Bed Bug Development
Baby bed bugs are known as nymphs. Bed bugs undergo three stages of development. They begin as eggs, hatch into nymphs, and then molt five times to become adults.
These pests lay their sticky eggs on the secluded parts of objects like mattresses, behind headboards, couches and other objects close to sleeping quarters. The eggs hatch into tiny sesame sized whitish baby bed bugs in about six to ten days.
They molt five times before becoming adults and a blood meal is required for each of the molts. Nymphs can survive without blood for up to three to six months.
What Do Baby Bed Bugs Look Like?
Fully-grown bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and dark brown or red in colour. A baby bed bug looks like a smaller version of the adult. Though tiny, they are usually visible to the naked eye, becoming bigger each time they molt.
Where Do Baby Bed Bugs Live?
Image of a bed bug nymph.
Baby bed bugs live in the same harbourage sites as adults. In a typical home, there are many different harbourage sites where they can hide.
Because of their flat shape, the pests can easily hide in tight areas, making them difficult to spot. Homeowners may commonly find nymphs and eggs in the following places:
- Inside furniture, mattress crevices or box springs
- Behind picture frames, headboards, or baseboards
- Under peeling wallpaper
- Inside electrical outlets or cracks in flooring
The pests are typically active at night and favour areas close to where people sleep. They are attracted to body heat, odour and the carbon dioxide emitted by their hosts.
Do Baby Bed Bugs Bite?
As soon as a nymph hatches, it must feed on blood to stay alive, develop and molt to the next stage. For this reason, a baby bed bug will bite people.
As the insects develop, they can go several weeks without feeding. Baby bed bugs feed more frequently and for shorter durations than adult bed bugs.
Prevention
To keep bed bugs out of the house, inspect all second-hand clothing and furniture before bringing these items inside. The pests may also be introduced into a home via personal belongings or luggage after a stay in an infested hotel.
Homeowners who spot eggs, adults, or baby bed bugs can contact the specialists at Orkin Canada for safe and efficient removal.
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