You wake up to a rash on your skin and lots of tiny little bumps. Immediately, your mind considers the worst: You have bed bugs! But are those tiny little bumps bed bug bites? You run to the internet for answers but, when you're done, you're left scratching your head, along with the itchy bumps. It can be difficult to tell the difference between bed bug bites and a carpet beetle rash if you don't know what characteristics to look for. Fortunately, we have some expert advice for you. Here's how you can tell the difference between a carpet beetle rash and bed bug bites, as well as a few other helpful tips for figuring out which of these pests have gotten into your Jasper home.
Are These Bed Bug Bites?
If you're being bitten by bed bugs, there are a few things you should consider. First of all, bed bugs don't bite; they drink. A bed bug uses its mouthparts to draw blood out of your skin. When it does, it administers an anticoagulant. This anticoagulant thins your blood so the process of drawing your blood is painless. It is so painless, you'll sleep right through several feedings from several bugs. When this happens, you'll wake up with more than one bite, and these bites will have a few characteristics:
- Bed bug welts look like bites. If you look closely at a wound created by a bed bug, it will have a clear center. This center will look darker than the rest of the welt.
- Bed bug bites are associated with a rash. This rash will be around the bites, rather than the bumps being a part of the rash.
- Bed bugs usually feed three times. If you see three bites in a line or zigzag pattern, you can rule out carpet beetles.
- Bed bugs usually feed in a group. If you see several bites on your skin that follow a path, you likely got bitten by bed bugs.
- Bed bug bites are sometimes on a raised area of skin that is inflamed.
- Bed bug bites often occur on areas of the skin that are exposed during sleep, not areas that are compressed against your sheets, pillowcase, or bedding.
Do I Have A Carpet Beetle Rash?
When carpet beetle larvae feed on your sheets or bedding, they can come in contact with your skin. This contact can produce an allergic reaction. The result is a bumpy rash. If you only come in contact with one or two larvae, you may only have a small bumpy rash. But contact with several larvae can cause a large rashy area. Here are a few facts to consider about carpet beetle rashes:
- The bumps will not look like bites. There will be no clear center.
- The bumps will appear randomly on your skin, not in a path, line, or zigzag pattern.
- The bumpy rash will be on a part of your skin that came in contact with a pillowcase, sheet, or blanket with natural fibers. Silk and wool are two common targets of carpet beetle larvae.
Other Ways To Tell You Have Bed Bugs
If you have bed bugs in your bed, you're likely to find them in your bed. Inspect your pillowcases, sheets, bedding, mattress, box spring, and bed frame. Pay close attention to creases, compacted spaces, and recesses. Bed bugs prefer tight spaces. Try dragging a credit card along the seams of your mattress and box spring. This can reveal evidence that is tucked inside.
You're looking for:
- Tiny pale, tan, or reddish-brown insects
- Black specks of feces
- Black patches
- Tiny white eggs
- Brown blood stains
- Shed insect skins
Other Ways To Tell You Have Carpet Beetles
If you have carpet beetles inside your bed, it is likely that you'll be able to find them in your bed. Inspect your pillowcases, sheets, and bedding. If you find hairy grubs attached to the fabrics, you have a carpet beetle infestation. Another way to detect carpet beetles is to look for the beetles crawling around inside your home.
What To Do When You Find Bed Bugs Or Carpet Beetles
If you find either of these pests in your Jasper home, remember that Action Pest Control is always available to assist you with industry-leading home pest control solutions. Reach out to us for immediate answers, assistance, and bed bug control. We're standing by to help.
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