Tick vs Bed Bug Pest Control | The Best Way to Fight Pests!

Jul 5, 2022 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

 

One size fits all may work for clothing, but there are numerous ways to remove insects from your home.


While both these pests are common household problems, there are differences between ticks and bed bugs. What works for a tick infestation may not eliminate pesky bed bugs! 


Let’s dissect the best tick vs bed bug pest control options and discuss how these pests differ!

The Difference Between a Tick vs Bed Bug

Despite their similar feeding patterns, there are many distinctions between the two pests. 

Infestation Locations

Ticks are common outdoor pests in tall grass or heavily forested areas. Many hikers find ticks on their skin following a trek through the woods or a nature preserve. Check your skin for ticks if you’ve recently walked through grassy fields or forests.


Occasionally, if you live deep within woodland places, ticks can cling atop rodents and crawl inside to lay eggs. However, unless you or your pets have accidentally introduced ticks indoors, you probably won’t find a tick infestation inside.


If you’re worried about indoor pests, bed bugs are the insects to watch. Like ticks, bed bugs typically have to be introduced into your home to jumpstart a severe infestation, but you won’t find these little bugs outside. 


Bed bugs may invade your home through used furniture, bedding, or mattresses. You could even accidentally bring them home from a hotel, motel, or vacation home! These pests will hide in the seams of furniture, only coming out at night to feed. 

Group of bed bugs gathered together in the seam of a cream and grey mattress

Appearance 

At first glance, it’s easy to mistake a bed bug for an engorged tick. However, bed bugs are larger than most ticks, averaging around 5-8 mm in length. Ticks are much smaller, only reaching comparable sizes after thoroughly feeding. 


Depending on the tick species, ticks can look vastly different. Black-legged ticks are dark brown with a light brown oval covering the bottom of their abdomens, and lone star ticks are dark brown with a bright white circle centered on their bodies. American dog ticks are brown with white markings, with the appearance differing depending on sex. 


Bed bugs typically all look the same. With their brown oval-like bodies, you can easily distinguish these pests from the intricate markings on ticks. 


If you’re close enough to these pests, you can see a difference in the number of their legs. Ticks have eight legs, but bed bugs only have six. 

Disease Transmission

Like most insects that bite or suck your blood, diseases are always a concern. While bed bugs are a nerve-wracking addition to your home, they won’t spread any diseases, according to the CDC


Bed bugs may not leave you with a lingering illness, but a tick bite can make you seriously sick. Ticks infected with diseases or bacteria can transmit these ailments to you through their bite. Here are some typical tick-borne illnesses:

  • Lyme disease 
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • Tick-borne relapsing fever or TBRF
  • Tularemia 


According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Lyme disease isn’t a common problem for many Texas residents, but ticks can transmit other diseases. 


If you experience fever, nausea, malaise, joint pain, or a rash, visit a doctor as you may have contracted a tick-borne illness.

Check out this video to learn more about tick vs bed bug bites! 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/r6uP2QWKjog

Tick vs Bed Bug Pest Control Methods

Because of their differences, you have to deal with a tick vs bed bug differently. Here are some options that may keep these pests at bay! 

Pest Repellents

Repellents containing diethyltoluamide or DEET prevent ticks from crawling up your legs and biting you. Thoroughly spray your arms and legs before you head out for a hike!


However, insect repellents can’t keep bed bugs away. Even if you applied the spray before bedtime, you would still wake up with bites. To stop bed bug bites, you need to eliminate the infestation in your home. 

High (or Low) Temperatures

One commonly touted bed bug solution is intense temperatures, but can you use extreme heat or cold to get rid of these pests? 


If your freezer can maintain a below-freezing temperature, you could eliminate bed bugs this way. However, this option isn’t feasible if you have a largescale infestation. 


Theoretically, ticks will die in cold climates, but you should rely on another method instead. In the wild, ticks can stay alive even in frigid weather. If the temperature isn’t below twenty degrees, ticks will survive throughout the winter. 


High heat can kill bed bugs and ticks, but this isn’t the best pest control option. Bed bugs will die in sustained high temperatures, but there’s no easy way to heat your mattress or other large items! 


Ticks can die after a short spin through the dryer, so if you have ticks on your pants or socks after a long hike, throw your clothing in the machine on high and let it spin!

Pesticide or Chemical Options 

While there are many differences between a tick vs bed bug pest control solution, pesticides typically work for both pests. 


You can purchase many over-the-counter options for your yard to keep ticks at bay. They may not eliminate all the ticks on your property, but you can significantly reduce their population. 


Pesticides work for bedbugs, but you may not find the right product on your hardware store’s shelves. Pest control technicians typically have access to the materials and can effectively kill the bed bugs in your home. 


Plus, a pest control agency like NTX Best Pest can remove bed bugs with your safety in mind! Our products won’t harm you or your family, so you can rely on us for a safe bed bug treatment!

Tick vs Bed Bug Infestation: Preventative Measures 

Here are preventative methods to keep pests at bay! 


Follow these tips to avoid a tick bite:

  • Keep your grass trimmed
  • Avoid piles of sticks, branches, or logs
  • Use an insect repellent
  • Wear long socks with your pants tucked inside them
  • Regularly check your skin after coming inside


If you have pets, give them regular tick treatments to keep them (and you) safe from these pesky creatures!

Bed bugs are harder to prevent because of how easily they hide. Always thoroughly check used furniture before you bring it home. When you visit a new place, leave your suitcase in the bathroom or away from carpeted areas. 

Call NTX Best Pest for Bed Bug Control

NTX Best Pest can remove any stubborn bed bug infestation. If these pests are keeping you up at night, be sure to give us a call!


With our specialized bed bug control service, we’ll inspect common bed bug breeding grounds and treat them immediately. When you trust NTX Best Pest with your pest control problems, you’re guaranteed to have peace of mind again!


Contact us today!

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