While bed bugs love to bite the truth of the matter is that carpet beetles do not bite.
Allergic reaction carpet beetle rash vs bed bug bites.
If only one person in the bed is getting bites or a rash it s more likely that you have.
However rashes from bed bugs are from bites while rashes from carpet beetles are from allergic reactions.
How can you tell.
This saliva causes an allergic reaction in some people which registers as raised red welts that itch.
Bed bug bites are actual bites.
Adult carpet beetles do not bite or even eat up fabrics however there larvae form isn t as courteous.
Another reason why bites alone are not an accurate way of diagnosing an insect problem.
The allergic reaction is so bad in fact that it s hard to tell the difference between both.
Carpet beetles can also leave red bumps on your skin but they aren t bites.
Because carpet beetle larvae can cause an allergic reaction to some people when the larvae s hair or dead skin gets in touch with our skin.
Most importantly though the hair or bristles of the larva s abdomen and the traces of the insect s blood are causing an allergic reaction to people resulting in a rash that resembles bed bug bites.
In fact what appears to be carpet beetle bites is an allergic reaction due to the hair bristles fur of the carpet beetle larvae.
Bed bug bites are itchier and the carpet beetle s rash is more painful.
The bug injects anesthetic and anticoagulant into your skin with its mouth to ensure a quick feeding that won t disturb your sleep.