Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the… bat bugs bite? A lot of us are probably familiar with bed bugs. They spread very easily from one person, pet, or furniture to another. Bed bugs are fast on the rise, especially since people traveling from one place to another has never been easier or faster.

A lot of people see a bug on their bed and immediately assume it’s a bed bug – and this can be a bad idea. For one, whatever it really is could be more dangerous than you realize. You could also try eliminating it using methods suitable for bed bugs – and if those fail (since in this scenario they’re not actually bed bugs) it could be a frustrating experience and you may end up suffering sleep loss, wondering if you’re really safe in your bed.

One of these commonly mistaken bugs are bat bugs. They belong to the same family as bed bugs (Cimicidae) and are quite similar, even almost identical. It is thought that their ancestor bugs lived with people and bats back when people were living in caves. When people started leaving these caves to dwell in shelters of their own construction, some of these bugs left with them while others stayed behind. Over time, they evolved into separate kinds of bugs that prey primarily on people and bats – bed bugs and bat bugs.

IDENTIFICATION

Bed bugs – they are about 5mm in size, and have oval bodies that are flat. After feeding, they appear inflated. They are mahogany in color and become red-brown after feeding.

Bat bugs – they are also about 5mm in size, with oval bodies that are flat. After feeding, they appear inflated. They are beige in color and become dark brown after feeding.

A key difference in how they look is that bat bugs are hairier, and that their hair strands are longer. However, you wouldn’t be able to see this unless under magnification.

NEST

Bed bugs – they prefer to stay near their host, so you’ll find them in mattresses, box-springs, headboards, or in the general vicinity. However, they are also able to travel an impressive 20 feet to go from their hiding place to their feeding area.

Bat bugs – you may also find bat bugs in the same places as bed bugs, however since their preferred hosts are bats, you’ll find them wherever bats may be roosting in your house. That typically means attics, unused chimneys, or wall voids.

DIET

Bed bugs – prefer human blood, but will feed on other mammals absent a human host.

Bat bugs – prefer bat blood, but will feed on humans (or other mammals) absent a bat host. However, it is thought that they are only able to reproduce after feeding on bat’s blood.

HOW DANGEROUS ARE THEY?

Bed bug bites are not considered dangerous but you will likely experience some degree of discomfort with inflammation and itchiness. Note that while they’re feeding, you’re likely not able to feel anything as they inject anesthetic into the bite wound. In rare cases, some people present no discomfort from bed bug bites at all.

Bat bug bites are similar to that of a bed bug’s and they are not known to transmit any diseases. However, if you have bat bugs then you likely have bats roosting in the area. Bats can carry bacteria and viruses which can be very harmful to people and their pets.

HOW DO YOU GET RID OF THEM?

Bed bug elimination is often a tedious process and involves disrupting their reproductive cycle. Learn more about bed bugs and what you can do about them on our Bed Bug Archives.

Bat bug elimination means you’ll have to get rid of any bats roosting in the area and disinfecting the area afterward. Be sure to seal possible entry points by sealing cracks and crevices and installing screens so they don’t come back.

OTHER SMALL BUGS THAT MAY BE MISTAKEN FOR BED BUGS

While bed bugs and bat bugs look very similar, a number of other small bugs may also be mistaken for bed bugs, including the following:

• Carpet beetles
• Cockroach nymphs

Ticks

For any assistance with a pest infestation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a pest control company.

How Do You Know If You have Bedbugs?

Small bites that are itchy all over your body may seem like a telltale sign –however, bites from bedbugs may look quite similar to those from other small insects, and they may even look like rashes or hives. Many people present no physical reaction to bedbugs at all, so it’s best to inspect your bed regularly to find signs that there may be creatures other than you occupying your bed.

Bedbugs tend to leave stains where they live – these stains may be blood from a crushed bedbug, or if the stain smears, there is a good chance it is bedbug excrement. If you find any unexplained stain on your sheets or pillowcases, carefully inspect your bed – from the underside of the mattress, seams and tags, to the headboard and any cracks in the bed’s frame.

They are about the size of an apple seed, have flat bodies, and are brownish in color. If it has recently fed, it would look more swollen and reddish. They may also leave tiny eggshells about 1mm in size, and tiny yellow flakes of skin that they’ve shed.

Bedbugs aren’t just confined to your bed – they can also be found on couches, chairs, cushions, curtains and the like. If a room is heavily infested, you will find them in a myriad of other places like loose wallpaper, wall hangings, appliances, and electrical receptacles.

While they prefer to stay where they can readily feed on you, like on the bed itself, they are willing to travel up to 20 feet from where they hide to where they can feed and back.

If you frequently travel and stay in hotels or other places often, you may be more prone to having bedbugs in your home, as they love to hitch a ride on your clothes and luggage – so be doubly vigilant.

If you do have bed bugs at home, it is best to call a professional pest control company to get rid of them quickly and efficiently.

Bedbugs are certainly a nightmare. If you happen to encounter some of these tiny creatures, you will certainly have some itchy spots the next day. Now, what are bedbugs and how do we identify them? Keep on reading to find out more information on these insidious little insects.

Why are there so many?

Bedbugs are small, brown and elusive. Usually, they are not bigger than an apple seed. It’s not easy to see them unless they bite you. These insects usually suck the blood of animals until they find some unsuspecting person to bite. Fortunately, they cannot fly, though this does not make these bugs less annoying. They are incredibly quick when crawling over floors and beds of course.

In regards to their mating habits, females can lay a large number of eggs in very little time. These eggs are so small that it’s almost impossible for a person to see them. Once they are born, nymphs develop very fast: in only a month they are ready to lay eggs themselves. This makes it even harder for us humans to get rid of these nuisance pests. The only good thing is that they do not transmit any known diseases.

Where can I find them?

Unfortunately, bed bugs can enter your home through your clothes, suitcases, and by other means. They are so tiny that they can fit into virtually any space. Mattresses and bed frames are their favorite spots. This way they can have easy access to people whom they can bite. If they are not eliminated in time, they can scatter all over the bedroom and the house.

What happens when they bite?

Their main period of activity is night time. They prefer their victims to be asleep, and they feed on them over a period ranging from 3 to 9 minutes. Then, they go away without being noticed.
Their bites are not painful, which is nice considering that they are incredibly itchy. Almost 75% will develop a rash after being bitten, and 80% will have some kind of reaction.

All in all, what makes these pests so horrible is that they annoy us in the place where we should feel the most comfortable: our own beds. We are completely defenseless when we rest. These bugs should have the decency to at least let us sleep unmolested. Call for a professional pest control company right away when you spot these pests in your home.