How can I distinguish a bed bug from a clothing louse? - briefly
«Bed bugs» are oval, reddish‑brown insects about 4‑5 mm long, wingless and with short, stubby antennae; «clothing lice» are elongated, grayish insects 2‑3 mm long, equipped with functional wings and long, segmented antennae. Bed bugs are typically found in mattress seams and cracks, whereas clothing lice reside on fabrics and garments.
How can I distinguish a bed bug from a clothing louse? - in detail
Bed bugs and clothing lice are distinct arthropods; reliable identification depends on morphology, preferred environment, feeding habits, and observable signs.
Morphological differences
- Size: adult bed bugs measure 4–5 mm in length, while clothing lice are typically 2–3 mm.
- Body shape: bed bugs have a flattened, oval body with a pronounced “beak” (proboscis) extending forward. Clothing lice possess a more cylindrical form and lack a visible beak.
- Antennae: bed bugs bear short, tapered antennae; lice have longer, segmented antennae that are clearly visible from a side view.
- Legs: bed bug legs are short and adapted for crawling on flat surfaces; lice have longer legs with claws suited for grasping fabric fibers.
- Coloration: unfed bed bugs are light brown, darkening after feeding; lice remain a uniform gray‑brown regardless of blood intake.
Habitat preferences
- Bed bugs inhabit mattresses, box springs, headboards, and cracks in walls, favoring warm, sheltered crevices near sleeping hosts.
- Clothing lice reside primarily in garments, especially those made of woven fabrics, and are transferred directly through contact with infested clothing or linens.
Feeding behavior
- Bed bugs feed nocturnally, inserting their proboscis into exposed skin for 5–10 minutes, leaving a small, painless puncture.
- Clothing lice feed continuously during the day, attaching to the host’s skin and moving rapidly, which results in multiple bite marks and greater irritation.
Signs of infestation
- Bed bug evidence includes rust‑colored stains on bedding, shed exoskeletons, and a sweet, musty odor.
- Clothing louse presence is indicated by live insects moving on fabric, numerous nits attached to garment fibers, and intense itching concentrated on areas where clothing contacts the skin.
Control measures
- For bed bugs, remove and launder all bedding at ≥ 60 °C, vacuum cracks and crevices, and apply heat or professional insecticide treatments.
- For clothing lice, wash infested garments at ≥ 55 °C, dry on high heat, and isolate untreated items for at least two weeks to break the life cycle.
Accurate identification using the criteria above enables targeted eradication and prevents misapplication of control methods.