What Do Bedbugs Look Like?
Because many small insects have a similar appearance, you’ll need to know what bedbugs look like before you can accurately identify an infestation.
Identifying Adult Bedbugs
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, adult bedbugs are similar in size to apple seeds. They’re typically brown, with flat oval bodies, four-part antennae and six legs. However, bugs that have recently fed may be reddish-brown and balloon-like.
Identifying Juvenile Bedbugs
Juvenile bedbugs, known as nymphs, can be seen with the naked eye if they’ve recently fed. They're smaller than adults and are usually translucent or whitish-yellow in color. However, insects that haven’t fed recently can be nearly invisible. Their size varies by lifecycle stage, and they can range from 1.5 to 4.5 millimeters.
Identifying Bedbug Eggs
Bedbug eggs are about as large as a pinhead, but you may be able to see them if you look closely. Eggs are pearly white and may have an eyespot if they’re more than five days old.
Bedbug Lookalikes
Identifying bedbugs can be challenging, as they resemble other types of insects, including:
- Bat bugs
- Swallow bugs
- Poultry bugs
- Carpet beetles
- Immature cockroaches
