What Bugs Are There That Look Like Bed Bugs?
People often have no idea that bed bugs are present in their homes until they notice bite marks on their bodies. In fact, sometimes people do not realize that bed bugs gave them the bites. Bed bugs bite in three rows that are zig zag in shape, and they can be red and very itchy. If you wake up with these bites on your body, you will want to check for signs of bed bugs. You should check your bedding and the surrounding area for bed bugs. Bear in mind that there are several other bugs that look like bed bugs, so you will want to know how they differ.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Bed bugs are a reddish-brown color, and they have a long oval shaped body. The body is basically the size and shape of an apple seed. They feed on blood, so they can be flat or if they have fed recently, they will look round. They do not have wings, and they are usually only about 0.2 inches long.
They can be seen with the naked eye, but you need to look. They are nocturnal, so they will hide and sleep during the day. They come out at night, and they can feed in three minutes before they go back to their hiding places.
What Bugs Look Like Bed Bugs?
Take a look at the following nine bugs that resemble bed bugs.
- Bat Bugs
Not only do Bat Bugs have a similar name, but they are the most similar to bed bugs. The only real difference is that the bat bug has longer hairs on its head. They are brown with oval size bodies, and their bodies have a shape similar to an apple seed. They do have wing pads, but they cannot fly. However, these bugs are not normally found in your bedroom. They feed on bats and live in caves.
- Fleas
Fleas can bite you and leave small itchy bumps on your skin. They are reddish-brown, but they are a little different from bed bugs. They have round heads and long legs, and they usually have a comb. They are small at around 1/8 of an inch, and they have very flat bodies. Another distinction is that they are able to jump, and they will if you try to catch them. If you find fleas, they are probably coming in on your dog or cat, so you will need to get your pet some protection to get rid of this pest.
- Cockroach Nymph
When cockroaches hatch, the nymph is the immature roach. Although it is white when it hatches, it soon becomes a reddish-brown color, and it loves to hide in dark places similar to bed bugs. These pests won’t bite you, but they will go after your food and make parts of your house dirty. They are less than three millimeters long when they are born, but they develop quickly.
- Booklice
Booklice have a different shape from bed bugs because they are longer and thinner. They look more similar to a termite, and they have long, thin antennae. Their color ranges from a creamy white color to light brown, and they are between one and six millimeters long. Their bodies are soft, and you can see that they have segments. Some of them have wings and can fly. They do not bite, but they will make their homes in damp and dark places around your home.
- Ticks
Ticks are similar to bed bugs because they feed on your blood. Ticks are more dangerous than bed bugs because they can transmit diseases, such as Lyme’s Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichiosis. Normally, you or your pet will pick these critters up out in the woods, and they will attach to your skin. They are very small, but they grow as they feed on your blood. They have a small oval body that is a brown color.
- Spider Beetles
Spider beetles are small bugs with a round oval shape, and they are between one and five millimeters long. They are usually brown, but they can have an underlying tint that is yellow, reddish, or almost black. They have long legs and antennae, and they have hair on their bodies. Their head is almost an extension of their bodies. Some spider beetles can fly, and they will not bite you.
- Head Lice
Adult head lice will actually live in your hair, and they are a lighter color, ranging from a grayish color to tan. They are the size of a sesame seed, and they have six legs. They will bite you and make your head and neck itch when they do. They need to eat every day, so they do not leave your head willingly. However, you may find some in your bed.
- Carpet Beetles
These bugs are similar in size and shape to bed bugs, and at first glance, it is easy to mistake them. They have an oval body, but they have a black and white pattern, and they have orange or red scales. They have short antennae, and their heads are tiny. They are between two and four millimeters long, and the adults are able to fly. You will usually find them outside or living on carpet, and they normally will not bite you.
- Swallow Bugs
Swallow bugs look very similar to bed bugs with a few noticeable differences. They have a body that is closer to grayish brown, and they have antennae. They normally live outdoors or in a barn, but if they are in your home, they can bite you.
Final Words
There are a few bugs that look like bed bugs, but once you familiarize yourself with them, you will be able to spot the differences. Some of them will bite you, and others are not normally found in your bedroom. No matter what kind of bugs you find, you will want to get rid of them.
One Reply to “What Bugs Are There That Look Like Bed Bugs?”