Summary: Bat bugs and bed bugs are extremely similar in their appearances and habits. This blog looks at both pests individually by discussing their diets, features, habitats, and life cycles. The health risks of both bugs is also discussed before diving into the best prevention methods for both bloodsuckers. Pointe Pest Control provides year-round protection from Pacific Northwest pests.
If there’s one type of pest that we dread, it just might be bugs that bite us. Mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas have an unrequited love for our blood. This means that once they find a reliable food source — aka us — they will never leave.
Speaking of bloodsucking pests that don’t take the hint to leave, bed bugs and bat bugs are some of the worst elusive pests. But what’s the difference between bed bugs and bat bugs anyway? Let’s find out by taking a look at each pest before we dive into the risks and prevention tactics for both bugs.
Bat Bugs
Bat bugs are known for their:
- Dark brown coloring
- Length of 3-5 millimeters
- Diet of bat blood
- Preference for brown bats
- Habit of living in attics, ceiling cracks, and other elevated spaces
Bat bugs are, predictably, only truly active when they live within a bat colony. Sure, they can survive on the blood of other mammals, but bat bugs thrive when they’re with their titular animals. These bugs only reproduce when they consistently feed on bats, which is why they won’t leave a bat colony on their own accord.
The main reason why bat bugs are so tough to eliminate is because they live in cracks near or hitchhike on bats, birds, and rodents. As long as bat bugs have a steady slew of hosts, they won’t leave their habitat — until the mammals do. Once the bat colony leaves or is wiped out, bat bugs scatter in search of a new food source (aka our blood).
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are known for their:
- Red-brown coloring
- Length of 1/4 of an inch
- Diet of human or animal blood
- Preference for humans
- Habit of flattening their bodies to fit within crevices and folds
What hasn’t already been said about bed bugs? They relentlessly feed on our blood in order to lay eggs that will hatch younger bed bugs that continue the cycle. Since bed bugs lay about 200 eggs over their lifetimes, an infestation will result in an overwhelming number of pests. As much as we don’t want bed bugs near us, they want to stay close to us that much more.
These pests find hosts by detecting our carbon dioxide output and body heat. After feeding for 40 minutes, bed bugs digest their meal and, if they’re females, prepare to lay eggs. Their bites typically itch and redden because of our physical reaction to their saliva. Bed bugs can’t fly, so they need to hitchhike on our clothing and bags in order to access new food sources.
The Buggy Risks
We’ll be honest: neither of these bugs make an appealing houseguest. In fact, we’d be pretty happy if they stayed as far from us as possible. After all, no one wants a bunch of biting bugs in their home!
The biggest issue with both bat bugs and bed bugs is the consequence of their feeding times. Both give us itchy, swollen bites that will just multiply until they are controlled. The good news is that neither bug transmits disease (that we know of), but the red bites aren’t very pleasant on their own.
Besides the bites, the main issue with bat bugs and bed bugs is that they can live a long time without a meal. It’s estimated that they will go a year without any blood! This also makes it tough to eliminate them since they are too stubborn to naturally die in the usual timely manner of a bug.
Although they’re from the same genus (Cimex), we see bat bugs less often than bed bugs. Regardless, keep an eye on any bites that appear on you or anyone else in your home. Seek medical attention immediately if the bites start blistering or the swelling doesn’t go down.
Preventing The Bugs
It’s important to note that bed bugs are only treatable by professionals who disrupt the pests’ reproductive cycle with treatments. Bat bugs are less persistent once the bats are eliminated (more on this later), but bed bugs are resistant to most pesticides. Therefore, the best way to handle a bed bug or bat bug problem is to prevent them in the first place!
Our top prevention tips for bed bugs and bat bugs are:
- Seal entry points. Check the exterior of your house for cracks and gaps. Both bugs flatten themselves to squeeze into tight spaces, so it’s important to block them out with caulk.
- Inspect your bags after traveling. After a trip — especially if you stayed in a hotel or vacation home — inspect your luggage for any hitchhiking bed bugs.
- Wipe down your suitcases. Speaking of which, it’s a good idea to wipe down the exterior of your luggage with an antibacterial wipe. This eliminates bacteria and ensures there aren’t bed bugs.
- Wash your bedding often. You may already do this, but it’s a good practice to wash your bedding on a regular basis. The more you clean your bed, the more aware you will be of any bed bug activity.
- Consider netting your porch. If you live in a rural area that has a lot of bats, consider installing thin netting around your porch. This helps to keep bats and bat bugs away.
- Find the bat problem. If you have bat bugs, chances are good that there is a nearby bat population. Have a professional check the wall voids and areas where bat bugs are congregating for any signs of bats.
- Contact wildlife control. As with many pest control companies, Pointe doesn’t treat wildlife problems. Contact your local wildlife control if you have a persistent bat issue.
A Pointe Service A Day (Or Season) Keeps The Bugs Away!
When you need relief from biting bugs, Pointe Pest Control is here to help! We provide customized solutions and expert advice for all kinds of PNW pest problems. Our licensed technicians take their time inspecting your property, creating a treatment plan, and targeting your pest issues. We understand the importance of a reliable service when it comes to pests, so we don’t waste time in getting you the solutions that you seek. Our team of experts is happy to answer any questions you have along the way. Make 2025 your most pest-free year yet, and contact us for a free quote today!
Citations
Dingwall, J. (2023, September 20). Bat bugs vs. bed bugs: What’s the difference?. Catseye. Available at https://www.catseyepest.com/bed-bug-control/bat-bug-or-bed-bug-whats-the-difference/ (Accessed on December 23, 2024).
Moran, P. (2023, February 21). Bat bugs vs. bed bugs: How to spot the difference. The Spruce. Available at https://www.thespruce.com/bat-bugs-vs-bed-bugs-7104144 (Accessed on December 23, 2024).
Schumm, Z. (2023, July 11). Bed bugs or bat bugs — ID is crucial to management. Iowa State University: Extension and Outreach. Available at https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/article/2023/07/bed-bugs-or-bat-bugs-id-crucial-management (Accessed on December 23, 2024).
Tucker, A.M. (Dr.). (2020, November 4). When pests and wildlife intersect: How to identify and treat for bat bugs. Pest Control Technology. Available at https://www.pctonline.com/article/when-pests-and-wildlife-intersect-how-to-identify-and-treat-for-bat-bugs/ (Accessed on December 23, 2024).
