What do bed bugs look like?

Identify bed bugs.

Maybe your family stayed in a hotel and wound up with suspicious itchy marks on their arms. Or you noticed your mattress seemed unusually dirty last time you changed the sheets. Maybe you found some red/brown spotting on your sheets. Perhaps you found some kind of tiny bug in your bedroom and aren't sure what it is.

You've heard news lately of a bed bug resurgence. So chances are that if you've seen possible signs of bed bugs, you are a little suspicious. The next thing you probably want to know is: what do bed bugs look like?

Bed bugs usually find dark places to hide. If you can't seem to find one and inspect it directly, you'll have to rely more on other signs of bed bugs. But if you do manage to catch hold of something you think is a bed bug, here is what you need to know.

• Bed bugs are flat, oval-shaped and very small in size.
• Bed bug hatchlings have been compared in size to poppy seeds.
• Adults can grow to 1/4 of an inch long.
• Bed bugs have 6 slender legs along with medium-long antennae at the top of their head.
• Bed bugs do not have any wings.

Due to their small size, it may be difficult to pick out the particulars and be sure you're looking at a bed bug. If you believe you do have a bed bug infestation but aren't 100% sure, call a pro. I've heard that bed bugs exterminators can cost roughly $300 per room. But if you think of how difficult it can be to detect and completely eradicate bed bugs from your home, the price starts to look pretty darn good.