Adult and Juvenile Actual Size Bed Bugsoverview
Bed bug identification can be accomplished via pictures of the insects themselves along with other signs such as mattress markings and skin bites.
It is easy to confuse bed bugs with similar looking insects, so look for multiple signs before concluding that you have an infestation. You can also bring an insect for confirmation to a local cooperative extension or send a sample to the Cornell Diagnostic Laboratory.
This page shows bed bugs pictures at every stage of development and provides multiple methods for identifying bed bugs.
Magnified View of Bed Bug on Skin
Bed Bug Actual SizeAdult Bed Bug Actual Size
Bed Bug identification: Appearance
Bed bugs change in appearance at different stages of the life cycle. They pass through 5 infant stages after being hatched. Baby bedbugs are called nymphs. They then pass into a 6th adult stage. They also change in appearance before and after feeding on a host.
Bed Bugs at each stage of the life cycle. Pictures is Magnified
 Male Bed Bug |
 Female Bed Bug |
Bed bugs have a 3 segment beak with a 4 segment antennae.
Bed Bug Dorsal View
Bed Bug Ventral ViewHow to Identify a Bed Bug - Checklist
Bed Bug Identificadtion Checklist: If you answered "yes" for any of the questions 1 - 10, please refer to detailed descriptions & pictures below.Bed Bug Adult Identification
List of Bed Bug Adult FeaturesBed Bug Juvenile Identification
Bed Bug Juvenile Characteristics and PictureBed Bug Egg Identification
Bed Bug Egg Identificaiton Checklisttips for identifying bed bugs
Adults are approximately 3/16 inches long, nymphs are smaller and start life about the size of a sesame seed.
 Bed Bug Nymph on Side of Penny |
 Adult Bed Bug on Penny |
Bed bugs are flat and covered with golden hairs.
Bed Bug Side Viewinsects confused with bed bugs
Insects Similar to Bed BugsLeft to Right: Bat Bug, Bed Bug and Swallow Bug
It is easy to confuse bed bugs with other common insects found in homes. If you find a bed bug, be sure to save it so that an entomologist or exterminator can properly identify the sample. Bugs that are similar or often confused with bed bugs include:
Swallow Bug
Identification: Swallow bugs are found in beds and bite
humans.
Swallow Bug Compared to Bed bug
 Swallow Bug Picture |
 Bed Bug Picture |
Bat Bug Compared to a Bed Bug
Bat Bug vs. Bed Bug
 Bat Bug |
Bed Bug |
Assassin or Kissing bugs
 Assassin or Kissing Bugs |
 Bed Bug Illustration |
German Cockroaches
German Baby Cockroaches are often Confused with BedbugsPhoto Credit: U of Nebraska
Baby or young cockroaches are similar in appearance to bed bugs. Eggs are rectangular instead of the oval or pear shape found with bedbug eggs. Insects are closer to brown than red.
Carpet and Warehouse Beetle Adults
Carpet and Warehouse Beetles and Larvae are found in beds. The beetles can shed hair that can cause skin itch. Beetles do not bite.Spider Beetles
Spider beetles are often confused with bed bugs. Like the carpet and warehouse beetles, they do not bite humans.Other Insects Confused with Bed Bugs
Flea (left) and Earwig (Right) Are Confused With Bed Bugs- Tropical bed bugs
- Mexican Chicken/Poultry bugs
- Earwig
- Fleas
- Stink bugs
- Wheel bugs
- Ants
use a professional to identify bed bugs
There area several ways to have a sample insect correctly identified:
- Contact Your Local Cooperative Extension Office. Many offices have a staff entomologist that can do bed bug identification for free.
- Call a local University and ask if they have a staff entomologist or a department of entomology.
- Call your local health department and see if they provide insect identification services.
- Send a sample to the Cornell Diagnostic Laboratory, which specializes
in insect identification.
- Check our local bed bug resources page
- Call a professional from our database or that is listed with Home Advisor (provides free extermination quotes)
other bed bug signs
Bed bugs leave behind signs that they are present. This includes:
Odor or Smell
At times a bed bug infestation will give off a musty or raspberry type odor. There are other scents given off that are detected by trained bed bug sniffing dogs.
Bed Bug Bite Images
Bed bugs tend to bite just before dawn and in some individuals will cause an allergic skin reaction. Bed bug bites can appear immediately to as late as 14 days after being bitten, depending on the sensitivity of the individual. Since bed bug bites are an allergic reaction, those that do react vary in severity. Bites can appear as a single bite, or in clusters, patterns or groups. Bites have clear centers, unlike flea or mosquito bites which have red centers.
Bites are one form of bed bug identification.
Photo of Immediate Reaction to Bed Bug Bite
Picture of Bed Bug Bites on Arm - Immediate Allergic ReactionMild skin reactions will heal in 2 to 3 days.
Bites result in skin itch which can be treated with an over
the counter topical such as Aveeno
or a product made specifically for bed
bug bite itch.
30 Minute Bed Bug Bite Reaction
Picture of bed bugs bite reaction 30 minutes after bitePhoto: H.J. Harlan
Symptoms 48 Hours After Bed Bug Bite
Picture of Bed Bug Bite 48 Hours After Being BittenBed Bug Bite Compared to Scabies
Bed bug bites and scabies identification are often confused. Read more about causes of body itch.
Picture of Scabies Bitesbed bugs and mattress signs
Bed bugs leave behind egg shells,
blood stains and fecal matter on the mattress and sheets. They position themselves as close to the host (human) as possible. As the seams fill with bed bugs they spread to the box spring, head board, nearby furniture and then appliances and walls.
Bed Bug Signs on Mattress
Bed Bug Signs and Stains on Mattress
Bed Bug Fecal Stains on Mattress
Live Bed Bugs on Mattressbed bug eggs
Bed bug eggs are white, pear shaped and about
the size of a poppy seed. They are laid in groupings of 3 to
5 eggs and are stuck to rough surfaces with a sticky substance.
Eggs can be removed with packing tape, or killed with steam
or low cost bedbug sprays such as Sterifab (not all sprays kill bedbug eggs, check the label if buying a different brand).
Picture Bed Bug Eggs, Feces and Live Bed Bugs on Mattress
Bed Bug Eggs on SurfaceWhat to do after discovering bed bugs
Once you confirm that you have bed bugs, your next steps are as follows:
Apartment Renters or Owners
Contact your building management immediately in writing as
several apartments will probably need to be treated. Some municipalities require that building managers pay for treatment. Other do not,
so if this is the case, see if you can split the cost. Other
options are to organize tenants, or contact a local health department. See our resources section for specific State (U.S.) or country information.
Home Owners
Contact a local experienced bed bug professional. Since treatment can cost $1,000 or more and companies use different methods, at minimum contact 2 companies. A good place to start is the Home Advisor Network. You can also call 1.877.673.2704.
Exterminators are pre-screened and should be insured and licensed. You can also search
our list
of local contractors.
If you prefer to treat a bed bug infestation yourself, it requires a combination of products which can be economically purchased in a bed bug kit. For example, kits contain a knock down spray to kill bed bugs and eggs on contact, and another spray applied after the first to provide lasting protection. Kits have the added advantage of providing bed bug treatment instructions.
brochures
Each of these free brochures provide additional information on bed bug identification and treatment. (click on title to download each bed bug identification brochure).
Ask a question or share your experience
Ask a Question or Share Your Bed Bug Experience With Others
Do you have a question or great story about bed bugs? Share it!
What Other Visitors Have Said About Bed Bugs
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Is This a Bed Bug? 
Hi we just found a single bug which looks more similar to a male bed bug on our pillow yesterday evening.. hence we have a doubt whether there will be …
