Bed bugs have grown increasingly problematic over the years. Experts claim that they are developing immunities to common pesticides and household bug sprays. As such, you find more and more bed bugs invading homes and businesses, especially throughout populated areas in Canada, such as Toronto. Common bed bug signs are specific smell, bed bug casings and bite marks. If you have these signs we recommend calling us, The Exterminators. We have decades of experience dealing with bed bugs.
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Bugs that Look Like Bed Bugs
Spider Beetle
It is easy to confuse the spider beetle and the bed bug because of its appearance and colouring. Spider beetles are very small. In fact, they are no larger than a flea. They have an oval shape and a dark brown appearance. However, they sometimes bloat and take on a reddish-brown hue, similar to that of a bed bug. Of course, you should know if you are dealing with a bed bug and need to call bed bug control Toronto or simply a bed bug look-alike.
However, spider beetles do not drink blood like bed bugs. They also do not hide within the cracks and crevices of your mattress. Instead, they feed on the food they can scavenge from your cabinets and food pantries. They prefer to come out at night or hard in dark places throughout the day.
Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles also commonly receive the blame of being a bed bug. They are a small bug, as the bed bug. They are also round and have a brownish colour to them. Upon close inspection, you will see that carpet beetles have very noticeable wings. The bed but, on the other hand, does not have any wings. Also, carpet beetles do not bite, so they do not feed off human blood.
However, a person may experience an allergic reaction when coming into contact with a carpet beetle. The beetle has tiny hairs that can cause welts to appear on the skin if you touch it or get too close to it. That is not to say that carpet beetles are not a problem. They cause significant damage to f furniture fabrics, carpet, and clothing if it contains animal fibres.
Cockroach Nymphs
Cockroach nymphs hide in cracks and crevices like bed bugs, but they do not have a specific preference for mattresses like bed bugs. Instead, cockroach nymphs will stay close to a food source. Fortunately, you are not the food source they seek. However, they will eat crumbs and other food left out by you.
Upon first hatching and moulting, a cockroach nymph has a reddish-brown tint that is very similar to a bed bug. However, cockroach nymphs appear longer and more cylindrical in shape compared to the shape of a bed bug. Bed bugs are short, oval-shaped bugs. They look more like apple seeds than cylinders.
Bat Bugs
Bat bugs resemble bed bugs the most. In fact, you might not know the difference between the two if you were to spot them. Bat bugs primarily hang out in attics where they can feed on bats for blood. However, if there are no bats around, bat bugs have no problem feeding on the blood of you and your pets. That is, of course, another reason they are commonly mistaken for a bed bug.
To properly identify a bat bug, you will need the help of an entomologist or a pest control professional. They will identify the bug using a microscope to look for fringe hairs located below the head of the bat bug. The fringe hairs are longer than that of a bed bug, which is how professionals can tell the difference between the two.
Other Bugs Mistaken for Bed Bugs
If you spot any bugs that look like a bed but, contact a professional for assistance. They can properly identify the bug you are dealing with. For example fleas are often mistaken for bed bugs if you share your bed with pets. Learn about fleas in bed signs here. Once identified, a professional can provide proper treatment and extermination methods to make sure your home is free of any annoying pests.
Contact the Exterminators: 647-496-2211 to deal with bed bugs now. If you are interested in DIY methods please check our store for bed bug control products.