# Is this a bed bug? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 30, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386 "2017-03-30T23:17:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/1 "2017-03-30T23:17:12Z")
We found a large bed bug a week ago in the bathroom. We got an exterminator to check for them but found nothing, we figure it was probably something one of us brought in from outside. We steamed the shit out of everything just in case it laid eggs before we flushed it, and now we’ve seen a couple of these guys since then: [3 new items by Johnny G ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3N7RU0fcAaLuiwaUA5NIQQTD-TG6H0Vr_NspAQW4GQuLt6Fzv4Vd35Dar2JpH2Yz_7BVXi97wpM3tymyEJIbiEkumwVr0Bf3QURBUdRUlFc_Od0GRYeOazFB1De8kd-rToVaV0bramo=w600-h315-p-k "3 new items by Johnny G") ](https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipP3lqLalS0LdK85Kdo-h9ImOi-aLATRA5zT2U4ni8qlRuyZIjdgk7hs29GcqJNVaw?key=N3hYZERBT1M2SHk2N3VlVnJFdUFjTGVnQ2xqU0RR) Need to know if these are baby bed bugs, in which case I guess we’ll burn down the house and call it a day. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/2 "2017-03-30T23:21:16Z")
It’s hard to get any sense of scale in those pics. But to be sure, take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2017, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/3 "2017-03-30T23:33:37Z")
They look like spiders to me, but I am not an expert. Put one in a container of alcohol to preserve and contact your exterminators (show them the sample). Kill the others with prejudice. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/4 "2017-03-30T23:36:35Z")
I would say it’s about 2 2.5 millimeters in length, btw, if that helps. It was really small. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2017, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/5 "2017-03-30T23:41:15Z")
Yep, sure look like them. Professional heat remediation is the only way to be sure you get all of them, in all stages of development. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/6 "2017-03-31T00:17:58Z")
In that case, you’ll want to be sure that you find an exterminator who specializes in bed bugs, not a generic exterminator. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/7 "2017-03-31T00:24:35Z")
check the seems of your mattress for dark splotches like [this](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GK0pDd7DYkU/maxresdefault.jpg). If you don’t see it then it’s likely not bed bugs. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/8 "2017-03-31T00:30:18Z")
This thread is making me itch. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/9 "2017-03-31T00:40:33Z")
They don’t look like bedbugs to me. BB’s don’t have those long “antennas” (styli). ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/10 "2017-03-31T00:55:45Z")
That is a Gibbium aequinoctiale, aka [Smooth Spider Beetle](http://bugguide.net/node/view/55820). They are harmless but might infest dried food stores. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/11 "2017-03-31T00:58:45Z")
Why did I click on that link? ETA: And why am I continuing to browse that site? ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/12 "2017-03-31T01:02:38Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Why did I click on that link? > ETA: And why am I continuing to browse that site? They look a lot less menacing when you see them [with some sense of scale.](https://www.whatsthatbug.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/spider_beetle_philadelphia-300x206.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/13 "2017-03-31T01:03:23Z")
Another it doesn’t look like bed bugs. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/14 "2017-03-31T01:08:04Z")
Yeah it’s definitely a spider beetle, thanks guys! Gotta check on the flour. If I don’t come back, nuke me from orbit. Fuck, just nuke the state. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/15 "2017-03-31T04:00:17Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > This thread is making me itch. I can make you itch with just one word. lice Damnit. Now I’m itching. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/16 "2017-03-31T04:45:15Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > I can make you itch with just one word. > > lice > > Damnit. Now I’m itching. Thanks for that. No xmas card for you! But yeah, it doesn’t take much for me. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/17 "2017-03-31T07:09:47Z")
I get those little spider beetles once in a while. I’m pretty sure they’re coming in with the corn-based kitty litter. They make a satisfying little snap when stepped on. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/18 "2017-03-31T08:32:41Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > Smooth Spider Beetle You been bit by You been bit by… ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/19 "2017-03-31T08:48:37Z")
On a more factual note, I found [this page](http://bedbugger.com/2012/04/17/spider-beetles-and-bed-bugs/) after Googling “smooth spider beetle”, so it looks like you’re not alone in your concern and confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386/20 "2017-03-31T18:54:14Z")
Know why they call 'em smooth spider beetles? Cause they’re sooo good with the ladies… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-bed-bug/783386.md?page=2)