How Big Do Bed Bugs Grow?
WouterBedbugs are small insects that feed on humans while they sleep. Once a home is infested with these pests, they may become a major pest control problem. These insects can be found in a wide variety of places, including mattresses, box springs, baseboards, and folded areas of beds. Despite their small size, these bugs can eat a human blood meal for up to a year before they start to grow and mature into full-sized adults.
The adult bed bug can grow up to a quarter-inch long. It has a body that is oval-shaped with six legs. They look like tiny watermelons, and they have a pale red or brown color. The baby bed bug, or nymph, is much smaller and can be difficult to see before it molts. The nymph is only a half-millimeter long, and it grows in size as it molts its exoskeleton.
In addition to nymphs, adult female bed bugs lay eggs. They can lay one to five eggs daily, and during their lifetime, they can lay as many as five hundred eggs. Despite their small size, they lay hundreds of eggs. The eggs are whitish and sticky when first laid, and they hatch after about a week at room temperature. The newly emerged nymphs are as small as a pinhead and shed their skin five times before they reach maturity.
Although bed bugs are a common pest, only a small percentage of people understand their biology or how they spread. It is important to remember that if you notice an infestation, you will have to take the appropriate precautions to avoid spreading the bugs to other parts of your home.
