It’s surprising how a tiny insect-like carpet beetle can wreak havoc on your home. These pests are notoriously difficult to remove. They will not only ruin your clothes, rugs, and carpets but might also cause an itch!
That begs the question: Do carpet beetles bite?
Carpet beetles don’t bite. Instead, they shed thousands of hairs that might cause an allergic reaction, commonly known as carpet beetle rash. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about carpet beetles and how to eliminate them for good.
The Myth of Carpet Beetle Bites
Carpet beetles are vicious little creatures that multiply rapidly in your home. The insects feed on organic fabrics and other debris found in your carpet. Getting bitten by carpet beetles is highly unlikely. If your house has carpet beetles, the most pressing issue would be the pests getting into your wardrobe and eating all your clothes! You might notice some bumps on your skin that resemble bites. The spots are allergies caused by carpet beetles.
Carpet Beetle Rash
An allergic reaction to carpet beetles is called carpet beetle rash. The rash occurs when your skin comes in contact with the beetle hairs! You don’t need to directly touch the carpet since the dander can get everywhere in your house. Usually, carpet beetle rash is mild. However, sensitive people might experience severe swelling. Additionally, the allergic reaction might extend to other systems, resulting in abdominal issues and difficulty breathing.
Rash signs of carpet beetles include the following:
- Itching
- Skin burning and irritation
- Rash that resembles bite marks
- Runny nose
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Hives
Carpet Beetle Rash vs Bed Bug Bites
It’s pretty common to mistake carpet beetle rash for bed bug bites. After all, both tiny insects can live in your home, specifically in your textiles. So, you can never really be sure which pest you might have. The first and most crucial difference between the two insects is that bed bugs bite, while carpet beetles don’t. Yet, the red, blotchy rash looks the same in both cases!
If you have bed bugs, you’ll probably find the bite marks in the morning, depending on your sleeping regime. You might even find blood on your pillow or sheets. On the other hand, carpet beetles don’t need to come in contact with your skin for the rash to show up. The symptoms vary from skin rash to coughing and sneezing.
How to Treat Carpet Beetle Rash?
Carpet beetle rashes are easy to treat. Unless you’re suffering from severe symptoms, the rash can disappear by using over-the-counter treatments such as:
- Vaseline
- Anti-itch creams
- Topical steroids
- Anti-histamines
How to Get Rid of Bed Bug Infestation on Your Mattress?
Carpet beetle rash can go away on its own once you remove the allergen. So, the rash will reappear if you don’t get rid of the insects. Moreover, prevention is the best treatment.
Conclusion
Carpet beetles don’t bite. Unlike other insects, carpet beetles feed on organic fabrics, animal fur, and other debris. Since these insects multiply quickly, they leave behind a lot of small hair, irritating your skin.
Many people confuse carpet beetle rash with bed bug bites. Yet, an allergic reaction from carpet beetles might cause you to cough, sneeze, or get gastrointestinal problems.
Luckily, carpet beetle rash will disappear once you remove the pests from your home, contact a pest control company to exterminate the carpet beetles, and then proceed to hot wash or steam all of your clothes, carpets, and rugs.
