5 Pests Commonly Mistaken for Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are often mistaken for other pests. In fact, pest control experts report that in 84% of cases, they were first called for pests that turned out to be bed bugs. So, what do — and don’t — bed bugs look like?

What do bed bugs look like?

A bed bug is a tiny, reddish-brown insect that feeds on the blood of humans and animals. Typically, it has an oval-shaped body — about the size of an apple seed when fully grown — with a flattened appearance. It lacks wings, but its six legs allow it to crawl quickly. Bed bugs are adept at hiding in cracks and crevices, emerging at night to feed on their unsuspecting hosts. Due to their small size and nocturnal habits, they can be challenging to detect, often infesting bedding, mattresses and furniture without being noticed until their populations grow significantly.

What pests are often mistaken for bed bugs?

Here are five bed bug doppelgangers to keep an eye out for:

1. Fleas

Appearance: Fleas are also reddish-brown, but they are smaller (no larger than 1/8 of an inch) and more oval in shape than bed bugs. They also appear skinnier, can jump and stand taller and more vertical to surfaces in comparison to bed bugs.
Diet: While both fleas and bed bugs feed on blood, fleas prefer animals such as cats and dogs over humans. You are more likely to see them hanging around your pet’s sleeping areas or in carpeting than in your bed.
Source: iStock

2. Ticks

Appearance: Ticks can range in color, but most are brown. Before feeding, they appear flat like bed bugs and have a similar, round body shape. Adult ticks have eight legs, rather than six.
Diet: While ticks can bite humans, they prefer animal hosts. One big difference between ticks and bed bugs is that ticks latch onto their hosts and burrow their heads into your skin when they bite. Ticks are also known to spread disease, but there is no scientific proof of bed bugs transmitting illness.

Source: iStock

3. Swallow Bugs

Appearance: Swallow bugs are approximately the same color and size as bed bugs, but are covered in longer hair.
Diet: Their preferred host is the swallow, but if their bird hosts migrate to another location, the swallow bugs can move into homes or businesses — feeding on human blood if desperate for a meal. Find out what happened in this real life scenario where swallow bugs were mistaken for bed bugs.

4. Carpet Beetles

Appearance: Carpet beetles can appear small and round like bed bugs, but they are actually smaller (no larger than 1/7 of an inch) and vary in color — some are patterned with black, white and yellow. Another important difference is carpet beetles have wings and can fly, while bed bugs cannot.
Diet: Carpet beetles prefer to feed on pollen and nectar but can also feed on the cast skins of bed bugs, which can cause confusion when they are seen in the same area as bed bugs. They do not bite humans, but you can get a rash if exposed to the prickly hairs on their bodies.

Source: iStock

5. Cockroach Nymph

Appearance: Cockroach nymphs are white upon hatching, but quickly turn a reddish-brown similar to bed bugs. They have more of a cylinder shape than bed bugs.
Diet: Cockroach nymphs do not feed on blood like bed bugs do.

Source: iStock

Since it can be easy to mistake bed bugs for other pests, it’s best to have a pest management professional complete an inspection to properly identify the pest. Correct identification is critical because different pests require different control methods, and when a pest issue is misdiagnosed, the problem may grow and become more severe without proper treatment.

With over a century of experience dealing with this resilient pest, Orkin has a variety of commercial bed bug services to fit the needs for your business, including ongoing visual inspections, canine inspections and additional protective measures, like staff training. Still have questions or concerns on how to check for bed bugs in your workplace? Click here to schedule a free inspection at your business.