Think you’ve seen – or heard reports of – creepy, crawly bed bugs in your home or establishment, but you’re not finding any supporting evidence? The NYC bed bug specialists at Stern want you to be aware of these bed bug look alikes:

Bat Bugs
Bat bugs resemble bed bugs very closely, but feed on the blood of bats. Expert identification with a microscope is often necessary to tell this species from its human-feasting counterpart. Bat bugs will feed on other mammals when bats are absent. It’s believed they cannot reproduce without their preferred host.

Booklice
Commonly mistaken for bedbug nymphs, these bugs are found under wallpaper and around windows are smaller and white/gray/brown in color.

Cockroach Nymphs
Most active at night, reddish-brown cockroach nymphs dwell near food, warmth, and moisture. However compared to apple-seed shaped bed bugs, they have a more cylindrical body.

Spider Beetles
Shiny, oval, dark brown/reddish brown, and the shape and size of a flea, these pests often look bloated when found. They are not filled with blood – but pantry goodies – their preferred treat!

Carpet Beetles
These small, round, brown pests have distinct wings. Hair on larvae, which look like fuzzy caterpillars, may cause welts/dermatitis on contact.

Bed bug or a doppelganger? The NYC bed bug specialists at Stern Environmental can help you set the record straight. Identify and eradicate the pests that are plaguing you. Contact us today.