Beds provide an ideal environment for many types of small insects and bugs to thrive. While the dreaded bed bugs are the most notorious there are actually numerous other tiny culprits that can take up residence in your bed. Identifying these bed intruders is crucial to getting rid of them and preventing future infestations.
In this article, we’ll cover 17 common tiny bugs that may be in your bed and explain how to tell them apart from bed bugs. We’ll also provide tips on eliminating them safely and effectively. Knowing what’s actually in your bed allows you to take appropriate action to resolve the issue.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Before exploring bed bug lookalikes let’s review some key identification features of bed bugs themselves
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Size and Shape Adult bed bugs are oval-shaped and flattish, about the size and shape of an apple seed Nymphs (juveniles) are even tinier
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Color: Bed bugs are reddish-brown to brown in color, often described as the color of “an apple seed.” After feeding on blood, they become more red.
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Bites: Bed bugs feed on human blood, leaving small, itchy, red bumps on the skin, often in lines or clusters. However, bites may not appear on all people.
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Other Signs: Fecal spots, blood stains on sheets, musty smell, shed skins, and the bugs themselves hiding in mattress seams and crevices.
17 Bugs Commonly Mistaken for Bed Bugs
There are many other insects that due to their small size and resemblance to bed bugs get mistaken for them. Here are 17 common culprits:
1. Bat Bugs
Bat bugs are very closely related to bed bugs and look almost identical. The main difference is they feed on bats rather than humans. If bats leave or die, bat bugs will bite humans as an alternate food source.
2. Swallow Bugs
These bugs usually feed on cliff swallows but will bite humans if their bird hosts disappear. They look similar to bed bugs but are generally darker in color.
3. Carpet Beetle Larvae
The worm-like larvae of carpet beetles are commonly mistaken for bed bugs. However, unlike bed bugs, carpet beetles don’t bite humans.
4. Spider Beetles
Spider beetles resemble bed bugs in shape and size but are smoother in texture. They feed on plant and animal material, not blood.
5. Psocids/Booklice
Booklice are tiny wingless insects that feed on mold, fungi, and starchy materials, not blood. They prefer damp areas.
6. Cockroach Nymphs
Immature cockroaches known as nymphs resemble bed bugs with their oval shape but are browner. They also have long antennae.
7. Fleas
Fleas feed on animal and human blood. They are much smaller than bed bugs and able to jump long distances.
8. Ticks
Ticks feed on blood and can transmit various diseases. Engorged ticks have a distinct swollen belly after feeding.
9. Mites
Microscopic mites may be mistaken for bed bugs as they can also bite humans. Dust mites and bird mites are common culprits.
10. Lice
Lice are wingless insects that feed on human blood and live on clothing and furniture. They quickly move away from light.
11. Springtails
Springtails are tiny insects, under 3mm long, that thrive in damp areas. They have a tail-like appendage (furcula) that allows them to leap.
12. Beetle Larvae
Various beetle larvae such as drugstore beetles, cigarette beetles, and merchant grain beetles may resemble bed bug nymphs.
13. Weevils
Weevils are small beetles with elongated snouts. They feed on plants, not people, and do not infest homes.
14. Termites
Winged termites swarming in search of mates are sometimes confused with bed bugs due to their size. They feed on wood.
15. Ants
While ants as a whole look nothing like bed bugs, winged ants known as swarmers that appear around mating seasons resemble them.
16. Carpet Moth Larvae
Carpet moth larvae are off-white caterpillars with black heads and very fine hairs. They feed on natural fibers and shedded skins.
17. Drain Flies
Drain flies breed in drains, sewers, and pipes, before emerging into living areas. They have fuzzy moth-like bodies and do not bite.
How to Tell if They’re Bed Bugs
Carefully examining the suspect bugs can help rule out lookalikes. Key points are:
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Bed bugs are flat before feeding, not grub-like.
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They do not have wings or long caterpillar-like hairs.
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They have short, stubby legs, not long legs for jumping.
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No distinct head capsule or elongated mouthparts as seen on some beetles.
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They do not leave traces of fibers or cocoons as moth larvae do.
Other signs like bites and blood spots also help confirm bed bugs vs. lookalikes. If still unsure, collecting samples in clear containers helps pest professionals positively identify them.
Getting Rid of Bed Bug Imposters
Eliminating bed bug mimics requires different tactics than for bed bugs:
Bat Bugs: Remove bats humanely from the home, and clean bat roosting areas. Vacuum and sanitize bat bugs on beds.
Carpet Beetles: Frequent vacuuming, cleaning of lint/hair, and freezing/heating items to kill larvae. Limiting clutter reduces harborage sites.
Fleas: Treat infested pets with vet-approved products. Wash pet bedding frequently. Vacuum and use sprays/powders on floors and furniture.
Mites: Fix humidity issues. Vacuum frequently and use acaricides (miticides). Wash bedding on hot cycle.
Moths: Frequent vacuuming, dry cleaning fabrics, placing susceptible items in airtight bags with pesticide strips, freezing or heating items.
Ants: Seal cracks/entry points. Remove food sources, use baits and sprays.
Cockroaches: Use baits/traps, insecticidal gels, and sprays to kill and prevent roaches. Eliminate water, food sources, and clutter.
For severe infestations, calling a professional exterminator is recommended to successfully eliminate the pests and prevent re-infestation. They have the proper tools and training.
Prevent Bugs in Beds
Preventing tiny bed bugs includes:
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Installing tight-fitting mattress encasements to entrap pests.
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Using interceptor devices under bed legs to catch bugs trying to climb on beds.
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Reducing clutter around the bed that provides hiding spots.
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Checking for hitchhiking pests on luggage and secondhand furniture before bringing them inside.
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Vacuuming and washing bedding frequently.
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Sealing cracks and crevices where bugs can enter and hide.
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Monitoring for early signs of bugs and contacting an exterminator at first sightings before infestations grow. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Finding small, creepy crawlies in your bed can be unsettling. But taking time to identify the exact culprits allows you to take appropriate control measures to eliminate them and prevent further occurrences. Being informed helps you address the real issue, rather than wasting time and money combatting the wrong bug. Sweet dreams!
Why you might have bed bugs #shorts
FAQ
What are these tiny little bugs in my bed?
Appearance of Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius L.)
Adult bed bugs, in general, are: about the size of an apple seed (5-7 mm or 3/16 – 1/4 inch long); long and brown, with a flat, oval-shaped body (if not fed recently); balloon-like, reddish-brown, and more elongated (if fed recently);
What bug is in my bed but not bed bugs?
These look-a-likes, such as carpet beetles, spider beetles, booklice, cockroach nymphs, and bat bugs, can often be mistaken for bed bugs due to their similar appearance. However, each of these insects has distinct characteristics and behaviors that differentiate them from actual bed bugs.
What are the tiny bugs the size of a pinhead?
Clover mites are another possible tiny orange bug infestation. They are reddish-orange, oval-shaped, and about the size of a pinhead.Feb 10, 2025
What do mites look like in bed?
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Size:Dust mites are incredibly small, measuring about 0.4 millimeters in length, making them microscopic.
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Appearance:Under a microscope, they resemble tiny, white, spider-like creatures with eight legs.
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Common Mites:The most common type of mite found in beds are dust mites, which feed on dead skin cells and thrive in warm, humid environments.
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Other Mites:Other mites, like scabies mites, are also microscopic and difficult to see with the naked eye, but they can cause skin irritation and itching.
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Signs of Mites:While you can’t see the mites themselves, you might notice signs of their presence, such as itchy skin, allergy symptoms (like sneezing, runny nose, or watery eyes), or finding tiny black or brown specks on the mattress.
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Prevention and Control:To reduce dust mite populations in your bed, wash bedding frequently in hot water, use dust-mite-proof mattress encasements, and ensure your bedroom is well-ventilated and not too humid.