off humans (lucky us). They usually feed at night while you're sleeping, so y'all're less likely to exist aware of them. However, some bedbugs will feed during the day.

Some means you can recognize a bedbug bite include:

  • a curved-shape pattern to the bedbug bites of ordinarily three to iv bites
  • intense itching, usually in the morn
  • bites that are normally about two to 4 millimeters in size
  • bites that occur mostly on the artillery and legs
  • bites that accept pocket-sized blisters on pinnacle of them

Bedbug bites may also cause allergic reactions. This can include itching, redness, and swelling at the bug bite site.

If you aren't sure whether a bite is from a bedbug, see your dermatologist or master intendance doctor. The bites tin can wait like flea, musquito, scabies, or body lice bites.

Share on Pinterest
Bites from bedbugs tin can appear as red, itchy bumps.

Getting bedbugs doesn't have anything to do with how clean your home is.

Bedbugs are "hitchhikers" that many people can choice up accidentally while traveling. They can become onto your dress while staying in a hotel or at another person's home, and you bring them home.

You lot tin can also accidentally bring bedbugs home when purchasing used furniture.

Bedbugs can survive for upward to 1 twelvemonth without feeding. Information technology's of import to inspect your items, fifty-fifty when they've been in storage for some time.

Treating bedbugs usually involves a comprehensive approach where you not just care for bedding, just also clean up whatever clutter and other items where bedbugs and their eggs may be.

Sometimes, if an infestation is severe, you may have to call a professional.

Here are some recommended approaches to removing these unwelcome critters.

Oestrus

Bedbugs usually can't survive past temperatures between 114°F (45°C) and 115°F (46°C), according to Virginia Tech.

Pest management professionals may use special steam cleaning devices that deliver steam consistently and in such a way that it doesn't spread bedbugs and their eggs to other locations.

Pest direction professionals may also utilize special heaters placed in a room that estrus it to high temperatures to kill the bugs. However, special intendance must be taken for items in the room to ensure they're non melted or damaged due to the loftier heat.

While steam cleaning can effectively eliminate bedbugs, y'all still must make clean up other cluttered areas where the bedbugs are. It'due south not a one-terminate method.

Diatomaceous earth (DE)

Diatomaceous earth is a dust you can utilise to areas such as bed frames, carpets, and even pet bedding. The dust sticks to the bedbugs and basically dries them upwards from the inside out, killing them.

Different types of diatomaceous earth exist. Ones that piece of work on bedbugs include an animal food additive and insecticide.

Don't use the diatomaceous globe type that'due south in pool filters. This type is an inhalation hazard within the home.

Insecticides

Insecticides, such as those that contain pyrethroids, are somewhat effective for killing bedbugs. This is because you can usually employ them to cracks and crevices, simply non directly to all areas where bedbugs are.

Carefully read insecticide labels before applying, and use only as directed. Sometimes, you lot may need a pest professional who has special application equipment.

Mattress encasements

Mattress encasements are special impermeable covers that keep bedbugs from inbound your mattress as well as existing bedbugs from escaping. These covers must encase both the mattress and all box springs.

You can likewise buy encasements for pillows. All encasements must accept a zipper protector that's zipped tightly closed to ensure in that location'southward no route for bedbugs to enter or leave.

You can buy encasements for mattresses and pillows online.

Clutter cleanup

While you can care for bedding and other areas of your dwelling house with insecticides, there are some items you can't treat. This includes unused ataxia, such as:

  • newspapers
  • magazines
  • junk mail

If you don't use an item anymore, place information technology in a sealed bag and throw it away. Also identify clothing and other washable materials in sealed bags for washing.

Many pest management professionals will advise dissolvable laundry bags that seal. You then place the bagged laundry into the washer, and the hot water will dissolve the bag.

You tin find dissolvable laundry bags online.

Don't accept items from one room where you know bedbugs are to some other room. But take them direct to the trash.

Near of the time, bedbug bites will go away on their own. If you lot have a more than severe reaction to them, you may wish to apply topical steroids or take an oral antihistamine.

An article in The Periodical for Nurse Practitioners recommends using the acronym Slumber to prevent bedbugs from coming to your home later on traveling:

  • Due south is for survey. When traveling, look for any signs of potential bedbugs, such as rust-colored spots on sheets, bed skirts, or mattress tags.
  • L is for lift. Expect at bedding, the bed frame, and furniture for whatsoever signs of bedbugs.
  • Eastward is for drag. Place luggage and other personal items on luggage racks abroad from beds.
  • E is for examine. Expect at baggage and clothing items before returning habitation.
  • P is for identify. Identify all clothing in a dryer on high heat for at least 15 minutes after getting abode.

Bedbugs tin can also hitchhike onto many items you could bring into your dwelling house. This includes used furniture and habiliment. Before you lot bring these items into your home, exercise a thorough inspection.

Bedbugs are a nuisance best treated equally quickly equally possible in one case yous identify them.

Often, you must use several methods to ensure they're completely gone from your dwelling. In one case they are, use conscientious methods when traveling to ensure you don't bring them back.