Do bed bugs have wings?

"I found a small bug with wings in my bed. Could it be a bed bug?"

No. Bed bugs do not have wings and cannot fly. They are flat, oval-shaped insects about the size of an apple seed, with a reddish-brown color. While they do have small wing pads (left over from their evolutionary past), these are non-functional.

So if you've spotted a small bug with wings on your bed, it's almost certainly not a bed bug. That said, it's still worth identifying what it is — some winged insects are mistaken for bed bugs, and a few can be just as unwelcome.

Bugs that look like bed bugs

Several common household insects resemble bed bugs in size or color, and some do have wings. Here's what to look out for:

• Bat bugs: Almost identical in appearance to bed bugs, bat bugs are closely related and can end up in living spaces if bats are roosting nearby. They do have wings, though they rarely fly. If you suspect bat bugs, it's worth checking for a bat infestation in your attic or roof space.
• Cockroach nymphs: Young cockroaches don't yet have developed wings, but adult cockroaches do. They can be a similar reddish-brown color and are sometimes found in bedrooms.
• Fleas: Fleas don't have wings either, but they're small, dark, and fast-moving, which can cause confusion. They're more likely to be found on pets or in carpets than in a bed.
• Carpet beetles: These small, oval beetles can fly and are sometimes found in bedrooms. Their larvae, which are hairy and slow-moving, are often the ones spotted on mattresses or fabric. 

If you've found a bug in your bed and aren't sure what it is, our technicians can help. We'll carry out a thorough inspection and, if bed bugs are present, walk you through the most appropriate bed bug control treatments for your situation.