Find a bug in your bed? It must be a bed bug - or is it?
Just because you found a bug in your bed doesn't make it a bed bug. Many common bugs are mistaken for bed bugs. Even poorly trained professionals have misidentified other insects for bed bugs. The confusion often stems from a lack of experience. Sadly, this means that people invariably treat bed bugs when they have another pest species.
Hands down, experience is the best way to identify bed bugs correctly. Typically, the best experience comes with time in the field as a professional. A professional inspection will save you time and money early in a bed bug infestation.
Any successful treatment plan must begin by correctly identifying the pest you are dealing with because treatments can vary dramatically for each insect.
Early detection will improve the success of your treatment plan and reduce costs. By catching an infestation early, you can successfully treat a smaller area before it spreads throughout your home.
Call Bed Bug Safe today to schedule an inspection and find out what that bug is in your bed.
Call Today (123) 456-7890
Don't get fooled by bugs that look like bed bugs.
What a Bed Bug Looks Like
Bites
Bites are a common first indication of a bed bug infestation, but even bed bug bites are easily misidentified. Many assume their bites are from mosquitos or spiders because they resemble a typical bug bite in appearance and feel. But, there are a few distinct traits.
Bed bug bites are small raised welts that are itchy and closely resemble a mosquito bite. However, bed bugs differ in their bite pattern. Their triangular patterns of 3 bites set them apart from mosquitos. Often referred to as "breakfast, lunch, and dinner," the three closely clumped bites are characteristic of bed bugs and a key indication.
Bed bugs prefer exposed skin around the neck, hands, arms, legs, and face.
Most of the time, bed bug bites will go away in a few days, just like mosquitoes bite. However, some people can get a more severe reaction that requires medical attention. It's not unheard of to develop blisters and welts that become inflamed, infected, and required immediate medical intervention.
An allergic reaction is also possible, and the bite victim must go to the hospital immediately.
Some people who take regular antihistamines may not react to bites. And some may not respond for weeks.
Appearance
Next, let's look closely at the bed bug and examine its physiology from eggs, through instar development to adult.
Common Bugs That Look Like Bed Bugs
Now that you know what bed bugs look like through all stages of development. Let's look at "other" bugs that resemble the bed bug and the key traits that say - "Not A Bed Bug."
Carpet Beetle
Although carpet beetles are small, round, and brown, they have distinct wings, unlike the bed bug. Their larvae resemble tiny furry caterpillars. Carpet beetles do not bite humans, but some people experience welts when exposed to their tiny hairs.
Key Trait: Bed bugs do not have wings; carpet beetles do
Spider Beetle
Spider beetles are often confused with bed bugs, especially ones that just had a feeding. They are similar in size, but the bed bug is much flatter. The Spider beetle will have an oval shape but is more round from top to bottom. A spider beetle will also have longer antennas compared to bed bugs. Both are similar in color. The spider beetle does not feed on animals and can typically eat grains, dried beans, or other foods found in a pantry.
Key Traits: Spider beetles have longer antennas and a rounder body from the top to the bottom when compared to a bed bug.
Ticks
Ticks are parasites that live off the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. Ticks are vectors of many diseases that affect both humans and animals.
Key Traits: Ticks are arachnids and have eight legs and no antennas. Bed bugs have six legs, and they do have antennas.
Cockroach Nymphs
Cockroach nymphs (aka baby cockroaches) hide in cracks and crevices, preferring to stay close to food, warmth, and moisture. They are most active at night. They appear white immediately after hatching or molting and quickly turn reddish-brown (like a bed bug). However, the cockroach nymph is more like the shape of a cylinder. In contrast, a bed bug is shorter and oval or small apple-seed in form (not necessarily in size).
Key Traits: Body shape is the main difference. Cockroach Nymphs have a cylindrical shape while bed bugs are flat and round. Also, cockroach nymphs have antennas that are longer than the body. Bed bugs' antennas are much shorter.
Booklice
Booklice are commonly mistaken for bed bug nymphs (a juvenile bed bug). They are smaller in size and range in color from translucent white to gray or brown. They can often be found under wallpaper and along the sides of windows and windowsills. Their primary food source is fungi, pollen, mold, and fragments of dead insects.
Key Traits: Body shape is the crucial difference. Booklice are longer and have a narrow midsection compared to bed bug nymphs.
Earwigs
Earwigs have a pair of forceps-like pincers that protrude from their abdomen. Male pincers are curved, while females are straight. They use their pincers to capture prey and defend themselves.
Key Traits: The pronounced pincers on an earwig are not found on bed bugs.
Bat Bugs
Bat bugs look similar to bed bugs but are not common in homes. Both bugs have flat oval bodies and broad heads. They are identical in color also, but bat bugs feed on bats and are typically found where bats sleep. It would be unlikely (though not impossible) that the bug you see is a bat bug.
Key Traits: Bat bugs are slightly darker and have long hairs on their abdomens. Bed bugs are light brown in color.
Head lice
Head lice have a small elongated body that is cylindrical. Typically, an adult female is about the size of a strawberry seed. They do not have wings and live entirely in a person's hair. They will lay eggs on hair follicles, which hatch and grow into adults by feeding on the blood of their host. They can be found in your bed but will not survive more than a few days without finding a new host. If a strand of your hair falls out onto your pillow with a lice egg on it, the egg will hatch, and the nymph will survive for 1-2 days without food.
Key Traits: Bed bugs are bigger than head lice and darker in color. The typical adult bed bug can grow up to 1/4 inch, while lice are closer to 1/8 inch. Bed bugs are round and flat, while head lice are oblong and cylindrical.
Fleas
Fleas are similar in color to bed bugs but have different body shapes. A bed bug is flat and oval, while fleas are longer than wide and have a flatted appearance. Both can be seen with the naked eye. Fleas can jump a long way, while bed bugs cannot jump and move much slower. Both feed on their hosts' blood, but fleas prefer dogs and cats, while bed bugs prefer humans.
Key Traits: Body shape is different, with bed bugs being round and flat, while fleas are smaller and oval. If they jump, they are likely fleas.
Mites
There are many different mites, and most are too small to be seen with the naked eye. A few species are big enough to be seen but will look quite a bit different from a bed bug. Because mites are in the arachnid family, they will all have eight legs, while bed bugs only have six legs. Unfortunately, you can find mites in your bed, as some species feed on dead human skin flakes that are shed throughout the day.
Key Traits: Most mites are too small to see, but a few species are bigger. A large mite has eight legs, while bed bugs only have six.
Tips
- Always keep the suspected bug (don't flush it!) and verify it with a professional.
- Remember, early detection of bed bugs can reduce treatment costs and improve treatment success. Eliminate the infestation BEFORE it grows.
- Check out the Bed Bug Lifecycle Puck and Education Posters are available at the IBBRA DIY Shop for clear examples of bed bugs.
- Call for a Professional Inspection by a Bed Bug Safe Service Provider: Call 1-855-725-0836
We're here to help! If you find bed bugs in your home, at your business, or place of work, CALL Bed Bug Safe at 1-855-725-0836