There are a whole host of bugs that are often mistaken for bed bugs in people’s homes, both by the way they look, and by the type of bite marks they leave on the skin.
If you have been noticing the signs of an infestation, you may find it hard to identify which insects have moved int and are causing the problem. Whatever part of London you are in, he best course of action is to call in our experts and have them eradicate the pests immediately, but it helps to have some idea what exactly the pest you are dealing with is..
So is it bed bugs or could it be something else? Here’s some handy information on the most common ones it might be…
Lice
Have you noticed you’ve been itching and scratching a lot lately? Are there little bumps and bite marks on skin? You may assume you have bed bugs, but the source of your discomfort could be another small pest, which is even more common. Lice aren’t often pointed to as a suspect when it comes to bites, as most people only associate them as being on your scalp…but there are many types of lice, including body lice. They are very small in size, have a red section on their backs surrounded by brown. Without being able to closely inspect both bed bugs and lice, it is very easy to confuse the two, but do try to find out more information on what your infestation may be, so you can begin treating it effectively.
Ticks
Ticks are known to burrow into your skin when they bite you, which is the major difference between them and bed bugs. They have a similar roundish shape to their bodies like bed bugs, and are almost the same colour making their them hard to identify without actually being bitten. Ticks can spread disease and you have to remove them extremely carefully. It is best to seek medical attention if you feel you have a tick bite.
Mites
Mites are typically found on rodents and small animals, but they can infect humans as well, especially if their host has recently been evicted from the area. If you have had a rodent infestation recently that has been dealt with, or had another animal infected with mites in your home, they may have left some behind. Although they differ in looks from a bed bug, their bites look incredibly similar. The only problem is you probably won’t be able to catch one to be able to differentiate between the two!
Carpet beetles
These insects also cause irritation to the skin, but won’t stick around long enough for you to see them. The beetles themselves don’t bite, however their eggs have a furry coat which is an irritant to our skin. A lot of people have an allergic reaction when they come into contact with carpet larvae, and immediately assume it’s a bed bug problem. Also, carpet beetle larvae shed their skin and the shells look like bed bug eggs, adding to the confusion.
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