Carpet Beetle Bed Bug Husks

Bed bugs and carpet beetles are both very small.

Carpet beetle bed bug husks.

Food and sweat stains on fabrics can attract carpet beetles. Differences between bed bugs and carpet beetles. However the carpet beetle is the smallest of the two and averages 1 8th of an inch in length while the bed bug is about 1 4th of an inch long. Search stored food containers and clean shelves with a mild household cleaner.

Bed bugs on the other hand don t have larvae. If you find the fuzzy carpet beetle larvae or their shed skins in kitchen cabinets or drawers then the infestation is probably in food storage pantry. The carpet beetle and bed bug not only leave similar looking bites but there are other similarities. They become bigger and bigger during their lifespan but never metamorphose as the carpet beetles do.

As the larvae grow they leave empty hairy cast skins or husks which are often the first sign of carpet beetle attack figure 7. Clean carpet beetle prone areas frequently. Treat spills and stains immediately as well. Vacuuming carpeting and washing your clothes and other fabrics frequently at least once every 2 or so weeks is the best way to prevent a carpet beetle infestation.

Bed bugs don t have wings. Carpet beetles are well beetles. Look for holes in clothes and fabric woven furniture to begin identifying these critters. Carpet beetles like to live out of sight and feed on the natural fibers in fabrics even living off carpet fibers that are 90 percent synthetic.