Call (613) 743-8074 Compare the main bed bug life stages using real reference photographs and learn which evidence is more reliable than bites alone.
Ontario structural infestations are usually caused by the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius. Adults, nymphs and eggs look different, so this category focuses on life stages rather than inventing multiple local species.
Each card uses an actual reference photograph of the pest or life stage named.
Adults are roughly apple-seed sized, wingless and visibly segmented. Their shape changes after a blood meal.
Nymphs pass through several stages and can be nearly translucent before feeding, which makes them easy to overlook.
Eggs are tiny, pale and cemented into protected harbourage. A flashlight and magnification can help confirm them.
| Type | Size | Appearance | Typical location | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Bed Bug | About 4.5–7 mm | Flat, oval and reddish brown; darker after feeding | Mattress seams, bed frames, furniture and nearby cracks | Year-round indoors |
| Bed Bug Nymph | About 1.5–4.5 mm | Smaller and paler than adults; red after feeding | The same harbourage as adults, often deep in seams | Year-round indoors |
| Bed Bug Eggs | About 1 mm | Pearl-white, elongated and attached to surfaces | Protected cracks, seams and rough surfaces near hosts | Present wherever an active population is reproducing |
Bites alone cannot confirm bed bugs. Preserve a specimen or clear close-up photo and inspect the surrounding harbourage for spotting, skins and eggs.
Identify a Pest From a PhotoSend Emerald Pest Control a clear photo and property details for professional confirmation and appropriate next steps.