Bedroom Mattress Worms - Identification & QUICK CONTROL

Before you go to sleep, the last thing you want to see is a crawling bed worm on your bed.

The mere sight of a bed worm scares you and robs you of sleep.

You’ll learn how to permanently eliminate bed worms in this post.

And all of this without paying a single cent to a pest control specialist!

But first, let us dispel a myth about bed worms.

What are Bed/Mattress Worms?

Many people believe that bed worms are a type of bug that infests your mattress.

That is not the case.

There is no such thing as a bed worm.

The term “bed worm” refers to the larvae of a few different bugs that you may encounter while sleeping.

Many people refer to them as maggots on the bed, which also refers to worm-like crawling bugs on the bed.

The majority of bed worms you see are larvae of carpet beetles or moths.

Adult worms and insects, on the other hand, can be found in your bed.

Adult worms hide in areas such as beneath the mattress, in headboards, and in the bed frame.

Due to their nocturnal nature, they may emerge during the night and congregate on your bed.

So, are you curious about the different types of bed worms that can live on your bed or upholstery furniture, and why?

If you answered yes, continue reading our next section.

Where Do Bed Worms Come From?

Baby moths or carpet beetles are bed worms. Warm, dark, and undisturbed areas, such as wool blankets, are ideal for these insects to lay their eggs.

Even if your bedding and mattresses are made of synthetic materials like polyester, if they contain a percentage of animal fabric, they will become infected.

If you have these insects at home, there’s a good chance you’ll have these worm-like babies in your bed as well.

Maggots, for example, feed on decaying organic matter such as animal carcasses. If you have a dead rat, bat, or lizard in your home, the bodies will attract larvae, which will lay eggs inside your home quickly.

ALSO SEE: Early Stage Fleas in Bed Signs

Types of Bedroom Mattress Worm

As previously stated, there is no such thing as a bed worm.

Bed worms are larvae that crawl up to your bed in search of food, specifically the fabric of the bedsheet and the dirt on it.

Thus, here are the two most common types of bed worms.

Carpet beetles are pests that feed on animal-derived fibers such as wool, silk, and fur. They are also capable of infesting leather shoes and upholstery.

Adult carpet beetles enter homes via open windows to lay eggs on animal products.

The carpet beetle larvae emerge from these eggs and crawl up onto your bed, feeding on the fabric.

The carpet beetle larvae are tiny, measuring 14 inches in length and covered in fine bristles. They are typically dark or brownish in color.

The carpet beetle larvae are the tiny black (or brownish) worms in the bed. Certain carpet beetle larvae may also be orange in color when combined with brown or black.

Threadbare spots on the fabric and molted (shed) skin on the infested fabric are significant signs of carpet beetle larvae infestation.

Many people confuse carpet beetle larvae’s molted skin with bed bug shells.

However, there is a significant distinction.

The primary distinction between a carpet beetle larva’s molted skin and a bed bug’s shell is that the bed bug’s shell is whitish and transparent.

In comparison, the carpet beetle larvae have a brownish skin.

Larvae of the carpet beetle cause no damage to synthetic fibers such as polyester, acrylic, or nylon.

Carpet beetle larvae are not attracted to synthetic fibers. However, they can wreak havoc on natural fibers such as cotton and blended fibers.

That is why many people observe these larvae on cotton bed sheets in their beds.

Another way carpet beetle larvae can end up on your bed is through previously infested clothing.

Larvae of the carpet beetle infest wool, silk, and fur garments that are not washed or worn frequently.

Carpet beetle larvae are also visible as small black or brown worms in carpets made of wool, silk, or woolen and silken blends.

These larvae can also make their way into your wardrobe and begin wreaking havoc on your pricey fabrics.

Do Carpet Beetle Larvae Bite People and Animals?

They do not. Carpet beetle larvae are completely harmless to humans and animals.

However, the larvae can make their way into your scalp and even into your ears.

They also do not spread disease. They are only capable of causing damage to animal fabrics and cotton.

Cloth moth larvae are more dangerous than carpet beetle larvae as bed worms.

Not because they are disease carriers or because they bite humans and pets.

However, clothes moth larvae cause damage to more than just fabrics.

Cloth moth larvae also infest grains and cereals that have been stored. That is why many classify them as pantry pests as well.

Clothes moth larvae (also known as clothing worms) can wreak havoc on unwashed and dirty synthetic and blended fabrics.

You do not want cloth moth larvae to make their way into your closet, wardrobe, or dresser drawers.

Scarves, woolen and fur coats, blankets, rugs, comforters, upholstery, and decorative items such as taxidermy mounts are all susceptible to damage.

Adult cloth moths, like adult carpet beetles, enter your home to lay eggs and eat clothing made of animal fibers.

They lay eggs not only on animal fibers, but also on open jars and containers containing grains of food.

However, how do they gain access to your bed?

Adult cloth moths, like adult carpet beetles, enter your home through open windows and doors.

However, they gain access to your bed by simply following their food source.

Keratin is found in the majority of natural fibers, including animal fibers.

Keratin is a fibrous protein that serves as the primary source of food for both carpet beetle and cloth moth larvae.

And how do cloth moth larvae appear?

These tiny worms range in color from cream to off-white and can reach a length of 12 to inches.

These larvae eventually develop an open-ended tubular case at the lower end of their bodies.

Wherever it crawls, it drags this tubular cocoon-like case behind it. This case is constructed entirely of materials that it has consumed.

That is why it appears to be a jumbled thread.

In comparison to carpet beetle larvae, cloth moth larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as closets, wardrobes, and drawer chests.

Clothes moth larvae also feed in an unusual manner.

They feed on the fabric’s folds and concealed areas such as the edges and underside of rugs.

They are more likely to infest the area beneath the rug or carpet.

Additionally, you’ll notice its brownish feces droppings on the fabric or clothing that they’ve ruined.

They avoid clothing that is frequently worn and do not infest rugs or carpets that are frequently walked on or vacuumed.

Have you ever wondered what those small white worms in your bed are? Pinworms are those worms.

And how did pinworms find their way onto your bed?

Although the reason is not particularly pleasant to hear, we will reveal it.

Pinworms, alternatively referred to as threadworms, are tiny parasitic worms that crawl out of the anus at night to breed and lay eggs on the bed.

These worms are contagious, and they can spread between people who share beds and towels.

Pinworms are typically identified by their tiny white worms crawling on the bed sheets.

Seeing a doctor is the best course of action for ridding the body of these parasitic worms.

To get rid of pinworms in bed, wash all clothing, bed linen, and towels in warm water.

If your pets have a habit of frequently entering your bed or sleeping with you, they can transfer fleas in bed.

Adult fleas will fall off your pets’ skin and seek refuge in the bed.

These fleas will conceal themselves in the minuscule gaps and crevices of the bed frame and mattress.

Fleas are primarily bloodsuckers on animals, but they will bite you if they do not have access to a host.

Additionally, the more blood meals fleas have, the more quickly they breed.

Biting fleas lay their eggs in the bed. And when these eggs hatch, you’ll notice flea larvae crawling across the bed like worms.

Flea larvae, which are extremely difficult to detect, also encounter small worms on the bed.

Types of Bed Worms

IYou might mistake small worm-like creatures in your bed for bed bugs or a bed bug larvae worm, which are far more common. Bed bugs, on the other hand, do not resemble worms, so here’s how to tell the difference.

Carpet beetle larvae are the tiny black worms in your bed. You might even notice their poop in your bed, which is as small as a grain of salt.

Some species have dense hair on their bodies, which may be mottled or striped in black and white.

Carpet beetles come in a variety of species, but they’re all likely to live on your mattress because it’s warm and provides a food source. Various carpet beetles, furniture carpet beetles, and black carpet beetles are among them.

Maggots, which can be cream or pale white, are most likely the white worms in your bed. This grub is drawn to rotting matter like garbage and lays eggs the size of rice grains.

Larvae do not feed on animal fabric naturally, so they cannot appear in your bed on their own. It’s more likely that your pets brought them to your bed on their own.

It’s also possible that the tiny white worms in your bed are pinworms, which are white but translucent.

Pinworms are intestinal parasites that can be found in the feces. They come out of the infected person’s anal cavity to lay eggs at night, so you might see them in your bed.

Flea larvae with off-white bodies and pale hairs could be the small white worms. They eat the feces of adult fleas, so your bedding and blankets are out of the question.

It’s possible that your pet is the main reason they end up in your bed.

Carpet beetles are the most common pests that appear in your bed as tiny brown worms. They come in a variety of colors, as previously stated, and their larvae come in a variety of colors.

The larvae of different carpet beetles have light and dark brown stripes, as well as a narrower front and wider back than other species. Clothes moth larvae can also be brown in color.

Cloth moth larvae come in a variety of colors, so orange worms are most likely cloth moth larvae. If you’re not sure what kind of worm you have in your bed, you can bring it to the National Pesticide Information Center for identification. Use this map to locate the nearest center to your location.

The larvae of another carpet beetle species, the furniture carpet beetle, can be found in your bed. They start out white and pale, but as they age, they darken and turn red or reddish-brown.

These larvae develop into beetles with black spots and white, yellow, or orange scales when they reach adulthood, which takes about 80-110 days.

Carpet beetle larvae that are turning from white to dark red are the most likely suspects here.

However, you should not rule out the possibility of other insects accidentally entering your bed. After all, your home isn’t a sealed environment where other creatures can’t get in.

It’s possible that they’re the larvae of other pests like click beetles. This is especially true if you discover them elsewhere in the house or only one of them in your bed.

What Is the Cause of Bed Worms?

There is no single cause of bed worms in bed. There are numerous.

This is because worms on your bed may be accidental intruders or may be attracted to something in your bed.

The following are the leading causes of bed worms in beds –

A filthy bed is the primary source of bedworms in the bed.

Let’s face it, the majority of bed worms would not be in your bed if they did not have a reason to be there.

And the primary reason for this is due to dirt and food stains. This is because these are the bed worms’ food sources.

Many of us have developed the habit of eating in bed. Food crumbs fall onto the bed while eating.

That, however, is not all. Occasionally, food stains make their way onto the bed.

These are food sources for bed worms, particularly the larvae of carpet beetles and cloth moths.

Once inside your bed, they will chew through the stained area of the bed sheet, causing holes.

If it is a carpet beetle larva, it can also cause significant damage to the bedsheet.

If your bed sheet is costly and made of delicate materials such as silk, the damage will be more extensive.

Not only do filthy beds attract bed worms, but they also attract adult bugs that can be a nuisance.

You’ll learn about the bugs that a filthy bed attracts later in the post.

A filthy, moist kitchen and bathroom

If you asked us what the top two factors that attract bugs and pests inside your home are, we’d say excessive moisture and a dirty kitchen and bathroom.

A filthy kitchen and bathroom with food wastes, organic wastes, and excessive moisture are prime real estate for all types of bugs.

Certain bugs, such as weevils and flour beetles, make their way into the kitchen pantry and bathroom. Additionally, they infiltrate bedrooms.

Even though these kitchen bugs’ larvae prefer to infest stored food, you might find them in your bed if it has food stains.

Cracks And Gaps In The Frames Of The Walls, Windows, And Doors

One of the most common entry points for bed-worm-producing bugs is through open doors and windows, as well as cracks and gaps in the walls.

You may also accidentally bring them into your home.

Adult carpet beetles, for example, can be found in potted plants brought into your home.

How To Get Rid Of Mattress Worms Forever

Fortunately, eliminating bed worms is a simple process.

And you won’t have to spend a dime to eliminate them.

You can get rid of them using household items and without using any insecticide spray.

Thus, without further ado, let us begin.

Step 1: Stop Adult Carpet Beetles And Cloth Moths From Entering Your Home

Bed worms will continue to invade your home if you do not prevent adult carpet beetles and cloth moths from entering.

Carpet beetles and cloth moths both gain access to homes through open doors and windows.

You cannot keep the doors and windows closed all year.

It is not possible.

However, if you know when carpet beetles and moths are most active, you can take preventative measures to keep them out of your home.

During the spring and summer, both carpet beetles and cloth moths are active.

That is when they breed and look for suitable locations to lay their eggs.

Between March and August, use window screens to keep carpet beetles and cloth moths out of your home.

Carpet beetles and cloth moths can enter your home in a variety of other ways.

It comes from the plants and items you bring into your home.

Adult carpet beetles can be found in plants and flowers brought in from the garden.

Cloth moths can be found in virtually any fabric or piece of furniture purchased from crowded stores such as thrift stores and garage sales.

Therefore, before bringing anything indoors from your garden or thrift stores, thoroughly inspect it for beetles and moths.

You’re likely to come across at least a few.

Step #2 – Seal Your Home’s Cracks And Crevices To Prevent Insects From Infiltrating

Cloth moths, carpet beetles, and a variety of other insects frequently enter your home through cracks and crevices.

Seal these cracks with a dependable, high-quality sealant.

Examine the exterior portion of the walls near the home’s foundation for cracks.

If you discover any, seal them immediately as they serve as an entry point for both roaches and termites.

Additionally, use a high-quality weather stripping door seal strip to minimize gaps between the floor and the door’s lower edges.

That is the point of entry for many insects from your yard or garden.

Additionally, inspect the windowsills for gaps and cracks. Seal them off if there are any.

Step #3 – Vacuum and Clean Your Mattress To Eliminate Bed Worms

When it comes to eliminating bed worms, there is no substitute for vacuuming.

Clover mites can be found in beds during the spring, and vacuuming is the best way to get rid of them.

Therefore, vacuum your bed, carpet, upholstery, and rugs to remove any bed worms that may be present and hiding.

Assure that you cover the bed’s edges and corners, particularly near the headboards.

Numerous larvae hide beneath the carpeted area beneath the furniture.

Therefore, it’s best if you pull up the section of carpet or rug beneath the furniture and vacuum that area as well.

Additionally, the edges and inseams of carpets, rugs, and bed mattresses serve as concealment areas.

Vacuum slowly over those areas to remove bed worms and eggs.

Ensure that the dirtbag from the vacuum cleaner is discarded outside your home.

If you store the dirtbag in a trash can inside your home, the bed worms may return to the location from which they were removed.

Step #4 – Dry Clean Your Animal Fabric Clothes

As you are probably aware, bed worms (larvae of carpet beetles and cloth moths) prefer fur, wool, silk, and leather clothing.

Dry clean these garments to remove any larvae or bed worms that may have been hiding in your expensive clothing.

Vacuum your wardrobe, closet, and chest drawers to eliminate any bed worms that may be hiding there.

After you’ve cleaned these areas, place some mothballs in them.

Adult cloth moths, carpet beetles, and their larvae are effectively repelled by mothballs. Your costly animal fabric garments will be protected from infestation.

Step #5 – Disinfect Your Laundry To Deter Bed Worms

Do not allow dirty laundry to accumulate for an extended period of time.

Bear in mind that even synthetic fibers attract bed worms when they become dirty.

Additionally, it is preferable if you do not eat in your bed.

Bed worms are also attracted to food droppings and edible oil stains on bedsheets.

Maintaining a clean bed goes a long way toward preventing bed worms.

Step #6 – Sprinkle Essential Oils Throughout Your Bed To Prevent Bed Worms From Crawling Into It

Essential oils are an excellent option for repelling bed worms.

Combine 1-2 ounces of eucalyptus or cinnamon cold-pressed natural essential oil and a cup of water in a spray bottle and spray around your bed and bed frame.

The strong methanol odor and insecticidal properties of essential oils are extremely effective at keeping bed worms away from your bed.

Do Bed Worms Bite?

Except for the flea larvae, the remaining bed worms are non-biting. They also do not transmit any diseases.

Bed worms, on the other hand, are not dangerous. However, in extremely rare instances, carpet beetle larvae can enter your ears or scalp.

Are Bed Worms Dangerous?

Because bed worms (i.e., moth and carpet beetle larvae) do not bite, they are not dangerous to humans. You shouldn’t be concerned about either of these parasites.

They don’t want to eat your blood or skin because they eat animal fibers.

If you don’t get rid of them before they mature into adults, they can get out of hand. Clothes moths eat wool carpets and blankets, as well as silk, fur, and feathers.

If the worm you found in your bed turns out to be a pinworm, you should be concerned because it is a parasite that affects humans.

Because it infects multiple people in the same household, you should see a doctor and have everyone in your family tested.

Do Bed Bugs Look Like Worms?

Bed bugs are insects with oval and flat bodies that look nothing like worms. Adults have tiny wings known as wing pads, but they are unable to fly with them.

They’re mostly brown, but because they feed on human blood, they can turn reddish when they eat.

Is Sleeping in Bed with a Worm-Infested Cat a Health Risk?

If your cat is infected with worms and sleeps in the same bed as you, you may contract them. Bed worms and other pest infestations can be caused by larvae from your cat’s fur being transferred to your bed.

Avoid sleeping in the same bed with your cat until it’s free of pests and worms, and you don’t see any worms in the cat bed.

Is It Dangerous If My Dog Has Worms and Sleeps in My Bed?

You can get worms from sleeping with a worm-infected dog. Humans can be infected by worms such as hookworm, tapeworm, and roundworm, which can cause health problems. If you notice dead worms in your dog’s bed, it’s a sign of infection that needs to be addressed.

Do Bed Bugs Start Out As Worms?

They do not. Bed bugs in their larval stage are not worms.

Neither are they larvae, as many people incorrectly believe.

Worms lack legs and instead crawl. Or their legs are so small that they serve no purpose other than to grip the surface while crawling.

By comparison, baby bed bugs, also known as nymphs, are a scaled-down version of adult bed bugs.

They, like adult bed bugs, have six legs.

Baby bed bugs are minuscule and transparent. They do not have the brownish red coloration of adult bed bugs.

After hatching from the egg, the first thing a baby bed bug does is look for a human host to feed on.

Without blood meals, baby bed bugs will starve to death. And they die if they do not receive blood meals for an extended period of time.

Other Types Of Insects and Worms That Can Land Up On Your Bed.

Your bed may contain more than just bed worms.

Bed crawlers include earwigs, millipedes, crickets, ants, and occasionally centipedes.

However, similar to bed worms, these insects are uninvited guests in your bedroom.

Millipedes invade your home when the weather outside becomes excessively wet or excessively dry.

As a result, millipedes are frequently seen inside homes following heavy rains or during the summer.

However, millipedes are outdoor insects. They are averse to remaining inside.

Millipedes enter your home during the summer in search of water and dampness. That is why they are drawn to bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.

However, they can infiltrate your bedroom as well, especially if your bedroom is adjacent to a bathroom.

Humans are not bitten by millipedes. However, when pricked, they release a foul-smelling fluid that can cause severe irritation to the eyes and skin.

Centipedes, on the other hand, enter your home during the winter to avoid the cold.

They come in search of warmth and food, which are provided by other insects living in your home.

Are house centipedes venomous? They do, but their fangs are incapable of penetrating your skin.

As a result, their bites are not vexing. They are also not venomous.

Finally, crickets, also known as bed hoppers.

However, your bed is not their preferred location. Crickets also prefer moist, dark environments.

However, why do crickets climb onto the bed?

Crickets, like cloth moths, consume textiles.

Crickets are attracted to dirt and food droppings on your bed. Once they’ve made their way onto your bed, they’ll chew on the bedsheet, leaving small holes in it.

However, they will not jump on you while you sleep with the lights turned off.

Millipedes, centipedes, and crickets are not bedbugs. They stumble onto your bed in search of food.

To learn more about crickets, visit our post here.

Conclusion

Bed worms are either carpet beetles or cloth moth larvae that crawl onto your bed and consume the fabric.

Additionally, your bed may contain pinworms and flea larvae.

The larva of the carpet beetle resembles a small black worm crawling across the bed. However, the carpet beetle larva can also be brown or orange in color.

Cloth moth larvae, pinworms, and flea larvae all resemble small white worms on the bed.

The cloth moth larva develops a tubular case at the rear over time. This case is constructed entirely of the fabrics upon which it has fed.

Adult carpet beetles and cloth moths make their way into your home in order to lay eggs.

The larvae are bed worms that feed on fabrics such as wool, fur, silk, cotton, and leather.

Their preferred fabrics are those made of animal fibers.

However, cloth moth larvae can cause damage to synthetic, blended, and cotton fabrics.

As a result, the cloth moth larvae is the most destructive bed worm.

We revealed how to get rid of bed worms in six simple steps in this post –

Adult carpet beetles and cloth moths should not be allowed to enter your home.
Seal crevices and cracks to keep adult carpet beetles and cloth moths out of your home.
Dry clean any clothing or fabric that contains animal fibers.
Vacuum your bed to remove any bed worms that may be hiding in it. Additionally, avoid eating in bed.
Do not allow dirty laundry to accumulate for an extended period of time. Bed worms are attracted to dirty laundry.
Sprinkle some essential oils on your bed to deter bed worms.

Additionally, three insects have been known to appear on beds on occasion. Earwigs, millipedes, centipedes, ants, and crickets are some of these insects.

Bedroom Mattress Worms – Identification & QUICK CONTROL