Female bed bugs have a large reproductive capacity. Under optimal feeding conditions, they lay about 2-3 eggs per day, which translates into about 500 eggs over their lifetime. They hide the eggs in the shelters they use when resting during the day, giving rise to class one nymphs in 6-17 days.
Knowing where do bed bugs lay eggs is extremely important since these are the most resistant phase of the bed bug's life cycle. They can lie dormant for a long time until they reach the ideal temperature for hatching, and because few people know where they are usually found they are not easy to remove either.
Bed bugs lay their eggs in groups, around the areas they hide as well as where access to human hosts is best.
So, to help you fight this pest, this article will tell you everything you need to know about where do bed bugs lay eggs. Keep reading so you don't miss anything!
Bed bugs are not used to moving on slippery surfaces, so places like the shower or bathtub are not in danger. This is the main reason bed bugs prefer dry areas like wood or fabric to settle down. In this regard, it should be noted that bed bug eggs are often found in those places bedbugs use for shelter. In the following sections of the article, we will tell you the places in the house where bed bugs are most likely to lay their eggs so that you can pay attention and find them more easily.
Considering the name of the insect, it is safe to say that yes, bed bugs can (and usually do) lay their eggs in or near the bed. The bed mattress is usually one of the most likely places to find bed bug eggs, for several reasons.
First of all, the bed mattress is perfect for bed bugs because they have enough space to mate, feed, and reproduce. The temperature in a bed mattress is ideal for these insects, which causes the eggs laid there to hatch more quickly. As far as feeding is concerned, being in the same bed or close to it, bed bugs have access to their biggest source of food, you. Since bed bugs prefer to feed on human blood rather than animal blood, they are in the perfect position to feed best when they are close to a human being. At the same time, it is well known that bedbugs feed mainly at night, and it is during this period that we humans find ourselves in our beds.
For all these reasons it is not uncommon to find bed bug eggs in or near the bed, being the corners, edges, and folds of the bed mattress where you should look more fervently.
Windows, like curtains, are often considered harmless places where it seems unlikely that a pest like bed bugs will lay their eggs. However, the chances of finding bed bug eggs on windows and curtains are particularly high, more so if the window frame is made of wood.
If this is the case, try to verify that these small bed bug eggs are not hidden in the corners of the window or in some inconspicuous point of the curtain. If you have a curtain with flexible and hollow rods, then you will have to check each one of them, as it is more than likely that the eggs you are looking for are inside them.
As you may imagine, the floor is one of the most common places in the house for bed bugs. This is not surprising, since these insects must get around the house in some way, and the floor covers all areas of it. In these cases, bed bug eggs can be almost anywhere: from small cracks in the floor that are quite hard to see with the human eye, to even carpets, mainly those parts of carpets that are covered by large objects such as tables or chairs.
Giving that the main point of propagation of bed bugs around your house is the floor and carpets, you should take special care when cleaning your house. If you suspect you have a bed bug infestation, remember that the floor may be one of the most likely places to find the eggs. Always shake carpets and check them thoroughly, as the sticky substance in bed bug eggs makes this object especially vulnerable to infestation.
Although to a lesser extent than the previous places, bed bug eggs also tend to appear in other places inside the home such as recliners, closets, the inside of furniture and even behind the TV.
In general, bed bugs are usually found near their food sources and at an ideal temperature for them. Keep in mind that if a site has bed bugs, it most likely has their eggs as well. Remember, though, that bedbugs don't make nests - like most insects - and in many cases, eggs will be scattered throughout your home.
In short, any place that has a small chance of harboring bed bugs without you noticing it is a potential refuge for bed bug eggs!
Now that you have an idea of the places where you are likely to find bed bug eggs, in the following sections we will tell you in detail how to identify them and also dispel some myths about them.
It is very common to believe that it is possible to find bedbug eggs in your hair. The idea makes even more sense if we consider that bedbug eggs are extremely sticky, and since One of the most common places to find bedbug eggs is near the bed, which is the place where you sleep, finding bedbug eggs in your hair does not seem to be such a misconception. However, these things are not as they seem
Beyond the myths and the possibility that this situation may seem, the answer to this question is simply no. For the bed bug, the human body (and any warm-blooded species) is simply the means of feeding, being necessary only when they are hungry and need to survive.
Furthermore, it is not common for bedbugs to leave their eggs in your hair for the simple reason that they will not be able to have the basic conditions necessary for them to hatch properly and survive. Normally human hair is exposed to situations (temperature changes, sudden movements, and even exposure to water) that prevent bed bug eggs from properly hatching. In addition, you need to keep in mind that while these eggs are sticky, as mentioned above, they are not sticky enough to stay in human hair without falling out.
It is also practically impossible for a bed bug to have laid its eggs in your hair. This is simply because these insects are unable, thanks to their anatomy, to climb up and place themselves in areas as unstable as human hair. These insects can't fly either, so the possibility of them flying and laying eggs in your hair should also be completely ruled out.
At the same time, as mentioned in the previous section, bed bugs prefer to hide in fairly specific areas of the house, hidden from the human eye (unless they're eating, of course) and usually warm and not slippery, so it is unlikely that bed bugs will lay their eggs in your hair.
One thing bed bugs can do, however, is suck blood from your scalp, neck, and face for a few minutes. So, even if it is unlikely that a bed bug will lay eggs in your hair, you must make sure that your hair stays clean and that these insects have not been able to access it.
Bed bug eggs are not particularly hard. Bed bug eggs, like most animal and insect eggs, have a shell that keeps the developing bed bug larva and fluids in place. The shell of the bug's egg is strong enough to keep both the nymph and its fluids inside, but it is not able to resist being crushed. This is why the shell, and the fluids inside it, make bed bug eggs relatively soft and easy to crush. Like bed bugs themselves, they can be attempted to be crushed in multiple ways, but they are so small (and there are usually so many) that this strategy is usually not worth the effort to eliminate them.
Continuing with the explanation of the consistency of bed bug eggs, a common comparison is that of bed bug eggs to rice grains. For many people, comparing a bedbug egg to a grain of rice (both in shape and consistency) is the ideal way to find, identify, and then eliminate them. However, it is necessary to point out that although at first sight bedbug eggs are very similar to a grain of rice since they share both its color and shape, the truth is that their consistency is totally different, so If you're trying to find bed bug eggs in your home, you'll want to remember the differences and make sure you take their consistency into account before you start looking.
As mentioned earlier, the places where bed bugs lay their eggs can be very varied and can range from near the bed to in a closet drawer. Usually, these insects do not usually lay their eggs on clothes, although this does not mean that they cannot do so or that there is not a possibility of doing so.
First of all, it should be noted that bed bugs do not lay their eggs in moving objects. This means that, if you are wearing your clothes, the chance of a bed bug laying its eggs in it is virtually non-existent. It is also very rare for bed bugs to lay their eggs on clothes when they are in their normal locations, so if you keep your clothes well packed and make sure you maintain basic hygiene guidelines, you probably won't have this problem.
However, bed bugs can lay eggs on your clothes if they are scattered on the floor, if they are on the bed, or if they are just somewhere the bed bugs can find them easily.
If the bed bug infestation you have is very large, it is quite likely that these insects will find their way to your wardrobe and use it to live, so in this type of extreme case, you do run the possibility that all your clothes will not only contain bed bugs but also their eggs, which are extremely difficult to remove.
To make sure you don't have a problem with possible bed bug eggs on your clothes, be sure to check carefully your clothes before you get dressed and also periodically, especially if you know there is a bed bug infestation elsewhere in your home and you want to make sure it hasn't reached your wardrobe.
Keep in mind that, in addition to your clothes, bed bugs can also try to lay their eggs in your shoes, especially on the inside. Before you put on a pair of shoes, it is also advisable to check them carefully and shake them to avoid problems.
While we mentioned earlier that it is unlikely that bed bugs will lay eggs on your clothes, we also know that this is something that can happen, especially if the infestation is very large and if the bed bugs have spread to more places in your home where clothes are usually stored.
If a bed bug has laid eggs on your clothes, they can be very difficult to remove because of the sticky substance they have that not only allows them to stay attached to the surface on which they have been laid but also protects the larvae from any outside dangers.
If you have bed bug eggs on your clothes and want to remove them, you can try several methods to solve the problem.
One of the most common solutions is to put the affected clothes in the washing machine, with hot water, and then in the dryer. When doing this, the most important thing of all is drying, since most dryers on the market run at very high temperatures, and one of the most effective methods for killing bed bugs and their eggs is high temperatures.
This method is a bit tedious since you will have to wash your clothes many times until you notice that the eggs start to disintegrate. Needless to say, even when they are dead, the adhesive that keeps the eggs attached to surfaces continues to work, so killing them is no guarantee of getting them out of your clothes.
Another way you can try to remove bed bug eggs from your clothes is to remove them with your hands, one by one. This may be the most direct method and the only one that will ensure that the eggs come out completely. However, if you have a lot of clothing that has been infested, this option can be a waste of time and is probably not worth it either.
If you opt for this solution, you will need to take special care in removing the bed bug eggs, and it is recommended that you wear latex gloves to avoid any risk of disease or health problems.
Finally, another way you can remove bed bug eggs from your clothes is by vacuuming them with a special vacuum cleaner. Keep in mind that not all vacuum cleaners are suitable for this purpose. If you want to use this method, make sure the vacuum you use has a filter that allows for the removal of small particles. After vacuuming bed bug eggs from your clothes, it is especially necessary to wrap the vacuum bag in sealed plastic bags and move it away from your home as soon as possible to prevent them from escaping when they hatch.
Once you know exactly what bed bug eggs look like and what their consistency is, you have all the tools you need to start getting rid of them.
Bed bug eggs, in particular, are extremely small in size, measuring about one millimeter long. They have an oval shape with rounded ends and are complemented by a white shade on their surface. When the egg is more than 5 days old, it may be larger than normal. In many cases, it is also possible to see a small round in it, which is nothing more than the eye of the bug that lies inside.
As mentioned earlier, bed bug eggs are often quite similar to a grain of rice, both in color, which can vary, and in shape and size. In many cases, these eggs are difficult to see with the naked eye because of their size and the places where they are found. For these situations, it is an excellent idea to use a magnifying glass or magnifying device such as a microscope to observe them better.
Bed bugs, like most insects, must shed their skin as they grow. This is because their shell, which is made of a substance called chitin, does not grow as the rest of the bedbug's body does, so the bedbug must change it in order to develop properly. After doing so, it leaves behind this shell mentioned above, which can vary in shape and size according to the stage of life that the bed bug was in when it changed it.
Bed bug shells usually look like dead bugs, because no matter what size they are, they keep their body shape. However, if you look at them closely, you will notice that the bed bug shells, because their bodies are missing inside, look translucent and empty.
On the other hand, it is necessary to mention that the eggs we're talking about so much in this article also leave a shell behind.
In a previous section, we mentioned that the eggs have a shell that keeps the bed bug developing along with a series of fluids needed for it inside. Once the egg opens and hatches, the shell, which is white and translucent, will be what is left behind. Eggshells are not very easy to see, mainly due to their size and color, but you should keep in mind that if you see a bed bug eggshell or a bed bug shell in general, you are most likely in an infested place and you'll need to take action as soon as possible in order to avoid health problems.
As we have mentioned throughout the article, bedbug eggs are white, in many cases even translucent. They can also be cream-colored, and in general, their color is very similar to the color of an ordinary grain of rice, or to that of a grain of salt. Because of their color, in many cases, they can contrast prominently with the places where they are found, and this contrast can be more evident if there is more than one egg in the place. This contrast, if present, can be very helpful in finding the locations of the bedbug eggs so that they can be killed once and for all.
One of the most important reasons why bed bugs are so difficult to eliminate is the speed with which they manage to reproduce. As long as a female bed bug has access to a food source and has mated, she will be able to lay eggs.
Typically, a female bed bug is capable of laying 1 to 7 eggs per day. The number of eggs she lays depends directly on the food sources she has access to and the number of times she has mated in her lifetime. Contrary to what you might think, the more times a bed bug mates, the fewer eggs it is able to lay. This is because the bodies of these insects are relatively fragile, and the act of repeated mating tends to cause problems. This is also why female bed bugs, after mating, tend to change places in order to avoid unwanted mating and pairing. Unfortunately, this action also causes the bed bugs to spread further in your home since the female bed bug will try to lay her eggs in a place in the house where there are neither other bed bugs nor eggs of other bedbugs.
Once a bed bug has laid its eggs in the best place it can find, it usually takes 6 days to two and a half weeks to hatch.
Hatching time will always depend on environmental conditions, especially humidity and temperature. If the room is at an average temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, bed bug eggs will hatch faster.
However, even when the ideal temperature and humidity conditions are not met, the egg can still remain unhatched for months, only doing so when the conditions are right. This is why normal temperature changes, such as those that occur with seasonal changes, will not kill bed bugs or prevent them from reproducing. This can only be achieved with the right specialized treatment.
Keep in mind that once the egg has hatched, the nymph that hatches will be ready to feed on blood, and this will probably be the first thing she does. In these cases, you must be careful, as these insects in their early stages are very small and difficult to see.
This question, which is often asked and torments many people who suffer from bed bug infestations, is very similar to the question related to human hair.
With skin, it may seem different, as it is not uncommon to feel these small insects walking on the skin, especially at night if the infestation is very large and the bedbugs are in your bed.
The truth is that bed bugs only come close to humans to feed on them. The time bed bugs spend on the skin is usually quite short, and can range from 10 to 20 minutes. They only use this time period to feed on blood, not to reproduce or lay eggs.
First of all, we mentioned earlier that bed bugs do not like moving objects or places to live. Our skin, since it is part of our body, does not meet this condition at all.
On the other hand, normally the pests that live on humans and their skin (such as lice, fleas, and ticks) are small enough not to be noticed with the naked eye. In the case of bedbugs, not only are they quite big, but their eggs, which are about one millimeter long, are also much larger than, for example, lice eggs, making them vulnerable. The result of this distance has been throughout millions of years of the evolution of the species, and this is what has allowed them to remain alive.
Finally, there is also the temperature. Bedbugs require a specific optimal temperature to reproduce and mate in the best way, and the human body cannot give it to them.
For these reasons it is impossible for bedbugs to lay eggs on your skin, or live on it, even though they can be found on multiple occasions feeding on our bodies.
Remember that, in the end, the human being is only a source of food for the bed bug, so these insects are only close to us when they want to feed. Otherwise, they tend to live in hidden places.
In short, bed bug eggs can be found in a variety of places around the house, and knowing where you are most likely to find them, what they look like and how they feel to the human touch is the most effective way to eliminate them from your home altogether since it's impossible to try to fight something if you don't really know how it works.
The number of myths about bedbug eggs and bedbugs in general also makes it more difficult to get rid of them because people use their energy to look for eggs where they will not find them, as is often the case with the human body or hair. Finally, you should also keep in mind that eliminating bed bugs eggs is just as important (or even more important) than eliminating bed bugs. If you just focus on eliminating the bed bugs, the eggs, which are still alive, can reproduce in a short time and render your efforts useless. You should know that a bed bug colony can double in a matter of weeks.
When removing the eggs, you should know that, unlike bed bugs, they cannot be killed with common insecticides because of the shell that covers them and the sticky substance that protects the inside. That is why, if you want to eliminate bed bug eggs, it is advisable to identify the places in your house where they are, as well as the objects they may be in (such as clothes, bedding or towels) and take the most appropriate elimination measures.
Using high temperatures is one of the most common, but you can also use a vacuum cleaner, as with clothing, and in some very specific cases it is also possible to find particularly toxic insecticides that can penetrate the eggshell and thus ensure its death.
Regardless of the method of elimination you use, knowing how to identify these small eggs and understanding how the bed bugs reproduce is essential for the whole extermination process to work.
We hope that this article has helped you answer the question of where do bed bugs lay eggs. It is important to know the answer to this question if you want to get rid of bed bugs.
