We get a lot of calls from people who found a small bug in their bed and assumed the worst. Sometimes it’s a bed bug. Sometimes it’s a carpet beetle or a bat bug. Each one needs a different fix, so it pays to know the difference.
Bed bugs
- About 1/4 inch long, the size of an apple seed
- Flat, oval, reddish-brown body; rounder and redder after feeding
- No wings
- Feed only on blood, mostly at night
- Found in mattress seams, headboards, couches, and recliners
Carpet beetles
- Adults are smaller and rounder than bed bugs, with a hard shell and a spotted pattern of white, brown, and yellow
- Adults can fly and are often found near windows
- Larvae are fuzzy, brown, and bristly
- They don’t bite or drink blood. They eat wool, fabric, pet hair, and lint
- Their larvae’s tiny hairs can irritate skin, which can look like bites
Bat bugs
- Look almost exactly like bed bugs; you usually need a magnifying glass to tell them apart
- Have longer hairs on the area just behind the head
- Live near bats in attics, chimneys, and wall voids
- Will bite people when bats leave or are removed, often in homes near the attic
- Treating for bed bugs alone won’t fix it. The bats have to be removed and the entry points sealed
Quick comparison
| Bed bug | Carpet beetle | Bat bug | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bites people | Yes | No (larvae can irritate skin) | Yes, when bats are gone |
| Shape | Flat, oval | Round, hard shell | Flat, oval |
| Flies | No | Yes (adults) | No |
| Where found | Beds and furniture | Closets, rugs, windowsills | Near attics and bat roosts |
| Fix | Bed bug treatment | Deep cleaning and general pest control | Bat removal plus treatment |
Not sure what you found?
Put the bug in a sealed bag or on a piece of clear tape and save it. We’ll identify it during your inspection.
Book an inspection with Tulsa Bed Bug Specialist. Inspections are $49–$99, depending on home size and location.
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