Bed Bugs vs Dust Mites

Size and Appearance:

• Bed bugs: Larger, about the size of an apple seed, reddish-brown in color, oval-shaped.
• Dust mites: Microscopic, white or yellowish, globular in shape.

Feeding Habits:

• Bed bugs: Feed on human blood.
• Dust mites: Feed on dead skin cells, hair, and other organic debris.

Habitat:

• Bed bugs: Typically found in mattresses, bedding, furniture, and other dark, secluded areas.
• Dust mites: Found in dust, bedding, carpets, and other areas where organic matter accumulates.

Symptoms:

• Bed bugs: Bites that cause redness, swelling, itching, and sometimes allergic reactions.
• Dust mites: Allergic reactions such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and asthma.

Life Cycle:

• Bed bugs: Can live for several months without feeding. Eggs hatch into nymphs, which go through several molting stages before becoming adults.
• Dust mites: Have a shorter life cycle, about 60-100 days. Eggs hatch into nymphs, which develop into adults within a few weeks.

Control:

• Bed bugs: Pest control treatment is usually required and then a mattress encasement for prevention.
• Dust mites: Regular laundering of your mattress protector and sheets. Frequent vacuuming including your mattress.