How Long Do Bed Bugs Take to Grow?
WouterA bed bug infestation begins with an egg laid by a pregnant female. The egg is a translucent white color and will hatch in approximately seven to 10 days. Once hatched, the newly emerged nymphs will begin their search for a blood meal. They can spawn multiple generations in a short time.
Adult bed bugs are about a quarter of an inch long and are oval shaped. During the day, they feed by sucking blood from the skin of their hosts. Adult bed bugs feed for three to ten minutes each day and can go longer periods without feeding. Bed bugs lay up to 500 eggs during their lifetime.
Bed bugs are easy to detect in small numbers by looking for tiny reddish-brown spots on mattress covers, upholstery and walls. Their bites are small and may be itchy. However, this alone is not enough to determine whether an infestation is present. You will need to look for other indicators such as the presence of bed bug feces.
If you find bed bugs in your home, be sure to keep sleeping in the same bed for at least a few days. If you leave the area, you risk bringing the bugs with you. They can travel to other rooms in the house in search of food. Moreover, you should preserve any specimens that you find to avoid spreading the infestation to uninfested areas.
