That s because bed bugs always look the same but there are a lot of carpet beetle species.
Size carpet beetle vs bed bug.
They look like tiny furry caterpillars whereas the bed bug larvae look a lot like the larger versions but just very small.
The biggest difference is in size.
Carpet beetles are small and they only reach up to 1 8 of an inch in length.
Bed bugs have thick antennae arranged in four segments.
The carpet beetle and bed bug not only leave similar looking bites but there are other similarities.
But the main difference is that the varied carpet beetle does not feed on blood.
Sometimes they could grow to the size of a ladybug.
Immature bed bugs are similar to adult about the size of a poppy seed and yellowish white in color.
Carpet beetles will also feed off the felt under furniture and lamps and inside musical instrument cases.
Bed bugs measure of an inch long.
You ve noticed that carpet beetles length varies a lot while bed bugs are always the same length.
Carpet beetles are generally smaller than bed bugs.
About 1 5 inch long.
However the carpet beetle is the smallest of the two and averages 1 8th of an inch in length while the bed bug is about 1 4th of an inch long.
One big difference between bed bugs and carpet beetles that can help you determine which pest you re dealing with is that bed bugs go through an incomplete metamorphosis while carpet beetles go through a complete metamorphosis.
Their membranous wings are covered by a hard exterior shell.
An important detail when understanding the difference.
The first notable difference is that of size as bed bugs are twice as big as carpet beetles.
Carpet beetles are also small in size but the significant difference between them is their size.
Carpet beetles on the other hand measure between 1 16 of an inch and 1 8 of an inch long.
Nymphs are immature bed bugs that are similar to adult bed bugs but are smaller and lighter in size and color.
The second difference and the biggest nuisance is the fact that bed bugs feed on human blood while carpet beetles feed on animal fibers.
The official name for the varied carpet beetle is anthrenus verbasci they are small about 3mm in length and flat in their shape.
Also once magnified the varied carpet beetle larvae actually look like tiny furry caterpillars with little spines on them whereas the bed bug larvae look like little worms.
Bed bug larvae look like little worms while carpet beetle larvae look like fuzzy bugs with little spines all over them.
Bed bugs and carpet beetles are both very small.
Carpet beetles typically have 11 segments to their antennae which are shaped like a club.
Reddish brown flattened and oval in shape.
Carpet beetles often confused with bed bugs are small pests that can cause a large amount of damage if left untreated attracted to natural fibers carpet beetles can damage carpets furniture and clothing.