Bed Bugs vs Ticks

Serving Broward County and Palm Beach County

Waking up with unexplained bug bites? You’re not alone, and you could be facing one of Florida’s most annoying pests. The typical suspects behind those itchy bites are bed bugs and ticks. Though both are tiny, blood-feeding pests, their behavior, habitats, and health risks are different in substantial ways. Bed bugs tend to spread rapidly through homes, while ticks are infamous for carrying illnesses like Lyme disease.

DIY treatments or off-the-shelf sprays often fall short against these disruptive intruders. Without targeted strategies, infestations can resurface over time, bringing more stress and future health hazards. That’s why professional pest services from Petri Pest Control make a difference. Our customized solutions are designed to eliminate both bed bugs and ticks efficiently. After a detailed inspection, we craft a treatment plan based on your home’s layout and the specific pest.

But first, let’s help you figure out which pest is causing the problem.

How to Tell Bed Bugs and Ticks Apart

The biggest differences between ticks and bed bugs are where they hang out and how they get their next meal. Bed bugs prefer the indoors, stowing away in furniture, bedding, and suitcases to stay close to humans. Ticks, however, live in grassy or wooded areas and wait to latch onto a host, usually a pet or person walking by.

How Bed Bugs and Ticks are Different

Recognizing the traits of each pest helps you respond quickly and appropriately. Let’s take a look at some major distinctions.

• Appearance: Bed bugs are reddish-brown, flat, and oval-shaped. Ticks are rounded, especially after feeding, and belong to the arachnid family.
• Feeding Habits: Bed bugs usually bite at night when people are asleep. Ticks feed whenever they find a host and stay attached until full.
• Preferred Habitat: Bed bugs settle in indoor spots like mattress seams or upholstered furniture. Ticks stay outdoors and hitch a ride inside on pets or clothing.
• Health Risks: Bed bugs cause itchy bites and sleepless nights, while ticks carry more serious threats like Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

What Bed Bugs and Ticks Have in Common

Despite their differences, these two pests do share a few characteristics:

• They’re both parasites that rely on blood for survival.
• Both can trigger allergic reactions or skin irritation.
• Bed bugs and ticks are difficult to eliminate without professional help, due to their ability to hide and resist common treatments.

How to Tell the Bites Apart: Bed Bug vs Tick vs Flea

It’s easy to confuse their bites, but here’s how to tell the difference:

• Bed Bug Bites: Often appear in rows or clusters, itchy and red, typically found on arms, neck, or back.
• Tick Bites: Usually singular and subtle at first. If disease is transmitted, symptoms may later appear around the bite.
• Flea Bites: Small red bumps, mostly on the lower legs or ankles, extremely itchy, and often grouped together.

Expert Treatments by Petri Pest Control

Trying to battle bed bugs or ticks on your own? It’s not only time-consuming, it’s also risky. Misidentification or incomplete treatment can cause repeat infestations.

At Petri Pest Control, we specialize in pest control plans tailored to your unique situation. From pinpointing the pest species, to using precise treatments that prioritize long-term relief, our experienced team gets the job done with minimal disruption to your home. We prioritize methods that are both effective and mindful of your health and comfort.

Reach out today for a free quote. Give us a call or fill out our contact form, so we can help you reclaim your space.