Carpet beetle larvae are a nuisance in the home but they are not directly dangerous to humans.
Fuzzy bugs in carpet.
Most people experience some sort of allergic reaction when they come into contact with carpet beetle larvae.
They have short antennae and round bodies and might also have irregular brown orange and white scales or be solid brown or black.
All have a larval stage that appears fuzzy or hairy.
Bed bugs bite but carpet beetles eat natural fibers like wool blankets.
Sometimes they look like a black and yellow ladybug.
The only difference being in their coloration pattern.
Adult carpet beetles can live both indoors and out but females prefer to lay eggs where larval food sources are abundant.
However their larvae are covered with a fuzzy coat which is what causes the offending marks.
They hatch more quickly in warmer weather.
They leave their molted skins behind so you might find small piles of fuzzy skins in infested pantries closets or drawers.
There are at least four different dermestid carpet beetles that invade homes.
Identification of carpet beetles.
All are less than 1 4 long some only 1 8 some are a uniformly dark color while others have brown white or black scales on their back.
These pests enter homes through doors windows and similar entrances.
Bed bug larvae look like little worms while carpet beetle larvae look like fuzzy bugs with little spines all over them.
Three species of carpet beetles look very similar the black carpet beetle is the most common.
Carpet beetles are covered in tiny hairs which are difficult to see unless you look at them under magnification.
Some live inside the nests of birds or other animals and can live in walls or chimneys.
It is easy in this case to assume that they experienced bed bugs bites.
1 carpet beetles are attracted to you when you are sleeping because of the co 2 gas you exhale 2 carpet beetles are very shy so they are hard to find and 3 carpet beetles also usually come out in the wee hours of the morning.
Carpet beetles are generally smaller than bed bugs.
Carpet beetles vary in color depending on type e g varied black furniture or common carpet beetles.
Varied carpet beetles do have brown on their backs but they look more spotted or striped with white and light colored patches mixed with brown.
They can also be brought in by way of cut plants and flowers.
Female carpet beetles lay around 100 soft white eggs in concealed places that hatch in eight to fifteen days.
They tend to live inside fabric furniture or deep inside carpets so look for damage to area rugs around the edges and to carpets along base boards.
Just like bed bugs.
Carpet beetles themselves do not bite.
Carpet beetle larvae are elongated and appear to be fuzzy or hairy.
This is a carpet beetle larva a common household pest that feeds on organic animal fibers like wool feathers shed pet hair and shed human hair.
