If you live in a humid climate, one of the things that you may have to deal with occasionally are annoying and unwanted creatures like bedbugs or ticks. But what is the difference between these two? Although they both belong to the insect family, there are some big differences between bedbugs and ticks when it comes to physical appearance and habits — which can be important for understanding how best to fend off their infestations. In this blog post, we’ll look at what distinguishes these critters from each other so you can identify them correctly if ever find yourself dealing with one of them.
What is Bedbug?
- Bedbugs are one of the most unwelcome pests that can invade a home or business. Bedbugs are small, flat insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. Bedbugs hide in cracks, crevices, and dark corners but may also live in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, bedding, and furniture.
- Bedbugs can be found almost anywhere including clothing stores, libraries, buses, subways, and many other public places. They reproduce quickly, so it is important to catch an infestation early in order to get rid of them.
- Bedbug treatments can range from chemical sprays to extreme heat treatments depending on the severity of the infestation. It is best to call a pest control professional for these kinds of treatments as they have specially designed equipment for Bedbug extermination.
What is Tick?
- Tick insects are small creatures that can be found all over the world in both rural and urban environments. They are blood-feeding parasites of animals and sometimes humans, typically attaching to a warm host to feed on their blood.
- Tick species vary widely in size and color, ranging from just a few millimeters long to several centimeters long in some cases. Some ticks behave like other arthropods, feeding on nectar or eggs; however, the majority of Tick species are obligate blood-feeders, looking for another animal or human to feed upon.
- Tick infestations can cause serious health problems for animals and humans alike, so it’s important to be aware of potential Tick activity around our homes and places we frequent outdoors.
Difference between Bedbug and Tick
Bedbugs and ticks might look similar, but they are actually two very different types of insects.
- Bedbugs are smaller than ticks, generally only between ¼ to 3/8 inches in size, while ticks range from 1/8- ½ inch long depending on the species.
- Bedbugs feed off human blood whereas ticks feast on the body fluids of both humans and animals alike.
- Bedbug bites usually don’t hurt right away and can be hard to spot due to their small size, while tick bites usually cause an itching sensation that stops after a few days.
- Bedbugs can spread quickly and you may find them living in furniture or upholstery while ticks typically live outdoors in tall grass or wooded areas.
- Bedbugs have flat bodies that change shape as they fill with blood, on the other hand, ticks are shaped more like a balloon when filled with blood giving them a much larger appearance.
Knowing the differences between bedbugs and ticks is important for proper identification if either of these pests become a problem in your home or yard.
Conclusion
Now that you know the difference between bedbugs and ticks, you can take steps to prevent them from coming into your home. If you think you may have an infestation, call a professional to get rid of them. Follow these tips to keep these insects out of your home.
