When I first noticed small holes in my wool jumper and itchy red marks on my skin, I immediately panicked—was it bed bugs?

After some digging (and a bit of a freak-out), I discovered that the real culprit wasn’t bed bugs at all—it was carpet beetles.

If you’re wondering “Do carpet beetles bite?” or “Are they harmful?”, you’re not alone. Let me walk you through everything I learned, based on my own experience, in this practical guide for UK households.

Are Carpet Beetles Harmful to My Health or Home?

The short answer? Yes—but not in the way you might think.

While carpet beetles don’t bite, their larvae can cause skin irritation. These tiny insects aren’t dangerous in the traditional sense (they don’t carry diseases), but they can wreak havoc in your home—and on your skin.

What Are the Health Effects of Carpet Beetles?

• I experienced small red, itchy bumps on my arms that looked like insect bites.
• After ruling out bed bugs and fleas, I discovered the real problem was carpet beetle larvae. The tiny hairs on their bodies can trigger allergic reactions, especially if you’re sensitive like I am.

How is Home Damage?

• They chewed holes through my wool clothing, a cotton cushion cover, and even started nibbling on a sheepskin rug.
• The worst part? I didn’t even notice until the damage was done.

Carpet beetles may be small, but the damage they can cause is big—both to your skin and your soft furnishings.

What Are Carpet Beetles and Why Are They in My Home?

Before this experience, I didn’t even know carpet beetles were a thing. Now I could even find one from all over the room.

What They Look Like?

• Adult carpet beetles are small (about 2–4 mm), oval-shaped, and often black with white, yellow, or brown patches.
• The larvae, which are the real troublemakers, are fuzzy, brownish, and slightly longer than the adults.

Where They Come From?

• I discovered they had entered through an open loft vent and made their way into my wardrobe.
• These beetles are attracted to natural fibres like wool, cotton, leather, and feathers.

Do Carpet Beetles Actually Bite?

Here’s the truth: carpet beetles don’t bite humans—but it sure can feel like it.

What Actually Happens?

• It’s the larvae, not the adults, that cause problems.
• They don’t bite or sting, but the microscopic hairs on their bodies can cause a skin reaction similar to bites. This is often called carpet beetle dermatitis.

I remember waking up with what I thought were bug bites, only to learn later they were allergic reactions caused by contact with larval hairs left on bedding and clothes.

What Does a Carpet Beetle Rash Look Like?

If you’re like me, you might confuse it with other insect bites at first. Here’s how I eventually told the difference:

What Are the Common Symptoms I Experienced?

• Red, itchy welts—mostly on arms, neck, or back
• Rash appeared in clusters or lines
• No new bites appeared after I washed bedding and cleaned the area

Table: Comparing Skin Reactions

Symptom	Carpet Beetle Rash	Bed Bug Bite	Flea Bite
Itchiness	Moderate to high	High	Very high
Appearance	Red rash, random patches	Small red bumps, in rows	Tiny red dots, ankles
Pain Level	Mild	Mild to moderate	Moderate
Other Symptoms	May cause dry skin or eczema	Often inflamed	Can scab over

I ended up treating my rash with antihistamines and hydrocortisone cream, which gave me some relief.

How Do I Know If I Have a Carpet Beetle Infestation?

I didn’t spot them right away—and that’s the problem. They’re sneaky.

Here’s how I realised I had an infestation:

What are the Signs I Noticed?

• Tiny holes in natural-fibre clothing and rugs
• Shed larval skins in corners of drawers and under the bed
• Adult beetles near window sills
• Fuzzy larvae crawling near skirting boards

Carpet beetles tend to hide in dark, undisturbed places, making it easy for them to go unnoticed.

How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles in the UK?

Once I realised what I was dealing with, I immediately started cleaning—and researching.

Here’s what worked for me:

What Are My Carpet Beetle Removal Strategy?

• Deep vacuuming – carpets, curtains, and under furniture
• Hot washing of all affected clothing and bedding
• Used insecticide sprays labelled for carpet beetles
• Sprinkled boric acid in corners and cracks (carefully, and kept pets away)
• Sealed cracks and fixed any open vents or window gaps

I tried to handle it myself, but honestly, calling in a pest control professional was the final step that gave me peace of mind.

Table Summary of Key Facts

Topic	Fact
Do they bite?	No – irritation comes from larvae hairs
Are they harmful?	Yes – allergic reactions + property damage
Where are they found?	Carpets, wardrobes, lofts, behind furniture
What do they damage?	Wool, cotton, leather, feathers
How to remove them?	Vacuuming, hot wash, insecticides, pest control

Final Thoughts: My Experience With Carpet Beetles

Dealing with carpet beetles taught me that not all bugs that cause skin reactions actually bite. These pests are sneaky, silent, and damaging—but if you know what to look for and how to respond, they’re very manageable.

What worked for me was a combination of:

• Awareness of symptoms
• Careful cleaning and home sealing
• And when in doubt, getting professional help

So if you’re dealing with strange rashes and mystery holes in your clothes, don’t ignore it—you might be sharing your home with carpet beetles.

Frequently Asked Questions On Do Carpet Beetles Bite

1. Can carpet beetles live in beds?

Yes—but they don’t live on your mattress like bed bugs. They may crawl over bedding or hide in box springs and headboards.

2. Do carpet beetles bite pets?

They don’t bite, but their hairs can irritate pet skin, especially dogs or cats with sensitive skin.

3. Are carpet beetles seasonal pests in the UK?

Yes. I noticed the most activity in spring and early summer, which is when adult carpet beetles start flying indoors to lay eggs.