What is the name of the tick that lives in a bed? - briefly
The insect that infests mattresses and bedding is the bed bug, scientifically named Cimex lectularius. It is a small, blood‑feeding arthropod commonly found in household sleeping areas.
What is the name of the tick that lives in a bed? - in detail
The arthropod commonly found in mattresses and bedroom furnishings is a soft‑bodied tick belonging to the genus Ornithodoros. Species such as Ornithodoros moubata, O. hermsi, and O. turicata are referred to as “bed ticks” because they shelter in crevices of furniture, floorboards, and bedding where they have ready access to sleeping hosts.
These ticks differ from hard ticks (Ixodidae) in several respects. Their bodies are flattened, leathery, and lack a hard dorsal shield. Adults measure 2–5 mm when unfed and expand dramatically after a blood meal. They possess a long, flexible mouthpart that penetrates the skin within seconds, allowing rapid feeding that typically lasts less than an hour. Unlike hard ticks, which attach for days, soft ticks detach quickly and may feed repeatedly throughout their life cycle.
The life cycle consists of egg, several larval and nymphal stages, and adult. Each stage requires a blood meal to molt, but development can occur over months to years depending on temperature and host availability. In indoor environments, larvae and nymphs often remain dormant in the bedding material, emerging when a host is present.
Medical relevance stems from pathogen transmission. Ornithodoros hermsi is a vector of Borrelia hermsii, the agent of tick‑borne relapsing fever in North America. Ornithodoros moubata carries Borrelia duttonii and African relapsing fever agents. Bites cause localized itching, a painless puncture wound, and, in some cases, fever, headache, and muscle aches after a latency period.
Control measures focus on habitat elimination and chemical treatment:
- Remove and launder all bedding at ≥ 60 °C; dry‑clean or freeze items that cannot be washed.
- Vacuum mattresses, box springs, and surrounding floor areas; discard vacuum bags promptly.
- Seal cracks in walls, baseboards, and furniture to reduce hiding places.
- Apply residual acaricides labeled for indoor soft‑tick control, following manufacturer instructions.
- Replace heavily infested mattresses or furniture when eradication proves impractical.
Monitoring can be performed with sticky traps placed near the bed frame or by inspecting seams and folds for engorged specimens. Early detection and thorough sanitation are essential to prevent re‑infestation and reduce the risk of disease transmission.