![Bed Bugs](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/featured.webp "featured image") # Bed Bugs *Cimex lectularius* - [Pest Library](https://hollomanexterminators.com/pest-library) / Bed Bugs Bed bugs feed on blood, hide within a few feet of where you sleep, and fit into a crack no wider than a toothpick. They do not spread disease, and they have nothing to do with how clean your home is. ## Seasonal Timeline Year round. Bed bugs live indoors at controlled temperature, so there is no dormant season. What changes through the year is how often they get carried in, and that follows travel. **Peak, Pacific Northwest, California, Mountain West, Southwest, Midwest, South Central, Northeast and Southeast**Jun–Aug JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec Year round. Bed bugs live indoors at controlled temperature, so there is no dormant season. What changes through the year is how often they… Those windows describe when infestations get introduced and reported, not when the insect is active. A bed bug in a heated bedroom in February is as active as one in July. ## Where They're Found All eight U.S. regions, with no meaningful regional variation. The common bed bug, *Cimex lectularius*, is the species behind essentially every U.S. household case. A second species, the tropical bed bug *Cimex hemipterus*, dominates in tropical regions and turns up in limited U.S. locations. ## Related Pests [ Fleas ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/pest-library/fleas) [ German Cockroaches ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/pest-library/german-cockroaches) [ Ticks ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/pest-library/ticks) ## Life Cycle **The number that explains why one treatment is rarely enough:** there are exactly five nymphal stages, and every one of the five molts requires its own blood meal. A female lays 200 to 500 eggs across her life, two to five a day. Egg to adult takes five weeks to four months, fastest between 70 and 82 degrees, and a home can carry up to four generations a year. Interrupting the blood supply does not touch the eggs at all. ![Bed bug eggs, pale and glued to a rough surface](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/egg.webp "egg image") ### Egg[1](#credit-1) Egg. About the size of a dust speck, glued in place. Hatches in one to two weeks at room temperature. ### 1st nymph[2](#credit-2) Five nymphal stages, shown here against a millimeter rule. Each one needs its own blood meal before it can molt. ### 5th nymph Fifth and final nymphal stage, up to about 1/5 inch. ![Adults, nymphs, eggs, shed skins and fecal spots together on a mattress](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/signs.webp "signs image") ### Signs[1](#credit-1) What all of it looks like together: adults, nymphs, eggs, shed skins and fecal spots on a mattress. ## Identification ### What an adult looks like Adults are oval, flattened, wingless, and reddish-brown, roughly 3/16 to 1/5 inch long. Close to an apple seed in color, closer to a lentil in size. Nymphs look like small pale versions of the adult, translucent enough to disappear against light bedding. They do not fly and do not jump. They crawl, fast, across floors, walls, and ceilings. ### The look-alike that matters The confusion that changes the treatment is bat bugs and swallow bugs. They look almost identical, and the tell needs a hand lens: compare the length of the hairs on the plate behind the head to the diameter of the eye. On a bed bug those hairs are shorter than the eye. On a bat bug or swallow bug they are longer. It matters because bat bugs and swallow bugs are solved by excluding the bats or swallows nesting on the building, not by treating the bedroom. ### The other things people bring in Kissing bugs get mistaken for them too, but reach 3/4 inch and have wings. Ticks, cockroach nymphs, and carpet beetles round out the list of things people bring in for identification. ## Signs of Infestation ### Start with the bed That is where 85 percent of them are. Current research puts the great majority in or immediately around the bed: mattress seams and tufts, the wood joints of the box spring, cracks in the bed frame, and behind the headboard. In hotels, behind a wall-mounted headboard is often where they establish first. The other 15 percent turn up in sofas and recliners, nightstands, along carpet edges, behind pictures and switch plates, under loose wallpaper, along book bindings, and inside clocks and smoke detectors. ### What to look for Dark spotting and staining along seams, which is dried excrement. Tan shed skins, one per molt, five per insect. Rusty smears on sheets from bugs crushed after feeding. Eggs, though those need magnification. And the insects themselves, which are visible to the naked eye. ### Bites are not a diagnosis This is the part most pages get wrong. Reactions vary enormously. Studies in infested apartments suggest around 30 percent of people never react at all, even when bitten repeatedly, and non-reaction is more common among older adults. Marks can take up to 14 days to appear. Bed bug welts cannot be reliably told apart from mosquito or flea bites. Confirmation means finding the insects, the skins, or the spotting. ### Smell is a late sign, not a first one A sweet musty odor is real, but it usually only becomes apparent in heavy infestations, and it should not be used for detection. ## Prevention and When to Call a Pro ### Prevention is a travel habit Sealing cracks is the wrong advice for this pest. Bed bugs arrive in a suitcase, not through a gap in the siding, so prevention is a travel and secondhand-furniture habit. ### In a hotel room Check behind the headboard, pull back the sheets, and look along mattress seams and tufts. If you find signs, change rooms or hotels. Inspect your luggage before you leave. ### When you get home Wash and dry everything at the hottest setting the fabric will take. University of Kentucky puts a clothes dryer on medium to high at 10 to 20 minutes, and items that go in already dry reach a lethal temperature sooner. Give it the full 20 if you are not sure. If you travel often, store the suitcase in the garage or a hall closet rather than the bedroom. ### Secondhand furniture This is the other main route in. Inspect any used bed, mattress, or upholstered piece before it comes through the door. If you are getting rid of an infested item, do not leave it at the curb. Take it to the dump, or mark it clearly so nobody else carries it home. ### What does not work Tick and mosquito repellent at bedtime. Sleeping with the lights on, since they adjust to your sleep schedule. And leaving the house empty to starve them out, because they survive 20 to 400 days without feeding depending on temperature, with one to four months typical in a heated home. ### When to Call a Pest Control Professional Call on any confirmed find. There is no infestation small enough to be a DIY project, and three specific reasons say so. Over-the-counter total-release foggers have been shown ineffective against bed bugs and potentially harmful to the people in the room. The products that actually work are restricted to commercial applicators, and insecticide resistance in bed bug populations keeps growing. And heat, which does work, has a real spec: at least 140 degrees for two hours, or 130 for three, against a minimum lethal temperature of 113. That is not something a space heater achieves. If you rent, tell your landlord or property owner, and know that tenants have rights here. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Do bed bugs spread disease? No. The CDC states bed bugs are not known to spread diseases to people, and UC IPM says they have never been shown to transmit human disease. The real harm is itching, lost sleep, anxiety, and secondary skin infection from scratching. ### How long can bed bugs live without feeding? Between 20 and 400 days, depending on temperature and humidity, and adults have passed 400 days in a laboratory at low temperatures. In a normal heated home, one to four months is more typical. Leaving a house or apartment empty will not starve them out. They often just move to the neighboring unit. ### Can bed bugs be in a clean home? Yes. They feed only on blood, so cleanliness is irrelevant to them, and the CDC notes they are found in five-star hotels and resorts. Clutter matters, but only because it gives them more places to hide and makes inspection harder. ### How do I know the bites are bed bugs? From the bites alone, you do not. Around 30 percent of people show no reaction at all, marks can take two weeks to appear, and the welts look like mosquito or flea bites. You confirm bed bugs by finding the insects, their shed skins, or the dark fecal spotting. ### What temperature kills bed bugs? 113 degrees is the minimum lethal temperature, but professional heat treatment targets at least 140 degrees for two hours, or 130 for three, so the heat actually penetrates every hiding place. For clothing and bedding, a dryer on its hottest setting for 10 to 15 minutes is enough. ## Photo Gallery [ ![A translucent bed bug nymph, Cimex lectularius, feeding on skin with a visible red blood meal](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-nymph-feeding-close-up-01.webp "bed-bugs-nymph-feeding-close-up-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-nymph-feeding-close-up-01.webp)Nymph mid-feed on skin. [ ![A recently fed adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, viewed from above on a white surface](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adult-fed-dorsal-01.webp "bed-bugs-adult-fed-dorsal-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adult-fed-dorsal-01.webp)Fed adult, top-down view. [ ![An unfed adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, resting among skin hairs](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adult-unfed-01.webp "bed-bugs-adult-unfed-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adult-unfed-01.webp)Unfed adult on skin. [ ![Two adult bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, next to a single pale egg on a white surface](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adults-with-egg-01.webp "bed-bugs-adults-with-egg-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adults-with-egg-01.webp)Adults next to a single egg. [ ![A backlit adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, showing a fresh blood meal through its translucent body wall, dorsal view](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-blood-meal-backlit-dorsal-01.webp "bed-bugs-blood-meal-backlit-dorsal-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-blood-meal-backlit-dorsal-01.webp)Blood meal visible through the body. [ ![A backlit adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, showing a fresh blood meal through its body, ventral view with legs visible](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-blood-meal-backlit-ventral-01.webp "bed-bugs-blood-meal-backlit-ventral-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-blood-meal-backlit-ventral-01.webp)Blood meal, underside view. [ ![Two adult bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, posed on a U.S. penny to show actual size](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adults-penny-scale-01.webp "bed-bugs-adults-penny-scale-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adults-penny-scale-01.webp)Actual size, shown on a penny. [ ![A single pale, oval bed bug egg, Cimex lectularius, glued to a fabric edge](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-egg-single-close-up-01.webp "bed-bugs-egg-single-close-up-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-egg-single-close-up-01.webp)One egg glued to fabric. [ ![An adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, in side profile walking across hairy skin](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adult-side-profile-01.webp "bed-bugs-adult-side-profile-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adult-side-profile-01.webp)Side profile crossing skin. [ ![Extreme close-up of an adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, showing textured back and legs on skin](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adult-dorsal-texture-01.webp "bed-bugs-adult-dorsal-texture-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adult-dorsal-texture-01.webp)Close-up of body texture. [ ![Two adult bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, resting side by side on hairy skin](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adults-pair-01.webp "bed-bugs-adults-pair-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adults-pair-01.webp)Two adults resting together. [ ![An adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, hanging from the folded edge of a mattress seam](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-hiding-mattress-seam-01.webp "bed-bugs-hiding-mattress-seam-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-hiding-mattress-seam-01.webp)Hiding along a mattress seam. [ ![Extreme macro view of an adult bed bug’s head, eyes and thorax, showing the species Cimex lectularius in detail](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-head-thorax-macro-01.webp "bed-bugs-head-thorax-macro-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-head-thorax-macro-01.webp)Macro detail of head and eyes. [ ![An adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, standing on a fingertip for scale](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-on-fingertip-01.webp "bed-bugs-on-fingertip-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-on-fingertip-01.webp)Adult on a fingertip. [ ![A side view of an adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, perched on the curve of a fingertip](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-on-fingertip-side-view-01.webp "bed-bugs-on-fingertip-side-view-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-on-fingertip-side-view-01.webp)Low-angle view on a finger. [ ![An adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, held on the tip of metal forceps against a gray background](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-on-forceps-01.webp "bed-bugs-on-forceps-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-on-forceps-01.webp)Specimen held on forceps. [ ![A narrow, unfed adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, in profile on a knuckle](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adult-unfed-profile-01.webp "bed-bugs-adult-unfed-profile-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adult-unfed-profile-01.webp)Unfed adult in profile. [ ![Two rounded, recently fed adult bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, on skin near a fecal spot](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adults-fed-pair-01.webp "bed-bugs-adults-fed-pair-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adults-fed-pair-01.webp)Two fed adults on skin. [ ![Two adult bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, standing close together on hairy skin](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adults-pair-02.webp "bed-bugs-adults-pair-02 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adults-pair-02.webp)Adults standing close together. [ ![An adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, hiding in the black fabric of a travel bag](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-hitchhiking-fabric-01.webp "bed-bugs-hitchhiking-fabric-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-hitchhiking-fabric-01.webp)Hitchhiking in luggage fabric. [ ![An adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, wedged inside the teeth of a zipper](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-hiding-zipper-01.webp "bed-bugs-hiding-zipper-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-hiding-zipper-01.webp)Hiding inside a zipper. [ ![Two adult bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, shown in sharp dorsal detail side by side on skin](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adults-dorsal-detail-01.webp "bed-bugs-adults-dorsal-detail-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adults-dorsal-detail-01.webp)Sharp detail of two adults. [ ![An adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius, photographed as a preserved specimen on a white background](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adult-ventral-01.webp "bed-bugs-adult-ventral-01 image") ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/images/pestlibrary/bed-bugs/bed-bugs-adult-ventral-01.webp)Preserved specimen, studio shot. ## Sources 1. [Bed Bugs, ENTFACT-636](https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef636) University of Kentucky Department of Entomology 2. [Pest Notes: Bed Bugs](https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7454.html) UC Statewide IPM Program, UC ANR Publication 7454 3. [About Bed Bugs](https://www.cdc.gov/bed-bugs/about/index.html) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4. [Should I Use a Fogger to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?](https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/should-i-use-fogger) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5. [Biology, Habitat, and Management of Bed Bugs](https://extension.psu.edu/biology-habitat-and-management-of-bed-bugs) Penn State Extension ### Image Credits 1. Image: NPMA. Used under NPMA member image license. 2. UC IPM, credit Dong-Hwan Choe. 3. Image: CDC, Public Health Image Library 9819, photograph by Piotr Naskrecki, via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain. [Source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bed_bug_nymph,_Cimex_lectularius.jpg). ## Related Pests [ Fleas ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/pest-library/fleas) [ German Cockroaches ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/pest-library/german-cockroaches) [ Ticks ](https://hollomanexterminators.com/pest-library/ticks)