How Bed Bugs Are Born

How Bed Bugs Are Born

Bed bugs are a species of blood-feeding insects, not unlike mosquitos, that require a primary host to continue the cycle of their existence. They’re fast spreading pests, capable of laying hundreds of eggs in a single life span.

A bed bug's life begins with an egg. Female bed bugs can lay between one and five eggs each day and may lay up to 500 eggs within one lifetime. Eggs are laid singly or in clusters and are placed within tight cracks or crevices. The egg is approximately 1 mm in length and is comparable in size to two grains of salt. Within two weeks, eggs hatch and immature bed bugs begin immediately to feed.

These newborn bed bugs, called nymphs, molt five times before reaching adulthood. Though similar in appearance, they’re smaller than adults and differ in colour, appearing as a whitish-yellow instead of a reddish-brown.  It takes 5 weeks for a nymph to molt into an adult. Upon reaching maturity they’re able to start the cycle over again, laying up to 300 eggs throughout a successful lifespan.


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