How do you feel about bed bugs? If you’re anything like most of the population, even the idea of bed bugs puts you in a bit of panic. People are terrified of bed bugs and as pest control experts we understand why. Bed bugs are small, hard to treat, carry diseases, and are known to be very transmissible between homes. No pests are good pests but on the pest spectrum, bed bugs would rank pretty low in overall tolerability.
The good news is that most of the time we receive panic phone calls about bed bug infestations, it turns out to be another pest altogether. Very rarely do we get a call on suspected bed bugs and they turn out to be bed bugs. That’s not to say it doesn’t happen but it’s just to say that there are some rather convincing imposters out there that activate our bed bug phobias enough to get our attention. Here are the top 4-bed bug imposters.
Bed Bug Imposter #1: Fleas
If you’re going down the list from most convincing imposter to least convincing imposter fleas are the top! Fleas are a similar size to bed bugs and a similar enough shape and color. This means in a lot of ways they look just like bed bugs. Fleas also bite like bed bugs and often leave itchy rashes behind like bed bugs.
There are some pretty obvious differences though. First of all, fleas jump. If you ever see a bed bug jump. It is not a bed bug. Also, fleas prefer your pets’ blood to yours. So fleas will often be more prominent in areas where the pet spends their time. If you’re only getting a bit on the couch or on one floor of the house. It probably isn’t bed bugs.
Bed Bug Imposter #2: Carpet Beetles
There are over 350,000 species of beetles known to man. 350,000 is a lot. Beetles are virtually everywhere, including your carpet. Carpet Beetles infest carpets and other wooly type materials where they live, breed, eat and perish for generations. They feed on animal-based materials like wool, fur, leather and felt but also are attracted to body oils and smells. This means they can and often do congregate around the bed.
In addition to being in the same neighborhood as bed bugs, carpet beetles often also bite humans. As well as leave their skins/shells behind – similar to what bed bugs do. It can be hard even for some experienced pest hunters to differentiate between the two, but there are some giveaways.
First, the carpet beetle is much smaller than the bed bug. Also if you look close enough at the carpet beetle it should be obvious that it has yellowish hair on its body. When in doubt, however, pop a specimen in a jar or ziptop bag and bring it in. We’ll be able to let you know.
Bed Bug Imposter #3: Cockroach Nymphs
A bed bug should never be mistaken for a cockroach. There are some pretty obvious differences there. However, cockroach nymphs can look surprisingly similar to bed bugs. They are much smaller, like bed bugs, and a similar enough color and size.
Upon further examination, you should be able to spot the difference, however. For example; cockroach nymphs will be more pill-shaped than round. Cockroaches also conjugate more in bathrooms and kitchens (near water sources) and bed bugs are mostly in the rooms. And the most glaring difference is that cockroaches do not bite.
So if you’re seeing small dark-colored bugs in your owner’s suite but not getting bitten. It might be roaches instead. Not sure if that’s better news but we can help either way.
Bed Bug Imposter #4: Ticks
Ticks can play a bed bug in a play pretty convincingly when the lighting is right. A young tick can look like a bed bug that has just eaten. Ticks also bite and are round like bed bugs.
They are at the bottom of the list though because they are rather easy to identify as ticks with their double coloring. Also when ticks bite they do not let go. If a bed bug is sticking to you as you walk around or smack at it – it isn’t a bed bug.
Why it matters?
You may be wondering why it even matters which pest we’re dealing with and we can assure you it matters a lot! Accurately identifying the pest is the number one step to finding the solution. Even just for the 5 pests we’ve discussed today the treatment methods vary a great deal and using a tick treatment method for roaches would be as effective as putting a bandaid on your hand to treat your headache.
If you can grab a live bug, a dead bug, or even just their shell, and bring it to a pest control expert it can be identified for you. Or give us a call for a free phone consultation and we’ll tell you exactly what to look for.
Bed bugs, fleas, ticks, and carpet beetles can spread diseases, be transmitted from house to house, and if nothing else can be a huge hassle and discomfort. Don’t let those pests keep you from feeling comfortable in your own home.
Contact Kapture for a No-Obligation Phone Consultation and Quote:
Call 1-888-811-5813 or schedule online now to start protecting your home and family today!
