Insect bites are common in the everyday lives of people. Even though the symptoms are mostly the same from almost all common insects, symptoms from some specific insects can also give rise to serious problems.
Two such organisms are bed bugs and ticks. Both of them are different in almost everything but are still confused with each other.
Key Takeaways
- Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on human blood, found in bedding and furniture.
- Ticks are arachnids that attach to hosts, such as animals and humans, to feed on their blood, potentially transmitting diseases.
- Both bed bugs and ticks are blood-feeding pests, but bed bugs infest indoor environments, while ticks inhabit outdoor areas and attach to hosts.
Bed Bug vs Tick
The difference between bed bugs and ticks is that bed bugs feed blood from human beings, whereas ticks feed blood from mostly mammals and birds. Furthermore, bed bugs are insects and ticks belonging to the family of arachnids. Additionally, the two differ in almost every characteristic.
Bed Bugs are insects that feed on the blood of human beings, mostly during the night. These insects are oval in shape with 6 legs, reddish-brown in color, and about 8 millimetres in size.
The bites of these insects can result in various health impacts, including itching, skin rashes, skin blistering, and allergies, etc.
Ticks are parasitic arthropods that feed on the blood of mammals and birds but rarely affect human beings. They are mostly found in humid climates.
These arachnids are flat-oval in shape with 8 legs, dark brown in color, and about 4 millimetres in size.
The bites of these arachnids can cause mammals and birds to experience loss of appetite, lethargy, high fever, etc.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Bed Bug | Tick |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Indoors. | Outdoors. |
| Host | It feeds on human beings. | It feeds on animals. |
| Size | About 8 millimeters in size. | About 4 millimeters in size. |
| Color | It is reddish-brown in color. | It is dark brown in color. |
| Shape | It is oval-shaped. | It is pear-shaped. |
What is Bed Bug?
Bed Bugs are insects that feed on the blood of human beings, mostly during the night. These insects are oval in shape with 6 legs, reddish-brown in color, and about 8 millimetres in size.
The bites of these insects can result in various health impacts, including itching, skin rashes, skin blistering, and allergies, etc.
Bed Bug bites are caused by two species of these insects: Cimex lectularius, the most common bed bug, and Cimex hemipterus, which is found in tropical areas.
The infestation is more common in areas of high density and closed spaces. Nevertheless, the symptoms are not known to develop into any infectious disease.
Bed bugs spread through carriers like old furniture, crawling into personal items and being carried from there, etc. Treatment for bed bug bites depends on the symptoms.
However, it is more important to eliminate the insect from infected areas. Since bed bugs only stay in dark places and can survive for about 70 days without feeding, finding them in a room is difficult.
Heating the room at high temperatures, vacuuming closely, using pesticides, etc., are a few of the ways to get rid of bed bugs.
What is Tick?
Ticks are parasitic arthropods that feed on the blood of mammals and birds but rarely affect human beings. They are mostly found in humid climates.
Unlike bed bugs, ticks are arachnids and not insects. These arachnids are flat-oval in shape with 8 legs, dark brown in color, and about 4 millimetres in size.
The bites of these arachnids can cause mammals and birds to experience loss of appetite, lethargy, high fever, etc.
Tick bites are caused by two types of major families: the Ixodidae, or hard ticks, and the Argasidae, or soft ticks. Ticks locate their hosts by sensing body heat, breath, noises, and vibrations, etc.
Ticks also relocate concerning the location of hosts. The tick species are widely distributed throughout the world.
Their habitat includes areas with warm and humid climates, as these arachnids need moisture in the air to undergo metamorphosis.
Since ticks can relocate and survive for months without feeding blood, they are highly spread.
Furthermore, ticks carry many serious diseases, including Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease. Treatment of a regular tick bite includes removing the tick immediately and providing supplemental oxygen to the animal.
However, for other serious diseases, treatments vary concerning the symptoms.
Main Differences Between Bed Bug and Tick
- Bed bugs affect human beings, whereas Ticks affect animals
- Bed bugs are found indoors in closed spaces, whereas ticks are found outdoors in grasses and plants.
- Bed bugs do not cause serious diseases, whereas ticks are major spreaders of diseases.
- Bed bugs are repetitive biters, whereas ticks bite only once and then fall off the host.
- Bed bugs are larger in size and have 6 legs. On the other hand, ticks are smaller in size and have 8 legs.
- https://journals.asm.org/doi/abs/10.1128/CMR.05015-11
- https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19622901585
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The references provided at the end are reliable sources. It adds credibility to the content presented in the article.
The expansion of knowledge regarding the types of ticks and their capacity to carry serious diseases is indeed thought-provoking.
The article effectively emphasizes the contrast in the habits and bites of bed bugs and ticks. It’s informative and engaging.
Very informative article comparing bed bugs and ticks. The distinctions between these two organisms are well-explained and detailed.
The explanation of the symptoms caused by bed bug bites and tick bites is quite useful. It helps in identifying the source of the bites.
The comparison between bed bugs and ticks is presented in a very clear and organized manner. It makes it easier to comprehend the differences.
The distinctions drawn between bed bugs and ticks are quite evident. It’s important to understand these differences for effective management of infestations.
The comparison table is helpful in understanding the differences between bed bugs and ticks. It would be interesting to know about the similarities as well.
I agree! Exploring the similarities between these two organisms would provide a comprehensive understanding.
The detailed description of the habits and characteristics of bed bugs and ticks is truly enlightening.
The information on the treatment of bed bug bites and tick bites is particularly significant. Knowing the appropriate treatment for different symptoms is essential.