So how do you know if you have bed bugs or chimney swift bugs?  Cimexopsis Nyctalis, also known as chimney swift bugs, are typically found in chimney’s.  This insect, a relative of the human bed bug, is an obligate temporary ecto-parasite of birds. It is not common in Connecticut but have recently been found in Greenwich. Chimney swift bugs have been known to feed on humans, but will not live on people as does the common bed bug, Cimex Lectularius.  The chimney swift bug is small, and can be easily mistaken for a common bed bug nymph.

Cimexopsis nyctalis is a common pest of chimney swifts (Chaetura pelagica), a native bird species in North America. Thus there are wildlife health and conservation issues associated with the species. It also may incidentally enters building upon which chimney swifts nest and bites of humans, although rare, are reported. Furthermore the increased attention given to the closely related bed bug has increased need to provide established common names that can clearly define discussion of all the commonly encountered North American cimicidae family.

On Bedbugger, a very popular bed bug forum, a man in Boston wrote about his three year encounter with chimney swift bugs, how it was originally diagnosed and treated as a case of bed bugs.  It is a very informative piece and well worth reading.

If you are unsure whether you are dealing with bed bugs or chimney swift bugs, contact K-9 Sweeps for proper identification before contacting a Las Vegas Pest Control Company for general pest control.