Having tiny bugs in the house is nothing new and it's a pretty common issue for everyone but that doesn't change the bites that these pests are annoying. If they're not crawling on the walls or flying near the window, they're leaving irritating bites on our bodies. There are tiny bugs in bed not bed bugs that are usually mistaken for pests because they're just as hard to get rid of or they also bite people. If this is the case for you, read on!
Identifying the Bugs
To best determine whether or not the tiny bugs in bed not bed bugs, you need to properly identify the adult bugs, nymphs, or eggs. Aside from taking note of an insect's physical characteristics, where you find them and their behavior can be an indicator of their species. You can also reach out to professionals in pest management or an entomologist to help with the identification process.
- Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that are oval-shaped. Adult bed bugs are usually 4 to 5 mm long and are found on bed sheets, headboards, the floor, luggage, sofas, and other furniture in homes, hotels, dormitories, and other lodgings. Bed bugs usually shed skin, and leave fecal stains, blood spots, white eggs, and red, itchy bites on human bodies.
- Some of the most common tiny bugs in bed not bed bugs are fleas. These are smaller than bed bugs and are more red than brown. However, like bed bugs in mattresses, they bite humans and feed on animal blood which is why they're probably more attracted to your pets than you.
- You might want to take note of other pests in homes too! For example, the carpet beetle, American cockroach, and German cockroach are found in other parts of the house and feed on organic items like plant or animal matter after. You could also have a bat problem but these pests are pretty easy to see.
These are the most common bugs found in bed and their behaviors. After properly identifying their species, you can use the best eradication and prevention techniques.
Prevention and Elimination
It's good practice to combine elimination and prevention methods to deal with current tiny bugs in bed not bed bugs and protect your home or bed from re-infestation.
Prevention Methods
You can prevent bed bugs in bed, or any other bug, with the following prevention strategies:
- Check used or worn goods like furniture or clothing before bringing them into your house. Pay close attention to items that you're most likely to place on your bed because they can carry bugs.
- Limit insects' source of food by encasing the mattress and box spring with bug-proof covers.
- Use a vacuum cleaner to keep your house clean and prevent a tick or bed bug problem.
- Always check your personal belongings for signs of an infestation if you're coming home from a hotel or other lodgings. You could bring home tiny bugs in bed not bed bugs by accident.
- Seal any potential entrances! Use door and window screens, caulk gaps in between the pipes and invest in weather stripping or door sweeps. If you have a crack in the wall, bugs will try to find their way inside.
- Wash bed linens, clothing, and other fabric with hot water and dry them with the highest heat setting on your dryer.
- Keep your pets clean and groomed.
- Keep an eye out for signs and symptoms of an infestation to deal with bugs as soon as possible. Look for shed skin, feces, blood spots, or a musty odor on the pillow, chair, sofa cushion, or other usual breeding and feeding areas in the room.
These are a few prevention methods you can take so that you don't deal with tiny bugs in bed not bed bugs in your space. Also, learn more about other bugs like the spider, dust mite, or mosquito which are frequently found in bedrooms too and could be tiny bugs in bed not bed bugs.
Elimination Methods
For bed bugs and tiny bugs in bed not bed bugs, you can use chemical or natural alternatives to eradicate them:
- Vacuum potential bug breeding and feeding grounds. You can physically get rid of eggs and bed bugs on the couch, headboard, or other upholstered furniture with this appliance.
- Keep your house clean! Having a cleaning routine means that you're getting rid of clutter, dust, hair, mold, mildew, and garbage that could be the reason for a bug infestation.
- Check every seam, crack, and crevice on your bed and around your bedroom. These are the usual hiding places for bed bugs and tiny bugs in bed not bed bugs.
- Wash, dry, and steam clean your clothes, curtains, towels, pillowcases, and other fabric to kill bugs and their eggs.
- Use a pesticide, insecticide, or other chemical product like bug spray to kill bugs.
- Buy diatomaceous earth and use this powder to kill bugs in your environment. This product dries out insects so you can clean them out later.
- Get rid of moisture around the house. You're also protecting your health by preventing fungus, mold, or mildew from thriving in the house.
- Reach out to a professional pest control expert. These specialists are qualified to identify and put together an effective eradication strategy.
These methods work well for bed bugs, tiny bugs in bed not bed bugs, and other pests that could find their way into your personal space.
Bottom Line: Tiny Bugs in Bed Not Bed Bugs
While bed bugs are usually found in bed and leave bites as they feast on your blood at night, there are tiny bugs in bed not bed bugs which could be fleas. These insects around the US are annoying, can trigger allergies, and infest other areas of your house which is why it's important to take note of their physical characteristics and habits to identify them. Afterward, you can use different chemicals or natural remedies or reach out to a professional pest control expert to eradicate these insects. Only then can you use prevention methods and protect your home and health.
FAQs on Tiny Bugs in Bed Not Bed Bugs
What are tiny bugs on the bed frequently mistaken for?
Tiny insects on beds are often mistaken for bed bugs because they look similar or leave bites too.
How do I know whether the insects in my bed are bed bugs?
Get a piece of paper and write down the physical characteristics and habits that these bugs have then compare them with guides or resources on insects. You can also reach out to an entomologist or pest management expert for help.
What physical traits do bedbugs have?
Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, 4 to 5 mm long, are flat, have an oval shape, and lay tiny white eggs. These pests feed at night and drink human and animal blood.
What kinds tiny bugs in bed not bed bugs are usually found?
If you don't have bed bugs in your bed, they could be fleas.
What steps can I take to avoid and get rid of bed bugs?
To avoid bed bugs, we recommend:
- Vacuuming and sweeping frequently to keep your sleeping area clean
- Using hot water and hot heat to wash and dry bedding, linens, and clothing
- Sealing entrances around your home with caulking, weather stripping, using door and window screens, or door sweeps
- Inspecting secondhand or used items before bringing them into your home
- Using protective covers
Why is it crucial to be able to tell bed bugs apart from other pests?
It's important to be able to tell bugs apart from each other to use the right prevention methods and the most effective chemical or natural products to eliminate them.
