Carpet Beetles vs. Bed Bugs

If you’ve come across carpet beetles in your home, it’s easy to see how they may be mistaken for bed bugs. Because both of these insects are so tiny, it can be difficult to identify them from each other unless you know how they differ. Their similar size and appearance have led many people to panic at the thought of having bed bugs when they really only have carpet beetles. Carpet beetles do not pose the same threat as bed bugs, which is why it’s important to learn how to differentiate carpet beetles from bed bugs.

To learn which of these two insects you’re dealing with in your Central TN home or business, keep reading for expert tips from the team at The Bug Man.

What is a Carpet Beetle?

Just as their name implies, carpet beetles are known to infest carpets and other fabrics. They prefer fabrics like wool, felt, silk, and leather, and are often found in homes near windowsills. Carpet beetles are oval-shaped from above just like bed bugs, but the main difference is in the color. Carpet beetles do have brown on their backs, but they look more spotted or striped with white and light-colored patches mixed with brown.

An even bigger difference between the two is in the larvae appearance: Bed bug larvae look like little worms, while carpet beetle larvae look like miniature fuzzy caterpillars.

Carpet Beetle vs. Bed Bug Differences

Both of these pests reproduce quickly, are small in size, and prefer to be inside your home. Thankfully, there are many differences that can help set the two apart:

• Carpet beetles devour fabrics like carpet, wool, and other natural materials.
• Bed bugs prefer to feed at night and get their name from their tendency to breed and live in mattresses or in and around beds.
• Carpet beetles are not blood-feeders and do not leave the bite marks that bed bugs do.
• It’s hard to see the signs of carpet beetles, which get inside through openings or spaces in the exterior of your property.

How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles

If you’ve spotted a carpet beetle in your home, or are having trouble differentiating it from a bed bug, it’s time to call a beetle exterminator. At The Bug Man, we treat both beetle and bed bug infestations. Our exterminators will identify the type of bug you are dealing with and apply treatment to ensure the infestation is controlled. Contact us today for a free quote!