Unveiling the Culprits: Top 5 Bugs That Resemble Bed Bugs in Brentwood, TN

Brentwood, Tennessee, with its picturesque landscapes and vibrant communities, is not immune to the presence of pests. Among these, bed bugs are a notorious nuisance. However, several bugs share a striking resemblance to bed bugs, causing confusion among residents. In this article, we'll delve into the top 5 bugs in Brentwood that might be mistaken for bed bugs, shedding light on the distinct features that set them apart.

Fleas

Fleas are the closest pests you could ever mistaken for a bed bug. They are also known for their biting habits, thus, can be mistaken for bed bugs, especially when found on bedding or furniture. Even if you examine them closely, they still may look very similar. They both have flattened body and can be brown or reddish-brown. But, fleas have lateral bodies, while bed bugs have oval-shaped bodies. And unlike bed bugs, fleas have powerful hind legs for jumping.

While bed bugs can also bite animals like our pet cats and dogs, they much prefer human as their food. This is where fleas are different. Fleas are vice versa. They can bite humans, too, but their preferred food are other animals like cats, dogs, or rodents. Both of their bites can cause itching and welts but only a flea bite can transmit diseases or viruses like murine typhus and bubonic plague and even parasites like tapeworms.

Additionally, you can find both of them in the same area - where you and other animals like your pets live, such as pet bedding, carpets, outdoor areas, beds, mattresses, and furniture.

Bat Bugs

Not only do they have similar appearance, they sound alike, too! Unlike bed bugs, bat bugs feed on the blood of bats. Since bats are prevalent in the Brentwood area, encountering bat bugs is not uncommon.

However, although bed bugs and bat bugs sounds and look alike, they have key differences. At first look, they might look similar but their appearance differ slightly with one another.  Bed bugs have oval-shaped, reddish-brown insects with a flattened body. Adults are about the size of an apple seed (4-5 mm). On the other hand, bat bugs have longer hairs on their thorax and legs. However, these differences may be challenging to discern without magnification.

Additionally, bed bugs are typically found in and around beds, mattresses, and other furniture close to human resting places. They create hiding spots in cracks, crevices, and seams of bedding. On the other hand, bat bugs are commonly found in areas where bats roost, such as attics and wall voids. They can be transported to human living spaces when bats move or are removed from the vicinity.

You will often find bed bugs more often than of bat bugs because bed bugs can adapt to different climates while bat bugs thrive more on warmer climates and struggle to survive in colder climates. 

While these two pests have key differences, they do share one similar characteristics. Both bed bugs and bats bugs are nocturnal, meaning they are mostly active at night. 

Booklice

These tiny insects, also known psocids, are often misidentified as bed bug nymphs due to their size and color. Booklice are harmless, feeding on mold and fungi rather than blood. Their translucent bodies and slower movements are key indicators that set them apart from bed bugs.

Bed bugs and booklice also differ quite a bit in appearance. Booklice have soft bodies, are wingless, and come in various colors such as gray, brown, or white. They have long antennae and a relatively uniform body shape. On the other hand, bed bugs are larger compared to booklice, typically ranging from 4 to 5 millimeters in length. They have a flattened, oval-shaped body with a reddish-brown color. Bed bugs have six legs and are capable of crawling and, unlike booklice, can bite humans.

Other key difference of bed bugs and booklice is what they eat. Booklice feed on microscopic mold, fungi, and organic matter found in humid environments. They are not blood-feeders and are harmless to humans. That's why you will often find them in areas with high moisture content, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and areas affected by water leaks where mold, fungi, and organic matter are present. On the contrary, bed bugs feed on the blood of warm-blooded hosts, including humans. So you, unlike bat bugs, you will find bed bugs where humans and other animals sleep. This means they can cause harm to humans and other animals, causing skin irritation, redness, and itching.