Some pests are incredibly mysterious. It can be hard to figure out where they’re coming from, why they’ve shown up, and how to eliminate them. These kinds of insects and creatures can cause residents a lot of stress and cost a lot of money, trying to deal with them on their own. Bed bugs and carpet beetles are among the most puzzling critters in Springfield.
Bed bug and carpet beetle appearance and the signs they leave have enough similarities to where people can confuse them. But these two pests are quite different. They have distinctive looks, traits, and risks. It’s important to be able to tell them apart so you can handle them accordingly. Learn the differences between them and how American Pest Solutions can save you from both.
Bed Bugs Versus Carpet Beetles: Appearance & Behavior
Bed bugs have three body segments and six legs. Their heads have two antennas and are circular. Their midsection is unusually shaped and small. Their bottoms are large and round. Adults are reddish-brown. Young bed bugs are translucent. Adult bed bugs are typically no larger than ¼ of an inch long. Bed bugs feed on blood to survive, so they go where humans and animals are. This includes public places, such as hotels, bus stations, schools, or offices. You can unknowingly bring them home in your clothes and personal belongings. From there, they’ll nest in:
- Upholstery
- Laundry
- Flooring
- Wallpaper
- Appliances
- Electronics
- Mattresses
- Box Springs
- And More
Bed bugs will leave blood spots, reddish-brown smears, and black or brown fecal smudges on sheets. If you see any of this, you probably have an infestation. Naturally, finding red itchy bumps on your body is an indication they’re around.
Carpet beetles are 3/64 to 5/32 of an inch long. Their oval bodies are patterned and can be yellow, orange, black, or white in color. Their larvae are brown or black, and hairy and slightly bigger than the adults at 63/64 of an inch long.
Carpet beetles enter properties through open windows or doors, or by infested objects brought inside. They inhabit and eat away at the following:
- Rugs
- Clothes
- Felt
- Silk
- Wool
- Leather
- Bedding
- Upholstery
- Pollen
- Plants
- Seeds
If humans come in contact with larvae, they could experience skin irritation or develop a rash. A breakout may resemble bed bug bites. In addition to this, simply seeing carpet beetles is the greatest sign of infestation. Larvae crawl and shed skin on surfaces. The adults are drawn to light, so you may catch them flying near windows and lamps.
Bed Bugs Versus Carpet Beetles: Prevention
These precautionary measures will help with bed bugs:
- Regularly check mattress seams, springs, and boards using a flashlight.
- Inspect drawers, laundry piles, electronics, and bags.
- Inform hotel staff if you see bed bugs, and relocate to non-adjacent room.
- When traveling, put your luggage in a protective cover.
- Check your luggage when you’re back from a trip. Wash your clothes with hot water, and dry them with high heat for 20 minutes.
- Look over second-hand items before buying them.
To ward off carpet beetles, take these actions:
- Routinely clean and/or vacuum upholstery, fabrics, and rugs.
- Check greenery and second-hand furniture before bringing them indoors.
- Call American Pest Solutions if you have other insects they can consume; they eat dead bugs.
Bed Bug & Carpet Beetle Control: American Pest Solutions
American Pest Solutions has been in operation for over 100 years. We have bed bug and carpet beetle extermination down to a science. These are the type of critters that are resistant to ordinary insecticides and they reproduce quickly.
Our specialized, high-grade treatments are thorough and tough. For bed bugs, we have K-9 dogs that will sniff them out where humans miss them. We use industry-standard vacuums and/or non-chemical products. And our liquids, sprays, and tools designed for carpet beetles will surely get the job done. Call today for a free evaluation!