Bat bugs (Cimex adjunctus in the eastern U.S.) are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. Bat bugs do not fly, a trait they share with their close relatives, the common bed bugs (Cimex lectularius). These pests have non-functional wing pads, meaning they are structurally unable to take flight. This flightless nature forces them to rely on crawling and hitchhiking to move and spread.
How Bat Bugs Move
Since bat bugs cannot fly, their sole method of self-locomotion is crawling. Their dispersal is limited to a slow crawl across surfaces. Within a home, they move from an attic or wall void down into living areas by following pipes, wires, or structural gaps. They also spread by “hitchhiking,” clinging to the fur of a bat or the clothing and belongings of a person near an infested area. Their ability to survive without a blood meal for several months allows them to crawl significant distances in search of a host.
Distinguishing Bat Bugs from Bed Bugs
Bat bugs and common bed bugs are nearly identical in size and shape, requiring professional identification for effective treatment. The most reliable physical distinction lies in the fringe hairs located on the pronotum, the shield-like segment directly behind the head. On a bat bug, these hairs are noticeably longer, measuring at least the same length as the width of the insect’s eye. Conversely, the pronotum hairs on a common bed bug are distinctly shorter than the width of its eye.
Primary Habitat and Source of Infestation
The primary host for bat bugs is bats, and they are typically found in the bat’s roosting area. These areas are commonly located in protected, dark spaces within a building, such as attics, chimneys, and wall voids. The bugs live in cracks and crevices near the roost, emerging to feed on the bats while they rest. Infestations in human living spaces usually begin when the bat colony leaves the structure due to migration, exclusion, or death. Without their preferred food source, the blood-starved bat bugs are forced to seek an alternative warm-blooded host, including humans or pets.
Steps for Eradication
Eradication requires a two-step approach that must begin with addressing the source of the problem. Treating the bugs before eliminating the host is ineffective, as the bat colony will continuously reintroduce the pests. The first action is bat exclusion, which involves safely removing the bats and sealing all entry points to prevent their return. This often requires the assistance of a wildlife control specialist. Once the bats are removed, a qualified pest management professional must apply targeted chemical treatments focusing on harborage sites, including the attic, wall voids, and migration areas.