3 Steps To Identify Bed Bugs Fast
You wake up one morning to find a bug on your bed.
The first thought through your head is, "What kind of bug is that? Is it a bed bug?" There's only one way to answer that question.
First you have to know, what bed bugs look like.
In this article, I'm going to tell you the 3 step method to identify a bed bug quickly and accurately.
The 3 steps to identify a bed bug are: 1.
What SHAPE the bug is you're looking at.
2.
What COLOR the bug is you're looking at.
3.
What SIZE the bug is you're looking at.
Now just knowing the answer to these three things is not enough, unless you know how these three characteristics work together.
With a little bit of information, you will understand the specifics about each step and how they work together to help you properly identify bed bugs.
Let's start at the beginning...
a very good place to start.
Step 1 - Shape First you have to determine the shape of the bug you're looking at.
You want to notice if the bug is flat, oval & thin.
This is very typical of bed bugs.
I say typical because like every rule there are exceptions.
which we'll get to in a moment.
Your average specimen is going to be oval, flat and thin.
This shape is a part of what makes this insect so good at what it does.
The thin shape allows them to hide in small cracks and crevices.
Any crack the thickness of a credit card is wide enough for one of these guys to hide in.
Now for the exceptions to the rule.
Sometimes bed bugs can be more oblong and cigar shaped.
When would this be you ask? Usually after they've had a blood meal.
I know it's hard to think about, the thought that bugs see you as a midnight buffet, but that's how these guys work.
So that's your exception to the rule, but the other two steps will help you identify them even if they're "rule-breakers" Okay now on to Step 2...
Step 2 - Color So what color are bed bugs? Well that depends...
Yes, more "rule-breaking" First the rule, then the exception.
Here's the rule for adult bed bugs: They range in color from varying shades of light to dark browns (before feeding) to dark reddish-browns (after a blood meal).
Juvenile bed bugs or nymphs as they're called, range is color from clear to white to gold before eating and become bright red after a blood meal.
Their color obviously depends on if they have eaten or not.
You'll remember this exception applies to their shape as well.
If they've eaten, both color and shape changes.
Step 3 - Size How big can these blood-sucking night feeders get? Well that is the good news.
They remain rather small (thankfully).
Adults range is size from 1/4 to 3/8 in long.
About the size of a sunflower seed give or take.
Nymphs are about the size of a pin head, around 1/16 in long.
No real "rule-breakers" here.
So if you wake in the morning to a bug on your bed, remember the 3 easy steps to identification, shape, color, & size.
This quick ID method will help you remember what bed bugs look like and make it easier to identify a problem before it gets out of hand.
The first thought through your head is, "What kind of bug is that? Is it a bed bug?" There's only one way to answer that question.
First you have to know, what bed bugs look like.
In this article, I'm going to tell you the 3 step method to identify a bed bug quickly and accurately.
The 3 steps to identify a bed bug are: 1.
What SHAPE the bug is you're looking at.
2.
What COLOR the bug is you're looking at.
3.
What SIZE the bug is you're looking at.
Now just knowing the answer to these three things is not enough, unless you know how these three characteristics work together.
With a little bit of information, you will understand the specifics about each step and how they work together to help you properly identify bed bugs.
Let's start at the beginning...
a very good place to start.
Step 1 - Shape First you have to determine the shape of the bug you're looking at.
You want to notice if the bug is flat, oval & thin.
This is very typical of bed bugs.
I say typical because like every rule there are exceptions.
which we'll get to in a moment.
Your average specimen is going to be oval, flat and thin.
This shape is a part of what makes this insect so good at what it does.
The thin shape allows them to hide in small cracks and crevices.
Any crack the thickness of a credit card is wide enough for one of these guys to hide in.
Now for the exceptions to the rule.
Sometimes bed bugs can be more oblong and cigar shaped.
When would this be you ask? Usually after they've had a blood meal.
I know it's hard to think about, the thought that bugs see you as a midnight buffet, but that's how these guys work.
So that's your exception to the rule, but the other two steps will help you identify them even if they're "rule-breakers" Okay now on to Step 2...
Step 2 - Color So what color are bed bugs? Well that depends...
Yes, more "rule-breaking" First the rule, then the exception.
Here's the rule for adult bed bugs: They range in color from varying shades of light to dark browns (before feeding) to dark reddish-browns (after a blood meal).
Juvenile bed bugs or nymphs as they're called, range is color from clear to white to gold before eating and become bright red after a blood meal.
Their color obviously depends on if they have eaten or not.
You'll remember this exception applies to their shape as well.
If they've eaten, both color and shape changes.
Step 3 - Size How big can these blood-sucking night feeders get? Well that is the good news.
They remain rather small (thankfully).
Adults range is size from 1/4 to 3/8 in long.
About the size of a sunflower seed give or take.
Nymphs are about the size of a pin head, around 1/16 in long.
No real "rule-breakers" here.
So if you wake in the morning to a bug on your bed, remember the 3 easy steps to identification, shape, color, & size.
This quick ID method will help you remember what bed bugs look like and make it easier to identify a problem before it gets out of hand.
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