How Large Can Bed Bugs Get?
WouterTypically, the size of bedbugs varies according to the stage they are in and how much blood they feed on. The nymph stage is about 1.5 millimeters long, and is the stage before bedbugs begin feeding on human blood. Bedbug nymphs are smaller than their adult counterparts, and are often visible by bare eyes.
Adult bedbugs are generally between a quarter to three-sixths of an inch long. Their bodies are flat and wide, but when they’ve eaten blood, they expand and take on a cylindrical shape. Their life cycle can take several months to complete. The average life span of a bedbug is four to six months.
Bedbugs produce eggs on a daily basis. Each egg is about 1/16th of an inch long and is either pearl white or off white in color. The eggs of these pests can be hard to spot. Eggs are not visible, but you can often see the egg casing. The eggs hatch in seven to ten days.
If you’re worried that you have a bedbug infestation, the first thing to do is to eliminate any clutter in your home. This includes removing all items stored under the bed, such as pillows, stuffed toys, and small electronics. You can then bag and dispose of those items as soon as possible.
