We're Available 24 Hours a Day! - Immediate Response

Bugs that Look Like Ticks - How to Identify and Control Them

bugs that look like ticks

Spring is when trees and plants bloom and warmer temps come. Unfortunately, spring comes with tick infestation and it can cause significant irritation for some people.

The sight of ticks causes some panic. It is possible that what I see does not seem like a tick.

Many insects have an appearance as if they are ticks that are not in the tick family.

This is helpful in alleviating anxiety or grief. Besides, the tick is hard to spot in an area that isn't visible.

In this guide, we'll provide information on bugs that look like ticks, as well as how to get rid of them. Let's get started!

What are Ticks

ticks

The tick is an extremely small insect that niches on tree stumps and on the ground. It's native to the northwestern and mid-west of the country Canada and Europe.

It survives all years, however, its optimum activity seasons are during the summer and spring months.

During the winter and fall, it will seek warm and cozy spaces in the house. Those creatures are known to have the deadly Lyme infection.

They can be easily identified with eight legs with tubes and curved mouths.

They are attached to their hosts unnoticeably and they eat their blood.

What Do Ticks Look Like? Identification

The tick consists of eight legs and eight arms. It is flat even if it has been eaten.

A tick can have a variety of colors, including red, brown, golden, black, and red.

In the United States there exist over 20 tick varieties that can cause a problem in identifying a tick positively.

However, every tick has a common characteristic and you can always differentiate between bloodsuckers and a host of other insects.

They are small and have pronounced capsitulas. On the capitulum, there are two pincer-like elongate appendages in the center.

Do Ticks Fly?

Ticks do not fly because they don't have wings. They can only drop from a perch and hang on to the first thing that comes in contact with them.

They also walk slowly waiting for their hosts. Once they sense a vibration, they will climb quickly and attach themselves to the skin of their unsuspecting victim.

The first pair of legs hang outstretched, waiting to climb onto the next host.

12 Common Bugs That Look like Ticks

Many insects look like ticks, which is important for identification. Because tick infestations can never be permanently eradicated, it would be best for you to keep yourself out.

Let us see the list of 12 commonly encountered bug types that look like ticks.

1. Bed Bugs

bed bugs

The hummingbird's hiding behavior makes it difficult for this pest to identify. Parasites are most active nightly.

The animals rely only on humans to eat. Bedbugs have built nests in their rooms where people sleep.

They prefer sleeping under mattresses, carpets, couches, furnishings, books, and furniture. The differences in appearance between the bed bugs and tins are simple.

Bed bugs are vulnerable to attack by the slightest pressure of the body, but they can also be killed or prevented by special treatments such as bleach.

2. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

brown marmorated stink bug

The stink bugs are the rarest creatures on Earth. These are usually found in North America and get their name from their color form and foul smell when sucked up.

The great news is that neither of those people really cared about people or animals. But their love of eating fruit makes it a serious threat to vegetation.

Adult stink bugs have been characterized by the shield like structure so that their resemblance is minimal to that of a tick.

However, before maturation, these juvenile bug species still have a round shape reminiscent of ticking.

Since they are still a flat, shield-like species they can confuse themselves with ticks.

3. Clover Mites

mites

As with ticks, clover mites belong to the arachnid family. The legs are the 8 common leg of ticks. It's also tiny in form and usually like a tick.

Therefore there's no need to confuse them with ticks. But there are a few things to note.

Clover mites have a pronounced red colour. No ticks have that kind of color, and it immediately stands out.

But if I see clover mites they usually look smaller than pinheads. It makes clover mites smaller than typical ticks.

4. Common Weevil Bug

common weevil bug

It can be confused easily with the tick. The common weevil has much larger shapes with its long snout, which is covered by two antennae.

Six legs prove to be insects, and some species have wings that fly. Weevils are of a variety of colors.

5. Spider Bettles

spider bettles

They have a spherical deep-red body and four limbs with two additional extensions. Many people think this insect looks like eight-legged spiders.

However, spider beetles have absolutely no harmful effects on humans. The issues start at your house.

Spider beetles cause a lot of damage to food making it the most dangerous pest in the kitchen and in the restaurant.

When a person comes across their food it is quickly reproducing, invaded, and infested quickly.

Since they're not picky they can easily find anything they'd like, including cereals, bread, and nut. Some people report this bug eating wool and linen.

6. Drugstore beetles

drugstore beetles

These bugs pose an absolute problem in the house, particularly in the pantry or the kitchen.

Despite their ability to live for several days without consuming food, they are a mess once they discover their food storage.

Besides that, they attract light. They have oval shapes and appear like ticks. They have wings but aren't flying and have brown hard shells.

7. Deer bloodsucker

bloodsucker deer fly

Bloodsucking deer flies are considered pests by humans and cattle, especially in the mid-Atlantic United States where they are commonly referred to as sheep flies.

These flies are easily distinguished by their large size, brightly-coloured eyes, and clear wings with dark bands.

8. Harlequin Cabbage Bug

harlequin cabbage bug

This curious bug is probably very familiar in gardening. Most plants grow cabbage because they enjoy eating cabbage.

Harlequin Cabbage Bugs can be easily spotted by gardeners in the summer and winter months.

These insects are typical of ticks, although they appear more like ladybugs even with darker coloration.

The most obvious difference though is cabbage bugs only have 6 legs like most other insects.

While ticks are 8 feet long, the majority of the arachnoid has six. The cabbage bug isn't harmful to anyone who eats cabbage and eats the tasty plant family.

9. Carpet beetles

Carpet Beetles

The Dermestidae are a family of beetles commonly known as skin beetles.

Additional names for this beetle are larder beetle, hide or leather beetle, carpet beetle, and khapra beetle.

There are about 500 to 700 different species on the planet. They can vary in size from 1 to 12 millimeters.

While their name suggests they're only found in carpets, they can be found in any area of the home where there is fabric.

10. Booklice Bugs

Booklice

Although booklice are not lice in the sense that they don't parasitically drink human blood, their sheer numbers can be irritating.

As their name might suggest to you, Booklice commonly congregate in areas where there is paper or old books - such as a library.

They also often hide in bookcases, wallpaper, and other places where mold likes to grow.

If not kept in check, large populations of booklice can become a nuisance, and may even cause allergies.

11. Head Lice

head lice

Because they feed on human food also they have the same properties as the tick. It is generally found inside human hair hence this name, and they also could occupy niches inside bird feathers.

It is small but wingless and carries a semitransparent body and six legs. Like a tick, it is just six feet long so there is no risk of catching diseases, such as Lyme Disease.

But this does make heads itchy which can cause discomfort, especially in hot weather.

12. Ashplant bug

ash plant bug

The insects can be 38 x 6 cm long and pale yellow or varying in color between browns and blacks.

Among their main features is the yellow-green triangle on their back, between the wings – they are actually flying! These characteristics are very distinctive in comparison to ticks.

How to Remove a Tick?

Ticks are not easy to remove. In most cases, you will need a pair of tweezers to pull the tick out. You should also be careful not to leave the head of the tick in the skin.

Once the tick is removed, you should clean the area with soap and water. You can also use an antiseptic to disinfect the area.

You should also keep an eye on the site of the bite for any signs of infection. If you notice any redness, swelling, or pain, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

How to Prevent Tick Bites?

The best way to prevent tick bites is to avoid areas where ticks are commonly found. This includes wooded areas, tall grass, and leaf litter.

You should also wear long pants and long sleeves when you are in these areas. You can also use insect repellent to help keep ticks away.

If you have pets, you should also check them for ticks after they have been in areas where ticks are common.

You can also use tick preventative products on your pets to help keep them safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you tell if a bug is a tick?

At first glance, the appearance of a tick resembles that of a bedbug and they have oval shapes with no wings.

Nevertheless, there is one thing that distinguishes them easily. Bed bugs are typically reddish brown, and ticks have often light bodies with dark leg stripes.

What bug looks like a tick but jumps?

The bugs that look like big ticks are usually weevils, spider beetles, or carpet beetles. The bug that looks like a tick but jumps is typically a deer bloodsucker.

Do all bugs that look like ticks bite?

No, not all bugs that resemble ticks will bite humans. Some bugs that look like ticks are actually beneficial to have around, such as ladybugs.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this blog post has helped you to learn more about bugs that look like ticks.

Remember to be careful when you are in areas where ticks are common and always check for ticks after spending time outdoors.

And also remember that not all bugs that look like ticks are harmful. Some bugs that look like ticks can actually be beneficial to have around!

Thank you for reading!

About The Author:

Meet Mark Calhoun, a seasoned pest control expert in the realm our pest control company. With over 10 years of dedicated experience and Managing Editor. His primary mission is to furnish you with precise and invaluable DIY insights, ensuring your home remains pest-free while aiding you in distinguishing various household pests.
Recent Articles
NEED HELP? WE'RE AVAILABLE 24/7. CALL NOW.
1.866.501.2444
TAP TO CALL
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram