What are the Tiny Blacks in Bed and How to Get Rid of Them?

Having any tiny black bugs in the house is an issue but it can get really annoying when you find some in your bed. Homeowners may have come across bed bugs, bat bugs, carpet beetles, fleas, ticks, and spider beetles in their beds already. If tiny black bugs in bed are an issue for you, here's what you need to know about these pests and what to do if you've got an infestation in your bedroom or home.

Identifying Tiny Black Bugs in Bed

Before learning how to get rid of bugs in the house, you need to figure out what you're dealing with. You can take note of the insect's physical characteristics, see what they've left behind, talk to a specialist, or do your own research:

• Take note of the bug's size, shape, color, or any patterns. Are they oval? How many legs do they have?
• Look at the damage done. Check for fecal stains, blood stains shed bug skins, or live bugs.
• Check where you see any indications of an infestation. Some tiny black bugs in bed may be found on the bed sheet while others are crawling around its wooden frame and some are on your clothes.
• Talk to a qualified specialist and tell them about what you've found or show them the bugs.
• Do your own research! Look up content online, bug descriptions, pictures, or videos. You can also contact a university's Department of Entomology or browse through the resources made available by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA.) There are also apps available that let you take a picture of the bug and tell you exactly what insect it is.

These resources can be used to help you figure out exactly what tiny black bugs in bed you're dealing with and what steps to take next.

Reasons Why These Bugs May Be Present

Most people learn how to get rid of bed bugs because they're the most common type of black bug found in bedrooms. However, bat bugs, carpet beetles or Dermestidae, fleas, ticks, and spider beetles may also be invading your bed and this could be due to the following reasons:

• The bedroom is warm and humid which encourages insect activity.
• Human bodies are warm and release carbon dioxide which is attractive to bugs.
• Your space has inadequate ventilation which is ideal for bugs.
• The bed is placed near a door or window that's usually left open.
• Your bedsheets, linens, and pillowcases are unclean.
• Secondhand furniture placed in the bedroom has been previously infested by bugs.
• You live in an apartment or building whose neighbor's infested with insects.
• Other entryways like baseboards, electrical outlets, holes in the wall, or cracks in the ceiling invited bugs into your bedroom.

After figuring out why these tiny black bugs in bed are there, we can move on to different methods of removing them.

How to Get Rid of Tiny Black Bugs in Bed

Depending on your preference, we've included non-toxic and chemical products you can use to get rid of tiny black bugs in bed in this article.

Non-toxic Methods

Brown Paper Bag Method:

1. Items with tiny black bugs from the bed should be placed in a brown paper back and sealed tightly.
2. Place the brown paper bag outside, in a bright spot for a few days.
3. Check on the insects afterward. The heat in the bag should kill off any bugs

Duct Tape:

1. Use duct tape to trap tiny black bugs in bed.
2. Cover infested surfaces to also trap pest eggs.
3. Dispose of used duct tape and repeat as necessary.

Laundry:

1. Remove the quilt comforter duvet or bedspread, bedsheets, and pillowcases from your bed. Use hot water to wash them in the washing machine.
2. Use the highest setting to dry them in the dryer.
3. Pack away any laundry that you're not going to use to protect them from being infected.

Vacuuming:

1. After stripping the bed, vacuum the mattress, spring box, and surrounding areas paying extra attention to seams, folds, and tufts.
2. Vacuum your closet and drawers.
3. Use a smaller attachment to get into the crevices and corners of your room.
4. Empty the vacuum cleaner bag or container outside or into a plastic bag, seal it, and throw it away
5. Apply a bed bug spray or natural repellent.
6. Repeat every week or so

Essential Oils:

1. Combine a few drops of peppermint, clove, or red cedar oil in water.
2. Pour natural repellant into a spray bottle or use the mixture in an essential oil diffuser.
3. Diffuse the essential oils or spray your bed and room with the DIY repellent.

These are a few natural or non-toxic methods that can be combined with chemical products to get rid of tiny black bugs in bed.

Chemical Methods

Pyrethroid-based Pesticides:

1. Choose the right product for the type of bugs in your bed and follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety precautions.
2. Spray or dust the product on different areas of your household, the furniture, and the bed.

Desiccant Pesticides

1. Purchase borates, diatomaceous earth, and silica gel.
2. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and apply the recommended amount of the product to your bed, cracks, fissures, nooks, and crannies. These will dry up and kill tiny black bugs in bed.

Traps

1. Buy a sticky or UV light trap.
2. Place them around your bed or other areas of the house where the insects have spread.
3. Wait for the traps to catch the different types of bugs around and remove the traps afterward.

Aside from these over-the-counter pesticides and chemical products, you can reach out to a professional pest control provider if these methods and the natural alternatives do not work. It takes time for any method to get rid of tiny black bugs in bed so be patient, follow manufacturer instructions, wear protective gear, and reach out to the professionals when all else fails.

Safety Precautions When Using Chemicals

In order to reduce the risk of exposure to people, pets, and the environment, pesticides must be used properly and correctly:

• Always read the label, follow manufacturer instructions, and recommended safety precautions.
• Use chemicals in well-ventilated areas, never in enclosed spaces.
• Keep chemical products away from open flames and highly flammable materials.
• Wear safety gear like gloves, goggles, and a face mask.
• Keep the chemicals away from children and pets.
• If you inhale the chemical's scent, leave the area and look for fresh are.
• Never use chemical products in food preparation areas.
• Prior to eating and drinking, wash your hands and feet thoroughly if you have handled any chemical products recently.

You can effectively use chemical products to protect your house while protecting yourself and your loved ones.

How to Prevent Tiny Black Bugs in Bed From Returning

If you've just had a recent infestation, you know exactly what a hassle any bugs in bed are. To prevent them from coming back:

• Maintain a clean home and pay special attention to your bedroom. Keep an eye out for bugs on the bed, furniture, curtains, and your belongings.
• Seal cracks and crevices around the room and always check your windows and doors.
• Vacuum your home often to get rid of any eggs or larvae that could grow up and become an uncontrollable infestation.
• Use hot water and high heat when you do your laundry and dry them.
• Check your room for an infestation after a drought. The weather could have encouraged bugs to invade your home.
• Store food properly to prevent bugs from infesting your kitchen and other areas around your home.
• Use insect-proof covers, bed bug spray, and other protective products for your bedsheets, mattress, and box spring.
• Check on your pets. Some tiny black bugs in bed feed on animal blood and could have found their way into your home because of your pets.

Aside from these tips and tricks, if you're planning to bring second-hand furniture or used linens into your home, make sure to:

• Check for an infestation. Look at the furniture or fabric and make sure there are no dead insect bodies, shed skin, feces, or blood spots. Keep an eye out for insect eggs too!
• Use a flashlight to get a good foot at the seams, creases, folds, corners, and beneath furniture or upholstery.
• Wash linens in hot water and use high heat to dry them.
• If needed, disassemble furniture to thoroughly inspect it for bugs.

Bottom Line: Tiny Black Bugs in Bed

If you're trying to figure out what the tiny black bugs in bed are, they could be bed bugs, carpet beetles, bat bugs, fleas, ticks, or spider beetles. It can be difficult to figure out exactly what's invading your bedroom but there are a bunch of resources that make it easier. If you know what type of bug you're dealing with, use a natural or chemical solution to get rid of them, or reach out to a pest control expert instead!

Tiny Black Bugs in Bed FAQs

Which frequent kind of tiny, black bugs may you find in a bed?

Bed bugs, bat bugs, carpet beetles, fleas, ticks, and spider beetles are some of the most common tiny black bugs in bed.

How do I know the exact bug species invading my house?

You can take note of the physical characteristics of the bugs you've found, check out where the infestation is, use resources available online, or consult a certified pest management specialist to know exactly what you're dealing with.

What actions can I take to avoid a bed bug infestation?

We recommend having a cleaning routine, vacuuming often, and carefully inspecting used or secondhand furniture or linens to avoid a bed bug infestation.

What are some bed bug infestation treatments?

There are heat treatments and chemical products that can be used to specifically eliminate bed bugs.

What effects does an infestation have on people's health?

Tiny bugs can bite your skin and trigger allergic reactions or cause discomfort in your own home.

What should I do if I believe a hotel or other multi-unit building is infested?

If you think that the place you are staying at has a bug infestation, contact management right away and protect your belongings (e.g., keep your bags or luggage off the ground.)

How much does bed bug eradication cost?

The cost of hiring professional pest control specialists will depend on the size of the infestation and the techniques that these experts use. It is best to reach out to expert exterminators for an accurate quote.

Can I file a lawsuit or seek damages for an infestation in a hotel or rental property?

This depends on the specifics of an infestation and the regulations in your state. We recommend reaching out to a lawyer for more information.

Do natural ways of eradication exist?

Yes, there are essential oils, heat treatments, paper bags, or duct tape methods that can be used to get rid of insects without chemicals.

What safety steps and precautions should I take when utilizing chemicals?

We recommend reading and following manufacturer instructions, using chemical products in well-ventilated areas, wearing protective gear, not using these products in food preparation areas, and keeping them away from children and pets.

What role do ongoing maintenance and monitoring play following extermination?

After exterminating different insects, you need to keep track of the area to make sure that there is no way that there'll be another infestation. This can mean that you'll perform routine inspections, deep cleans, follow other preventive methods, or consult a pest control professional.