It’s easy to assume that bedbugs are responsible for the itchy bite marks you found in your body in the morning. But, before you arrive at any conclusion, you should know that besides bedbugs, your mattress can be a jungle of dust mites and other insects feasting on dead skin and dried remnants of blood, saliva, sweat, and any other bodily fluids you can imagine.
It means that just because you think you have bedbugs, it doesn’t mean that you do—and it’s a great idea to know what sorts of pests are lurking in your mattress that you might be confusing for bedbugs. So, exactly what’s under your sheets and your bedroom, overall? Read further to find out.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are pests that are almost visible to the naked eye. They thrive in warm and humid environments and are usually present in mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpets, and curtains. As scavengers, they don’t directly feed on humans as bedbugs do. Instead, they feed on dead skin, pet dander, pollen, and bacteria.
While most people aren’t affected by their presence, dust mites and their droppings may accumulate enough to trigger allergies and asthma in some.
Fleas
Fleas aren’t usually found infesting mattresses. More often than not, these pests may only find their way there if they’re dislodged from your pet, which you allow to sleep in the same bed as you do.
However, if you neglect to wash and change your bedding for a while, the fleas can take up residence in your bed and feed off you and your pet. From there, they can spread easily all over your home, particularly on your rugs, cushions, and carpets.
German co*ckroach Nymphs
German co*ckroach nymphs are often confused with bedbugs because of the few similarities they share. Besides being elusive, the two species both live in harborages and are most active at night.
Consequently, what separates them apart is that co*ckroaches don’t feed on humans and are often found near food and water sources. They are also more cylindrical whereas bedbugs are somewhat shorter and oval. It means that finding cylindrical-shaped insects doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bedbugs you’re dealing with.
Carpet Beetles
Other species that may also be found in the mattress are carpet beetles. While they’re also mistaken for bedbugs, they have distinct wings that identify them from the latter. They also don’t feed on human blood and instead, survive by feeding on wool, fur, silk, leather, and any other animal-based fabrics.
What’s more, while carpet beetles can live in and around your bed, they don’t generally prefer living there as bed bugs do.
Bat Bugs
Bat bugs are mostly found in places where bats prefer to roost including the attics or chimneys. However, if their hosts take off for a new home, these parasites will eventually move downstairs and can show up in your mattress.
While their bites can be itchy and unpleasant, bat bugs are presently not known to transmit diseases to humans.
Identifying which pest is infesting your home is essential in devising the most effective treatment to address the infestation. If you are pretty sure that it’s bed bugs lurking in your mattress, you can engage the help of a bed bug control professional in Singapore to conduct an inspection.
Pest Off is a one-stop pest management consultant that offers the highest standards in bed bug treatment. Get in touch with us today for pest-related concerns and issues.
FAQs
Bedbugs can hide in many places, including on bed frames, mattresses, clothing, furniture, behind pictures and under loose wallpaper. Signs of bedbugs include: bites – often on skin exposed while sleeping, like the face, neck and arms. spots of blood on your bedding – from the bites or from squashing a bedbug.
Could there be something living in my mattress? ›
But, before you arrive at any conclusion, you should know that besides bedbugs, your mattress can be a jungle of dust mites and other insects feasting on dead skin and dried remnants of blood, saliva, sweat, and any other bodily fluids you can imagine.
What does bed bug infestation look like on a mattress? ›
Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses caused by bed bugs being crushed. Dark spots (about this size: ), which are bed bug excrement and may bleed on the fabric like a marker would. Eggs and eggshells, which are tiny (about 1mm) and pale yellow skins that nymphs shed as they grow larger.
What are the parasites in my mattress? ›
Bed worms are young carpet beetles or carpet moths. These insects adore warm, dark, and uninhabited spaces, such as wool blankets, to lay their eggs in. Therefore, you run the risk of getting bed worms if your bedding and blankets are made of silk, wool, leather, felt, feathers, or fur.
What kind of mites live in mattresses? ›
What is a dust mite? Unless you look through a microscope, you won't see dust mites. These tiny critters feed on the dead skin cells that people and pets shed. They favor warm and moist environments, so they often reside in mattresses, pillows, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpet and rugs.
What bug can be mistaken for a bed bug? ›
Carpet Beetles:
Carpet beetle larvae are often mistaken for bed bugs due to their small size and dark color. However, unlike bed bugs, carpet beetles do not bite humans. Instead, they feed on natural fibers, pet hair, and other organic materials found in carpets, upholstery, and clothing.
What is moving inside my mattress? ›
The Ghosts of Springs Past
If your mattress is an innerspring type, the springs could be the culprits. Over time, springs can wear out and lose their stability, causing the mattress to move or sway with your movements.
Which insect is usually found in beds? ›
Bed bugs are small, brownish insects that feed solely on the blood of animals. Although the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) prefers feeding on humans, it will also bite other warm-blooded animals, including dogs, cats, birds and rodents.
How do you 100% know you have bed bugs? ›
If you have a bite and want to verify if you have bed bugs, check for signs of an infestation including:
- A sweet, musty odor.
- Reddish or rust-colored stains on bed sheets, sleepwear or nearby objects. ...
- Bed bug exoskeletons (the skeleton they shed after molting).
- Live bed bugs in the folds of bedsheets and mattresses.
While bed bugs have not been shown to transmit disease, they do cause a variety of negative physical health, mental health and economic consequences. Some of these effects include: Allergic reactions to their bites, which can be severe.
With a huge infestation, bed bugs start to move away from the bed, so you're more likely to see one in an exposed place during the day. In very severe infestations people can become anemic. That takes a lot of bugs though—maybe 100,000 feeding once a week or more. Another clue to infestation is odor.
What scent do bed bugs hate? ›
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is a known insect repellent that effectively destroys all bed bugs and their eggs. It is one of the best natural remedies for these persistent pests as they hate its taste, smell, and aroma.
What is the best homemade bed bug killer? ›
Diatomaceous Earth
In terms of the most widely talked about bed bug repellents, homemade options often include diatomaceous earth. Because of its abrasive properties, it works by absorbing water-protecting fats and oils from the outer layer of a bed bug's exoskeleton.
What kills bed bugs permanently? ›
Pyrethroids are synthetic chemical insecticides that act like pyrethrins. Both compounds are lethal to bed bugs and can flush bed bugs out of their hiding places and kill them.
What bug is in my bed but not bed bugs? ›
While bed bugs are a common concern, there are several bugs that resemble bed bugs but pose different risks and require different treatment approaches. These look-alikes, such as carpet beetles, spider beetles, booklice, co*ckroach nymphs, and bat bugs, can often be mistaken for bed bugs due to their similar appearance.
Why do I feel something moving in my mattress? ›
Uneven Weight Distribution
Your sleeping position and weight distribution can also cause the mattress to feel like it's moving. If you tend to sleep on one side of the bed or move around a lot during the night, you might create uneven wear and soft spots, leading to instability.
