Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Detection / Identification of bed bugs
Cast skin ID? [answer: carpet beetle]
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SemperPruritus
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 15:52:45
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Hi... wondering if anyone could please take a look at these... found one in a picture frame on the wall and another in the groove for a sliding closet door. Both had some dead ants around them. I have searched closer to the bed and not found any signs, but I have wall-to-wall carpet.
http://tinypic.com/r/ricfhl/5
http://tinypic.com/r/k9xj5l/5In the past I have found little bugs in the kitchen area (about this size) that looked somewhat bed-buggish, but they were bluish-black which led me to rule them out.
Any help is appreciated...
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oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 15:55:23
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Hi,
Its a carpet beetle cast skin.
Have a look at http://www.bed-bugs.co.uk/carpetbeetles.html
If you are experiencing skin reactions it could be the cause if you cant find:
- Live samples
- Cast skins
- Faecal traces
Hope that helps.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
diesel
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 15:55:45
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Looks like a carpet beetle to me. I am not an expert, but one will be along. Hopefully they will say I am right, and make me feel better about my hopefully improving ID skills. If I am right most homes have them, usually not a big issue. Either way an expert will be along shortly.
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diesel
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 15:56:53
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David beat me by 20 seconds. Glad I am right though. Thanks David...
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SemperPruritus
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 16:07:30
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Yes! My hunt for bed bugs has been triggered by my inexplicable itchiness and occasional "bites." I've been all over and around the bed with a flashlight and found nothing else. Thank you so much for your quick responses, by now you're probably quite aware of the relief that brings.
Still installing the passives that should arrive tomorrow, however.@David... btw, for some reason when I click on your link it takes me to a page identical to your home page. It has the right address in the browser bar, but it's essentially your home page. Could just be a quirk with my browser, but I thought I'd mention it.
@Diesel... looks like you were spot on. Nice work.
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oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 16:19:56
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Hi,
@SemperPruritus link correct now. Glad to hear you are on the right path though.
@Diesel congrats on a correct ID its nice to see people picking the skills up.
David
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diesel
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 16:29:00
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Nice to have a compliment from you David.
It is amazing when you start looking at your own stuff how many bugs you find and your brain automatically goes to the correct insect. This site may drive me crazy.
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oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 16:31:24
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diesel - 1 minute ago »
This site may drive me crazy. LOL some of us don't need the site for that we have customers
Credit where credit is due on the ID though.
David
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SemperPruritus
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 16:34:22
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Interesting reading up on the carpet beetle. Another bugger that seems to very good at hiding. I have a HEPA vacuum, I'm wondering if I should acquire a dry vapor steamer to augment that.
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oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 16:41:39
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Hi SemperPruritus,
If its Brachiating Urticaria due to carpet beetle hairs I would say save the money on a steamer and go for a "goodsphere" style air washer instead.
That having been said I was in a home today where I was using steam as part of the solution and to explain to the lady of the house I ran it over the taps in the bathroom. The level of dirt it lifted was embarrassing to say the least and by the end of the visit she said one was on her present list for the next special occasion. The right ones are great assets but like all good tools they are not too cheap.
David
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jduk
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 17:15:19
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LOVE steam cleaning. It is the most satisfying feeling ever, or perhaps I need to get out more ! Know what David means about taps, the gunk that harbours around them is disgusting but steaming flushes it all out and sterilises everything . Used mine so much it's starting to break down a bit but plan to purchase another one, also getting mini one for my office. Would ideally love a packtite but just going to have to sit that one out until available in uk and I inherit a fortune! Also looking into the goodsphere purifier as recommended by DC for my toxic office too. Gosh, can see how carpet beetle cast can be misidentified as bed bug. Phew! Bet your relieved. Jduk
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SemperPruritus
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 18:18:24
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jduk - 59 minutes ago »
Gosh, can see how carpet beetle cast can be misidentified as bed bug. Phew! Bet your relieved. JdukMost definitely, yes.
The Goodsphere looks like it's only available in the UK at the moment, but it seems they may ship to the US, probably going to write them and ask about that and whether or not it generates ozone, which is something I want to avoid. As for the steam cleaner, I'm probably going to put that on my wish list for someday down the line. I need to read up on the applications, it would be nice if it had a hardwood floor setting.
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oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 18:45:19
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Hi SemperPruritus,
I would search for the generic version which I found on eBay.
No they don't produce Ozone, literally all it does is draw the air through the device and cause it to pass through a curtain of water mist. Its one of those amazingly simple and yet fantastically effective devices.
We have used them when dealing with extreme chemical issues in peoples homes and also while sanding the floor boards. I smoke and when its on even people who are medically allergic to smoke can be in the same room during a party.
I simply cant rave enough about it which is so out of character for me (well unless its an obviously good idea that works (so maybe it is in character after all)).
David
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jduk
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Jan 12 2012 18:53:27
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Like the truth , hard wood steam cleaners are out there but you need to do your research.
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lovespets_hatesbugs
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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jan 22 2012 5:16:13
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HI there!
LIke you- I was convinced I had bed bugs. I live in Arizona. (US). I send a fuzzy cell phone pic to a local exteriminator. Initially he thought it was bed bugs- but whenhe came round to my place- and looked at the casings in person- he said No- definitely carpet beetle. I have vinyl floors- no carpet, but I do have pets. He said they are attracted to pet dander and pet food.
He advised me to clear up the bedroom- wash the bedding and use a bug bomb.
I am still laundering bedclothes in hot water and drying for about an hour.
Since it is NOT bedbugs- I will sleep in another room tonight.
The bites I got were stinging and painful and left raised welts on my skin. I can post pics if anyone is interested. The bug casing in your pic looks exactly like what I have as well.
Hopefully we can soon be bug free! -
oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jan 22 2012 8:41:15
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Hi,
If you have not done so yet don't deploy the bug bomb. As you will see if you read the document linked in the 2nd post of this thread its the larval skins that cause the reaction and they are already dead as it were.
Nothing to gain by trying to kill something that is already dead and its better for the environment and your health to only use chemicals when needed.
David
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