Adequate sleep is quite vital for general body and mental development. But the issue with scratches and itchy skin can give you sleepless nights. It may be due to either dust mites or bed bugs.
So, what is the main difference between bed bugs and dust mites? Bed bugs are tiny insects while dust mites are microscopic spiders.
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Comparison Table (Bed Bugs vs Dust Mites)
| Basic Terms | Dust Mites | Bed Bugs |
| Definition | These are microscopic organism that causes allergies related to dust in the house | These are bloodsucking parasitic bugs on mammals and birds |
| Taxonomic Class | Arachnida | Insecta |
| Size | Microscopic | Larger |
| Body Color | White to translucent | Brown |
| Shape | Globular body shape | Flat to an oval shape |
| Number of legs | Eight | Six |
| Antennae | Have no antennae | Have a pair of antennae |
| Habitat | Damp environment | Crevice of bed |
| Feeding Habits | The feed of flakes shed by skin | Feed on blood from warm-blooded animals. |
| Parasitism | Not parasites | Eco parasites |
| Lifespan | 1-2 months | 6-12 months |
| Symptoms | Asthma, sneezing, runny noses, red and watery eyes | Long-lasting red spots or welts |
| How to Get Rid | Maintaining the relative humidity below 50% | Cleaning bed crevice with hot water of steam |
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What Are Dust Mites?
These are microscopic spiders that feed on flakes shed by human skin. They mainly breed in a damp environment at home.
These creatures are not parasites but the release of feces in the dust could cause allergies to humans.
The good news is that they can easily be eliminated by subjecting the house to a relative humidity below 50%.
What Are Bed Bugs?
These are flat, oval shape, and wingless insects that feed on blood from warm-blooded animals. They belong to the class Insecta and experience complete metamorphosis.
The creatures are comparatively larger and come in two species. Cimex lectularius and hemipterus are bugs that feed on human blood.
Some bed bugs are vectors for disease transmission such as the hepatitis B virus. Dark skin tone individuals do not show symptoms of bug bites.
Main Difference between Dust Mites and Bed Bugs
- Dust mites belong to the Arachnida class while bed bugs belong to Insecta
- Dust mites feed on flakes shed by human skin while bed bugs feed on blood from warm-blooded animals
- Bed bugs are larger than dust mites
- Dust mites have a globular body shape while bed bugs have a flat to oval body shape
- Bed bugs have six legs while bed bugs have eight legs
- Dust mites live in a damp environment whereas bed bugs live in the crevice of the bed
- Bed bugs are eco parasites while dust mites are not parasites
- Bed bugs are brown in color while dust mites have white to translucent body-color
- Bed bugs have a lifespan of 6-12 months while dust mites have a lifespan of 1-2 months
- Bed bugs have a pair of antennae while dust mites do not have antennae
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Similarities between Dust Mites and Bed Bugs
- Both are household pests
- Both cause health problems
- Both can be eliminated in the household
Dust Mites vs Bed Bugs FAQs
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Bed bugs have flat and oval body shapes marked with brown color. They have six legs and two pairs of antennae.
What Do Dust Mites Look Like?
Dust mites have a globular body shape marked with white to translucent color. These creatures have eight legs and no antennae.
How Do I Rid My House Of Dust Mites?
It is easier to get rid of dust mites. You can allergen-proof bed covers, wash beddings weekly, and keep humidity quite low.
Does Sleeping With Light On Keep Bed Bugs Away?
Not really. Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide. Bugs have darkness but switching the light off won’t deter them from attacking.
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Summary
The core difference between dust mites and bed bugs is that dust mites are microscopic spiders that feed on human skin flakes while bed bugs are blood-sucking parasites. Both creatures are house pests. Dealing with these pests tends to be a daunting experience.
More Sources and References
Dust Mite Bites. Health Line
Bed Bug Bites. Medical News Today