While bed bugs are a concern, encountering a similar bug doesn't guarantee an infestation. Many bugs that look like bed bugs are harmless intruders. Typically, an adult bed bug is about the size of an apple seed, measuring approximately five to seven millimeters in length. They have a flat, oval-shaped body ranging from light brown to reddish-brown and do not have wings. Identifying bed bugs accurately is vital, as they feed on blood, and their bites can lead to allergic reactions and skin rashes.

Bed bug on cloth

Common bugs that are mistaken for bed bugs

Spotting a small, brown bug in your bed can cause alarm, but it's important to consider the possibility of mistaken identity before you panic about bed bugs. There are many bugs that look like bed bugs, like ticks, book lice, carpet beetles, fleas, spider beetles, and even swallow bugs. These bed bug look-alikes share some physical similarities but typically have different habits. If you're unsure about the culprit, it's always best to consult with a pest control company, like Terminix, to ensure you're targeting the right insect.

tick on skin

Ticks

  • Color: Varies (reddish-brown to black)
  • Size: 0.5 to 15 mm (depending on the life stage)
  • Shape: Oval and flat
  • Wings: None
  • Threat: Can bite
  • Diet: Blood from mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians
book lice

Book Lice

  • Color: Pale yellow or brown
  • Size: 1-2 mm long
  • Shape: Soft-bodied, elongated, and somewhat oval
  • Wings: None
  • Threat: Does not bite humans
  • Diet: Mold, fungi, starched, and various organic materials from paper
carpet beetle

Carpet Beetle

  • Color: Varied colors, including black, white, brown, yellow, and orange in patterned markings
  • Size: 1-4 mm long
  • Shape: Oval
  • Wings: Yes
  • Threat: Does not bite
  • Diet: Wool, silk, leather, fur, hair, and dander

Fleas

  • Color: Dark reddish-brown
  • Size: About 1.5 - 3.3 mm long
  • Shape: Flat with hard, shiny body
  • Wings: No
  • Threat: May bite mammals or humans
  • Diet: Blood from mammals and marsupials

Spider Beetle

  • Color: Reddish-brown to black
  • Size: About 1.5 - 3.5 mm
  • Shape: Oval
  • Wings: Yes, but they do not fly
  • Threat: Does not bite
  • Diet: Omnivorous

Swallow Bugs

  • Color: Grayish
  • Size: About 3-5 mm long
  • Shape: Oval, similar to bed bugs
  • Wings: No
  • Threat: Can bite
  • Diet: Primarily bird blood, particularly swallows

When to call in the professionals

Among the bugs that look like bed bugs, ticks and fleas are notorious for requiring professional pest control services. Ticks and fleas are vectors for various diseases affecting both humans and pets. On the other hand, bed bugs are highly resilient pests that can rapidly reproduce and spread to different areas of a home, making DIY eradication efforts often ineffective. Therefore, for these pests, it's imperative to call in bed bug control experts like Terminix!

Start protecting yourself from bed bugs today with Terminix bed bug control services!