The key difference between bed bugs and dust mites is that bed bugs are arthropods that belong to the insect family, while dust mites are arthropods that belong to the arachnid family.
Arthropods are invertebrates with jointed legs. Generally, they make up 75 % of all animals on the Earth. They can be pollinators, recyclers of nutrients, scavengers, and food for other animals. Therefore, they play a pivotal role in maintaining the ecosystem. Arthropods are divided into four major groups: insects, myriapods (centipedes and millipedes), arachnids (spiders, mites, and scorpions), and crustaceans (slaters, prawns, and crabs). Bed bugs and dust mites are two different types of animals that belong to the phylum arthropods. Bed bugs are insects with a pair of antennae and three pairs of legs. Dust mites are arachnids with eight pairs of legs and no antennae.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Bed Bugs
3. What are Dust Mites
4. Similarities – Bed Bugs and Dust Mites
5. Bed Bugs vs Dust Mites in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Bed Bugs vs Dust Mites
What are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs belong to the insect family. Bed bugs can be found in buildings, homes, hotels, and public transportation. They are excellent hitchhikers. Therefore, they normally end up in beds, furniture, baseboards, and walls as well. Typically, bed bugs live for two to four months. Under real circumstances, they can survive up to a year. Moreover, adults and older nymphs even can move for months without getting a blood meal.
Figure 01: Bed Bug
Beds bugs are less than 0.28 inches in size. Some can be small as 0.19 inches in size. They look like apple seeds. Young bed bugs are originally translucent yellow in colour. However, they turn red once they begin feeding in blood. Bed bugs can also have a brownish colour with oval, flat frames. Once they start feeding blood, they turn a deep red colour and elongate. Bed bugs start their life cycle with the egg before going through four instar nymph stages and finally adulthood. Furthermore, bed bug bites can result in severe itching, hives, redness, or blisters in humans. The treatment includes washing the area and applying anti-itching solutions. Bed bug infestation can be prevented by heat treatments and chemicals like pyrethroids.
What are Dust Mites?
Dust mites belong to the arachnid family. They are only one-tenth the size of a bed bug. Dust mites are not visible to the eye, and their appearance is only visible under a microscope. The typical size is around 0.004 to 0.157 inches. Dust mites are translucent white in colour and globular in shape. Dust mites can end up in beds and environments such as carpets, curtains, and fabric-covered furniture. They can also be found in dark areas and areas where dust accumulates. Dust mites can live up to weeks. Moreover, a dust mite has five stages in the life cycle, including egg, larva, protonymph, triotonymph, and adult.
Figure 02: Dust Mites
Dust mites can promote allergic reactions. The symptoms created by dust mites can be diagnosed through skin pricks or blood tests. Furthermore, treatments for the symptoms will include shots and immunotherapy. Dust mites are impossible to get rid of. Options include clean bedding and using cleaned mattresses and pillow covers.
What are the Similarities Between Bed Bugs and Dust Mites?
- Bed bugs and dust mites are two different types of animals belonging to the phylum arthropods.
- They are very small in size.
- Both animals can be found in similar environments.
- They cause symptoms in humans.
- Their infestation can be prevented through proper cleaning of the area.
What is the Difference Between Bed Bugs and Dust Mites?
Bed bugs are arthropods that belong to the insect family, while dust mites are arthropods that belong to the arachnid family. Thus, this is the key difference between bed bugs and dust mites. Furthermore, bed bugs are 0.19 to 0.28 inches in size, whereas dust mites are 0.004 to 0.157 inches in size.
The below infographic presents the differences between bed bugs and dust mites in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Bed Bugs vs Dust Mites
Arthropods are invertebrates that make up 75 % of all animals on the Earth. There are four major groups under this phylum, including insects, myriapods, arachnids, and crustaceans. Arthropods play a pivotal role in marinating the ecosystem. Bed bugs and dust mites are two different groups of arthropods. Bed bugs are insects with a pair of antennae and three pairs of legs. Dust mites are arachnids having eight pairs of legs and no antennae. So, this summarizes the difference between bed bugs and dust mites.
Reference:
1. Cherney, Kristeen. “Dust Mite Bites: Pictures, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 22 July 2019.
2.“Bed Bugs vs Mites & Dust Mites: Bites & Nests.” Terminix, 25 Aug. 2022.
Image Courtesy:
1. “House dust mites (5247996458)” By Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium – House dust mites Uploaded by Jacopo Werther (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Bed Bug with Measure” By CDC – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia