8 Bugs That Look Like Bed Bugs But Aren’t
| Bat Bugs | Feed on bats’ blood | Identical to bed bugs, hairy body | Only found in places with bats |
| Swallow Bugs | Feed on swallow birds | Oval, brown, covered in fine hair | Found near bird nests |
| Oribatid Mites | Eat fungi and bacteria | Round, tiny, brown | Found in soil and indoor plants |
| Baby Cockroaches | Feed on food scraps and waste | Flattened, wingless, long antennae | Found in kitchens and damp areas |
8 Bugs Similar to Bed Bugs: Similarities, Differences, and More
1. Fleas
Fleas are small, wingless insects that commonly infest pets but also invade homes. They have several similarities in size and colour bed bugs that may confuse anyone. Fleas are flat from their sides, while bed bugs are flat from top to bottom.
Another key feature of fleas is having powerful back legs, which helps them jump from one place to another. Moreover, fleas prefer places where they can find warmth and humidity, like carpets, pet bedding, and furniture.
2. Booklice
Booklice are soft-bodied pests that prefer humid areas close to books, paper, and mouldy objects. Moreover, they look very similar to bed bug nymphs but have a light and almost translucent body.
Booklice, unlike bed bugs, are winged and have a more prominent head. They also feed on mould and fungi and don’t consume human blood. Also, booklice thrive in damp environments such as basements, bookshelves, and wallpapered walls.
3. Ticks
Ticks are often related to animals, but they can also invade a house. Many people get confused between ticks and bed bugs due to their their similar appearance. Ticks are quite similar in appearance since they both have reddish-brown colouring, but ticks are arachnids.
The ticks have eight legs, while bed bugs have only six. Another aspect that makes ticks unique is that they have a a dorsal shields with markings, while bed bugs have stripes on their bodies. Ticks can be found among dogs, in grassy outdoor areas, or in homes where pets take naps.
4. Spider Beetle
Spider beetles have gotten their name because of their spider-like resemblance with a round abdomen and long legs. They also look similar to bed bugs due to their reddish-brown color body.
However, their bodies are shinier compared to bedbugs. While they don’t feed on human blood, they consume feathers and even dead insects. Spider beetles are mostly found in kitchens, pantries, and storage places.
5. Bat Bugs
Bat bugs and bed bugs are closely related and belong to the same species named Cimex lectularius. Their similarities in body structure and color make them hard to differentiate. The only difference is the long hair of bat bugs than bed bugs.
This species mainly feeds on bats and migrates to residential locations if the host is not available. Since they do not need any human, their infestation in the household is quite rare.
6. Swallow Bugs
Similar to bat bugs, swallow bugs belong to the bed bug family, but their primary hosts are nesting swallow birds. They share a similar size, color, and body shape with bed bugs, making identification difficult. They have fine hairs covering their bodies and an unusual structure in their antennae.
Swallow bugs are typically found in barns, attics, or places where swallows nest. Moreover, they can be found in homes when the birds abandon their nests.
7. Oribatid Mites
Oribatid mites are round and small and look very similar to bed bugs because of their brown color. However, the mites are smaller, with a bloated body and have eight legs.
Unlike bedbugs, these mites do not take blood as food; they feed on fungi and bacteria. Oribatid mites usually dwell in soil but may enter into homes via indoor plants. These mites are harmless to human but indicate high moisture levels in a home.
8. Baby Cockroaches
Baby cockroaches and nymphs can be easily confused with bed bugs because their bodies are flat brown in color, and they are nocturnal. In addition to that, they have long antennae, small spines on their legs, and a pair of tail-like structures called cerci. Also, they do not take blood from humans but feed on food crumbs, grease, and waste. They mostly reside in kitchens under sinks or in damp places like basements.
Conclusion
Being confused between bed bugs and other similar-looking bugs may lead to bug treatment with no results. However, knowing the bugs that look similar to bed bugs in size, color, size, and habits will help you take essential steps to get rid of them effectively. If you understand what type of bugs you are handling, it will be easier for you to eliminate them with suitable treatments.
FAQs
How do I know what type of bugs have infested my home?
Check for characteristics like body shapes, feeding habits, and hiding areas. Unique key features of bed bugs are flat in shape, reddish brown in color, and they feed on blood at night.
Do bedbug bites look different from other insect bites?
Yes, bed bug bites appear in clustered lines, frequently on exposed skin. They might resemble flea bites, but fleas bite randomly.
Can baby cockroaches be mistaken for bed bugs?
Yes, but they have long antennae and prefer to infest kitchen areas rather than mattresses.
Don’t Know Which Bug Has Infested in Your Home? Don’t worry!
Since there are several bugs which looks like bed bugs, it would be difficult to get rid of them. For this, you will need professionals! Call Safe Pest Sol now, because our experts always comes with expert pest control services.