Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are six-legged nocturnal insects that feed on the blood of humans or warm-blooded animals. The most common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is the species most adapted to living with humans. These pests easily spread to new locations by crawling into neighboring apartments or by hitching rides in personal items like bags and luggage.

Treatment typically starts with a thorough inspection of infested areas (ideally using a certified bed bug detection canine) followed by professional pesticide application or ambient heat treatment.

If you’re dealing with bed bugs in New York or the Tri-State Area, contact MMPC today to learn more about our NESDCA-certified K9 bed bug inspections as well as eco-friendly bed bug treatment & extermination services.

Signs of Bed Bugs

Common warning signs of a bed bug infestation include:

Musty odors
Bed bug bites
Bloodstains on sheets
Fecal marks
Shell casings
Bed bug eggs
Live bed bug sightings

Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites often go unnoticed because they feed at night while people are asleep. Their saliva also contains an anesthetic to prevent pain from waking their host up.

Areas bitten by bed bugs may appear as small clusters of itchy red bumps on hands, legs, and other areas of the body.

Bites may also cause rashes, allergic reactions, psychological distress, or nothing at all (approximately 30-60% of people have no visible reaction to bed bug bites).

Contact MMPC

Bed Bug (Adult)

Cimex lectularius

Adult bed bugs feed every 3–7 days, and they typically come out to bite between midnight and 5:00 am.

They are very sensitive at detecting warmth, blood and carbon dioxide, which they use to find sleeping hosts to feed on.

During the daytime, bed bugs hide in dark, narrow spaces like the seams and gaps in mattresses, bed frames, and walls.

Size: 1/6″ – 1/4″ long (4 – 7 mm); about the length of a flax seed or a small apple seed

Color: Mahogany to red-brown (after blood meal)

Shape: 6 legs, flat, broad oval (unfed), swollen and elongated (fed)

Identifying Features

Legs: 6 legs

Antennae: Thin, 4-segmented antennae that usually bow outwards; about half the length of its body

Head: Small head with beady eyes protruding from the sides; its sucking mouthpart (stylet) is shaped like a thin straw and is normally tucked under the head; behind the head is a wide dorsal plate called the pronotum that flares out on both sides

Body: Flat, oval-shaped, and reddish-brown body; its abdomen is large with 8 evenly-spaced grooves running horizontally across the back (sclerites); becomes long and bloated after feeding; the tip of the abdomen is pointed in males and rounded in females

Bed Bug (Nymph)

Cimex lectularius

Nymphs, or baby bed bugs, are sometimes mistaken for baby cockroaches, booklice, and other insects due to their small size and light-colored, semi-translucent appearance.

Like adult bed bugs, nymphs also feed on blood at night and hide during the day.

Size: As small as 1/16″ (1.5 mm); about the length of a sesame seed

Color: Yellowish white or light brown

Shape: Similar to adults but smaller and semi-translucent

Identifying Features

Legs: 6 legs

Antennae: Thin, 4-segmented antennae that usually bow outwards; about half the length of its body

Body: Normally flat and oval-shaped; if it has fed recently, you might see a large dark spot inside its translucent body (digested blood)