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Insects Resembling Bedbugs

Some insects, such as the bat, poultry and barn swallow bugs, share physical attributes with bedbugs. Bat bugs have short, wide heads like those of the bedbug. The bodies of both insects are broad and flat, enabling them to crawl into narrow crevices. However, bat bugs bloat after eating, changing in both shape and size, and they feed solely upon bats. Furthermore, while bedbugs infest crevices, furniture and bedding within human homes, bat bugs inhabit the abandoned nests of bats, birds and other small mammals.

The poultry bug, also known as the Mexican chicken bug, also resembles the bedbug, although the poultry bug has a longer beak and longer legs than the bedbug. Poultry bugs also live on poultry farms and, unlike bedbugs, are parasites of birds and domestic fowl, such as turkeys, eagles and hawks. Bedbugs feed primarily upon human blood, although they may choose to feed on other warm-blooded animals as well. 

Barn swallow bugs also appear similar to bedbugs. While both insects are approximately the same in color and size, barn swallow bugs are covered in long, silky hair. Barn swallow bugs inhabit the nests of cliff swallows and may inhabit human dwellings when birds migrate. Swallow bugs breed freely in summer and are capable of surviving without food for long periods of time by remaining semi-dormant.

Bedbug Life Stages

Anatomy of a Bedbug