Are Bed Bugs Visible to the Naked Eye?

Whenever we lie in our beds and start feeling itchy, we try to figure out what caused it. Bed bugs may likely be the cause. Some people who experience bites assume that they are suffering from some kind of allergic reaction. Improper cleaning of bedding is among the leading cause of an infestation. But how do we know where to find them? Are we able to actually see them?

Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are visible. We hardly ever see them because they usually are active in the dark. During the night, they will climb onto a person and feed off human blood. If disturbed, they will normally move quickly to find a dark area. During the day, the bugs can be found in the crevices or folds of a mattress. Their eggs are difficult to see despite looking like grains of salt. These parasites are about 5 millimeters (1/4 inch) in length and are brown in color. They are usually confused with dust mites. Dust mites are not visible to the naked eye. Vacuuming your bedding regularly can reduce the number of these vampire bugs that are living in your bed.

Bed bugs can be seen better if viewed under a microscope. Yet, they are hard to see with the naked eye since they avoid well-lit areas. What also makes them hard to see is the fact that bed bugs have flat bodies. Younger ones, called nymphs, are smaller lighter color and very hard to see. If you are familiar with the areas where they hide, odds are you have a better chance of seeing them. If you can’t see them, you can also spot their signs such as shed skin, blood spots on bed sheets, and even dark spots of excrement. Perhaps the best time to see these bugs is during the pre-dawn hours while it is still dark. Before sunrise, shine a light near an area where they are believed to be present.

Bed bugs are small but they can be killed. If you know where they are hiding, then you have a better chance of getting rid of them. While this may not be the permanent solution to the problem, it’s better to be prepared the next time you discover an infestation. While extermination services can be expensive, there are other ways to kill off these bugs such as using various cleaning chemicals such as Lysol or commercially available sprays.