01
Adult
Flat, oval, wingless, reddish brown, and about 1 to 7 millimeters depending on life stage and feeding.
Bed bug identification and health center
An infestation can exist even when no one appears to be getting bitten.
Bed bugs are visible insects with identifiable evidence, but skin reactions vary widely. Bites alone are not a reliable way to confirm an infestation.
Risk communication ruleEvidence first. Medical diagnosis belongs with a qualified clinician.
Identification
Inspect the insect. Then inspect the room.
Adult bed bugs are reddish brown, wingless, and about 1 to 7 millimeters. They hide in mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards, furniture, cracks, and crevices near where people sleep or rest.
02
Nymph
Smaller and paler than adults. Young nymphs can be difficult to see against light fabric.
03
Eggs
Tiny pearly white eggs may be tucked into protected seams, cracks, and crevices.
04
Fecal spotting
Dark spotting, shed skins, or rusty marks can support an inspection finding.
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Mattress seams
Tufts, piping, labels, box springs, and nearby furniture provide protected harborages.
06
Bed frame cracks
Bed frames, headboards, baseboards, and narrow gaps near resting areas deserve close inspection.
Health context
Bed bugs are not known to spread disease to people.
They can still cause itching, sleep loss, anxiety, and rare allergic reactions. Scratching can contribute to a secondary skin infection. A clinician should evaluate concerning symptoms or reactions.
Bites are not proof
Reactions vary and can resemble other skin conditions or insect bites. Physical insects and room evidence are more useful.
Reactions vary
Some people show no physical signs. Other reactions can take days to appear.
Room evidence matters
Live insects, cast skins, eggs, spotting, and harborages support identification.
Medical questions need a clinician
Severe reactions, infection concerns, and other symptoms require qualified medical evaluation.
Property guidance
What to do next
Use the property evidence, environmental conditions, and professional guidance to decide the next step.
What to do next01 02 03 04
Preserve evidence
If practical, capture a suspected insect in a sealed container or take sharp photographs without crushing it.
Avoid moving items
Moving bedding or furniture through the property can spread insects to additional rooms.
Request inspection
A trained inspection can distinguish bed bugs from lookalikes and map harborages and evidence.
Follow a complete plan
Treatment may combine preparation, physical controls, targeted products, monitoring, and follow up based on site conditions.
Authoritative referencesCDC bed bug guidance ↗
Bed bugs concerns
Do not rely on bite marks alone.
A focused inspection can evaluate the insect, room evidence, likely harborages, and conditions that affect the treatment plan.