Bat bugs are a growing concern for many homeowners, as bat populations have increased in recent years. Bat bugs are very similar to the common bed bug, but there are some key differences. Bat bugs feed exclusively on bats, while bed bugs feed on humans. However, if a bat colony is eradicated, bat bugs can start feeding on humans as well. Identifying an infestation quickly is important to prevent the bat bugs from spreading into your home. In this article, we will cover how to identify bat bugs, how they differ from bed bugs, where they come from, and how to get rid of them.
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What are bat bugs?
Bat bugs, scientific name Cimex adjunctus, are insects that feed exclusively on bats. They are ectoparasites, meaning parasites that live on the outside of their hosts. Bat bugs belong to the Cimicidae family, along with bed bugs and other parasites. Although they prefer to feed on bats, they can bite humans if their bat hosts leave or die off. Bat bug bites produce similar reactions on human skin as bed bug bites.
Appearance and Size
Adult bat bugs are oval, flat, and wingless insects. They range in size from 1/4 to 5/8ths of an inch. Their bodies are a dark brown or black color. Nymphs are smaller and lighter in color. From a physical standpoint, bat bugs look nearly identical to bed bugs. They can only be distinguished by examining their genetics in a lab environment.
Some key physical differences:
- Bat bugs tend to be slightly larger than bed bugs. Not a reliable method for identification.
- Bat bugs cannot fold their wings completely flat over their bodies like bed bugs can.
- Bat bug legs extend slightly past their bodies. Bed bug legs align with the edge of their bodies.
As you can see, the differences are very subtle. The average person would have a very difficult time telling them apart just by looks alone. Your best option is to have a specimen analyzed by a professional.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of bat bugs is very similar to bed bugs. It consists of the following stages:
- Egg – Eggs are laid in bat roosting areas. They are coated in a sticky substance that adheres them to surfaces.
- Nymph – Nymphs hatch from the eggs. They must take blood meals to grow. Nymphs molt through 5 stages before reaching adulthood.
- Adult – Adults also require regular blood meals. Females can lay up to 10 eggs per day.
Bat bugs need to feed on blood to survive from their nymph stage through adulthood. A complete life cycle takes around 6-8 weeks. In infested attics or bat roosts, multiple generations can occur within one season.
How are bat bugs different from bed bugs?
Although bat bugs and bed bugs are biologically similar, there are some notable differences:
- Bat bugs cannot survive on humans alone. Bed bugs can thrive on human blood.
- Bat bugs prefer cooler temperatures. Bed bugs like warmer areas around 80° F.
- Genetic analysis can distinguish between bat bugs and bed bugs.
- Bat bugs tend to be slightly larger with longer leg lengths.
- Bat bug bites are less likely to turn into itchy welts like bed bug bites.
The biggest factor is that bat bugs rely on bats to survive. If bats are no longer present, bed bug style infestations of bat bugs are unlikely. Their bites are also less irritating, perhaps due to humans being an incidental host. However, bat bugs can still multiply quickly in ideal roosting conditions.
Where do bat bugs come from?
Bat bugs come from wherever bats tend to roost. This includes:
- Attics – The most common bat roost. Bat bugs get access to the living space if walls are under-insulated.
- Porches and patios – Bats may nest under overhangs.
- Caves – Both bats and bat bugs thrive in dark, damp caves.
- Barns – Offer shelter to bats and make it easy for bat bugs to spread.
- Hollow trees – Can harbor bats and bat bugs.
- Soffits or exterior vinyl siding – Gaps or holes can allow access.
Essentially, bat bugs come from anywhere that bats tend to collect. Attics seem to be the most problematic, as bat bug populations can rapidly multiply over the summer. Access to the living space allows them to come out at night in search of a meal.
For bat bugs to become a primary issue in your home, there needs to be a substantial bat colony nearby. Once bats leave or die off, bat bugs are forced to find new hosts. Without bats, bat bug infestations cannot be sustained long term.
How do I know if I have bat bugs?
If you notice bites or see small black bugs on your mattress, you may have bat bugs. Here are some signs that point specifically to bat bugs:
- You hear bats or find bat droppings in the attic.
- Bugs are only found in upstairs bedrooms near the attic.
- The bugs do not seem to survive when brought downstairs.
- You have bats roosting nearby outside.
- The bites do not become as irritated and itchy as bed bug bites.
- Catching and examining the bug shows longer leg lengths.
- You see the bugs come out at dusk when bats become active.
Conducting a thorough inspection is the best way to confirm if you have bat bugs. The sooner you can make an identification, the faster you can implement targeted treatments. Call a pest control professional if you are unsure whether you have bat bugs or bed bugs.
Inspect Rooms Near Bat Activity
Focus on bedrooms and rooms underneath or close to the attic. Bat bugs are most likely to spread to adjacent areas.
Pull back sheets, check mattress seams, look under furniture edges, and open up closet shelves. Inspect cracks and crevices using a flashlight. If the infestation originated from bats, evidence will usually be found near attic vents or along walls bordering the attic space.
Check for Live Bugs
Catch one of the crawling bugs you find and place it in a sealed plastic bag. Have the specimen analyzed by an expert. Visually comparing it to reference photos can also help identify key features like larger size and longer legs.
Bat bug populations begin to decline without bats nearby, so finding live specimens suggests an active infestation. Dead bugs may indicate remnant populations after bats have left.
Look for Molted Skins and Eggs
Inspect sheltered areas like mattress seams, cracks, baseboards, and floor moldings for cast off skins and eggs. Bat bugs molt between juvenile stages, leaving behind translucent skins. Eggs may be laid along baseboards or in sheltered cracks.
Note Activity Patterns
Observe when the most bugs come out and where they seem to originate from. Bat bug activity coincides with dusk when bats leave to forage. Bugs may cluster near attic vents at sundown or crawl up walls from the attic space.
Bed bugs are not as active when bats first emerge in the evening. Pay attention to the patterns to help confirm bat bugs.
Analyze Bite Patterns
Bat bug bites commonly occur on exposed skin around the face, neck, shoulders and arms. Bites may be scattered if bugs crawl under clothing or sheets at night. There is usually minimal swelling, allowing bites to go unnoticed.
Inspect bite marks for clusters around windows, vents, upper walls, or the ceiling. Bed bugs typically bite lower on the body around folds and warm places. The reduced irritation of bat bug bites can help distinguish them.
How to get rid of bat bugs
An integrated pest management approach is required to eliminate bat bugs. The key steps include:
Remove Bats and Seal Entry Points
Bats must be excluded from roosting areas for bat bug treatments to be effective long term. Seal off attics, eaves, vents, and openings once bats have left or are evicted. Installing one-way exclusion devices on main entry points allows bats to exit but not re-enter.
Be sure to avoid baby season, typically June and July, when sealing openings. Young bats would be trapped inside. Only seal once pups are able to fly out on their own.
Use Desiccant Dusts
Apply Cimexa or diatomaceous earth dusts into wall voids, attics, and cracks where bugs may harbor. The fine particles cling to bat bug bodies, causing dehydration and death within a few days. Avoid breathing in dusts during application.
Focus on areas bordering the attic like upper walls and ceilings. The dusts provide long-lasting control as bugs contact treated surfaces. Reapply if dust accumulates are disturbed.
Apply Residual Insecticides
Use sprays or concentrated liquids labeled for bat bug control. Apply as crack and crevice or spot treatments to infested rooms, concentrating on bed frames, upper walls, and furniture. Do not coat entire surfaces or spaces.
Insecticide products containing lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, bifenthrin, or permethrin work well for bat bug elimination. Reapply every 2-4 weeks until activity ceases.
Heat Treat the Attic
Heating an attic or enclosed space to at least 120°F kills all bat bug stages including eggs. Professionally applied thermal remediation methods are effective at penetrating insulation and wall voids. The heat is held for an adequate time period to ensure bat bugs are eliminated.
Monitor for Recurrence
Continue checking previously infested rooms for several weeks after treatment. Install climbing interceptor traps on furniture legs to help detect reemerging populations. Catching bugs indicates a repeat treatment is needed.
Sealing bat entry points prevents future colonies from becoming established. Properly exclude and sanitize roosts to avoid recurring bat and bat bug problems. Call a professional if issues persist.
Conclusion
Bat bugs can be mistaken for bed bugs at first glance. Closely inspecting bite patterns, activity trends, and potential bat roosts helps determine if bat bugs are the culprit. Confirmed bat bug populations should be treated through bat removal, sanitation, residuals, dusts and exclusion techniques. Preventative exclusion also stops bats from returning, eliminating conditions that allow bat bugs to thrive. Address bat bug issues completely before they can multiply and spread.