You might deal with tiny bugs in the house often, but did you discover tiny red bugs in bed? Small, red, or brown adult insects found in clothing, bed sheets, and furniture near the bed are most likely bed bugs. Though not a major threat to your health unless you're allergic to these pests, bed bugs leave behind red, itchy bites that can get irritating. Let's talk more about tiny red bugs found in bed and nearby areas.
Identification
Before moving on to getting rid of tiny red bugs in bed, you need to know exactly what species you're dealing with. A lot of bugs are tiny and red and make their homes in beds or surrounding areas. The types of tiny red bugs found in or near bed include:
- Bed bug: these bugs are perhaps the most common type of red bug in beds. Adult bed bugs are 4 to 5 mm long, have flat, oval-shaped bodies, and lay tiny, white, or yellow eggs if they're female.
- Clover mite: this bright red bug usually infests plants but becomes an indoor pest after it rains.
- Chiggers: also known as the berry bug, these tiny red bugs are also wingless but will latch onto your clothes and crawl around until they find skin. When they bite you, it's not painful but just really itchy.
- Tick: ticks can bite an animal or human after they're attached. These insects are known to transmit diseases like Lyme disease.
Tiny red bugs in bed could be any of these insects, but if you're bitten at night, have a cluster or line of red, itchy bites, and see reddish-brown bugs, it's a sign you're most likely dealing with bed bugs.
Prevention
To keep tiny red bugs in bed from becoming a problem, take note of the following prevention methods:
- Keep your bedding, pillowcases, and other fabric clean by washing them with hot water and drying these items in the highest heat setting.
- Check all new items brought through the door for bugs. This could include furniture, clothes, or other personal items.
- Use bug-resistant mattress and pillow covers.
- Learn how to use a vacuum cleaner and regularly dust your home to get rid of bugs and their eggs
- Look out for other bugs. If you see a spider, cockroach, moth, rodent, or other pests, it could be a sign that there are other bugs around the house.
- Keep your windows and doors closed during the summer when pests are more active.
Keep these in mind to protect your home from an infestation.
How To Inspect for Tiny Red Bugs in the Bed
If you suspect tiny red bugs in bed, look for them by:
- Looking at the seams of your mattress and box spring with a flashlight and credit card. Run the card or another flat object across the bed to carefully look for small, reddish-brown bugs or their eggs.
- Check the headboard, bed frame, and other components as well.
- Check the surrounding area next. Look for signs of an infestation on the nightstand, dresser, chair, or couch. You may find final stains or blood spots around.
These steps can be used to look for bed bugs in bed but it also works for other insects that could be in your room.
How to Get Rid of Tiny Red Bugs in Bed
Natural Remedies
No matter what tiny red bugs in bed you're having a problem with, there are a few non-toxic methods to can use to get rid of them:
The tiny, vividly red bugs known as clover mites are frequently mistaken for bed bugs. They resemble a pinhead in size and are oval-shaped. They do not feed on human blood and are not known to spread infections to people. However, some people may find them bothersome or experience an adverse reaction to them.
- Regularly vacuum the bedroom and other areas of your house.
- Clean up surfaces like tables and countertops. Wipe up spills and throw away food scraps or crumbs.
- Learn how to remove old caulk and seal every crack, crevice, or gap to keep bugs from getting in. Use door and window screens, weather stripping and door sweeps if needed.
- Buy sticky or light traps to capture bugs and dispose of them immediately.
- Repel bugs with eucalyptus, peppermint, or lemongrass oil. Use these essential oils in a diffuser, as a repellant spray, or soak cotton balls in the oil and place them in entrances or around the room.
- Plant clover to naturally repel bugs and keep them out of the room.
These natural remedies can be combined with chemical products to eliminate bug feeding and breeding places.
Chemical Remedies
There are pesticides and insecticides on the market that you can use to get rid of tiny red bugs in bed. Effective chemical remedies include:
- Pyrethrin: this naturally occurring insecticide from the chrysanthemum plant is naturally poisonous to bugs. You can use this spray or dust around pets and children.
- Bifenthrin: this chemical substance is a synthetic pyrethroid and is an insect neurotoxin. You can buy this product as a spray, dust, or liquid concentration. is yet another efficient insecticide.
- Insect growth regulators (IGRs): are substances that disrupt insect life cycles, stop growth, and prevent them from reproducing.
Do your research to safely use these chemical alternatives to eliminate tiny red bugs in bed. If needed, consult a professional pest control expert!
How To Safely Use Pesticides and Insecticides on the Bed
To safely use pesticides or insecticides on the bed, follow these safety precautions:
- Identify the exact bug species you're dealing with first.
- Read and follow label instructions.
- Wear protective gear like long sleeves, gloves, goggles, and a mask.
- Take note of any rashes, redness, or allergies after using pesticides or insecticides. Get medical help right away if this is the case.
We recommend using pesticides and insecticides with natural remedies and reaching out to expert exterminators if you don't know how to proceed with any of these eradication techniques.
Professional Treatment
Tiny bugs in bed can easily be eradicated with professional equipment and techniques. These qualified experts know how to accurately identify bug species and use the necessary elimination and prevention methods to deal with infestations.
When To Call a Professional Exterminator
We recommend getting in touch with a qualified exterminator if:
- You don't know where the bugs are coming from.
- The tiny bugs in bed are on the wall, floor, or found in other areas of your house.
- You've tried DIY methods and nothing has worked.
- The insects are triggering allergies or asthma.
- The infestation is serious.
Bottom Line: Tiny Red Bugs in Bed
Though there are other bugs like ticks, clover mites, and chiggers that can be found in beds as well as surrounding areas, the tiny red bugs in bed are probably bed bugs.
These tiny reddish-brown bugs leave behind itchy bites and can reproduce like crazy if left unattended. You can use natural repellants, chemical products, or professional pest control services to eradicate current pest populations and prevent future re-infestation.
Tiny Red Bugs in Bed FAQs
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny, oval-shaped bugs that are red or brown in color. These pests are usually found in beds because they feed on human and animal blood.
What do bed bugs leave behind?
Bed bugs usually leave behind a musty smell, blood stains, feces, and bites on human skin.
What kinds of little red bugs are frequently discovered in beds?
Chiggers, clover mites, and ticks are usually the tiny red bugs in bed if they're not bed bugs.
What are some recommendations for keeping bed bugs out of the bed?
We recommend regularly vacuuming, sealing off entrances, and using mattress or box spring covers to keep bed bugs out of your bed.
How do I check the bed for bed bugs?
Use a flashlight and credit card to carefully go through the seams of your mattress. Then check the surrounding bed components and furniture for signs of a bed bug infestation.
What are small red bugs or bright red mites?
Red mites are small bugs that can bite people and leave behind really itchy skin.
What insecticides can you use to combat bright red mites?
Use pyrethrin, bifenthrin, or insect growth regulators (IGRs) can be used to get rid of red mites and other bugs.
How can I apply pesticides on my bed safely?
It's important to use the right pesticide for the specific insect you're dealing with, read the instructions, wear protective gear, and get medical help if you experience an allergic reaction or other unusual symptoms.
What is exclusion and how does one practice it?
Exclusion prevents bugs from getting into your house and in your bed in the first place. You can use caulking, weather stripping, door sweeps, or window screens to keep insects out.
How do I reduce the moisture levels of my home so I don't attract pests?
You can use a dehumidifier, fix leaks, get rid of standing water, and make sure that your house is well-ventilated.
What are bed bugs, mites, and other pests treated professionally?
Professional pest control specialists are licensed to use chemicals and equipment that the general public is not. These methods and products are effective in getting rid of bugs and preventing future infestations.
When should you hire a qualified exterminator?
We recommend contacting a professional exterminator if you can't identify the bug, or the source of the infestation, if you've tried DIY methods and they've failed, or if you have allergies.
