Exploring the Life Cycle of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs can lay their eggs in cracks or under mattresses.
Although bed bugs don't cause diseases, they can still affect people's health. Some experience psychological trauma after being bitten, while others may develop secondary physical symptoms such as skin infections. Knowing the life cycle of bed bugs is very helpful in identifying them before they become a threat to the home.
Let's examine the life cycle of bed bugs:
The egg stage
A bed bug can lay up to five eggs each day. They hatch at room temperature about six to 10 days after laying.
What bed bug eggs look like
Bed bug eggs are about the size of a sesame seed. They have two red spots on their bodies, which may be hard to see without a magnifying glass. These spots are the eyes of the budding nymphs. The closer the eggs are to hatching, the darker the red spots become.
Where to find bed bug eggs
Although the eggs are usually located near areas where blood hosts sleep, they can also be deposited anywhere. Bed bugs can lay their eggs in cracks or under mattresses.
The juvenile stage
These tiny bugs are often called newborn bed bugs and have a slightly bigger body than their eggs. They're also known as first-stage nymphs.
What to know about the juvenile stage
Bed bug nymphs begin their first stages by searching for a host after hatching. Then, they molt or shed their exoskeleton after their first blood meal. The nymphs are also known as "instars" at the molting stage. There are five molting stages in total.
Each instar molts for about five to eight days. It takes about 25 to 40 days to complete the juvenile stage. At the molting stage, nymphs require only one blood meal per molt.
What nymphs look like
Although an unfed nymph looks like a sesame seed, it does have legs and an abdomen that turns red and engorged after eating its first blood meal. Once it has completed its first molt, the nymph's abdomen shrinks again.
The second-stage instar then develops a dark spot on its abdomen which will grow darker each time it molts. A late-stage nymph measures about 4.5 millimeters.
The adult stage
A fifth-stage bed bug only needs one more blood meal to become a full-grown adult. A nymph sheds its exoskeleton for the last time to transition to adulthood.
What adult bed bugs look like
Adult bed bugs are about 5 millimeters long and become plump and stout when they feed. The gender of a bed bug is determined by looking at its abdomen shape. Male bed bugs have a pointed tip, while females have a rounded abdomen.
Call the exterminator
Bed bugs are reproductive within a week after hatching. Therefore, it's essential to call a professional at the first sign of bed bugs in the home.
Bed Bugs Arizona offers a free, in-home bed bug inspection and a one-year warranty on all bed bug services. No obligation. We specialize in apartment communities. Our fast, certified technicians provide the Pro-Treat Plus method of bed bug removal to Phoenix and surrounding cities in a 100-mile plus radius including Flagstaff, Globe, and Casa Grande. Veteran and senior discounts. Call now at (602) 962-8806.
