Four Bugs Mistaken for Bed Bugs
You wake up in the morning with little spots on your body. Or maybe you’re on public transit and find your seat is crawling with bugs. Yuck! Are these bed bugs, or is it one of the bugs mistaken for bed bugs? You need to know in order to treat any possible bodily injuries and eradicate the infestation appropriately.
Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles feed on animal-based fabrics like leather, silk, wool, and more, so they can be found in all areas of your house, including things you keep close to your body. These tiny bugs do not bite, but someone with an allergy to them may experience welts. The most obvious difference in appearance between these and bed bugs is that carpet beetles have wings.
Mites
Mites are tiny bugs that live on rodents and pets. While less common, they are able to hitch rides on humans too. They leave tiny bite marks on their way. The biggest difference is that mite bites hurt while you aren’t likely to feel bed bugs nibble on your skin.
Fleas
Your pooch loves you and may share more with you than you’d like. It is possible for fleas to hop from Fido to your carpet, your bed, and even you. These tiny, bouncy bugs leave humans with little red bumps over large areas of the body.
Bat Bugs
As the name suggests, these pests feed on bats. So how could someone mistake these bugs for bed bugs? After bats leave, bat bugs will feed on other living things in the area, like pets and even you! If you haven’t had a bat problem in a while, don’t count these out; they can survive up to a year without feeding.
Signs of Bed Bugs
Using a flashlight, look for bug skeletons and feces on common infestation areas, like sheets, comforters, mattresses, box springs, bed frames, piles of clothes, and towels. Don’t forget to check your body, too. Look for these signs:
- A rash on your skin that looks like a mosquito bite, but swells, burns, and spreads more
- Light-brown exoskeletons from molting bugs
- Specks of blood on your sheets from when they bite you in your sleep
Have a Mystery Bug Problem? We Can Help.
The pest professionals at Green Pest Solutions are experts at identifying pests. Give us a call at 855-312-7157 to schedule a free consultation.