Blog Layout

Six Types of Bed Bugs in the United States

YESpestpros • Mar 30, 2018

Did you know there are more than one type of bed bug? While the common bed bug is the bed bug species you’re most likely encounter, there are five other types of bed bugs in the United States you might come in contact with.

Common Bed Bug

The common bed bug ( Cimex lectularius ) is one of the most common pests in the world. It lives on every continent and can be found everywhere from the Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to the Days Inn in Columbus, Indiana.

The common bed bug grows to about the size of an apple seed after it’s eaten blood and is a darkish-red color as an adult. They tend to hang out in cracks and crevices near the place they feed, such as a bed (hence their name).

While bed bugs are a nuisance, a single bed bug bite is no worse than a bite from a mosquito . Unlike mosquitos, however, bed bugs haven’t been proven to spread disease , though they do sometimes carry diseases. Bed bugs have been known to carry MRSA (Staphylococcus aureus) and VRE bacteria (Enterococcus faecium).

Bat Bugs

“Bat Bug” by NY State IPM Program at Cornell University. Used under license.

Bat bugs, as their name suggests, feed primarily on the blood of bats. And while they look exactly like their bed bug cousins (unless you use a microscope), they are a different species. Bat bugs species range from Africa ( Afrocimex constrictus ), western and eastern parts of the continental United States ( Cimex pilosellus and Cimex adjunctus ), to parts of Europe ( Cimex pipistrelle ).

Although bat bugs mostly hang around their nocturnal mammal or choice, they will bite humans if given the opportunity. They usually come into contact with humans if bats infest a building in which people occupy. Even then, the bat bugs will generally stay close to where the bats nest. They’ll only explore the rest of the building after pest control experts have removed the bats or the bats have migrated.

If they do find humans, they may move into mattresses and bed frames like common bed bugs.

Tropical Bed Bugs

Tropical bed bugs ( imex hemipterus ) like common bed bugs are resurging in numbers throughout the world. The main difference between tropical bed bugs and common bed bugs is that the tropical variety prefers warmer climates and therefore usually lives in more southern locations. In the U.S., they range in southern states. They look similar to common bed bugs except for some small physical differences.

While tropical bed bugs don’t normally live in Indiana, Hoosiers vacationing down South can bring them back in their luggage. And in the warmth of a controlled indoor environment, they will reproduce.

Poultry Bug

kinds of bed bugsAlso called the Mexican chicken bug , poultry bugs ( Haematosiphon inodorus ) are a North American bug that is commonly found on poultry farms and domestic fowl. Like bat bugs, although they prefer winged hosts, they will feed on human blood if given the opportunity.

It’s rare that they get the chance, however. Unless a poultry bug is residing on a bird that makes its nest in somebody’s home, or unless people spend the night close to a roosting area, the bugs are unlikely to bother anybody.

Swallow Bugs

swallow bugsLuckily, swallow bugs aren’t named because they crawl into people’s mouths at night. They’re named after the birds with which they’re associated —  cliff and barn swallows. Swallow bugs ( Oeciacus vicarius ) are smaller than bed bugs, and their bodies are covered with fine hairs.

While these bugs won’t hide around beds and take up residence in your rooms, they can find their way into people’s homes and will feed on humans. They typically do so in late winter and early spring when they come out of a dormant state in anticipate of the return of swallows. After the swallows leave at the end of the summer, the bugs return to a dormant state.

Chimney Swift Bugs

bugs that look like bed bugsChimney swift bugs ( Cimexopsis nyctalis ) like swallow bugs are usually found with a specific type of bird. In this case, it’s the chimney swift , which make its nests in chimneys and on other vertical surfaces such as air vents, wells, hollow trees, and caves.

Like swallow bugs, chimney swift bugs live close to where their hosts live. They, too, can find their way into homes through cracks and crevices.

Compared to bed bugs, chimney swift bugs are slightly smaller, and they differ in behavior. For example, chimney swift bugs aren’t nocturnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. They also have claws, unlike bed bugs, so they’re able to crawl on smooth surfaces.

If you’ve treated your house for bed bugs and they continue to bite, it might be that you don’t actually have a bed bug infestation. If chimney swifts or other birds have taken up residence in your building, have a pest control professional remove the birds and inspect the bugs. Professionals can tell what species of bug they are and can treat the affected areas so you can rest easy at night.

 

What Bugs Feed on Human Blood? Blood Eating Bugs

15 Jun, 2022
Insects that feed on human blood can cause incredible discomfort. In many cases, we don't even know we've been bitten until after they have had their meal. Some inject an anticoagulant into the bloodstream to suck up their meal faster, while others clamp on and indulge in our life-preserving liquid. It helps to know which of these creatures to be watchful of before they attack. That way, we can take active steps to avoid the misery before they get a chance to start.

Can Fleas Travel on Clothing?

15 Jun, 2022
We often think of fleas as a nuisance for your cat or dog. They have an annoying way of getting into their fur, and it can be a real problem to get them out. But it is their uncanny ability to get into your home and cause a significant infestation that is a source of concern for many, especially if their presence is not properly eliminated. This has become a significant problem for many people. No doubt, the best way to ensure you don’t get a flea infestation in your home is to make sure they never get inside in the first place.

Are Bed Bugs Visible With the Naked Eye?

15 Jun, 2022
Waking up with tiny little bite marks all over your body is never a good thing. As you look at your irritated skin with the tell-tale red spots that itch persistently, you're sure that they result from bed bugs. No one wants their bed infested with these creatures, so you want to get rid of them as soon as possible. But before you decide to launch an all-out attack on these irritants, you need to be sure of what you're dealing with. Unfortunately, plenty of other pests may invade your mattress, and using the wrong treatment to eliminate the problem could delay getting you relief or even worsen the situation. Before you decide on a method of extermination, you need to make sure of what you're actually dealing with. Still, because these bugs are so tiny, you might wonder if they can be seen with the naked eye. The answer is - sometimes. Bed bugs are usually visible in the later stages of development, but there's a good chance that if you can identify bed bugs in their adult stage, many younger ones are lying around, just waiting to take a bite out of you.

Are Carpet Beetles Dangerous?

15 Jun, 2022
As their name implies, carpet beetles infest carpets and other fibers and are especially active during springtime. The first sign of an infestation is often a dead carpet beetle trapped in a window sill. But you can be sure if there’s one; there are many more. Carpet beetles typically live outdoors but are wintering insects . They will seek the warm cozy interior of your home after temperatures drop, and once inside, they become a threat to your property and food and can cause rashes with their tiny hairs. Carpet beetles feature: “Mottled” coloring of black, brown, white, or yellow. Oval-shaped bodies. Adult length between 1/16 - 1/8 inches. The first concern with any infestation is safety.

What Spring Bugs Should You be on The Lookout For?

15 Jun, 2022
As spring approaches and temperatures begin to rise, all sorts of creepy crawlies emerge in search of food, warmth, and a place to reproduce. Unfortunately, your home could be the perfect place to find all three. If you're not quick to eliminate these pests, you could have a serious infestation on your hands. Here are a few spring bugs that you should keep an eye out for as winter comes to an end. 

Are Spiders Active in Winter?

By YESpestpros • 15 Jun, 2022
Aracniphobs everywhere look to winter as a moment’s respite from spiders. The myth goes that spiders are cold-blooded and can’t survive the winter, but the truth is complex. There are 400 different species of spider in Indiana and 3,500 nationwide. Each one has different behaviors and approaches to surviving the cold. Some die off before winter, like the North American black and yellow garden spider, but others adapt. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

How to Get Rid of Moths

By YESpestpros • 28 Feb, 2022
Moths can be pretty pesky little things; the larvae they leave behind can quickly chew through a wide variety of substances, including your clothes, bedding, and food. In addition, many people can have adverse allergic reactions when they are in their vicinity.  While moths play an essential role in our environment, they tend to be […] The post How to Get Rid of Moths appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

What Types of Ticks are Dangerous?

By YESpestpros • 15 Feb, 2022
At first glance, ticks do not appear to be dangerous. But don’t let their tiny size and small mouths fool you. These guys are voracious eaters, and the females are known to suck at least 200 times their body weight in blood. They need this feeding cycle to develop through the different stages in their […] The post What Types of Ticks are Dangerous? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard

By YESpestpros • 30 Jan, 2022
Nothing can make a homeowner more proud than the exterior beauty of a perfectly landscaped yard. However, all your dedication to beautifying your outdoor space can be tainted when you have underground guests come to visit.  When you start to notice a series of small holes in your yard that seem to emerge out of […] The post How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

Can Mouse Droppings be Harmful?

By YESpestpros • 15 Jan, 2022
So you’ve been noticing strange things happening in your house, and you assume that you have a rodent problem. You’ve noticed the corners of your cereal boxes appear to be chewed on. You found a hole in your couch cushions. You may have even seen a mouse or two in the house! But now you’ve […] The post Can Mouse Droppings be Harmful? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
More Posts
Share by: