10 BUGS MISTAKEN FOR BED BUGS

Bed bugs are known for their resilience and tenacity. They are common household pests that can cause significant discomfort and anxiety. However, not all bugs that look like bed bugs are actual bed bugs. Some of them are harmless and even beneficial to have around. In this article, we will discuss ten bugs that resemble or are mistaken for bed bugs and what you need to know about them.

Introduction

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are commonly found in beds, couches, and other soft furniture, but can also be found in cracks and crevices around the home. Bed bugs are notorious for their ability to spread quickly and their resistance to many forms of pest control.

However, several bugs look like bed bugs, and it can be challenging to tell them apart. Knowing the difference can help you determine the appropriate course of action if you find these bugs in your home.

So, what are the differences between bed bugs and other bugs? Which bugs are commonly mistaken for bed bugs?

1- SPIDERS VS BED BUGS

I believe that most people already know about spiders. Even so, I will give information about this bug:

  • 1 cm -40 cm length
  • Oval-shaped
  • 4 pairs of legs (8 in total)
  • No wings

It’s hard to mistake spiders for bed bugs because they are different in features.

How to differentiate:

The first way of this is to count their legs. Spiders have 8 legs and bed bugs have 6 legs in total.  Spiders can occur all day, but bed bugs usually occur at night.

Bed bugs are close to the sleeping areas, spiders hide everywhere including toilets or bathrooms.

While bed bug bites are itchy, spider bites are typically painful.

2- FLEAS VS BED BUGS

FLEAS VS BED BUGS

Fleas are parasites that feed on blood. They usually feed on the blood of pets like birds, dogs online cats.

  • Up to 3 mm in length
  • Without wings
  • They have 6 legs
  • They have antennas.
  • They have a flat body
  • Excellent jumpers

How to differentiate:

They are both blood-fed insects, but while fleas prefer feeding on hairy animals like dogs or cats, bed bugs usually prefer feeding on you!

Bed bugs can’t jump, fleas can jump 200 times their length. They are similar in color and shape, while fleas are more oval-shaped and skinner, rather than flatter.

Bed bugs hide in cracks, holes, furniture, clothes, or beds. Fleas are more likely to be found near the pets or sleeping areas of your pets.

3- COCKROACHES VS BED BUGS

10 BUGS MISTAKEN FOR BED BUGS

Cockroaches are one of the most common visitors to our houses. We see them walking fast from one place to another kitchen

The basic features of cockroaches are below:

  • in 20 to 80 mm length
  • Oval-shaped and flat bodies
  • Have 4 wings
  • Reddish-brown or black colored
  • Have three pairs of legs (6 in total)

Adult cockroaches different from bed bugs in their size and it’s the recently hatched cockroaches that are mistaken for bed bugs.

How to differentiate:

The basic difference between cockroaches and bed bugs is the antennas of the cockroach. Cockroaches have long antennas extending forward. They also have wings, while bed bugs don’t.

Cockroach nymphs are more similar to bed bugs because they don’t have wings. But you can still define a cockroach with its long antenna.

4- TICKS VS BED BUGS

TICKS VS BED BUGS

Ticks are little arachnids that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They are infectious for a lot of diseases to animals and people.

The basic features of ticks are below:

  • 1 to 5 mm length
  • Flat and oval-shaped body
  • Reddish-brown color
  • Adults have 8 and nymphs have 6 legs

How to differentiate:

The main difference between those insects is where they wander. While a tick prefers to live outdoors in grassy or woody areas, bed bugs live indoors.

In addition to their living areas, adult ticks have 8 legs and bed bugs have only 6 legs.

5- CARPET BEETLES VS BED BUGS

CARPET BEETLES VS BED BUGS

Carpet beetles live in the carpets or old furniture. They feed by flowers and pollens. Some physical features of carpet beetles are below:

  • 1 to 4 mm length
  • Oval-shaped
  • White, black, orange, or yellow colored
  • 6 legs and 1 antenna
  • A pair of wings

How to differentiate:

There are hundreds of species of carpet beetles. Most common carpet beetles have a hard outer shell and while carpet beetles have wings, bed bugs don’t have any.

6- SWALLOW BUGS VS BED BUGS

SWALLOW BUGS VS BED BUGS

Swallow bugs are a kind of true bugs and are closely related to bed bugs. They are almost the same as bed bugs.

  • They have 6 legs
  • Oval-shaped bodies
  • No wings
  • 1 to 5 mm length
  • Reddish-brown colored

The only physical difference between a swallow bug and a bed bug is that the swallow bug is covered in long hair.

How to differentiate:

Swallow bugs and bed bugs are cousins. The main food source of a swallow bug is a swallow. That’s why you can usually find them near windows because they are more likely to live outdoors for feeding on swallows.

As I told above, although they are closely like bed bugs, you can differentiate them from bed bugs with long hair covered.

7- LICE VS BED BUGS

LICE VS BED BUGS

Head lice are arthropods and they require a blood source to survive. They are blood-fed insects. Features of adult lice are below:

  • 2 to 4 mm length
  • Wingless
  • 6 short legs
  • Flat body
  • Grey, black, red, or brown colored

They settle into the head of a human and don’t leave it until they grow fully.

How to differentiate:

While bed bugs spend most of their time away from their food sources, lice prefer to keep living on their sources like a human’s head.

Lice are smaller than adult bed bugs. While the color of lice is grey or transparent, bed bugs are darker colored like reddish brown or black.

8- MITES VS BED BUGS

MITES VS BED BUGS

Mites are arthropods too and they can live in various habitats like water, soil, animals, or human. Some studies show that there are almost 50.000 different species of mites. Some features of mites are below:

  • 0,1 mm to 4 mm length (Often microscopic size)
  • Four pairs of legs

Mites do not look like bed bugs, but their bites are similar to bed bug bites.

How to differentiate:

There are more than 40.000 species of mites which makes it hard to define them clearly. But most mites are not invisible to the human eye because of their size.

While bed bugs are insects and have 6 legs and antennas, mites are arachnids and have 8 legs with no antennas.

9- BAT BUGS VS BED BUGS

BAT BUGS VS BED BUGS

As their names look similar, their appearance is similar too. It’s almost impossible to distinguish bat bugs and bed bugs from each other.

Because bat bugs belong to the same scientific family as bed bugs. They feed on the blood of mammalians too. Their main food source is bats.

Some studies claim that bed bugs originally come from bat bugs which used to live in caves in old times.

Without a trained professional it’s not going to be easy to define a bat bug, but the main difference is that bat bug’s hair length is longer than bed bug’s hair.

How to differentiate:

As I told you above, they are almost the same, except for their hair. A bat bug’s hair is much longer than a bed bug’s hair.

10- WEEVILS VS BED BUGS

WEEVILS

Weevils are beetles that have more than 90.000 species and are up to 6 mm in length. The physical features of weevils are below:

  • Brownish or black colored
  • Have long and big snouts
  • A pair of antennas

How to differentiate:

The best way to identify a weevil is to look at its head. They will have long snouts on their heads which bed bugs don’t.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bed bugs are persistent pests that can cause significant discomfort and anxiety. However, it is essential to be able to differentiate bed bugs from other bugs that resemble them. Some of these bugs are harmless and even beneficial to have around, while others can cause problems for pets and humans. By knowing the features of different bugs, you can take appropriate action to control them. Although bed bugs have similar features to swallow bugs and cockroach nymphs, they can be differentiated with characteristics such as the number of legs, antennas, wings, and hair covering. Understanding these differences will help you to identify and deal with infestations appropriately.

 

FAQs

Q1. Can bat bugs infest human homes?

A1. While bat bugs can infest human homes, they do not typically do so unless there is a bat infestation present.

Q2. Are swallow bugs dangerous?

A2. Swallow bugs are not dangerous to humans, but they can be a nuisance if they enter your home.

Q3. Can carpet beetles bite humans?

A3. Carpet beetles do not bite, but they can cause skin irritation in some people.

“Knowing what’s normal for you and what’s not is essential when it comes to identifying bed bugs and other pests.”