Is this a bed bug?

by Shelagh Stone
(Toronto, Canada)

I found this bug crawling up my wall from the head of my bed at about 5am this morning. I don't think it is a bed bug but i am not positive.

Can you please let me know if it is? I realize there are different stages which is why i am not positive about it.

Editor Response

We forwarded your picture to the entomologist Curt Colwell, PhD, Public Health Entomologist, Illinois Dept. of Public Health. Dr. Colwell indicated that although not 100% certain, it appears to be a beetle, not a bed bug. We also sent the photo to Lou Sorkin, an entomologist at the American Museum of Natural History who confirmed that the insect in the picture is a beetle.

Dr. Colwell suggests that for any reader that isn't sure what they found, they should send a sample insect to a local entomologist.

Another option, for a small fee, is to send an insect to Harvard University for evaluation. Just fill out this form and include it with the insect sent.

I didn't know what it was

by Chasity Tubbs
(cleveland.ohio)

Well I knew I had bed bug bites when marks were appearing on my back, arms and face..first I thought mosquitoes were coming through my air conditioning. But the bites were in lines, and they itched and left ugly marks on my body. I seem to wake up every morning with more each day.

Editor Suggestion

Bed bug bites can either appear as one bite or in a row or cluster. They usually appear on those areas that aren't protected by clothes during sleep.

You can try and wear socks, a long sleeve shirt etc. to help cut down on the bites.

Separately, I'd get your apartment or home treated for bed bugs as they can quickly multiply making the problem worse. Click on the treatment tab on the main navigation on this site for treatment tips.

Is this a bed bug?

Definitely had bites while traveling.
Tried to prevent bringing them home.
But perhaps some eggs made it past - and I'm wondering......

Not to be mistaken for Ticks! BUT I WISH

by Savanah
(Los Angeles, CA)

A couple months ago I noticed a small dark insect crawling up my bedroom wall right above my head. I jumped up turned the light on and examined it attempted a few photos to see if I could identify it online. It looked really flat and round very close to my experience I have had with ticks. So freaked out I squished it and flushes it down the toilet. A couple weeks later I saw another and did the same things. Then went on a small vacation I have now come back and found many of these bugs different sizes so different stages in life and also noticed small red bites on my legs and arms. My boyfriend is clearly one of the unaffected ones and hasn't had any bites. I showed my neighbor and they called it out the "bed bug" I'm so freaked out I can't sleep in my bed I am now on the couch and terrified they might spread.

At the end of the week we have 3 exterminators coming to check it out get some quotes. Rent is due and I have a feeling there wont be enough to cover the spray charge a new mattress and the bills. GAHHHHHHHH!

Flea or BED BUG?!

by Morgan F.
(USA)

I have had TONS of "things" biting me! MY DAD is covered in "thing" bites. Hopefully our dog had fleas instead of Bed Bugs, cause I have a wooden bed! (just not the mattress) And that the "things" are GONE! They bit me too.

Editor Suggestion: How can you tell flea bites from bed bug bites

Morgan,

Thanks for your question regarding how to differentiate fleas from bed bugs.

While we can't tell for sure without an on site inspection, we suggest the following tips:

1. Check the bed. If you see groups of insects hiding in the seams of the mattress and under the bed labels, then your problem is probably bed bugs, not fleas. Also, bed bug bites will often appear as a single line, particularly on the leg or arm, which is from the bed bugs hiding along a seam.

2. You can put Climbup interceptors under the bed legs to capture a sample, If you see nothing captured, it probably isn't bed bugs.

3. If you do see groups of bugs hiding in and around the mattress of the climbup captures insects of any kind, call in the experts. Call a national company that has extensive experience with bed bugs such as a member of the Service Magic Network (toll free: 877-233-1145) or you can look at our list of bed bug experts.

4. You can capture an insect and send it off to Harvard for evaluation and confirmation.

5. Look at the pictures on this page that can help you identify bedbugs. Fleas look nothing like bed bugs, so comparing the two with the naked eye is possible.

6. It might be difficult to tell one type of bite from another. Compare the Flea bite pictures to the bed bug bite picture above. You can see more bed bug bite pictures here.

If you think your dog has fleas, then be sure to treat your dog and the home. The Dog Health Handbook has excellent advice on dogs and fleas.

Please keep us up to date on what you find.

Bedbug Photo

by Anonymous Reader

I need help identifying this photo?

Editor Response Bed Bug Picture

This picture on the left appears to be a female bedbug photo. The characteristics of the picture are consistent with a female. Specifically, an adult bed bug is 3/16 inches long, oval, flat and red/brown. It has a 3 segment beak, and a 4 segment antennae.

Bed bugs are covered with thin golden hair, and have wings that are vestigial (not used).

Males have a pointed abdomen. Female bedbugs have a rounded abdomen, making this bedbug photo a female.