How to tell if you have bed bugs or carpet beetles

In addition to the appearance of their larval stage, bed bugs and carpet beetles exhibit very different behaviors:

• Carpet beetles devour fabrics like carpet, wool, and other natural materials.
• Bed bugs are often seen in beds or nearby where people rest
• Bed bugs feed on blood and leave red, itchy bites on people.

Bed bugs vs. Carpet Beetles

By looks alone, carpet beetles and bed bugs look a lot alike. They are both oval-shaped and tiny in size, but their similarities end there! Carpet beetles vary in color, have short antennae, and are typically a smaller size than the bed bug.

Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, flat, and the size and shape of an apple seed. You can also see their eyes up close, while it’s hard to see eyes on carpet beetles. The biggest difference is in each specimen’s larvae: Bed bug larvae look like longer, thinner worms while carpet beetle larvae look like tiny fuzzy caterpillars.

Do carpet beetles bite like bed bugs?

Only bed bugs bite. Carpet beetles do not bite. Bed bugs are infamous for their bites, which happen at night and can leave a victim with red, itchy marks. This is because bed bugs feed on blood. Carpet beetles do not, but they have been known to cause bumpy itchy rashes from the fibers on larvae. Because the activity of both of these insects can result in similar rashes, it’s important to seek medical attention for help when you have a reaction.

Bed bugs or carpet beetles in Knoxville

These two insects may look similar and cause similar symptoms, but they are quite different. Bed bugs are much more feared than carpet beetles because they pose more of a threat to your household. If you are having difficulty identifying which pest you are dealing with, it’s best to enlist the expertise of a bed bug control company.