Is This A Bed Bug?

Factual Questions
1

As most of you know, I’ve been looking out for the critters. I’ve had problems with other insects and my neighbors do bring in stuff from thrift store.

Today I found this bug.

It’s shapped like an apple sead, it was almost all black. I thought it might have been a roach or something as it was near the kitchen. But it could be a bed bug coming from my neighbor’s flat.

I couldn’t get a decent picture. But here are some I got.

Comparison to a quarter

Pic two

Pic Three

(Note the last two are pretty big)

I can’t get a better pic of the little cirtter, I’ve already put down DE (diatomaceous earth), but in any case I’m gonna start re-enforcing methods.

I’ve not felt any itching or bites, but I could be one of those who doesn’t react.

If anyone had any clues that it’s not a bed bug let me know, otherwise, I guess I’ll assume

Thanks

2

No.

The bedbugs I’ve seen (sadly my home has them and they’re fucking horrible) don’t have discoloration on their backs like your critter does and they don’t seem three dimensional, if that makes sense; they’re super flat, like paper thin. Your picture is too blurry for me to tell, but is that a long, wiry antenna I see? If so, just another strike against.

This is what the fuckers look like.

3

No. I can’t tell what it is because those pictures suck (sorry) but it isn’t a bedbug.

4

Any idea how I can get a better picture? I have a digital camera, but that seems to be the best. I guess I need a close up lens huh?

The bug looks just like an apple seed. The picture by AClockworkMelon shows a definate seperation of the head and body but this one seems to all flow together.

So if it ain’t a bed bug, some kind of a baby roach? :slight_smile:

5

Does your digital camera have a macro setting (icon might look like a flower)?

Otherwise, take a pic from farther away, even though the subject will be smaller - ill be able to possibly see something by zooming in.

6

I tried that and this is the best I can do.

Pic 1

Errr I guess if I’m gonna be a bug photographer I need a close up lens LOL

7

Well, then I can’t ID it for you, but I’m sure its not a bedbug. Could be a roach nymph. Could be a dermestid or some other kind of beetle.

Actually, based on the color I think its a german cockroach nymph. Is this it?

8

Well I have had roaches in the place before, it looks similar to that but it’s a lot blacker and it’s a bit skinner. Considering it was by the kitchen and I am able to keep roach problems at bay with Boric Acid and DE, that’s what it probably was.

Thanks for your help. I will still keep my bed bug paranoia up though :slight_smile:

9

That pic was a young nymph, they do get a bit darker and skinnier as they molt to later instars.

I agree - without seeing it I think the most parsimonious answer is a roach.

10

Looks like a baby roach to me.

11

Thanks guys appreciate the help

12

I think you’re holding the camera too close to the subject. Many digital cameras have a focus range greater than 18 and even 24 inches. The macro setting helps with this, but with some cameras you still have to have the lens greater than 24 inches from the subject and then use the zoom with macro to get a clear close-up. A phone camera is useless for this.

But yeah, even with the blur, if it’s got long antennae, it’s not a bedbug.