Bed bugs eat blood exclusively. Humans are their primary host, although bed bugs can also feed on other warm-blooded animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and rodents. They don’t eat plant […]
The Bed Bug Life Cycle: From Egg to Adult
Under warm, well-fed conditions, a bed bug can go from a freshly laid egg to a reproducing adult in about 37 days. That number, confirmed by the Virginia Department of […]
Are Bed Bugs Nocturnal? When They’re Really Most Active
Bed bugs are functionally nocturnal, with most of their activity occurring during dark periods when a host is likely to be resting. That doesn’t mean they’re permanently programmed to come […]
Are Bed Bugs Visible to the Naked Eye?
Every bed bug life stage is technically visible to the naked eye, including a newly hatched first-instar nymph at roughly 1.5 millimeters. Adults are considerably easier to see at around […]
What Color Are Bed Bugs? White, Black, Red, and Every Shade in Between
An unfed adult bed bug is reddish-brown, usually somewhere around the shade of a coffee bean or apple seed. After feeding, that color becomes noticeably darker and can shift toward […]
How Big Are Bed Bugs, Really? Actual Size Explained
An adult bed bug measures roughly 5 to 7 millimeters long, or about a quarter inch, putting it somewhere around the length of a grain of rice or a small […]
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like? A Visual Guide
A bed bug is a flat, oval, reddish-brown insect roughly the size and color of an apple seed. An adult is usually about 5 to 7 millimeters long, while nymphs […]
What Are Bed Bugs Exactly? Identification, Habits, and What to Do About Them
Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is responsible for most household infestations in […]