15 Bugs that Look like Bed Bugs (Pictures and Identification)

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Accurate identification of bed bugs is essential if you want to stop their spread. Because of their small size and similar look, bed bugs are frequently confused with a variety of other insect species. Their bodies are around the size of an apple seed, and they are usually reddish-brown in appearance with no obvious body segmentation.

Even though some insects resemble bed bugs, a closer look reveals some distinct differences. Below is a list of 15 different bug species that are sometimes confused for bed bugs.

These species can be distinguished from one another by their distinctive characteristics. Effective pest control and prevention techniques can benefit from an understanding of these distinctions.

Different Types of Bugs that Look like Bed Bugs

Swallow Bugs

Swallow bugs (Oeciacus vicarius), often mistaken for bed bugs (Cimex lectularius), have distinct differences. They are smaller, with adult swallow bugs measuring 3–4 mm compared to bed bugs. Swallow bugs have long, pale hairs covering their bodies, and the 3rd and 4th antennae segments are equal in length. They primarily live with bird species such as swallows, pigeons, swifts, and chickens, only developing and reproducing on swallows. Swallow bugs may enter homes in late summer or early fall when swallows migrate. The first step in addressing a swallow bug infestation is to remove bird nests from the property.

Characteristic	Oeciacus vicarius (Swallow Bug)	Cimex lectularius (Bed Bug)
Size	3–4 mm	5–7 mm
Color	Greyish and amber with pale hairs	Reddish-brown to dark brown
Habitat	Lives with birds like swallows, pigeons, swifts, and chickens	Lives near human sleeping areas
Behavior	Enters homes in late summer/fall; seeks blood meals before birds return	Stays near humans
Pronotum Hairs	Long pale hairs	Shorter hairs
Antennae Segments	3rd and 4th segments are equal in length	Not equal in length
Pronotum Shape	Less concave front margin	More concave front margin

Pirate Bugs

Pirate bugs (nymphs), often mistaken for bed bugs, belong to the anthocoroid family within the superfamily Cimicoidea, which includes bed bugs, bat bugs, and other similar insects. Pirate bugs are beneficial predators, hunting mites, thrips, aphids, and whiteflies, unlike bed bugs, which are parasitic blood feeders. Pirate bug nymphs are much smaller than bed bug nymphs, measuring 0.2 – 0.48 mm compared to 1.5 – 2 mm. They are translucent and light amber in color. While bed bugs can live up to a year, pirate bugs have a shorter lifespan of about 35 days.

Characteristic	Minute Pirate Bug (Nymph)	Cimex lectularius (Bed Bug)
Size	0.2 – 0.48 mm (nymph), 2–5 mm (adult)	1.5 – 2 mm (nymph), 5 – 7 mm (adult)
Color	Translucent and light amber	Reddish-brown to dark brown
Habitat	Lives on plants, hunts other bugs	Lives near human sleeping areas
Behavior	Beneficial predators hunts mites, thrips, aphids, and whiteflies	Strictly parasitic blood feeder
Lifespan	Approximately 35 days (adult)	Up to 1 year (or longer)

German Cockroach Nymph

German cockroach nymphs are commonly mistaken for bed bugs due to their similar size and appearance. These nymphs are about 1/2 inch long (3–14 mm) and light brown. Unlike adult German cockroaches, nymphs have two prongs on their backend. They have a hard shell, unlike bed bugs, which lack this feature. Cockroach nymphs molt up to six times before becoming adults. While bed bugs solely feed on blood, cockroach nymphs are scavengers, consuming a variety of organic matter. Identifying the two prongs on the backend can help distinguish cockroach nymphs from bed bugs.

Characteristic	German Cockroach Nymph	Cimex lectularius (Bed Bug)
Size	3 mm – 14 mm	1.5 mm – 6 mm
Color	Amber to dark brown to black	Reddish-brown to dark brown
Shell	Hard shell	No shell
Prongs	Two prongs on the backend	No prongs
Feeding Behavior	Scavenger, eats various organic matter	Parasitic, feeds on blood
Health Risk	Yes	No

Tropical bed bug

Cimex hemipterus (tropical bed bug) and Cimex lectularius (common bed bug) both belong to the genus Cimex, but there are differences in geographical distribution and some morphological characteristics. C. lectularius is widely distributed worldwide, while C. hemipterus mainly appears in tropical regions. Both species infest areas near humans, such as bed frames, mattresses, and furniture. The treatment for both species is quite similar, but C. hemipterus is becoming more resistant to pesticides.

Characteristic	C. hemipterus (Tropical Bed Bug)	C. lectularius (Common Bed Bug)
Size	5–7 mm	Similar
Color	Reddish-brown to bright red to dark blackish-brown	Similar
Morphological Features	Narrower neck area, no deep excavation on the neck, pad at the base of tarsi, more setae on legs	Broader neck area, deep excavation on the neck
Ability to Grip Smooth Surfaces	Better due to fossula spongiosa	Worse
Geographical Distribution	Tropical regions	Worldwide
Pesticide Resistance	Becoming more resistant	Less resistant

Bat Bugs

Bat bugs (Cimex adjunctus) are often mistaken for bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) due to their similar appearance. While bat bugs primarily live with bats and feed on their blood, they may enter homes if bats leave their roosts, seeking blood from humans and other warm-blooded animals. Unlike bed bugs, bat bugs typically attempt to return to bat roosts rather than stay near humans. Notably, bat bugs have longer setae (hairs) on the edge of the pronotum compared to the diameter of their eyes. These hairs, along with slightly wider back legs, help distinguish them from bed bugs.

Characteristic	Cimex adjunctus (Bat Bug)	Cimex lectularius (Bed Bug)
Size	5.5 mm–6 mm	Similar
Color	Red, dark brown, to dark red	Reddish-brown to dark brown
Habitat	Lives with bats, may enter homes	Lives near human sleeping areas
Behavior	Tries to return to bat roosts	Stays near humans
Pronotum Hairs	Longer than the diameter of the eye	Shorter than the diameter of the eye
Legs	Slightly wider back legs	Narrower back legs

Booklice

Booklice (psocids) are small insects, often mistaken for bed bug nymphs due to their similar size and color under certain lighting conditions. Booklice measure about 1 mm, while stage 1 bed bug nymphs are slightly larger at 1.5 mm, quickly growing to 2 mm. Booklice feed on mold, paper, and books, thriving in damp environments. Reducing humidity and cleaning mold can help control booklice infestations. Unlike bed bugs, which are parasitic blood feeders, booklice are harmless and do not pose health risks.

Characteristic	Booklouse	Cimex lectularius (Bed Bug)
Size	1 mm	1.5 mm – 6 mm
Color	Translucent, whitish to light grey to light brown	Reddish-brown to dark brown
Habitat	Damp locations with mold	Near human sleeping areas
Feeding Behavior	Feeds on mold, paper, and books	Parasitic, feeds on blood
Health Risk	No	Yes

Flour Beetles

Flour beetles are often mistaken for bed bugs due to their similar appearance to the untrained eye. These beetles, such as the confused flour beetle and red flour beetle, are about 3–4 mm in size and reddish-brown in color. Unlike bed bugs, flour beetles do not infest beds or furniture but thrive on moisture and grains found in kitchens. If you spot tiny bugs that aren’t bed bugs in your home, they may be flour beetles. They feed on flour, meal, grains, and nuts, whereas bed bugs feed exclusively on blood. Cleaning out kitchen storage areas can help manage flour beetle infestations.

Characteristic	Flour Beetle	Cimex lectularius (Bed Bug)
Size	3 mm – 4 mm	1.5 mm – 6 mm
Color	Reddish-brown	Reddish-brown to dark brown
Habitat	Kitchen storage, grains	Near human sleeping areas
Feeding Behavior	Feeds on flour, meal, grains, and nuts	Parasitic, feeds on blood
Infestation Location	Kitchen storage	Beds, furniture

Spider Beetles

Spider beetles are often mistaken for bed bugs due to their round red bodies, which resemble bed bugs to the untrained eye. Unlike bed bugs, spider beetles do not bite humans and are more of a nuisance pest. They are scavengers and will feed on a wide range of food sources, including figs, almonds, berries, cereal, wheat, paper, and plants. Finding spider beetles in your home indicates a need to clean out cupboards and seal food items properly. They are generally harmless but can be bothersome.

Characteristic	Spider Beetle	Cimex lectularius (Bed Bug)
Size	1.5 mm – 3.5 mm	1.5 mm – 6 mm
Color	Red	Reddish-brown to dark brown
Habitat	Food storage areas, plants	Near human sleeping areas
Feeding Behavior	Scavenger, feeds on various food sources	Parasitic, feeds on blood
Bite Risk	Does not bite humans	Bites humans

Carpet Beetle

Carpet beetles are often mistaken for bed bugs due to their presence near mattresses and box springs. Unlike bed bugs, carpet beetles do not feed on blood but rather on fabrics, stored food products, and carpets. They are common pests in urban environments and can cause allergic reactions in some people due to their larvae’s hairs. Regular vacuuming around bed frames and mattresses helps prevent carpet beetle infestations.

Characteristic	Carpet Beetle	Cimex lectularius (Bed Bug)
Size	1/10 inch (various carpet beetle) to 1/8 – 3/16 inches	1.5 mm – 6 mm
Color	Black/brown/variegated	Reddish-brown to dark brown
Habitat	Fabrics, stored food, carpets	Near human sleeping areas
Feeding Behavior	Feeds on fabrics, stored food	Parasitic, feeds on blood
Life Cycle	Egg, larvae, pupae, adult	Egg, nymph, adult
Wings	Adult beetles have wings	Adults do not have wings

Bird Mites

Bird mites are parasitic mites that primarily feed on avian blood, distinguishing them from bed bugs, which feed on human and other mammalian blood. These tiny pests are usually associated with bird nests and can infest homes if birds abandon their nests. Unlike bed bugs, bird mites cannot complete their life cycle on human blood alone and do not typically survive away from birds or their nests.

Characteristic	Bird Mites	Cimex lectularius (Bed Bug)
Size	1/32 inch or less than 1mm	1.5 mm – 6 mm
Color	Amber, reddish, and greyish	Reddish-brown to dark brown
Habitat	Bird nests, associated with birds	Human sleeping areas
Feeding Behavior	Feeds on avian blood	Feeds on human and animal blood
Life Cycle	Egg, larva, nymph, adult	Egg, nymph, adult
Legs	8 legs	6 legs

Ticks

Ticks, belonging to the order Parasitiformes, are arachnids distinct from bed bugs in their feeding habits and disease transmission potential. These blood-sucking ectoparasites are notorious for transmitting diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They latch onto their hosts by cutting the skin and inserting a feeding tube, remaining attached for hours to days. Unlike bed bugs, ticks are vectors of various pathogens, making them a significant health concern in regions where they are prevalent.

Characteristic	Ticks	Cimex lectularius (Bed Bug)
Size	Adults: 3 to 5 mm; Nymphs: 2 mm or smaller	1.5 mm – 6 mm
Color	Red, grey, and brown	Reddish-brown to dark brown
Legs	8 legs	6 legs
Habitat	Grass, vegetation, animals	Human dwellings, furniture
Feeding Behavior	Attaches to host, feeds for hours to days	Feeds and returns to harborage
Diseases	Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever	No known disease transmission
Attachment	Cuts skin, inserts feeding tube	Pierces skin to feed briefly

Fleas

Fleas are frequently confused with bed bugs because of their biting tendencies and the resulting skin reactions in humans. However, fleas differ significantly in their behavior and appearance. Unlike bed bugs, which primarily crawl and hide in crevices, fleas possess powerful hind legs that allow them to jump impressive distances from host to host or environment to host. Their small size, usually between 1.5 mm to 4 mm, and dark coloration aid in camouflage amidst fur or carpet fibers. Fleas also undergo a complex life cycle involving egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages, requiring specific strategies for eradication and control compared to bed bugs.

Characteristic	Flea	Cimex lectularius (Bed Bug)
Size	1.5 mm – 4 mm	1.5 mm – 6 mm
Color	Black, brown, reddish-brown	Reddish-brown to dark brown
Lifecycle	Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult	Egg, Nymph, Adult
Behavior	Jumps	Crawls
Reproduction	Lay 20–50 eggs per day	Lay 1–5 eggs per day
Transmission	Can transmit tapeworms to pets	No known disease transmission
Habitat	Often on pets, carpets, and yards	Human dwellings, furniture

Head Lice

Head lice, unlike bed bugs, reside exclusively in human hair, laying eggs known as nits that hatch within 6–9 days. After a nymph stage lasting about a week, they mature into adults, requiring a male and female for reproduction. Bed bugs, on the other hand, do not inhabit hair due to their lack of specialized claws for gripping. They feed on blood, turning reddish-brown after a meal, but do not live on hosts. Head lice are typically 2-3 mm in size and transparent before feeding. Unlike bed bugs, head lice have claws on each leg to grasp and move along strands of hair.

Characteristic	Head Lice	Bed Bug
Habitat	Human hair	Beds, furniture, cracks
Reproduction	Need male and female for nits	Lay eggs without mating
Feeding	Blood feeder	Blood feeder
Size	2-3 mm	1.5-6 mm
Color	Transparent, reddish-brown post-feed	Reddish-brown
Special Features	Claws on legs for gripping hair	No claws on legs

Body Lice

Body lice reside in clothing and move onto the skin to feed. Regularly washing clothes in hot water and drying them in a hot dryer can prevent infestations. Many mistake body lice for bed bug nymphs due to similar appearances, but body lice are specific to humans and do not infest pets. They lay eggs in clothing seams near the skin, ensuring hatchlings have immediate access to blood. Eggs hatch in 6–9 days, with nymphs maturing into adults in about a week.

Characteristic	Body Lice	Cimex lectularius (Bed Bug)
Size	2 mm–4 mm	1.5 mm – 6 mm
Color	Greyish/transparent, turns reddish-brown after drinking blood	Reddish-brown to dark brown
Habitat	Lives within clothing, crawls onto skin to feed	Near human sleeping areas
Feeding Behavior	Feeds on blood, lays eggs in clothing seams	Parasitic, feeds on blood
Life Cycle	Egg – Nymph – Adult; eggs hatch in 6–9 days, nymphs turn into adults in about 7 days	Egg – Nymph – Adult
Wings	Does not have wings	Adults do not have wings
Claws	Has claws at the end of each leg to grip clothing	Does not have claws