Bugs in Bed and the Bedroom: 9 Types and What to Do
Bugs in Bed and the Bedroom are one of the most common identification questions we get. Here are 9 you are likely to see.
Quick list
How to narrow it down
Narrow it down with three quick checks. Count the legs: insects have six, spiders and ticks have eight, and centipedes and millipedes have many more. Check for wings, even folded ones. Then compare size against a coin: a US penny is 19 mm across. Our bug identifier tool does this filtering for you.
The 9 bugs
Arizona Bark Scorpion
Arizona Bark ScorpionCentruroides sculpturatusA slender, light tan scorpion of the desert Southwest and the most venomous scorpion in North America. It climbs walls and ceilings and often hides in shoes, bedding and clothing.
Tell-tale sign: Thin, light yellowish-tan body and slender pincers. Risk: Bark scorpion stings cause severe pain and numbness and can be dangerous for young children and older adults; call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 after a sting.
Brown Recluse Spider
Brown Recluse SpiderLoxosceles reclusaA tan to brown spider with a dark violin-shaped mark on its back and only six eyes. It hides in boxes, closets and unused clothing in the south-central US.
Tell-tale sign: Dark violin-shaped mark pointing toward the abdomen. Risk: Most bites are mild, but some cause a spreading wound that needs medical care.
Kissing Bug
Kissing BugTriatoma sanguisugaA cone-nosed assassin bug with orange-red markings around the edge of its flat abdomen. It feeds on the blood of animals and people, sometimes biting near the face at night.
Tell-tale sign: Elongated, cone-shaped head. Risk: Kissing bugs can carry the parasite that causes Chagas disease; save the bug and contact your health department if you are bitten.
Bed Bug
Bed BugCimex lectulariusA flat, oval, apple-seed-sized insect that hides in mattress seams, bed frames and furniture and feeds on human blood at night. Infestations spread through luggage, used furniture and shared walls.
Tell-tale sign: Flat, oval, reddish-brown body without wings. Risk: Bed bug bites itch and cause stress and sleep loss, but bed bugs are not known to spread disease.
Cat Flea
Cat FleaCtenocephalides felisThe most common flea on both cats and dogs, a tiny, flattened, dark insect that jumps huge distances. Eggs drop off pets into carpets and bedding.
Tell-tale sign: Tiny, reddish-brown to black body flattened side to side. Risk: Flea bites itch, can cause allergic dermatitis in pets, and fleas can pass tapeworms.
Brown-Banded Cockroach
Brown-Banded CockroachSupella longipalpaA small cockroach with two light bands across its back that prefers warm, dry spots high in rooms. It hides behind picture frames, in electronics and inside furniture.
Tell-tale sign: Two pale yellow bands across the wings and abdomen. Risk: They carry bacteria and allergens like other cockroaches but are not known to bite.
Silverfish
SilverfishLepisma saccharinaA wingless, carrot-shaped insect covered in silvery scales that moves with a fish-like wiggle. It eats paper, glue, starches and fabrics in damp areas.
Tell-tale sign: Silvery-gray, teardrop-shaped, scaly body. Risk: Silverfish don't bite; they damage books, wallpaper and stored papers.
Varied Carpet Beetle
Varied Carpet BeetleAnthrenus verbasciA tiny, round beetle mottled with white, brown and yellow scales. The fuzzy, banded larvae chew holes in wool, silk, feathers, leather and stored animal products.
Tell-tale sign: Very small, round beetle with a mottled scale pattern. Risk: Carpet beetles don't bite, but larval hairs can cause itchy skin rashes in some people.
Webbing Clothes Moth
Webbing Clothes MothTineola bisselliellaA small, golden-buff moth whose larvae eat wool, silk, fur, feathers and cashmere. Adults avoid light and are more often found in closets than flying around lamps.
Tell-tale sign: Small, shiny golden-tan wings without spots. Risk: Clothes moths don't bite people; larvae damage natural-fiber fabrics.
Which ones should you worry about?
5 of the 9 bugs in this guide can bite or sting. The ones to take seriously are Arizona bark scorpion, brown recluse spider and kissing bug. The rest are harmless or simply a nuisance.
Comparison at a glance
| Arizona Bark Scorpion | Brown Recluse Spider | Kissing Bug | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Ticks, Mites & Other Arachnids | Spiders | True Bugs |
| Scientific name | Centruroides sculpturatus | Loxosceles reclusa | Triatoma sanguisuga |
| Size | 50–80 mm | 6–20 mm | 15–25 mm |
| Colors | Tan and Yellow | Brown and Tan | Black, Red and Orange |
| Legs | 8 legs | 8 legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | No | No | Yes |
| Bites or stings | Stings | Bites | Bites |
| Risk | Health risk | Health risk | Health risk |
| Key feature | Thin, light yellowish-tan body and slender pincers | Dark violin-shaped mark pointing toward the abdomen | Elongated, cone-shaped head |
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common one?
Among the bugs in this guide, the Arizona bark scorpion and brown recluse spider are the ones people ask about most.
Which of these are dangerous?
Arizona Bark Scorpion, Brown Recluse Spider and Kissing Bug can be medically significant.
How can I identify a bug I found?
Use the free bug identifier tool: choose the number of legs, wings, main color, size and where you found it, and it will list the closest matches.