Bedbug Costume
The ultimate creepy-crawly pest that everyone loves to hate.
Whether you want to go as a literal creepy-crawly pest or put a funny spin on the name, a bedbug costume is a hilarious choice for Halloween. The look consists of a flat, reddish-brown segmented insect body, insect antennae, and playful bed-themed accessories like a sleeping mask or a small pillow. It is a highly memorable, budget-friendly costume that is guaranteed to get a reaction.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $20–60
Try it on
See yourself as Bedbug
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Bedbug costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Bedbug costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Reddish-brown tunic or poncho
A wide, flat, oval-shaped tunic or poncho in a mahogany or reddish-brown color to represent the insect's body.
DIY: Cut two large oval shapes out of reddish-brown felt or cardboard and attach shoulder straps.
Antennae headband
A simple black or dark brown headband with two flexible insect antennae.
DIY: Wrap black pipe cleaners around a plain plastic headband and coil the ends.
Sleeping mask
A classic fabric sleeping mask worn pushed up on the forehead to play on the 'bed' pun.
DIY: Cut a mask shape out of felt and attach an elastic band to the sides.
Small travel pillow
A small white or light-colored travel pillow to carry under your arm as a prop.
DIY: Use a small throw pillow you already own and wrap it in a white pillowcase.
Fabric paint or black marker
Used to draw horizontal segment lines across the brown tunic to mimic an insect's exoskeleton.
DIY: Use a thick black permanent marker to draw the lines.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Bedbug costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Lay your reddish-brown tunic or cardboard oval flat on a table.
- 2
Use black fabric paint or a thick marker to draw horizontal, slightly curved lines across the body to create the segmented look of a bedbug.
- 3
Put on a dark brown or black long-sleeve shirt and matching pants as a base layer.
- 4
Slip the segmented tunic or poncho over your head, or secure the cardboard shell with elastic straps.
- 5
Place the antennae headband on your head, then slide the sleeping mask onto your forehead just below the antennae.
- 6
Tuck the small travel pillow under your arm to complete the sleep-themed pest look.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair simple or tucked under a dark beanie. Use red face paint or lipstick to create small, itchy-looking red dots (fake bug bites) on your cheeks, neck, or arms for a funny, creepy touch.
Bedbug for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person dresses as the bedbug, and the other wears pajamas covered in red felt 'bite' marks while carrying a fly swatter.
- group
- An 'infestation' group where everyone wears matching bedbug shells and carries miniature mattresses or pillows.
- kids
- A cute 'cuddle bug' version featuring a soft brown plush tunic, antennae, and a mini sleeping bag.
- Plus size
- An oversized brown poncho decorated with fabric paint segments, which provides a comfortable and loose fit.
- pet
- A small brown dog sweater with soft felt insect legs attached to the sides and a lightweight elastic antennae headband.
Tips
- Keep the shell flat and wide, as real bedbugs are famously flat before they feed.
- Wear comfortable sneakers, especially if you plan on walking around carrying your pillow prop all night.
- Use safety pins to secure your sleeping mask to your headband so it doesn't slide down over your eyes.
Bedbug costume FAQ
- How do I make a cheap DIY bedbug shell?
- Cut two large ovals out of cardboard, paint them reddish-brown, draw horizontal lines with a black marker, and hot glue elastic straps to wear it like a sandwich board.
- What color should a bedbug costume be?
- Real bedbugs are a reddish-brown or mahogany color, which becomes brighter red after they feed.
- Is this costume comfortable for a party?
- Yes, if you use lightweight felt or cardboard for the shell, it is easy to wear, move around, and sit down in.
Did you know? Real bedbugs are flat and about the size of an apple seed, but they can swell to twice their size and turn bright red after a blood meal.