Categorizing bed bugs in one generic name sure is convenient.
But did you know that there are at least seven major types of bed bugs?
Each of these exhibit different behaviors and could be identified through different characteristics.
Identifying bed bugs are essential in choosing which method should be used in exterminating them.
Related:10 Bugs That Look Like Bed Bugs But Arent
In this article
What are bed bugs?
Before we get to the details, what first are bed bugs.
These small insects, often mistaken for fleas, get their name from niching on bed mattresses.
They are oval shaped, very small, cannot fly and they belong to the Cimicidae family.
They feed on the blood of warm-blooded mammals, which include humans.
To get to know them more, here are some bed bug facts that you should be aware of.
In this section, we look at the major types of bed bugs, their behaviors and basic characteristics.
Common bed bugs are just the size of an apple seed.
They are broad and flat, oval at one end and pointed at the other.
They are dark brown in color and are uniquely hairy up close.
They have a similar blood sucking behavior like mosquitoes and enter homes through cracks, and crevices.
2.Tropical bedbug (Cimex hemipterus)
They are not very different from the common bed bug.
They are endemic around warmer climates specifically in Africa, Asia and South America.
In terms of appearance and behavior, they are totally similar to the common bed bug.
Like the common bed bug, they are flat, oval, and have the same brown black color.
They are known to feed on insectivorous bats only.
They live in caves and are able to transfer when they latch themselves in the bats wings.
However, unlike bed bugs, they do not feed on human blood.
As the name suggests, they feed on birds, specifically swallows.
They niche on their nests.
One indicator of swallow bug infestation would be hatchlings leaving the nest even before they could fly.
They are outdoor bed bugs, feeding on birds, bats, and wild animals.
In recent years, a significant report stated that they now feed majorly on pygmy owls.
The definitive characteristic of Colorado bed bugs is that they follow their live hosts around.
As such, they are also found insidecactiwhere bats and some birds would roost.
As for the color, shape, and size, they are very similar to common bed bugs.
These ones are commonly found in poultry businesses or where chickens are, generally.
Like Mexican chicken bugs, they also feed on chickens.
They live in warmer climates, from South America to the Gulf coast.
The only difference this one has with common bed bugs is their lighter brown color.
9.Primicimex Cavernis and Bucimex Chilensis
These two bed bug types are very related.
Both are bigger than bed bugs, and have spider-like legs.
They are endemic in Central and South America.
There are other bed bugs that are within the Cimex family or other species of the common bed bugs.
However, there is minimal information about them.
At the end of the day, it is really about sanitation.
Nonetheless, here are some prevention tips that it’s possible for you to refer to for termite control.
Go back to the first sections of this post for the identification guide to bed bugs.
Most often than not, you might be facilitating more latching in other garments and other surfaces.
#3.Identify the right treatment
Do not reach for an insecticide immediately.
take a stab at be comprehensive when it comes to your prevention approach.
To prevent this entirely, you better declutter.
Mattress covers or box springs are good investments for this.
Also, try looking for furniture and other home pieces that are bed bug resistant.
You have to regularly wash, heat, and dry clean your beddings regularly.
Also, clean the hampers or to clean them every time you do the laundry.
And oh, regular sweeping and vacuuming could do as much too.
Remember that bed bugs can survive freezing points.
As such, here are some bed bug FAQs for you.
What bugs are mistaken for bed bugs?
Related:
How many types of bed bugs are there?
One of these three would be the common bed bug.
While this is a relief, control and prevention may be harder than you think.
What does your mattress look like if you have bed bugs?
Dark spots are also indicators of bed bug feces.
Can bed bugs niche in pillows?
As a matter of fact, pillows offer a safe space for them to mate and lay eggs.
Signs of bed bugs thriving in your pillow would be red stains and black marks too.
What are the first signs of bed bugs?
The first sign of bed bugs would be egg sheds when you fix the beddings in the morning.
Can you see all types of bed bugs?
But only when they have already reached their adult size.
They can look like lice at this point.
Do bed bugs bite during the daytime?
Common or household bed bugs are nocturnal and they only bite at night.
What time of night do bed bugs feed?
Where do bed bugs hide during the day?
Although virtually invisible, bed bugs are still lurking around where the live host is.
How do you get bed bugs out of hiding?
What scent do bed bugs hate?
Research revealed that bed bugs specifically hate a scent calledlinalool.This scent is a staple ingredient of pesticides.
Naturally, linalool can be extracted from more than 200 fruits and plants.
Among these would be basil, citrus fruits, cinnamon, and mint.
What can you apply in your skin at night to prevent bed bugs?
This is an essential question and fortunately, there are a lot of choices for this.
They thrive in any punch in of fabric.
What they are sensitive to however, would be the color of the fabric.
They tend to stay away from bright colored fabrics especially yellow, green, and white.
They love to cling to dark colored fabrics like brown and black.
Do bed bugs stay in the body?
They bite but they leave immediately after they get their fill.
They need to digest their blood for hours and staying where they bite would be impractical.
Other than that, they are known travelers, moving in between beddings and furniture.
And when they are not there, they hide in secluded places.
Are women on their period more susceptible to bed bug bites?
This is a misnomer.
Do bed bugs disappear immediately after treatment?
What is the lifespan of bed bugs?
On average, thelife cycle of bed bugsis between 2-4-months.
Note that these creatures could survive without blood for a considerable span of time.
Where do bed bugs lay their eggs?
Unlike other pesky insects, bed bugs cannot jump nor fly.
Female bed bugs lay eggs non-stop.
They can deposit 3-5 eggs in the niche every day in their entire lifetime.
Do you better treat the entire house if you suspect bed bug infestation?
Most likely, they are just in one bedroom or in the laundry room.
Knowing that they feed on human blood is already enough cause of concern.
Bed bug bites can be painful and very itchy.
