National Pest Management Month
04/15/2019
Spring is here and The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is recognizing National Pest Management Month each Ap...
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For some, it is hard to tell the difference between these two bugs. Not because they look similar, but because the symptoms of carpet beetles resemble those of bed bugs. Carpet beetles can leave welts on your body while you're sleeping, and they are more than happy to crawl up into your nice warm bed with you. The major difference is carpet beetles don't feed on you for your blood. If they're biting you, it is only because you're squishing them between your body and the mattress. You'd bite someone too if they did that to you. Right?
Why are carpet beetles in my bed?
If you have beetles in your bed, there is a pretty good chance they are feeding on your blankets, sheets, or the hair on your body. These beetles eat wool, silk, hair, feathers, and fur. They might also eat plants, grains, pet foods, spices, and even books.
So how do I tell the difference between carpet beetles and bed bugs?
Though they don't use them much, carpet beetles have wings; bed bugs do not. Carpet beetles also look a little like lady bugs, only their shell has brown, black, or white patches. Bed bugs are a nasty rust brown and look like a tick with six legs.
Is there a way to control carpet beetles?
Yes. Here are a few ways you can deter carpet beetles.
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Kill carpet beetles by dry cleaning your clothes or running them through a hot dryer.
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Dusting and vacuuming carpets, furniture, and pantry shelves on a regular basis will reduce food sources and breeding sites.
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Brightly lit rooms and bright fabrics will drive larvae away.
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Always check flowers and plants for pests before bringing them into your home.
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Store food sources in plastic bags or plastic containers.
How do I get rid of carpet beetles?
This is a hard bug to get rid of. Get connected to a pest management company. They are trained to safely eradicate these and other invasive pests. They might even find other bugs in your home that have been plaguing you for years. Routine inspections, modern pest exclusion methods, and a limited and focused use of pesticides will keep your home bug-free and make life a whole lot more pleasant.
