What does a bed bug look like?
First, it is good to know your enemy. We need to know what a bed bug looks like so that we can distinguish it from other insects and exclude it from the circle of suspects, so that we can start taking action. Bedbugs are about 0.5 centimetres long, wingless insects with a striped carapace that is quite flat. They resemble an apple seed in appearance. When they are not full, they have a lighter, beige colour with a central dark spot. They have 3 pairs of thin legs with tiny claws that enable them to attach themselves to the host’s skin. The head is short but wide, with four-segment antennae on top.
Where do bed bugs come from?
The answer to this question is often difficult to define. Contrary to popular belief that bedbugs only appear in dirty and neglected places, even in high-end hotels, this problem can occur. This is because in hotels, hospitals and guesthouses, a large number of people come and go every day, and they can simply bring them with them. The same applies to our homes. If we have a visitor who is struggling with a bedbug problem, there is a risk that they will bring bedbugs into our home with them, e.g. on their clothes or in their handbag. Furniture brought into the flat from the previous owner can also be a source of the problem. There are many ways.
Although the problem with bedbugs may seem outdated nowadays, this belief turns out to be misleading. These insects have developed a certain resistance to insecticides over time. International and intercontinental travel also helps bedbugs to survive. Bedbugs can survive without food for several months or even up to a year by going into hibernation.
Where can bedbugs be found?
If you suspect that there are bed bugs in your house, you should check all the nooks and crannies, e.g. the headboard and all the cracks, the mattress, skirting boards, wall sockets and even the parts of the wall where the wallpaper is not stuck properly, as these are ideal hiding places for the little creatures.
Evidence of their presence can be microscopic exoskeleton cast-off shells, dark brown particles of excrement (digested blood) and small blood spots on the bed sheet. Bedbug eggs are very small, difficult to see and light in colour. They are laid in dark corners of the house. An adult can lay between 2 and 10 eggs a day. In rooms where there is a bedbug infestation, there is a slight citrus smell reminiscent of coriander.
See also: Worms in flour. What to do?
What do the bites look like?
The bite itself does not hurt because the bug injects an anaesthetic when it bites. People who do not show any allergic reaction to insect bites will not feel much discomfort even after being bitten by a bedbug. However, there are not many such people, which means that most of us will find erythematous, flat-topped rashes on our bodies after a bite, similar to those after a mosquito bite. A red spot, darker than the rest of the skin, can be seen at the site where the bedbug has bitten. These changes are accompanied by itching and even pain, which appears 24-48 hours after the bite. These bites are characterised by a linear arrangement on the body, usually 3 in a row, which is referred to as breakfast, lunch, dinner. Bedbugs are most active at night between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., which may be related to the deepest phase of human sleep.
How to get rid of bed bugs?
Getting rid of bed bugs is not an easy task, especially in an apartment building, where there is a risk that the insects can return to us through ventilation pipes or installation ducts. Therefore, it is worth solving the problem comprehensively, and also with the help of a professional team. Currently, the most commonly used, effective and at the same time less invasive method is fogging (ULV). This process involves a generator releasing a chemical mist with very small particles so that the substances can reach all corners. This method also allows for a reduction in the amount of chemicals used in the apartment and does not leave water stains.
There are also physical methods such as heating the room to 60 degrees Celsius, freezing with dry ice, using steam or catching insects.
The most convenient and effective solution will always be to use the bed bug control service provided by DDD.
Frequently asked questions
What do bed bugs look like and how can you tell them apart from other insects?
Bed bugs are about 0.5 cm long, wingless, flat insects with a striped carapace, resembling an apple seed. When unfed, they are lighter beige with a central dark spot. They have three pairs of thin legs with tiny claws and a short, wide head with four-segment antennae.
Where do bed bugs usually come from (and can you bring them home from hotels or guests)?
It’s often hard to pinpoint the exact source, and bed bugs can appear even in high-end hotels or hospitals due to frequent guest turnover. You can bring them home on clothing or in bags from travel, or they may be introduced by a visitor who has an infestation. Another source can be second-hand furniture brought into the apartment.
Where do bed bugs hide in a home and what signs confirm an infestation?
They hide in cracks and crevices such as the headboard, mattress, skirting boards, wall sockets, and loose wallpaper areas. Signs include shed skins, dark brown excrement particles (digested blood), and small blood spots on bed sheets. In infested rooms, there may also be a slight citrus smell reminiscent of coriander.
What do bed bug bites look like and how are they different from mosquito bites?
Bed bug bites often cause erythematous, flat-topped rashes similar to mosquito bites, with a darker red spot at the bite site. Itching and even pain can appear 24–48 hours after the bite. A typical clue is a linear pattern, often three bites in a row (“breakfast, lunch, dinner”).
Can bed bugs survive for months without feeding?
Yes—bed bugs can survive without food for several months, and even up to a year, by going into hibernation.
What are the most effective ways to get rid of bed bugs (fogging/ULV vs heat, freezing, steam)?
A commonly used, effective, and less invasive method is fogging (ULV), where a generator releases a fine chemical mist that reaches corners while using fewer chemicals and leaving no water stains. Physical methods mentioned include heating a room to 60°C, freezing with dry ice, using steam, or catching insects. The article notes that the most convenient and effective option is typically a professional bed bug control (DDD) service.
