What is the Difference between a Bed Bug and a Tick?

1. Bed Bug vs Tick Physical Appearance: The Number of Legs

The easiest way to tell them apart is by counting their legs. Since bed bugs are insects, they have six legs. Ticks are arachnids (like spiders), so adults have eight legs.

2. Where Bed Bugs and Ticks are Found

Location is one of the strongest indicators of which pest has invaded your space.

Bed Bugs: The Hitchhikers

Bed bugs are "indoor" pests. They don't live in your yard; they live in and on your furniture.

• Common Spots: Mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, electrical outlets, baseboards, and behind wallpaper.

• Behaviour: They are nocturnal. They hide during the day and come out at night to feed on people while they sleep.

Ticks: The Outdoor Ambushers

Ticks are "outdoor" pests that hitch a ride inside on pets or clothing.

• Common Spots: Tall grass, wooded areas, and leaf piles.

• Behaviour: They don't "infest" a house in the way bed bugs do. If you find one in your bed, it likely fell off you or your dog after a walk outside.

3. Bed Bug and Tick Bite Marks

While everyone reacts differently to bites, the pattern and duration of the bite can offer a big clue.

• Bed Bug Bites: Usually appear in rows or clusters (often called "breakfast, lunch, and dinner"). They are itchy, red welts that appear on exposed skin like arms, neck, or back.

• Tick Bites: These are usually isolated, single bites. Unlike bed bugs, ticks stay attached to your skin for days to feed. If the bug is still stuck to you, it’s a tick. Note: Watch for a "bullseye" rash (a red ring around the bite), which is a classic sign of Lyme disease and requires medical attention.

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4. Bed Bug and Tick Infestation Signs

If you can’t find the bug itself, look for the evidence they leave behind.

• Bed Bug Evidence: Small black spots (fecal matter) on sheets, tiny translucent eggshells, or "rusty" blood stains on pillows. You might also notice a sweet, musty odor in a heavily infested room.

• Tick Evidence: You generally won't find "signs" of ticks in a home. You either find the tick itself on a host or you don't. They do not multiply behind your baseboards.

The Big Question: What to Do Next If You Find a Bed Bug or Tick?

If it has six legs and you found it in your bedsheets, you likely have bed bugs. You'll need put the affected items into the dry at high heat (please read the tags for maximum temperature without damaging items) then all items in high heat and consider professional pest control.

If it has eight legs and you just came back from a hike, it’s a tick. Use tweezers to remove it carefully by the head, disinfect the area, and keep the tick in a jar for identification if you start feeling feverish. It is common for a tick's head or mouth parts remain in the skin after being removed incorrectly.

What to Do if a Tick Head Remains:

• Do Not Dig: Resist the urge to aggressively dig at the spot with tweezers, as this can cause more trauma to the skin, increase the risk of infection, and push the head deeper.
• Clean the Area: Thoroughly clean the bite site with rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or soap and water.
• Let It Heal: Often, the skin will heal around the remaining mouth parts and in a few days, the body will expel the mouth parts naturally, similar to a splinter.
• Attempt Gentle Removal: If a small piece is easily accessible, you can use sterilized tweezers to remove it but do not force it.
• Monitor for Infection: Watch the area for signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, heat, or pus.