You are here:
- Home
- Science
- Insects/Spiders
- Entomology (Study of Bugs)
- bug skin in bed
Entomology (Study of Bugs)/bug skin in bed
Advertisement
Question
Hello. I have found shed skin of bugs at the bottom of sheets and on the bedskirt on a bed that no one currently sleeps in. They are very small and brownish in color. I also found small black dots around the shed skin. I looked and found NO live bugs anywhere around the bed, mattress, box spring, etc. There were not a ton of the shed skins, but enough for me to notice. I really hope these are not bed bugs. Is there anything else it could be? How are they getting food if no one sleeps in the bed? The sheets have likely not been changed in years. I found no blood stains. Could it be possible that there are really no live bugs around? Thanks so much for your help. I'm fearing the worst and going crazy!
When insects shed their skin, they empty their digestive system and that is what caused the dots you see around the cast skins.
As to what insect shed them is another story. Bedbugs are certainly a possibility, but not a certainty. Other possibilities include carpet beetle larvae or silverfish. Only bedbugs can bite people.
If you have pictures of these cast skins, please email them to nlriggs92@yahoo.com.
N
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you so much for your response. I had an Orkin man come for a free estimate, and he identified them as carpet beetles and earwigs. We found a couple of live bugs with a thorough search of the mattress. I will vacuum them and cover them with mattress covers. Do you think this is sufficient? Thanks again! | ||
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Nathan Riggs
Expertise
I currently live in San Antonio, TX and have expertise in identifying insects, many types of spiders, and other arthropod critters that infest lawns, ornamentals, structures, trees, pets and livestock. Mites are not a strong point of mine. I'm not a licensed doctor, so I cannot provide medical diagnosis of conditions possibly related to insects or other arthropods. If you've got an interesting photo for me to see, let me know and I'll give you my email so the picture will get to me. If you have hosted an insect photo on a website, please include the link so I can go look at it and provide a faster ID for you. Don't forget...you can now attach pictures to your questions as well!
Experience
19 Years' Experience as an entomologist: 5 years as a biologist with Merck Animal Health and 7 years as an Integrated Pest Management(IPM)Specialist in San Antonio, Texas with Texas Cooperative Extension.
Publications
Veterinary Parasitology, Southwestern Entomologist, San Antonio Express News, San Antonio Gardener Newsletter
Education/Credentials
BS - Entomology from Texas A&M University in 1992.
Board Certified Entomologist, 1996-2000 - Medical and Veterinary Entomology Specialty (Entomological Society of America)
Awards and Honors
2000 Texas A&M University Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence for leadership on the Texas Fire Ant Program Educational Team.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.