What’s the Difference Between Bed Bugs and Bat Bugs? What You Need to Know
When it comes to pests, bed bugs are some of the most dreaded creatures. Their ability to hide in small crevices and feed on human blood while we sleep makes them a significant nuisance. However, did you know there’s another pest that looks almost identical to a bed bug? Enter the bat bug. These two bugs are often confused due to their similar appearance and feeding habits, but there are key differences that every homeowner should know.
Understanding what’s the difference between bed bugs and bat bugs can help you take appropriate measures to control these pests effectively.
Today, we’ll take a deep dive into the differences between bed bugs and bat bugs, how to identify each, and why it’s important to distinguish between them.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Before we explore the differences, let’s quickly define what bed bugs are.
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, reddish brown insects that feed on human blood. They are nocturnal creatures that tend to hide during the day in dark places, such as cracks in walls, seams of mattresses, furniture, and behind baseboards. Bed bugs are notorious for being difficult to eliminate, as they can reproduce quickly and often hide in places that are hard to reach.
What Are Bat Bugs?
Bat bugs (Cymex adjunctus) are closely related to bed bugs and share many similar traits. However, unlike bed bugs, bat bugs primarily feed on the blood of bats. Their natural habitat is often in areas where bats roost, such as attics, caves, or barns. Bat bugs are less common in homes that don’t have a bat population, but they can easily find their way into homes if bats have been roosting in the area.
Bat bugs can be a concern if you have a bat infestation or if bats have recently roosted in your attic, as bat bugs will move into the living spaces in search of a blood meal. Like bed bugs, they are also nocturnal and seek shelter during the day in crevices, cracks, and seams.
Key Differences Between Bed Bugs and Bat Bugs
Though they share similar physical characteristics, there are a few notable differences between bed bugs and bat bugs. These differences are important to recognize, as they can affect how you address the problem.
1. Physical Appearance
At first glance, bed bugs and bat bugs look nearly identical, but there are some subtle differences:
- Size: Bed bugs are slightly larger than bat bugs. Adult bed bugs are about 1/4 inch long, while bat bugs are usually around 3/16 inch in length. While this size difference is small, it may be noticeable when you compare them side by side.
- Shape: Both insects are flat and oval shaped, but bat bugs have a more pronounced hairy appearance on their thorax (the middle part of the body). The hair is most noticeable under magnification, and it’s one of the easiest ways to distinguish between the two. Bed bugs, on the other hand, have a smooth thorax with no visible hair.
- Antennas: Bat bugs tend to have slightly longer and more segmented antennae compared to bed bugs, which can help with identification under a magnifying glass.
2. Feeding Habits
Both bed bugs and bat bugs are blood-feeding insects, but their primary food sources differ:
- Bed Bugs: Bed bugs primarily feed on human blood. They’re attracted to body heat and carbon dioxide and typically bite at night while humans sleep. Bed bugs have adapted to living in human environments, often hiding in bedding, furniture, and walls.
- Bat Bugs: Bat bugs, as their name suggests, feed mainly on bat blood. They are often found in areas where bats roost, like attics, caves, or barns. However, if the bats are removed or their roost is disturbed, bat bugs will seek alternative blood meals. In these cases, they may bite humans or pets.
The fact that bat bugs are more dependent on bat populations for survival means they are often found in areas where bats live, whereas bed bugs can be found in a wider range of environments.
3. Habitat Preferences
- Bed Bugs: Bed bugs are found in a variety of places where people live and sleep. Their primary haunts include beds, sofas, furniture, and cracks in walls. They can be carried into homes via luggage, second-hand furniture, or clothing. Since they rely on human blood, they’re most often found in places where people rest.
- Bat Bugs: Bat bugs prefer areas inhabited by bats. You’re most likely to find bat bugs in attics, barns, or places where bats roost. They’re often found near ceilings or in spaces where bat droppings (guano) accumulate. If bats leave or if their roosting site is disrupted, bat bugs will seek out new hosts, potentially invading living spaces.
4. Behavior
Both bed bugs and bat bugs are nocturnal and prefer to hide in cracks and crevices during the day. However, bat bugs are more likely to be found close to bat roosts, whereas bed bugs tend to scatter throughout the home, seeking out hiding places near where humans sleep.
5. Infestation Risks
- Bed Bugs: Bed bugs are typically the greater concern for most households, as they can infest any home regardless of the presence of animals. They can spread quickly, reproduce rapidly, and are more difficult to eliminate without professional pest control assistance.
- Bat Bugs: Bat bugs pose a problem primarily in areas with bat infestations. If bats are removed from an attic or other structure, the bat bugs will look for a new food source, which could lead them to your home. They don’t typically spread as rapidly as bed bugs but can still create issues if left unchecked.
How to Handle an Infestation
The methods for dealing with bed bugs and bat bugs are similar, but here are some specific tips for each:
Bed Bug Control:
- Inspect your home for signs of bed bugs, including bites, blood spots, and dark fecal marks.
- Wash and dry linens on the hottest setting possible (at least 120°F) to kill bed bugs and their eggs.
- Vacuum carpets, furniture, and cracks in walls to remove bugs and eggs.
- Use mattress encasements to trap bed bugs in the mattress and box spring.
- Seek professional help if the infestation is severe, as bed bugs can be difficult to eradicate without specialized treatment.
Bat Bug Control:
- Remove bats: To prevent bat bugs, the primary step is to eliminate the bat population from your home. Contact a pest control or wildlife professional to safely and humanely remove bats.
- Seal entry points: After removing bats, seal all cracks, vents, and openings that could allow them to re-enter.
- Treat with insecticides: If bat bugs remain in your home after the bats have been removed, professional pest control services may apply insecticides to eliminate the infestation.
- Clean up bat droppings: Bat guano can harbor pathogens, so cleaning up droppings from attics and other roosting sites is important for health and safety.
Conclusion
Though bed bugs and bat bugs are closely related and share some similarities in appearance and behavior, they are distinct pests with different feeding habits and habitat preferences. The key to managing either pest is proper identification and treatment. If you suspect an infestation, it’s important to consult with a pest control professional who can accurately identify the pest and implement an effective strategy for removal.
Whether it’s bed bugs or bat bugs, early detection and prompt action are critical to preventing an infestation from spreading.
Citations
(n.d.). Bat Bugs. Orkin. https://www.orkincanada.ca/pests/other/bat-bugs/
Mishulin, A. (n.d.). Cimex pilosellus bat bug. Animal Diversity Web. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cimex_pilosellus/
(n.d.). How to Deal with Bat Bugs. PCT. https://www.pctonline.com/article/how-to-deal-with-bat-bugs/