Bat bugs vs. bed bugs

There is no doubt about it -- bed bugs are notorious and, in recent years, a real curse for homeowners and the general public.

Did you know that many times a bed bug problem is not bed bugs at all? The problem is the introduction of bat bugs into the home.

Did you know that the presence of bat bugs is due to a bat infestation in the home? Bat bugs in the home are often mistaken to be bed bugs. Bat bugs are unique in that they prefer bats as a host and not humans. This does not mean that the bat bug will not bite a human because they certainly will if the bug gets to the preferred host being a bat.

Identification is key in treating for bat bugs. In most cases, heat treatments are not necessary for a bat bug infestation.

Bat bugs have hairs on the side of the pronotum or thorax that are much longer than their cousin the bed bug. The hairs are longer than the distance between the eyes of the bug while a bed bug, also having hairs on the pronotum are shorter than the distance between the eyes.

This is a good reason to catch a sample to be examined. If a picture is taken through a plastic bag it almost is never good enough to see the fine details required for a positive identification.

Due to their presence originating in attics, soffits and inside walls heating is not the best option. Residual sprays and dusting are much more effective especially in the colder months when proper kill temperature cannot be achieved.

A couple questions that should be asked is:

• Where are the bugs found? Were they found upstairs in closets, or around trim that is around the ceiling or doorways or light fixtures?
• Has there been a bat infestation in the home?
• Is the homeowner agreeable to have the attic checked for the presence of bats or evidence of a previous bat infestation evidenced the presence of bat guano or feces? 

Generally, bat bugs will only bite humans if they are separated from the bat host. And when they do bite the reaction to the bite is not as severe as reaction from a bed bug bite.

Another interesting fact is that bed bug needs a blood meal in order to reproduce. The reproduction of bat bugs is not based on ingestion of a human blood meal.

Identification is key before treatments are done. It may be the difference between treatment of an entire house needlessly or treatment of the attic area and only the upstairs of a home through dusting, residual sprays, vacuuming and stream.