How Small Can Baby Bed Bugs Be?
WouterThe life cycle of bed bugs begins with the hatching of the eggs. Then, the bugs eat, which will make them bigger. It takes a few minutes for an adult bed bug to complete a feeding. They will shed their skin and reappear as nymphs after several feedings. They are often difficult to notice in their first appearance as they are so tiny and can hide in the tiniest places.
The differences between the adult and baby bed bug are subtle, but they are still visible. The size of the adult bed bug is 5-6 mm long. The nymphs have six legs and two antennae. They are pale yellow in color before they feed. Their bodies are round or flat. Once they’re filled with blood, their bodies expand into a balloon-like shape.
In the early stages, baby bed bugs are almost invisible. Their color is white or yellow, and they may be almost translucent. They usually have a red lump in the middle of their abdomen. This is the place where they store blood. As they grow, their body color will change, and they’ll shed their skin.
The first stage nymphs are about 1/16 of an inch long and pale. They are yellowish-white or pale yellow. The nymphs will become larger as they continue to feed. They also develop a darker spot in their abdomen. Eventually, they will become adults. The adults are about 1/4 inch long and are a medium brown color.
