Bed Bugs – What Size Are They?
WouterIf you’ve ever been disturbed by bed bugs, you may have wondered, “What size are they?” The answer to this question will be determined by the stage in which they are in. During their incubation phase, these bugs are small and flat. But once they begin feeding on your blood, they can grow to be as large as 3 times your body weight. And once they’ve suckered up your blood, they’ll take longer to travel back to their home.
Adult bed bugs are about three-eighths of an inch long and have six legs. They’re reddish brown and oval in shape. Eventually, they’ll shed their skins and become purplish-red in color. This stage will take up to six weeks. As they feed, they increase in size and become more cigar-like.
Before becoming adult bed bugs, nymphs must feed three to five times a day. Once mature, they can be in your home for up to a year. Adult female bed bugs lay between one and five eggs a day, with each egg being the size of a pinhead. Adult females can lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime. Their eggs are 0.1-inch long, white, and have an eye spot.
Adult bed bugs can live up to a year, although it depends on the environmental conditions in which they live. They live in dark and well-lit places. However, they’re not as visible in high-lit environments. Using a magnifying glass may help.
