Bedbugs are parasitic insects that, according to the U.S. Armed Forces Pest Management Board, typically reach from 5 mm to 7 mm in size when fully grown. Adult bedbugs that have recently fed are the largest type.
Types
According to Bedbugger.com, bed bugs have six life stages: five stages as nymphs and one final adult stage.
Size
The smallest bedbug is the newly born nymph, which is less than a millimeter in length. The largest bedbug is the adult, which can be up to 7 mm long.
Considerations
Bedbugs that have recently fed on blood increase in length and thickness. Their bodies, normally oval-shaped, extend into a swollen oblong.
Significance
Bedbugs' small size and flat body allow them to hide in narrow crevices, making their detection and elimination difficult.
Misconceptions
According to AskTheExterminator.com, it's a common misconception that bedbugs are invisible to the naked eye. During the adult stage, they averages a thickness of 5.5 mm, quite large enough to be observed. They are especially visible when filled with blood, which gives them a red-brown color.
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