Proper identification is the key to successful treatment when combating bed bugs vs. bat bugs

Tommy Powell

MGK

There are fundamental morphological differences between the common bed bug and bat bug. There also are differences in the field that can help identify them before I ever look at them under a microscope.

Usually, when I get a call from a pest management professional (PMP) who is having issues with a bed bug infestation, I have a suspicion when I hear these two statements:

1. “We never find a lot of bugs, just a few, and the customer doesn’t complain about bites.”
2.  “I’m finding bugs in strange places, like sinks, bathtubs and light fixtures.”

When I hear these things, I immediately think these might be bat bugs, and we need to get a closer look. Treating in the wrong place often is the reason for failure when dealing with bat bugs instead of bed bugs. It is critical to understand the differences and identify which pest you are dealing with to get the most effective treatment.