Updated on September 7th, 2024
Spotting a tiny insect on your bedspread or lurking in your room can bring to mind one alarming thought: bed bugs. These infamous invaders prefer human blood and typically reside close to our sleeping areas—often hiding in mattress seams, box springs or bedroom crevices. Their bites leave behind red, itchy welts that can turn restful nights into endless itching sessions. However, while bed bugs are a major concern, many other critters can be easily mistaken for them.
In this guide, we delve into details to help you differentiate between bed bugs and their six look-alikes—bat bugs, swallow bugs, booklice, carpet beetles, spider beetles and even the young smoky brown cockroach nymphs. With this knowledge, you'll be better equipped to identify and deal with any unwelcome guests in your home.
1. Bat bug
To the untrained eye, bat bugs and bed bugs can seem virtually identical. Both belong to the Cimex genus and possess an unsettlingly similar appearance.
However, bat bugs—true to their name—primarily feed on the blood of bats, but share the same size, shape and color as bed bugs. The key distinction is their hairy body, with hairs longer than the width of their eyes—a detail only visible under a microscope. (Bed bugs have very short, trimmed hairs.)
The presence of these pests often indicates bats residing in attics, wall voids or chimneys. If a bat colony relocates or is evicted, these bugs may wander, seeking other food sources—which can occasionally include humans. If you find a dead bat bug in your home, it might indicate that the bat colony they depended on has moved or is no longer present, increasing the likelihood of these bugs turning to humans as an alternate food source.
While they can bite humans, it's not their first choice, and such bites are usually a sign of their primary food source being unavailable.
Dr. Killigan's insight | How to get rid of bat bugs: If bat bugs are present, it’s likely bats were too. If the bats have left, the bat bugs should gradually disappear as they rely on bats for sustenance (and reproduction). To prevent future issues, ensure bats cannot re-enter by sealing off entry points to attics and walls where bats may roost.
2. Swallow bug
Image Courtesy of Ken Gray Photograph Collection (P 256), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.The name "swallow bugs" might bring to mind a creature with a specific preference, and that's precisely the case. These bugs have a close association with cliff swallows.
Swallow bugs are about the size of a sesame seed and are similar in color, shape and size to bed bugs, requiring magnification to tell them apart. A key distinction is their long, fine hairs covering their bodies and their antennae—where the last two segments are the same length.
Cliff swallows are easily identifiable by their glossy, blue-black backs and pale, pumpkin-colored rumps. They are adept at constructing mud nests, typically on vertical surfaces. In nature, they might opt for cliffs (hence their name), but in urban settings, these birds are often found building their nests under eaves, bridges and other overhangs. So, could they be in your backyard? Absolutely, especially if you have structures that offer sheltered nooks.
When cliff swallows make a habitat choice, swallow bugs aren't far behind. These bugs primarily reside in and feed off cliff swallows, making their nests a perfect home.
However, sometimes nature takes an unexpected turn. If cliff swallows vacate a nest or if their nests get disturbed, the now-displaced swallow bugs might start looking for alternate shelters and food sources. In such scenarios, they can venture indoors—crawling through small cracks in walls, and while they may bite humans, it's more out of necessity than preference.
Note: Swallow bugs are more likely to bite humans in the spring before swallows return to their nests or in the fall after the swallows have left.
Dr. Killigan's insight | How to get rid of swallow bugs: Be vigilant if you spot cliff swallow nests on your property. While respecting wildlife is key, managing these nests helps prevent swallow bug issues. Consider installing exclusion devices or netting to discourage nesting. If nests are present, consult a wildlife expert for compliant removal. If swallow bugs are found on your carpet or furniture, use the Insect Buster Bulb Duster to evenly disperse Dust to Dust Plant-Powered Insect Powder. Allow the powder to remain for several days before vacuuming it up with a shop vac or a vacuum with a high-quality HEPA filter.
3. Booklice
When one hears the term “booklice,” it's not uncommon to envision minuscule invaders sandwiched between the pages of one's favorite read. However, they're notably different pests from bed bugs.
For one, booklice are much smaller than bed bugs. While adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, booklice often measure just 1-2 mm in length, or the size of 1-2 granules of salt. Booklice also have wings and larger heads compared to bed bugs. Their coloration also differs. Booklice are typically pale, translucent or grayish-white and they don't turn red after feeding, whereas bed bugs can redden once they've had a blood meal.
The body shape of booklice offers another distinguishing feature. They possess a more elongated frame, sometimes even appearing to have a "neck," while bed bugs exhibit a flattened, oval shape.
Their habitats and diets further set them apart. While bed bugs are known to lurk in mattress seams and other bedroom crevices, feasting on human blood, booklice thrive in damp environments, munching on mold, fungi and starchy materials.
If you stumble upon booklice in your bed or bedroom, it may indicate underlying moisture issues, leading to mold or fungi—their primary food sources. Although they can be a nuisance, the silver lining is that they don't bite, ensuring you won't wake up with those telltale itchy red marks associated with bed bugs.
Dr. Killigan’s insight | How to get rid of booklice: First, address the root causes: humidity and mold growth. Remove mold and mildew, fix moisture issues and maintain cleanliness with regular vacuuming. For targeted control, sprinkle Dust to Dust Plant-Powered Insect Powder in areas where booklice are found, such as cracks, crevices, crawl spaces and other hard-to-reach places.
Further reading: To differentiate between booklice from four other insects (that look similar to booklice), read Identifying silverfish, earwigs, bristletails, firebrats and booklice
4. Carpet beetle
At first glance, carpet beetles and bed bugs might seem strikingly similar—especially to the untrained eye—as their sizes are somewhat comparable. But when you take a closer, more discerning look, these two pests are quite distinct.
Carpet beetles are nature's scavengers. Their diet primarily consists of organic materials such as wool, silk, hair and even dead insects. Unlike the blood-hungry bed bugs, carpet beetles have no interest in feasting on human or animal blood. This difference in dietary habits often leads to distinct behavioral patterns. While bed bugs tend to stay close to their human host, carpet beetles are more often found around natural fiber sources—like woolen garments or upholstered furniture.
In terms of appearance, a few key characteristics set these two apart. Carpet beetles sport a more rounded or oval shape and can be quite varied in color. Depending on the species, they might have patterns of white, brown and even orange scales on their back. Carpet beetles are also smaller, with adults usually measuring one-sixteenth to one-eighth inch long. Bed bugs, on the other hand, are consistently brown, more flattened and have a distinct oval shape without any variations in coloring, typically measuring three-sixteenths to one-fourth inch long.
Dr. Killigan's insight | How to get rid of carpet beetles: Carpet beetles can damage your belongings. To manage, their food sources—like natural fibers, pet hair and dead insects—must be eliminated, whereas regular cleaning and storing woolens and other susceptible materials in airtight containers can prevent infestations.
Further reading: To find the true source of what's eating your keratin-rich fabrics, read What's eating my wool: Carpet beetles or clothing moths?
5. Spider beetle
When you spot a spider beetle in your bed, it's quite natural to feel a mix of confusion and concern. At a cursory glance, these little pests—with their rounded bodies and elongated legs—can eerily resemble both spiders and bed bugs, leading to understandable misconceptions.
Unlike the parasitic nature of bed bugs, spider beetles are scavengers. Spider beetles primarily feed on grains, dried fruits, cereals and other organic materials. Unlike some pests, they don't seek blood meals at night; they're more apt to search for leftover food or invade pantry goods. This distinction in feeding habits is a reassuring sign that the nocturnal disturbances aren't due to another bed bug infestation.
When it comes to appearance, spider beetles boast a somewhat shiny, reddish-brown or golden-yellow hue, depending on the species. Their legs are notably more slender compared to bed bugs, and they possess a distinctively bulbous abdomen, giving them a spider-like appearance.
Dr. Killigan's insight | How to get rid of spider beetles: If you're facing a spider beetle issue, the solution often lies in meticulous pantry management. Ensure all foodstuffs are stored in airtight containers and routinely check for old or forgotten food sources that might be attracting these beetles. Spray Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Insect Spray on your pantry shelves, walls and other locations where spider beetles are seen. This non-toxic spray will kill spider beetles on contact and provide residual protection for up to 30 days.
6. Smoky brown cockroach nymph
Stumbling upon a smoky brown cockroach nymph can be quite startling, especially when their size and shade can easily lead one to mistake them for a bed bug. However, distinguishing between these two pests becomes a straightforward task.
At the nymph stage, the smoky brown cockroach exhibits a sleek, elongated body, a departure from the typical appearance of its more mature counterparts. Their color ranges from a translucent tan to a deeper brown, which can lead to bed bug confusion.
Yet, upon closer examination, you'll notice that their body structure differs from bed bugs. The nymphs have segmented bodies and, as they grow, will develop the characteristic glossy wings of the smoky brown cockroach.
Habitat and behavior further amplify these differences. While both are nocturnal, their preferred hideouts contrast starkly. Bed bugs, being parasitic, will often station themselves close to their human hosts, typically around bedding or sleeping areas.
In contrast, the smoky brown cockroach nymph is attracted to moisture and decaying organic matter, making damp environments like kitchens, bathrooms or basements their prime dwelling spots.
Dr. Killigan's insight | How to get rid of cockroach nymphs: Focus on reducing moisture and clearing decaying organic materials in your home to prevent cockroach infestations. Additionally, apply Dust to Dust Plant-Powered Insect Powder in areas prone to moisture like kitchens and bathrooms. This powder uses silica to dehydrate and kill insects by damaging their exoskeletons, leading to dehydration.
Further reading: To rid your home of cockroaches, read How to get rid of cockroaches
Conclusion: Your best defense against unwanted guests
Recognizing and understanding the myriad insects that look like bed bugs and can infiltrate our homes is the first step in effective pest control. If you have bed bugs, detection is key. Early identification can prevent a full-blown infestation, ensuring a swift and effective treatment.
Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Insect Spray is a non-toxic, fast-acting long-lasting spray designed to exterminate pests on contact, without harming your home environment.
Dust to Dust Plant-Powered Insect Powder is an eco-friendly powder that targets pests in those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, ensuring they have no place to hide. It can also be used proactively. In addition to silica, it boasts peppermint and rosemaryoils, which serve as potent repellents.
With these quality products at your side, you can make your home a true haven, free from the stresses and discomforts of unwelcome critters.
