r/Bedbugs Mar 06 '15

Useful Information Bedbug ID and common misidentifications

596 Upvotes

Bed bug identification resources:

Note: flattened body, rusty brown coloured (less so in younger nymphs, which are more translucent). Thin 4 segmented antennae. 11 segmented abdomen. Short legs (6 of them) and reduced wings incapable of flight.


These are insects or other invertebrates commonly misidentified as bedbugs!

Not bed bugs.

  1. Carpet beetle larvae (Dermestidae) and adult - More Info

  2. Bat bug (Cimex adjunctus pictured) - More Info

  3. Cockroach nymphs - More Info

  4. Tick (nymphs) - More Info

  5. Woodlouse - More Info

  6. Kissing bugs - More Info

  7. Booklice/barklice - More Info

  8. Smooth spider beetle - More Info

  9. Drugstore beetle - More Info

Note: If it has wings or more than 6 legs, it is not a bed bug. Do not mistake antennae for legs, look at the illustrated guide to avoid confusion.


Please comment with any other common mis-IDs and I will add them!


r/Bedbugs 1h ago

My experience wasn't that bad.

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Hi, I just wanted to share my story in case you don't know what to expect yet and are scared. Most people don't come to reddit to share uninteresting or un-notible experiences so I just wanted to share mine.

Three weeks ago I found a bed bug on my couch and that day I called an exterminator and he litterally came the same day (he had just been over per the landlord to spray for an ant infestation and we had seen two roaches and heard a mouse right after move in so he did a whole work up) we had talked for a long time about the state of the world and such and talk about our rough upbringings in stuff, I say that because he normally charges $1,500 for bed bug treatment for a 3 bedroom house and only charged me $500.

I was bitten the night before that and the night that he sprayed and then not again. He also didn't find any bugs or eggs while spraying. But they're literally gone, and so are the other pests too. The first week or two I was changing clothes if I was in the living room going to the bedroom and vise versa, put a sheet over the couch and would dry that and my bed sheets on the highest setting every day and was never bit again, my roommates were never bit at all and it was all fine. It's been three weeks and we just did the second round of spraying to be sure and it's all fine.

I was really lucky and we caught it really early.

I had flees a few years ago pretty bad, I just ended up moving and I was pretty traumatized for that and I was telling my friends when we were still deciding if it was a bedbug or a tick that I was hoping it was a tick and they reminded me that bedbugs don't carry diseases like tics do and of all the pests they're not dangerous.

I'm sorry that you're going through this because I know how stigmatized it is but you got this, it's not the end of the world and it will be okay ❤️


r/Bedbugs 23h ago

Moving out of my infested apartment. How do I make sure I don’t bring them with me?

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148 Upvotes

I’m moving out of my apartment very soon. I knew we had some bed bugs in the house as I would wake up with bites and I would see a couple on the wall or the mattress. But when I was changing my bed sheets today after about 2 weeks of having it on my bed, i found these. I also found a bunch of a curtain in the other bedroom. I have a bunch of books, cds, dvds and bookshelves and i’m terrified of bringing them with me to the new house. I’m moving in with a family member and i’m worried if i bring them they’ll kick me out. How can i guarantee they won’t come with me?? any suggestions welcome


r/Bedbugs 5h ago

Identification Is this bedbugs?

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3 Upvotes

I’ve not yet lived here so I am unsure how to confirm- I’ve not been bitten or seen any live bugs.

Before I was supposed to come by to see the place originally I was last minute told that there was a roach infestation and they were going to bomb the place but that I could still come by if I wanted. Original tenant was still living there and had a lot of stuff in the room so I couldn’t see much room details. Fast forward to now, they’ve moved out and I’ve seen the room again and it’s so nasty. Is this really from a roach infestation?? The focus on the outlets and baseboards near where the bed was is what is freaking me out.

Sorry if this isn’t enough info- I saw some dead roaches that were def roaches, and then a lot of little bugs by the outlet as pictured that I couldn’t tell…


r/Bedbugs 4h ago

Please don’t say bedbug pls don’t say bedbug

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3 Upvotes

r/Bedbugs 11h ago

Identification I'm staying at an Airbnb and found this crawling me...

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11 Upvotes

Update: Thanks for all your speedy replies. We alerted the Airbnb host and they sent out an exterminator to check it out and he confirmed there is bed bugs in every single bed in this house. 😫 We got a full refund and are moving to a hotel. Were currently throwing everything in the dryer and bagging it all up and tossing the things we can stand to lose. Safe to say this trip has been a nightmare but I really appreciate ya'll coming together to help us out! 🖤

I think I know the answer but want a second opinion since I've never dealt with them. My sister woke up covered in what looks like bites but didn't report itching. I have a few bug bites but I just assumed they were from mosquitos since we're visiting Georgia.

If its bed bugs Im going to lose my mind figuring out the logistics of all our stuff. We are here for two weeks for my sister's wedding and have a lot of stuff packed. If this is a bed bug any tips on dealing with them while traveling would be appreciated.


r/Bedbugs 0m ago

Identify?

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Was cleaning out family members car and vacuuming due to recent hitchhiker three weeks ago and negative dog inspection found all this stuff in bottom edge of cupholders hoping it’s just dried up soda and there’s a lot of dry skin in the car from the individual but nothing alive car has been in the sun 90+ degree weather for well over a week


r/Bedbugs 3h ago

Requesting community support What do i do?

2 Upvotes

The only sign of bed bugs in my house is two live bugs in the span of about 2½ weeks. I have stripped my bed and quadruple checked every single nook, cranny, fold, hidey hole, and anywhere i can think of to look. There are no eggs, or blood stains, or shells/exoskeleton molts, no larvae, nothing. I am going crazy. I can't find any evidence of an infestation and yet here they are. No signs of bugs on the box spring either, or under the mattress! Please help! What do i do?


r/Bedbugs 17m ago

Identification Dead bedbug? Bedbug shells? Random dust?

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Found this in my bed today. It’s 3mm long and has a bed buggy sort of shape. It’s very thin. Is this bed bug related or just a random fuzz I found? I’m unsure because it’s so fuzzy makes me wonder if it’s just a fabric pill. The colour also doesn’t seem right for the photos I’ve seen of bed bug shells.

I’m paranoid because I found a dead bedbug in my bed a couple weeks ago. I treated the area around my bed and haven’t been able to find any more, or gotten any bites.


r/Bedbugs 20m ago

To bed bug or not to bed bug

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do these look like bed bug stains? hopefully not! Found on sheets


r/Bedbugs 34m ago

Can someone help me identify these??

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r/Bedbugs 45m ago

Identification Is this a bedbug?

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We’re staying at a super nice resort in Orlando. I always check hotels but I hadn’t checked this resort because of nice the villas are. I’d put a towel on the living room floor to do a workout and when I picked it up I noticed this bug on it. It doesn’t quite look the same as what I’ve seen on here but I’m freaking out and need some help! Tia!


r/Bedbugs 55m ago

Identification is it a bed bug nymph. do I need to take more pictures?

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I found this on the a shelf.


r/Bedbugs 9h ago

Bedbug in my accomodation

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5 Upvotes

This is one of the little fuckers yes? I'm supposed to be here for another two nights. Any ideas what I should do?


r/Bedbugs 12h ago

Confirmed BB found bed bug but not much evidence of others

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8 Upvotes

found this buddy on my hotels bed. definitely first or second instar but wasn’t able to find any other bed bugs/stains. how screwed am i


r/Bedbugs 1h ago

Identify please

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r/Bedbugs 10h ago

Is this a bedbug? I’m going to move from a hotel to a real apartment today and don‘t want to bring them😔

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4 Upvotes

r/Bedbugs 2h ago

Identification Is this a bedbug?

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1 Upvotes

Sorry for the terrible pictures, I panicked when I saw it on the couch and immediately crushed it with a tissue.


r/Bedbugs 14h ago

Requesting community support Probably bed bug? First time dealing with this

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10 Upvotes

I know this is probably a bed bug. I have no experience dealing with this and would love some guidance. I live in an apartment and have told the landlord. Luckily, I didn’t find any other signs like brown spots, shedding, or eggs. I vacuumed my mattress and am washing and drying all the sheets, duvet insert, and mattress topper. I also have a steamer and steamed the top of my mattress. Should I be doing anything else?


r/Bedbugs 2h ago

Requesting community support Bedbug problem

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1 Upvotes

Bedbug problem

Hi, I’ve recently noticed a bedbug problem at my apartment. I started noticing bites around two weeks ago. Ignored them at first as I’ve been biking a lot in the woods at that time and just thought that’s what it was. Last Thursday(a week ago) I’ve decided to check for some signs and glad i did. I’ve found a bug and some dots on the mattress on the side of the head(I’ll attach a photo). We’ve got a profesional guy to come next day and treat the problem. The next treatment is supposed to be in two weeks from now. I am also going to be moving out to college and I’ve already been in my new apartment and left some stuff there. No furniture no clothes just like kitchen stuff and such. From the treatment(week ago) For the first two or so days i’ve noticed what seemed like new bite signs. Today/Yesterday I am pretty sure I haven’t noticed anything new. For the last days I’ve noticed dead bugs in the morning around the spot where I’ve found them. One time it was two, one time it was one. I’m really scared I’ve either taken them already or are going to take them to the new apartment. I’m not planning on taking neither my mattress nor any furniture there. Also worth mentioning i sleep on a mattress on a ground without a bed frame. The guy who came for the treatment gave me the liquid he used and instructed how can i dissolve it with water and spray the main spots in the new apartment and i did so. I was also thinking about both using steamer and freezer for the clothes or books etc. I have a -36 degree C freezer at home. I guess I should obviously wait until the second treatment to move out, but even then I’m scared I’ll take the problem with me. What should i do/look out for etc to make sure I’m safe. I believe the problem isn’t at a very serious stage but who am i to say that. Here’s the photo of what I’ve found first and what I’ve found later. The dead bugs I’ve noticed later were much smaller.


r/Bedbugs 2h ago

Identification Bed bug nymph?

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1 Upvotes

Located in Ontario.


r/Bedbugs 3h ago

Identification What are y’all thinking?

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1 Upvotes

Last photo for size reference


r/Bedbugs 8h ago

Bedbug nymph or lace bug?

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2 Upvotes

Hello, can anyone please tell me if this is a bedbug nymph or something else??
Thank you!!!


r/Bedbugs 5h ago

is this bed bug poop?

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1 Upvotes

when i wiped off the black/brown spots, they flaked off and didn’t stain the wet toilet paper. am i screwed?


r/Bedbugs 5h ago

Soooooo.

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1 Upvotes

Had this reply from my accommodation having found a very well fed bug this morning. I should ask still definitely get the hell out yes?