Encountering a small, reddish-brown bug in your house may raise immediate alarm about bed bugs. Unfortunately, a variety of household insects bear similar traits to bed bugs and can also lead to misidentification and petit panic. In this ultimate guide, we will cover ten bugs you may encounter bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs, including information that will help you decide whether what is crawling in your home is a bed bug or not.
What Do Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs looks Like?
Prior to delving into look-a-likes, it’s important to know the characteristics that identify real bed bugs. Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are reddish-brown insects about the size of a flax or small apple seed, 1/6″ to 1/4″ (4-7mm) in length. Bed bugs have six long legs and a flat, oval-shaped abdomen that noticeably enlarges after feeding on blood.
Their bodies feature several identifying characteristics:
- Short, thin antennae with 4 segments
- Small, beady eyes protruding on each side of the head
- Squarish, protruding mouthparts
- Flat, broad abdomen with 8 horizontal grooves
- Wide dorsal plate (pronotum) that flares outwards
Bed bug nymphs (immature bugs) are whitish-yellow and smaller than adults, appearing bright or dark red when full of blood.
1- Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs: Bat Bugs
Physical Appearance
Bat bugs (Cimex pilosellus) are almost indistinguishable from bed bugs, having the same shape and to some extent the same size. They belong to the same family (Cimicidae) as bed bugs, making it very difficult to tell them apart with the naked eye.
Key Differences
The primary difference lies in the length of the fringe hairs on the pronotum (the area behind the head). Bat bugs have longer fringe hairs, but this distinction typically requires microscopic examination.
Habitat of the Bat Bugs
Bat bugs are primarily found in areas where bats roost, such as attics, behind walls, and in chimneys. If bats are removed from a structure, bat bugs may migrate into living spaces in search of new hosts.
The Behavior of the Bat Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs
Like bed bugs, bat bugs also feed on blood. They will generally prefer to feed on bats but will bite humans in the absence of bats
Bat bug bites
Bat bugs will bite humans if bats are no longer present. Their bites can produce reactions similar to bed bug bites
2- Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs: Baby Cockroaches (Cockroach Nymphs)
Physical Appearance
Baby cockroaches are also called cockroach nymphs and they are the juvenile stage of cockroaches. They are sometimes confused with bed bugs because of their size and similar coloration. Newly hatched cockroach nymphs are 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) long and are pale to dark brown in color.
Key Differences
Both cockroaches and bed bugs have a small body and an oval shape, however they differ in their body structures. Cockroach nymphs tend to be more cylindrical in shape, while bed bugs are flatter, and more seed-shaped. Cockroaches have long and flexible thread-like antennae that are usually much longer than their body length, while bed bugs have short segmented antennae. Lastly, cockroach legs are are longer and more spiny compared to the thinner legs of bed bugs.
Habitat
Nymphs (young cockroaches) prefer warm, dark, and damp settings, such as in or under sinks, in kitchens, and behind appliances.
Behavior
Unlike bed bugs, they don’t feed on blood and scavenge for food scraps and organic material, and they do not bite humans. However, they can transmit bacteria and carry allergens.
Health Concerns
While nymphs don’t actively bite, they can lead to allergic reactions or asthma attacks in sensitive populations. They can also contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria.
3- Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs: Carpet Beetles
Physical Appearance of the Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles have a tiny, rounded body shape that is often confused for bed bugs. The larvae of carpet beetles, in particular, resemble bed bugs because they have hairy, segmented body shapes that might appear to look like a bed bug abdomen.
Key Differences :
Unlike bed bugs, carpet beetle larvae do not have a recognizable head because they are in the larval stage. Furthermore, carpet beetles (both larvae and adults) become beetles with wings, while bed bugs do not turn into beetles. Adult carpet beetles can fly, but bed bugs cannot.
The Habitat of the Carpet Beetles
The Habitat of the Carpet BeetlesCarpet beetles are regularly found in carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, garments, and stored foods. They prefer natural fibers and may damage woolen articles, fur, feathers, and leather.
The Behavior of the Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles feed on natural fibers rather than blood like bed bugs do. Specifically, carpet beetle larvae feed on fabrics and are particularly fond of keratin, a type of protein found in animal-based materials.
Health Risks Associated with Carpet Beetles
While carpet beetle larvae can produce skin irritation resembling bed bug bites, the hair of the varied carpet beetle can irritate skin on contact.
4- Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs: Spider Beetles
Physical Appearance
Spider beetles are small, round insects that can be mistaken for bed bugs. They have a similar size and color to bed bugs, which can lead to confusion. Their round bodies and long legs can give them a spider-like appearance.
Key Differences
Spider beetles possess a rigid and shiny exo-skeleton, with legs that are longer than those of bed bugs. Their bodies are more rounded and resemble a beetle shape, and some species have a recognizable rounded abdomen.
The Habitat of the Spider Beetles
Spider beetles are commonly located in dark, undisturbed locations, such as attics, basements, and pantries. They are usually found in association with stored food items such as grains, dried fruits, and animal-based products.
The Behavior of the Spider Beetles
Spider beetles are scavengers and eat many organic materials. This includes what they feed on in stored food, dead insects, and plant material. Unlike bedbugs, they do not feed on blood and do not bite humans.
Health Risks Associated with Spider Beetles
Even though spider beetles are a pest problem with stored product infestations, they do not present a risk to human health. They do not bite or transmit diseases.
5- Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs: Booklice
Physical Appearance
Booklice (which are also referred to as psocids) are small insects that can be mistaken for nymphs of bed bugs. Booklice are significantly smaller than adult bed bugs, measuring only 1 – 2 mm long, with pale brown or creamy yellow forms.
Key Differences
Compared to bed bugs, booklice are considerably smaller and have a softer body. They do not have the flat, oval body typical to bed bugs but rather have a longer body. Their color is also a lighter hue, from pale brown to creamy yellow.
The Habitat of the Booklice
Booklice do well in regions of high humidity. They can be found around books, paper, damp basements, under wallpaper, and especially in moldy areas of your home. They are named “booklice” because they tend to feed on the mold that grows on paper in old books.
The Behavior of the Booklice
Contrary to bed bugs, which require blood to thrive, booklice relay on mold, mildew, and starchy materials for sustenance. They do not bite humans or pets.
Health Risks Associated with Booklice
Although booklice do not bite, ample numbers do signal high humidity that could give rise to mold. Even in substantial numbers, booklice typically are not harmful; however, their presence may induce allergy-like reactions in individuals affected by similar allergies.
6- Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs: Fleas
Physical Appearance
Fleas are tiny insects that do not have wings. They are often confused with bedbugs because their bites are similar, they are about the same size, and they are not something a person can tell apart on a mattress. However, a close person can tell the difference in looks.
Key Differences
Fleas are flattened from side to side (laterally), while bedbugs are flattened from the top to bottom (dorsoventrally). Fleas have robust hind legs, which are modified for jumping, whereas bedbugs do not have this structure. The body color of adult fleas is also darker, generally dark brown to nearly black.
The Habitat of the Fleas
Fleas are frequently linked to pets and exist in carpets, bedding, upholstered furniture, and where pets rest. Fleas can be particularly troublesome in homes with cats and dogs.
The Behavior of the Fleas Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs
Fleas are also blood-feeding ectoparasites like bed bugs, however, they prefer to feed on animals. They will bite humans, but it is primarily around the ankle and lower leg region. One of the more unique feeding behaviors of fleas is their ability to jump great distances (up to 13 inches horizontally) – bed bugs cannot jump.
Health Risks Associated with Fleas Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs
Flea bites usually show up as little red bumps clusters or in lines, typically on the ankles and lower legs. The bites are often itchy from the beginning, in contrast to bed bug bites which may take time to develop symptoms.
7- Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs: Swallow Bugs
Physical Appearance
Swallow bugs (also known as barn swallow bugs) are closely related to bed bugs and belong to the same family (Cimicidae). They are the same size and shape as bed bugs, so differentiating them can be done only using a microscope.
Key Differences
Similarly to bat bugs, swallow bugs exhibit minor characteristics of distinction from bed bugs, most of which can only be assessed with a microscope. For example, they can vary slightly on the pronotum (area behind head) from bed bugs.
Habitat
Swallow bugs are predominantly linked to birds, notably cliff and barn swallows. They are usually located in bird nests and in structures where birds roost, including barns, eaves, and attics.
Behavior
Swallow bugs mainly exist on the blood of birds, especially swallows, but when birds migrate or nests are taken down, the bugs may wander into people’s homes and bite humans as an alternative food source.
Health Risks Associated with Swallow Bugs
If their favorite bird hosts are not available, swallow bugs will bite a human. Swallow bug bites can produce similar results as bed bugs, resulting in itchy welts and skin irritation.
8- Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs: Ticks
Physical Appearance
Ticks are arachnids (related to spiders) that bite and feed on blood and, when not engorged, can be mistaken for bedbugs. Depending on species and life stage, can vary in size from pinhead to pencil eraser.
Key Differences
Ticks are arachnids which means they will have eight legs, while bed bugs are insects and will only have six legs. In addition to the number of legs, ticks will usually have more round bodies which are not segmented like those of bed bugs. Once they have obtained a blood meal, ticks will become engorged to a much more visible size than bed bugs do on a blood meal.
Habitat
Ticks are mainly outdoor insects that live in forests, tall grass, or shrubs. Pets or clothing can carry them into homes after being outdoors. Unlike bed bugs, they do not usually cause infestations in homes.
Behavior
Ticks are parasitic and feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes even reptiles and amphibians. They attach to their host and feed for many days, up to a week or longer. Bed bugs feed only for 5-10 minute.
Health Concerns
Ticks are a serious health hazard due to the variety of disease they can transmit, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tick-borne encephalitis. This is a major differentiator from bed bugs which are not known to transmit diseases to humans.
9- Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs: Poultry Bugs
Physical Appearance
Poultry bugs (Haematosiphon inodorus) are another member of the same family of bugs, the Cimicidae, that physically resembles bed bugs. They also have similar flat, oval shaped bodies and reddish-brown color.
Key Differences
The variations between poultry bugs and bed bugs are somewhat nondescript, much like any other Cimicids, and one may need a microscope to analyze fine differences. They possibly have small differences in body proportion or other features.
Habitat
Poultry bugs are, as their name indicates, primarily associated with poultry and occur in chicken coops, bird houses, and places where poultry are kept.
Behavior
Poultry bugs feed on the blood of birds (especially chicken and other poultry) and can bite humans if there is no bird host available.
Bites
Poultry bugs are primarily parasites of birds but can bite humans opportunistically, causing similar reactions as bites from bed bugs.
10- Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs: Chimney Swift Bugs
Physical Appearance
Chimney swift bugs (Cimexopsis nyctalis) are another member of the Cimicidae family that closely resembles bed bugs. They have the same characteristic flat, oval body shape and reddish-brown coloration that creates confusion between their identity and that of bed bugs.
Key Differences
The distinctions between chimney swift bugs and bed bugs are subtle and usually necessitate scrutiny with a magnifying lens by an insect specialist. Like other Cimicids, they may differ slightly in body proportions or in features such as the pronotum.
Habitat
Chimney swift bugs are related to chimney swifts, a species of bird that commonly builds their nests in chimneys. They may be present in and around chimney swift nests, or in houses where chimney swifts are roosting.
Behavior
These ectoparasitic insects predominantly subsist on the blood of the chimney swift. However, when their favored host species is absent or has migrated, they may occasionally wander into human habitations and take blood meals from humans.
Bites
Chimney swift bugs can bite humans, particularly when their bird hosts are unavailable. Their bites may cause reactions similar to those from bed bug bites.
Conclusion
Effective pest management strategies rely upon accurate identification of bed bugs versus their look-alikes. While bed bugs have several look-alikes, normal observation of these pests from their physical features, places of habitat and observed behavior will allow for proper distinguishing between bed bugs and look-alikes.
The most common bed bug look-alikes are bat bugs, cockroach nymphs, carpet beetles, spider beetles, booklice, fleas, swallow bugs and ticks. Upon close observation, all of these look-alikes can be distinguished from bed bugs and the form of their bodies and their means of locomotion of each can provide a reliable indicator of the true identity of the pest encountered. Less encountered look-alikes include poultry bugs and chimney swift bugs; however, they are usually located in a specific setting of their host/primary habitat.
If you have determined you have a bed bug or suspect you have bed bugs, speak to a pest control professional to obtain an accurate identification of the pest and next steps to treat it. Different pests require different processes of awareness and control and correctly identifying a pest is the first step you have toward solving the issue of an infestation.