There is nothing unique in the reaction one may have to the bite of a bat bug, swallow bug, or bed bug. Bites are painless, but there may be a later reaction to the saliva that is introduced when feeding. This happens most often in spring and in late summer/early autumn, corresponding with the times when migrant hosts (cliff swallows, bats) return to Colorado and again when the hosts depart and migrate from the state. Bitesīat and swallow bugs will bite and feed off human blood. Figure 1 provides a key to the features that can be used to separate the commonly encountered Colorado cimicids.įigure drawing by Melissa Schreiner. All have an oval-round body form, all are shaded in browns or gray-brown, and all are wingless, with only small, non-functional wing pads visible on the back of the insect. There are only minor differences in the appearance of a bed bug from other members of the insect family Cimicidae. Identification of the Bed Bug and Relatives of Colorado Rarely there have been reports in Colorado homes of Hesperocimex coloradensis, associated with nests of woodpeckers and purple martins. Most common is the swallow bug ( Oeciacus vicarius) that can be found anywhere there are nesting cliff swallows. Two other related insects develop on birds and can occur when their bird hosts nest on buildings or homes. Two species of bat bugs occur in the state: western bat bug ( Cimex pilosellus) is found statewide eastern bat bug ( Cimex adjunctus) is much less common and restricted to areas of eastern Colorado. They are the most frequently encountered of the bed bug relatives and in some parts of the state are reported more often than bed bugs.
Gary Alpert, provided through īat bugs are found in buildings that host roosting bats on which bat bugs feed. All are in the insect family Cimicidae and are sometimes referred to as cimicids.įigure 2. All of these “bed bug relatives” closely resemble and are easily mistaken for the bed bug, but have different habits and are managed differently. Much less well known are several bed bug relatives that develop on birds or mammals, some of which can occur in homes and buildings in Colorado. The bed bug ( Cimex lectularius) ( Fact Sheet 5.574) is a well-known insect, notorious for its ability to live and reproduce on human blood. Control of bat bugs and swallow bugs primarily requires excluding the wild animal host, bats and cliff swallows.These insects may bite people on occasion but, unlike bed bugs, cannot reproduce in the absence of their wild animal hosts.Bat bugs and swallow bugs may be found in the home if roosts or nesting areas of their wild animal hosts are present in or on a building.Bat bugs develop on bats, swallow bugs develop on cliff swallows.Bat bugs and swallow bugs are two insects related to the bed bug.Cranshaw and Brandon Ewals-Strain* (4/20) Quick Facts…. They won't pass up a human blood meal if it's convenient, but you're unlikely to encounter this species unless you live in an area with a large bat population.Ĭommon signs of bed bugs in the home are small red bites that often appear in a line or zigzag pattern, as well as dark spotting on carpets, mattresses, and cloth furniture from fecal droppings.By W.S. Though the first two types of bed bugs will choose to feed on people if possible, L. Unless you live in those regions or have recently traveled there, this type of bug is unlikely to have taken up residence in your home. boueti is only found in West Africa and South America, as it prefers tropical climates. They feed on humans and like to nest in household items like mattresses, sofas, carpets, and even behind wallpaper. hemipterus are the ones you have to worry about if you live in Europe or the U.S. The three kinds of bed bugs that feed on people are C. Two types of bed bugs prefer human blood meal, while one prefers bats but will settle for humans.įlickr/Armed Forces Pest Management Board Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
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