Do bed bugs leave shells?

Do bed bugs leave shells? If you are concerned about the best way to determine if you have bed bugs, then you may wonder if they leave shells behind. It is challenging to find live bed bugs, especially when the infestation is out of control. The best way to identify bed bugs is through other signs they leave behind. Bed Bug Spray.

Do bed bugs leave shells?

Bed bugs leave shells. In reality, bed bug shedding is one of the most reliable signs of bed bugs. Bed bugs shed their skin at least five times before maturity. This “skin’ which can also be called “shell”’ or “casing” is an exoskeleton. The process of shedding is equally called molting.

Often, the first-time bed bugs lose their skin is when the egg hatches into a nymph and casts off its eggshell. Next, the nymph goes through 5 stages of growth and, at each stage, sheds its shell, growing larger at every shedding. Once bed bugs mature, they stop molting and will no longer increase in size.

How to identify bedbug shells?

Concerning the first shed, which is the eggshells, you may not see them. They are only 1/16 of an inch, white, and oval-shaped. Because of their size and color, you may not see them with your naked eye. Again, bed bug egg casings look like the eggs of other insects. It’s much easier to see the casings of the nymphs. These casings are translucent and will resemble the actual bugs. The difference is that they are not moving. It’s not uncommon to see identifiable body parts like the proboscis, antennae, and legs. You may also find a dark brown to red streak. These streaks will have components of blood, feces, and remnants from crushed bed bugs. That said, bed bugs usually cast their skin after feeding. A Nymph needs at least one blood meal at each stage. Feeding often takes 10 minutes. If a nymph can access food sufficiently, it will molt and shed weekly. Otherwise, it may take up to six months for a nymph to move from hatching to maturity.

Where can you find bed bug shells?

You will likely find bed bug shells where bed bugs hatch, breed, sleep, and relax. Finding the casings can help you with your bed bug spot treatment too. Often, these locations include between seams in mattresses, upholstered furniture, gaps, holes, or crevices in wooden furniture, electric sockets, and more. As expected, you won’t find the casings alone, but feces, blood, and crushed bed bugs.

Final thoughts—do bed bugs leave shells?

The truth is that bed bugs leave behind translucent shells. These shells, or casings, are one of the best ways to identify bed bug infestations. Counting these shells may also give you an idea of the level of infestation you are dealing with.

Once you have confirmed bed bugs, act fast to get rid of them. One of the best ways is by using Nature’s MACE Bed Bug Spray. Nature’s Mace bed bug spray is a fast-acting, environmentally friendly formula that is safe for both pets and humans. It works quickly, killing any live bugs alongside their eggs and nymphs. Add Nature’s Mace bed bug spray to your bed bug treatment plan and successfully stop bed bugs from taking over your home. Shop Bed Bug Sprays! 

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