Bed bugs are classified as such because they primarily live on the bed, despite the fact that they can infect other parts of the house where furniture is present. However, not every bug discovered in the bed is a bed bug; different bugs inhabit the bed, and almost all of them appear identical at first glance; distinguishing them would require close observation and extensive knowledge.
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Bugs In Your Bed That Aren’t Bed Bugs
Not all bugs that infest the bed are bed bugs, but they all look the same, and it can be difficult to tell them apart. These bugs will also leave you with bites all over your body when you wake up. Living in such conditions is a serious issue that can lead to physiological issues, so it’s critical to be able to detect the bugs that are causing you problems, as well as get rid of them. Below are some of the bugs that can be found on the bed:
Fleas
Fleas are tiny black or brownish flightless bugs that feed on blood and prefer to live in the bodies of their hosts. They primarily inhabit the bodies of pests and can be transferred to a bed if people allow infested pests to share the same bed. They can also infest a bed if their eggs are laid there by infested pets and left to hatch, which takes about 20 days.
Flea bites appear as tiny red pimples that cluster together. Infected fleas can spread diseases including plague, typhus, and cat scratch fever, and their bites can become infected if they are not left alone and scratched too often and too forcefully. If you think you’re noticing early signs of fleas in your bed, you can take some precautions to get rid of them.
Weevils
Weevils are small black or yellowish insects that infest raw food items such as grains, rice, flour, and beans because they are their primary source of food. Weevils do not bite and can live for up to 3 weeks. They can lay multiple eggs at once, and some species do not even require mating to lay eggs.
Weevils cannot harm humans even if they eat them accidentally, but they can damage stored raw food and cause a nuisance by crawling around the house. Weevils get into different houses by laying eggs on packages of stored raw food, and because their eggs are difficult to detect, they are gently transported to different houses, where the eggs hatch and the weevils spread to other stored foods in the house.
Drugstore Beetle (bread beetle, biscuit beetle)
Drugstore beetles are brownish beetles that infest a variety of dry plants. In addition to dry plants, drugstore beetles can also be found feeding on drugs, hence the name drugstore beetles. Drugstore beetles will congregate in areas near food sources, lay eggs on the food, and the eggs will take several months to mature from eggs to adults.
Drugstore beetles are most active during the summer months. They do not bite humans for any reason, but they can be a nuisance in the house because they can infest and ruin all dry-stored foods.
Swallow Bug
Swallow bugs are tiny insects that infest the nests of swallow birds and feed on them because they need their blood to survive, hence the name “swallow bugs.” Swallow bugs prefer to live in the nests of swallow birds because the materials those birds use to build their nests are ideal for hiding; their nests are mostly made of fur, feathers, grass, and mud.
Sometimes the infestation gets so severe that the swallow birds leave their nests and move to another nest. This strategy fails them because swallow bugs can cling to their feathers when they depart. They will simply follow them to their new homes and continue feeding there; collecting blood is not just what they need for survival.
Swallow bugs can bite humans if they don’t find any nests to latch on to, and they can also fly into people’s houses in search of blood; blood is their only source of sustenance, and birds are just their preference; their bites leave behind tiny red bumps that come in groups of three or more at once. However, not everyone reacts to swallow bug bites; in fact, the majority of people have no reaction to their bites at all, and their bites are not known to spread diseases.
Bat Bug
Bat bugs are small insects that survive by feeding on blood. They are closely related to bed bugs and look similar to them. Bat bugs love to feed on bat blood, hence the term “bat bugs.” Like bed bugs, bat bugs prefer to live in places where they can easily get food, but if there are no bats to feed on, they may change their position and go after humans.
When they come after humans, they will take shelter in the places where bed bugs like to live, which are mattresses, beds, and furniture. They come in through places like attics and chimneys. People who notice bat bugs resting in those parts of their homes are more likely to have a bat bug infestation because bat bugs will go to those parts of the home to get blood if they don’t find bats in the usual places.
Their bites do not transmit diseases to people, but they do leave little red bumps all over the injured area. Their bites also do not cause pain, simply itching and redness.
Carpet Beetle – Yellow And Black Bug
These are small insects that infest fabrics, clothing, and general carpet materials. They are mostly found on the market, hence the name “caring beetles.” They are very small, reaching only 3 mm in length. Their fur is brownish, and their skin looks like they have a lot of hair poked out of it.
They can be found in homes, warehouses, museums, and any other location that stores fabric. Carpet beetles in the home are a cause for concern because these tiny devils are capable of destroying valuable properties because they infest all types of materials, old and new.
They do not bite, but that does not mean they cannot leave small red bumps on the skin. When these insects are spotted, the person should not attempt to squash them because getting into contact with them might produce red, itchy pimples on the affected area, and their blood can also induce the same reaction. Humans, on the other hand, can not contract any diseases from them.
Clover Mite – Small Red Bug
Clover mites are small reddish bugs that emerge during the summer and can be found crawling on window edges or doors. Although these mites do not bite humans and do not cause any harm, they can be a nuisance in the home because they can be found crawling around in large numbers and can leave a red stain if crushed.
Because their primary source of nutrition is plant nutrition, and you are more likely to have them around if you have plants around your house, their presence may be detrimental to your plants. A single clover mite can live for up to two weeks, or longer in some cases if the weather conditions are favorable for them.
Conclusion
Aside from bed bugs, you may encounter other tiny black bugs in your bed. None of these bugs are up to the size of a beetle, so they will all appear to be the same at first glance, and distinguishing them would take a great deal of understanding. This article will provide you with that knowledge as well as their distinct capabilities.