Have you ever looked at bed bug shells and gotten confused about what you were looking at? If so, don’t worry – you’re in the majority. Most people have no idea what shell fragments look like which can be confusing when searching for them. I know it was for me anyway. I thought they would look different (due to my inexperience). In this post, I’ll break down a typical bed bug shell (eggs) and describe how they appear so that next time you’re wondering what you’re looking at, you’ll know. They look like little pieces of pepper, don’t they? Bed bug shells are actually leftovers from molting. You see, this is a time when bedbugs grow and prepare to transform into their next life stage. During molting, they become very soft so they have to find another safe place to rest until their new exoskeletons harden. They usually choose a corner in the room above where people sleep — this means you’re sleeping above them. Lovely!

Bed Bug Shells Look Like

Introduction

Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed.

Bed bug shells are about the size of apple seeds and are brown in color. They are oval-shaped, flat, wingless and not parasitic. Bed bugs do not transmit disease to humans and can live for more than a year without feeding on blood.

Eggs are about the size of a pinhead.

Bed bugs eggs are about the size of a pinhead and white in color. They are laid by the female bed bug and are usually found in areas such as cracks and crevices, hair, or dust. You will often see them in groups on furniture or walls because these areas provide a warm climate for baby bed bugs to hatch.

Nymphs are smaller than adult bed bugs.

Nymphs are smaller than adult bed bugs. They are about the size of a poppy seed, which means they can be difficult to see. Nymphs tend to be lighter in color than adults, making them even harder to spot. Although nymphs have all of their limbs, they cannot use them until after they molt into an adult form; this may make it appear as if they are moving very slowly or not at all. Both nymphs and adults have a flat body structure and six legs (although sometimes one or two legs will be missing).

Keep your eyes open for signs of bed bug activity.

The first signs of a bed bug infestation are often blood spots on sheets, mattresses and box springs. These can be easily missed since they’re usually no larger than 1/8” in diameter. If you see any signs of bed bug activity on your own bedding, contact a pest management professional immediately.

If you don’t know what to look for, take a closer look at the seams and crevices around your mattress and box spring where the fabric meets wood or metal. Look for small dark dots (likely fecal droppings) and shed skins exoskeletons). You may also find evidence of an infestation in headboards that have been chewed through by bugs searching for places to hide out during daylight hours.

Conclusion

To everyone who has ever wondered what a bed bug shell looks like, hopefully we’ve been able to answer your question. We know that bed bugs can be scary to think about and even more horrifying when you find out that they are in your home. But understanding what bed bugs look like, as well as their shells, will help you identify and treat them before they get out of hand.