Bed bugs are small, wingless, nocturnal parasites that feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded hosts, primarily humans. These pests are flat, oval-shaped, and reddish-brown, often hiding in crevices near their feeding source. Bed bugs do not lay their eggs on human skin; their brief presence on the skin is solely for feeding, not reproduction.
The Truth About Bed Bug Reproduction
Female bed bugs are highly selective, seeking protected, stationary locations close to a host’s sleeping area to deposit eggs. They lay eggs in cracks and crevices that offer security and minimal disturbance. Common sites include mattress seams, bed frame joints, behind peeling wallpaper, or inside electrical outlets. The female attaches each egg using a specialized, cement-like adhesive. Human skin is an unsuitable, non-stationary environment because it sheds cells and moves constantly, making it impossible for eggs to remain attached. A single female typically lays between one and five eggs per day.
The Bed Bug Life Cycle: Egg to Nymph
The bed bug life cycle begins with the egg, which is approximately one millimeter in length. These eggs are pearly white and difficult to spot, as they are often laid in dark, hidden clusters. The incubation period depends on ambient temperature, but eggs typically hatch within six to fourteen days under normal room temperatures. An egg that has developed for five days or more may show a small, dark eye spot, indicating it is close to hatching. Once hatched, the young are called nymphs. Nymphs are pale and immediately seek a blood meal. To progress through their five stages and molt into an adult, each nymph must consume blood.
What Bed Bugs Do When They Are On Skin
Bed bugs are attracted to a host primarily by the carbon dioxide exhaled during sleep and secondarily by body warmth. When they crawl onto the skin, their objective is to obtain a blood meal. The insect uses its elongated mouthpart, known as a proboscis, to pierce the skin. The bug’s saliva contains two compounds that assist feeding. One is an anesthetic that prevents the host from feeling the bite, allowing the bug to feed unnoticed. The second is an anticoagulant that keeps the blood flowing smoothly. The feeding process is fast, taking approximately five to ten minutes for the bug to become fully engorged. Once feeding is complete, the insect retreats to digest its meal in a hidden location.