What type of bug is this on my bed?

Debie
by Debie
I'm 99% sure this is not a bedbug but wanted to check. My roommate and I have seen one of these critters every other night this week (both on our comforters, separate rooms) and have no idea what they are. We do not have any bites.
Sorry the photos are not the best. The bug is pretty small and only one appears at a time. Thank you for any help!
  5 answers
  • Z Z on Nov 18, 2013
    It's hard to tell from the photo Debie, but it doesn't look like a bedbug by the photos I found online. If you don't have a macro/flower/close up setting on your camera, can you describe it's color and if there are any markings to help us help you figure out what it is please. You can also go to this link to help you find what it is. Scroll down and there's a place to chose the colors, how many legs and what state you live in. http://www.insectidentification.org/
  • Shortyharris1 Shortyharris1 on Nov 19, 2013
    I know somebody had that bug they use bedbug spray early in the morning after waking up and sprayed the walls, mattress top and bottom, all parts of the bed frames and the carpet area around the bed, this worked and they don't see them anymore. They sprayed all the bedrooms to be safe, never found out what type of bug it was but they are gone now. They also invested in some bed bug slip covers for the mattress top and bottom and some for their pillows too. Good Luck
  • Carole Carole on Nov 19, 2013
    Do you line dry your bed linen after washing it? It could be something brought in from outside. Keep your eyes open for similar bugs throughout the rest of the house as there are some bugs that can be problems, such as the woodworm beetle. The larvae of these beetles are the actual woodworm that cause damage to the wooden framework of the house - floorboards, roofs, and general structure of a home. If you look up an image for the woodworm beetle and make a comparison and it does not look like that or a bed bug then you can breath a sigh of relief and just give the little critters the flick and put them outside when you find the next one!
  • Debie Debie on Nov 19, 2013
    Thanks everyone for the replies! I checked the website Becky provided and it most closely resembles a german cockroach (brown, 6 legs, smooth exterior) but my roommate and I are pretty sure that's not the same species, it just happens to look similar. So far they haven't bothered us since their sightings are so few and far between but we would still like to figure out what they are and if we should be worried it might turn into a bigger issue. Any other help would be greatly appreciated!
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Nov 20, 2013
    Bugs will hitch a ride any way they can! I have picked fresh flowers and brought them in and within minutes bugs come out and start investigating the kitchen! Those darn bugs! Bringing out winter bedding this time of year may have brought this one out of the closet!