Bed Bugs & Other Relatives Cimicidae

We at We Clean Pest Control compiled several common species of “bed bugs” which all belong to the general family of insects Cimicidae. Some species are adapted to feeding on humans while others on swallow and bats. All species of bed bugs require feeding from their specific host to complete their life cycle, but if there is no alternative they will opportunistically feed on humans.

Common Bed Bugs

The household or common bed bugs scientifically known as Cimex Lectularius and they found worldwide. These parasites adapt well to human environments and they typically live in temperate climates. Some other related pests also resemble bed bugs in appearance and habits.

Tropical Bed Bugs

The tropical bed bugs scientifically known as Cimex Hemipterus. They also feed on humans but they prefer more tropics and warmer parts of south USA like Florida. They can be distinguished from the common bed bugs because their pronotum is less excavated as compare to the common bed bug.

 

Bat Bugs

Bat bugs scientifically known as Cimex Adjunctus. Bat bugs also been observed in tropical regions as well as in more temperate areas. This species of bugs feeds primarily on bats but they do feed on human hosts if the preferred source is no longer present. They can be distinguished from other bugs in this family because the fringe hairs on their pronotum are longer than in other species (longer than the width of the eye).

Poultry Bugs

These are scientifically known as Haematosiphon Inodora. They are located primarily in North America, they also closely resembles the common bed bugs. They are typically found on poultry farms and choose domestic fowl and bird species as hosts. Poultry bugs can be identified by looking at their underside. The beak of this specie is long and reaches to the base of the middle pair of legs. All other species of Cimicids listed in this blog post have beaks that barely reach the first (front) pair of legs.

Swallow Bugs

Barn swallow bugs scientifically known as Oeciacus Vicarius, they also resemble bed bugs. Barn swallow bugs feed primarily on cliff swallows and they live in swallow nests however they enter human dwellings when bird migration occurs. The third and fourth (last) antennal segments are the same length in swallow bugs.

 

Although all species of Cimicidae look superficially similar, some of them are significantly worse to have! Distinguishing between species of Cimicidae is difficult to the untrained eye, it’s usually require an entomologist or professional pest manager to note the minor differences.