They're a millimeter and a half long, roughly, and kind of a dusky reddish brown color. You can see the evidence of them in all the crevices of the case. However, Grubaugh adds that such situations are rare, because active players don't usually run into these creatures. The insects don't like light and prefer to make their homes in cases that have been stored, never opened, for long periods of time. Sometimes players are embarrassed when they find evidence of a bow bug infestation in an old case, but the problem is not unusual under such circumstances.
Bow bugs are, unfortunately, likely to be hiding even in the cleanest of houses.
They live in carpets, in insulation, in closets, under the bed where there are dust bunnies. It's the larval stage that does the most damage, and they'll eat whatever is available to them. In fact, many natural history museums like the one in Denver keep thousands of dermestids in huge cases for the express purpose of cleaning specimens. To protect precious exhibits, museum curators must keep a careful eye on these dermestariums to prevent beetle breakouts. If bow bugs do get inside your case, you can get rid of them by following a few simple but important steps, according to violin dealers.