Tiny Black Bugs in Your Bed? – Here’s what they REALLY are

In this article I’ll explain exactly what those TINY BLACK BUGS IN YOUR BED OR BEDROOM are and if you should be worried about them or not. Then I’ll provide some advice on how to deal with them easily and effectively.

What are those tiny black bugs in your bed? They are likely either bat bugs, spider beetles, fleas or ticks. They are commonly found in many households. Generally speaking they are harmless and nothing to fear.

Are the tiny black bugs in bed NOT bed bugs? Yes, most likely they are not bed bugs. A lot of times when people come across bugs in their bed, the first conclusion is that there is a bed bug infestation. Tiny black bugs are not bed bugs.

Are They Bed Bugs?

The presence of tiny black bugs in your home doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a bed bug infestation. They are probably just other bugs that bear resemblance to bed bugs.

The first telltale sign that these aren’t bed bugs is the black color. At no point in the life-cycle of a bed bug does it have a black color.

When the eggs hatch, the little bugs are usually translucent in color. But as they grow to nymphs, they change to white, yellow, and orange color shades. A mature bed bug usually has a reddish-brown color.

Sure, a bed bug might appear somewhat black if you look at it from a distance, but if you look closely (you can use a magnifying glass if you need to), you’ll see that they are not black. 

In other words, if the bug you’ve found in your bedroom is black, it’s definitely not a bedbug. 

So what could it be? Let’s see.

What Species Could They Be?

There are a lot of insects that could easily pass for bed bugs if you are not keen. In fact, they are usually considered doppelgangers. There are several insect species that have the dark-brown, blackish appearance and the apple seed body.

In addition to that, they also lack segmentation. The different types of bugs that can pass for bed bugs include:

#1 Bat Bugs

The fact that they almost have similar names can make you confuse them to bed bugs. Bat bugs have the same brownish appearance to bed bugs. The adults have the apple-seed size and oval shape. In addition to that, they can’t fly even though they have wing pads.

These are some of the traits that bed bugs have as well. However, you can discern them by looking at the body hair. Bat bugs have long hairs on the head.

#2 Spider Beetles

They have a red-brown color and could easily pass for black bugs. These beetles also resemble bed bugs thanks to their small size and oval shape. However, a closer look can help you to easily tell these insects apart.

For instance, spider beetles have bodies that are covered with hair. Besides that, their heads are directly connected to the body. It’s also worth noting that they have quite long and thin antennae and legs. Spider Beetles are normally found in wooden structures such as bed frames.

Note: spider beetle infestations tend to occur in dirty or poorly-maintained areas. However, they don’t have the same health risks that bed bugs pose.

#3 Fleas

Fleas also come in black color, but can sometimes also be red or brown. That makes them resemble bed bugs even more!

Even though fleas have vertically flat shapes, their ability to cause serious irritation is what makes them worthy doppelgangers to bed bugs.

However, you can easily tell them apart from bed bugs. Fleas usually gave round heads and long legs. This is a feature that bed bugs don’t have.

They are also jumpy insects and this can make it difficult for you to catch them. These irritating insects are usually bought inside homes by pets. So, if you have a furry friend in your home, keep them clean to maintain proper health hygiene.

#4 Ticks

The fact that they also feast on human blood can make them easily pass for bed bugs. They also have the darkish brown color that bed bugs have. You can still find ticks in your bedroom, especially if you have pets such as dogs. Ticks are quite dangerous since they transmit infectious diseases.

Are They Dangerous?

Some of these bugs are not dangerous while others can cause serious health problems.

• Bat bugs: generally, bat bugs tend to feed on blood from bats. When they find their way into your household, they will feed on any other warm-blooded animal including human beings. Even though their feeding habits are quite annoying, bat bugs are not known to cause any serious infections.
• Spider beetles: these insects can bite you but they are not dangerous
• Fleas: they aren’t effective disease carriers. However, they can result in infections since they normally work as the intermediate hosts of certain parasitic tapeworms.
• Ticks: they transmit infectious diseases. A tick bite can result in rocky mountain spotted fever, line disease, and ehrlichiosis.

Is This An Infestation?

How can you tell if this is a bug infestation or just a one-time thing? Well, you don’t need to use a magnifying glass to analyze the presence of pests in your home and if you should consider looking for extermination services.

However, it’s also important for you to determine the type of pests you are dealing with in order to employ early intervention mechanisms. Some of the signs of bug infestation include:

#1 Odd Smells

Different pests produce various types of smells. However, all of them are usually unpleasant. These odd smells usually come from odd consumption of certain materials, musty urine, and body odor. In case you notice that there is a new strange scent in your house, then this could be a sign of infestation.

#2 Fabric Damage

Small insects can cause serious damage to your fabric. For instance, bat bugs and spider beetles can easily find their way into your home and chew vulnerable fabric, rendering them worthless. To determine if there is an infestation, look for tears or holes on your furniture, drapes, and clothes among others.

#3 Dirt Marks

Bugs not only damage fabric but can also leave noticeable stains. This could be grease, grime, and other forms of dirty patches. Although most of these bugs usually produce small dirt marks, the stains are usually noticeable.

#4 Droppings

This is one of the surest ways of determining pest infestation. Bugs don’t have good hygiene and they usually defecate everywhere. In case there are numerous bugs around, you will find traces of droppings around some of their attractive areas. The best thing about these droppings is that they can help you determine the type of bugs in your house.

#5 Presence of Dead Bugs

Generally, bugs have a shorter lifespan compared to most living things. So, you can determine if there is an infestation by checking the presence of dead bugs under furniture, window ledges, among other places.

When Should You Contact An Exterminator?

When dealing with bugs, you have to make informed decisions to ensure that you protect yourself and your property. Some of the top indicators that you can use to tell if you should call an exterminator include:

#1 You can’t effectively solve the problem

You have probably tried to eliminate the bugs yourself but your efforts aren’t yielding any positive results.

Have you used both traditional and modern methods to eliminate the bugs but nothing seems to work? If so, then you should consider seeking the services of an exterminator. Because if you continue to wait for longer, chances are the condition will only get worse.

#2 You Are Worried About Your Safety

Some bugs are harmless while there are others that can lead to serious diseases. Besides that, you might find that you or some members of your family are allergic to their bites. So, if you are worried that the presence of bugs in your home is detrimental for your family’s safety, then you should consider calling an exterminator.

Your home should be a safe haven for loved ones and you don’t have to deal with the chaos that bugs bring. Remember that if there is an infestation, these pests tend to rapidly multiple and your problem can escalate quickly.

Note: if you have small children, it’s always advisable to avoid DIY techniques for pest control. This is because certain chemicals can easily cause unwanted accidents that may cost you so much more.

#3 You Don’t Have the Guts to Deal with Bugs

The thought of dealing with bugs is quite scary to some people. There are those who would rather avoid certain areas of their houses rather than dealing with the bugs. Well, this is understandable and maybe for the best. This is because some bugs can be dangerous and cause harm if they are provoked.

If you don’t have the guts to deal with bugs, there are professional handlers who can do this work for you.

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Listen, if this has got you worried. The best thing you can do is just get advice from a professional. School of bugs has partnered with Networx to provide totally free pest control quotes. Click here and enter your zip code.

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How to Prevent Bug Infestation

A lot of our readers also ask about tiny brown bugs found in the homes and beds, we wrote an entire article covering it. Make sure to check it out after reading this one here.

The best way to prevent bug infestation is to ensure that your home or room is clean. Dingy places such as under the bed, behind the furniture, and dirty or unused shelves are some of the common hiding places for bugs.

Ensure that you constantly clean and aerate such areas to prevent the bugs from building nests. Always keep dirt outside, ensure that your bedding is clean, and isolate your furniture from certain pints of contacts, steam, and vacuum cracks/crevices occasionally. Don’t forget to always de-clutter congested areas to prevent these unwanted guests from taking residences in such spaces.

The Bottom Line

There are several bugs that resemble bed bugs. However, bed bugs are more active at night and tend to thrive in clothing. Regardless of that, it’s always important to deal with bugs as soon as possible to limit the chances of damage and infections.

If you can’t handle the elimination process effectively, it’s always advisable to seek the services of a professional exterminator.

If you want to learn more about various insects, then checkout our site categories, we have a bunch of articles there that are totally worth reading:

Ladybugs

Termites

Roaches

Spider

P.S.

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All the best

Steve