Bed Bugs vs. Carpet Beetle Larvae:

Why Misidentification Could Cost You

Pest Expert Matthew S. Hess – 06/25/25

You wake up with itchy red welts. You find something on your sheets. Your first thought? Bed bugs. Naturally. But before you toss your mattress and panic, or start Googling bed bug treatments, take a deeeeep breath and calm down…because it might not be bed bugs at all.

At Four Seasons Pest Solutions, we regularly get calls from people convinced they have a bed bug infestation and many who have been told by other pest companies that they do… only to discover, upon inspection, that the real culprit is something else entirely: carpet beetle larvae.

These two pests might seem similar on the surface, but they’re worlds apart in behavior, biology, and the kind of treatment they require. And, misidentifying them can lead to unnecessary costs, frustration, and ongoing skin irritation that won’t stop until the actual source is eliminated.

Here’s how to tell them apart—and why calling Four Seasons Pest Solutions is your best first step.

Who’s Who?

Bed Bugs – The Bloodsuckers

Species: Cimex lectularius
Appearance: Adults are oval, flat, reddish-brown; nymphs are pale and tiny
Habitat: Bed seams, baseboards, behind headboards, in furniture, in personal items, and more
Feeding: Blood, and only blood
Activity: Nocturnal feeders; bites in clusters or rows. Hitchhikers

Bed bug nymph cast exoskeleton

Carpet Beetle Larvae – The Fuzzy Fabric Chewers

Species: Anthrenus spp., Attagenus spp.
Appearance: Small, fuzzy, bristle-covered larvae; tan to dark brown
Habitat: Under carpets, behind furniture, in closets or ducts, on fabrics, including beds and bedding
Feeding: Natural fibers like wool, silk, feathers, pet hair, etc.
Activity: Active during the day; shed skins are often found in corners, around the bottoms of furniture, etc.

Carpet beetle larva

Despite having completely different diets, both pests can leave behind signs that confuse homeowners, and sometimes even inexperienced pest control technicians. Once the difference is clearly pointed out, it isn’t so difficult to tell them apart. These pictures are, of course, displaying a much larger specimen than would be experienced in the real world, making the difference seem obvious.

🤔 Why the Confusion?

Here’s where it gets tricky. Carpet beetle larvae don’t bite, but their tiny hairs can cause allergic skin reactions that look like bug bites. Combine that with their love of hiding in linens, beds, and many similar places as bed bugs, and it becomes easier to understand the misidentification, especially among the untrained. Furthermore, carpet beetle larvae can look very similar to the nymph stage of bed bugs. When you start putting 2 and 2 together, bed bugs may be the issue upon first glance, and many untrained professionals make this same mistake, especially if they do not perform a thorough inspection, so don’t feel bad if you do too!

The Four Seasons Pest Solutions difference is that our Certified Service Specialists ARE trained, DO know the difference, and WILL inspect thoroughly. That way, you won’t be stuck paying for a bed bug treatment when you need a carpet beetle treatment, or vice versa.

At Four Seasons Pest Solutions, our trained technicians know the difference, and we don’t guess. We inspect, identify, and verify before we treat.

How We Identify the Right Pest

When you call us, we go beyond surface-level guesses. Our team can often identify the problem over the phone with a few simple facts that you provide and a picture or two of the culprit. Honestly, it isn’t rocket science, it’s just good training!

When our staff arrive to identify your problem, here’s what we’ll do:

✅ Perform a detailed inspection of your home

✅ Collect samples (live pests, shed skins, droppings)

✅ Use magnification and pest ID techniques to determine the species

✅ Create a customized treatment plan based on exactly what we find

✅ Implement the program and follow it through to the end

✅ Offer a long-term preventative option

✅ Provide optional warranties

Treating for bed bugs when you actually have carpet beetles? That’s not just ineffective—it’s a waste of your money. Treating for carpet beetles when you have bed bugs won’t get the job done. You need a company you can trust and a warranty you can fall back on… You need Four Seasons!

The Cost of a Wrong Diagnosis

Misidentifying Carpet Beetles as Bed Bugs:

Expensive and unnecessary bed bug treatments
Stress and anxiety over a problem that isn’t there
Ongoing irritation with no resolution

Misidentifying Bed Bugs as Carpet Beetles:

Delay in proper treatment
Infestation spreads to other rooms or other homes
Cost of more aggressive future treatment

With pests, early and accurate identification is everything. The sooner you call Four Seasons, the faster we can get your home and your peace of mind back.

Don’t Guess. Let Four Seasons Pest Solutions Handle It.

We get it, finding bugs or carpet beetle larvae in your bed is alarming. However, the right solution starts with proper identification and ends with the best treatment. Whether you’re dealing with carpet beetles, bed bugs, or something else entirely, we’ll get to the bottom of it with science, experience, and care.

Think You May Have Bed Bugs or Carpet Beetle Larvae? Call Now!

And remember, it’s okay to live among pests… but you don’t have to live with them!