It is not pleasant to have bed bugs or mites in the house at all. To this end, it is imperative that one needs to know the difference between the two before they can eradicate them. It will be helpful to consult with a pest control specialist if you are not sure which of the two is invading your home. Here are some facts about each pest to help you understand them better.
In this article we will be discussing the differences between the much talked about Bed Bugs and Mites. Bed bugs and mites are both parasites which can cause itching of the skin, however the two are not the same.
Adult bed bugs are brown in color and about the size of an apple seed.
They have an oval shaped body. The immature bed bugs or the nymphs look like the adults only that they are smaller and lighter in color.
Mites are arachnids, which means that they are related to spiders. Some are about one-eighth of an inch long and can be observed with the naked eye while others like the dust mites can only be seen with the help of a microscope.
Mites have four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, nymph and adult. The immature mites have six legs while the full-grown mites have eight.
You will get more dust mites than the bed bugs, however the two are quite different in their appearance and behaviors.
Both pests are capable of causing skin conditions particularly in people who have tender skin. Bed bugs feed on human blood and leave behind itchy red marks that resemble mosquito bites. Certain people may develop large swollen welts.
Dust mites do not bite. Their waste and their dead bodies can cause an allergic reaction. The symptoms may be more severe in the spring and summer and can include the following:
If you have a skin rash, it is advisable to seek the advice of a doctor. It could be an allergic reaction to dust mites or it could be allergic reaction to insect bites. For insect bites one may need the services of a pest control specialist.
Usually, you’ll find bed bugs in and around the bed. They prefer to creep in the mattress, box spring, and headboard. When infestations occur, they tend to invade any nearby furniture, baseboards, wall cracks, loose flooring and even electrical outlets.
Mites of various types are usually found in different places:
Bird mites are usually found in in attics, walls and cracks.
Dust mites are most often found in mattresses, pillows and upholstered furniture. They feed on dead skin cells; their feces may become aerated.
There are certain diseases which bed bugs can transmit but are not contagious as they are not disease carriers, however, the bites they give are itchy and lead to the appearance of welts. Scratched skin may get infected from the wounds created by the itches.
Some mites can cause diseases but it is extremely unlikely. Most of the health issues that are related to mites are as a result of allergies or skin rash. For instance, scabies mites are able to penetrate into the skin of humans and this causes you to have a lot of itching.
Comparing the two most common household pests, the so-called bed bugs and mites will help in the fight against them.
If you are certain that you have an infestation, then do not delay. Hire a pest control service to check and manage the pests in your house. Then you can get rid of these creatures and once more enjoy the comfort of your home. Contact pest control in new york for help.