Bat bugs are parasitic insects in the genus Cimex, making them close relatives of the common bed bug. These small, reddish-brown ectoparasites rely on blood meals for survival and reproduction. Their primary host is typically bats, and they are naturally found near bat colonies, frequently in attics, wall voids, and chimneys where bats roost. The concern arises when these insects are found in human living spaces, prompting the question of whether they will turn their attention to people.
Understanding Bat Bug Biting Behavior
Yes, bat bugs will bite humans; they are opportunistic feeders when their preferred host is unavailable. This transition usually occurs when the bat colony leaves its roost due to migration, exclusion, or eradication. Left without their primary food source, the bugs migrate out of the attic or wall voids and search for any available warm-blooded host, including human occupants. The insect uses specialized, beak-like mouthparts to pierce the host’s skin and probe for a capillary. Once a blood vessel is located, the bat bug injects saliva containing an anticoagulant before feeding until fully engorged. Adult bat bugs can live up to a year without blood, though females require a blood meal to produce eggs.
Distinguishing Bat Bugs from Bed Bugs
Bat bugs and bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are nearly identical to the naked eye, sharing the same flat, oval body shape and reddish-brown color. Both grow to about one-quarter inch long and lack functional wings. The definitive difference requires microscopic examination of the fringe hairs located on the pronotum (the plate-like segment behind the head).
Bat bugs possess longer fringe hairs on the pronotum; these hairs are longer than the width of the insect’s eye. In contrast, the common bed bug has shorter fringe hairs on this segment. For the public, the most practical differentiator is the location of the infestation. Bat bugs are almost always found near a bat roost, such as an attic, chimney, or void. Bed bugs concentrate their activity in proximity to human sleeping areas, like mattress seams and headboards. Accurate identification by a professional is necessary to confirm the species, as misidentification often leads to failed treatment protocols.
Health Effects of Bat Bug Encounters
The bite itself is often painless because the insect’s saliva contains an anesthetic component. However, the primary consequence is the localized skin reaction that develops afterward. Bites typically appear as small, red, itchy welts, sometimes clustered on exposed skin. Reactions vary widely among individuals, as the itching and swelling are often allergic responses to proteins in the bug’s injected saliva. The most significant health risk is the potential for a secondary bacterial infection from excessive scratching of the irritated welts. Importantly, bat bugs are not known to transmit any human diseases.
Control and Remediation Strategies
The initial and most important step in controlling a bat bug problem is addressing the source of the primary host. Without bat exclusion and removal, insecticide application provides only temporary relief, as the bugs continue to breed and migrate from the roost area. Professionals should use one-way exclusion devices to allow bats to exit the structure without re-entering, which is often required due to wildlife protection laws.
Once the bats are gone, treatment focuses on the insects themselves, often requiring specialized chemical application. Since bat bugs hide in hard-to-reach areas like wall voids and attic insulation, dust insecticides are commonly used to penetrate these hidden spaces. Treating living spaces involves vacuuming to physically remove visible bugs, followed by targeted application of residual insecticides and possibly an insect growth regulator to disrupt the life cycle of remaining nymphs.