The eggs of other insects, like moths or carpet beetles, make up most of these worm-like creatures. And, contrary to popular belief, they are not exclusively found on beds. Because they feast on natural fabrics like silk and wool, these larvae end up in your bed to consume your bedsheets. They’re scary to look at, but they’re not deadly unless you’re allergic to their bites.
What are the causes of bed worms?
Bed worms are more prone to infest bedding and blankets made from cotton, wool, leatherette, or anything made of felt, feathers, or fur. This is due to the presence of keratin, a fibrous substance that textile moth larvae enjoy eating.
Larvae in Bed
The carpet beetle is yet another insect that prefers to place its legs on mattresses, in addition to fabric moths. And though the individuals do not eat animal fabric, the larvae do. As a result, the deposit their eggs in areas where the larvae will have lots of food and will be able to grow up. Open windows and doors allow these insects to enter your home. After that, they pursue their instincts and find natural food sources, which leads them to your bed.
Types of bed worms
You might mistake small worm-like animals in your bed for bed bugs or even an insect pest larvae worm that are far more frequent. On the other hand, bed bugs do not resemble worms, so here’s how to tell the difference.
Small Orange Worm in Bed
Cloth moth larvae come in various colors; thus, orange worms are most likely cloth moth larvae. If you’re unsure what kind of worm you have in your bed, you can bring that one to the National Pest Resource Centre for identification. Are using this map to locate the nearest center to your location.
Little Red Worm in Bed
The larvae of some other carpet insect species, the furniture carpet beetle, can be found in your bed. They start white and pale, but they darken and turn red or reddish-brown as they age. When they reach adulthood, these larvae develop into insects with black spots on white, yellow, and orange scales, which takes about 80-110 days.
Small Pink Worm in Bed
They don’t want to consume your blood and skin since they eat animal fibers. If you don’t get out of them before they mature into adults, they could get out of hand. Clothes moths consume wool carpets and blankets, as well as silk, fur, and feathers. If indeed the worm you find in your bed turns out to be quite a pinworm, you should be concerned because it is a parasite that affects humans. Because HPV affects multiple people in the same household, you should see a doctor and get everyone in your family checked.
Where do bed worms originate?
Moths are attracted to carpets and clothing, and they are more likely to lay eggs onto a fabric that has been soiled by liquid spills or sweat. The female butterfly lays lots of eggs throughout her lifeand carefully places them in areas where they will survive. The moth’s larvae feed on natural fibers, which is why you may see what appear to be bed worms on your mattresses and bedsheets. Worms in Specific Places on the Bed Depending on where the bed worms are found, you may need to use different methods to get rid of them.
Bed Sheets with Tiny Worms
Applying heat to a bit of worm on the bed (larvae & eggs) is the most effective technique to destroy them all at once. So, either machine wash or dry clean your bedsheets. Then, hang them in the air under the sun to make sure there’s nothing left. You should also go over all of your bed linens, rugs, and anything else made with animal products. If an item can’t be dry-cleaned or washed, place them in a plastic bag, freeze it for two days, and kill its eggs and larvae.
Bed Worms Bite
Symptoms and Treatment (Allergies) Carpet beetle and fabric moth larvae do not bite, although they can induce allergic reactions. This is due to hair-like bristles in their skins, which can produce rashes, skin irritation, or hives when in touch with skin. The hairs also can fly into the respiratory tracts, creating allergy-like symptoms such as a stuffy nose and irritated eyes. However, after the bed worms are gone, the allergic reactions & symptoms will fade away.
Natural remedies for bed worm removal
Diatomaceous earth
This powder, which is a natural bed worm killer, is created from fossilized algae leftovers. It desiccates the insect, dehydrates it, and kills it by absorbing the oils and lipids from its exoskeleton. DE of food grade should be sprinkled on the bedding, in crevices and cracks, and all around the bed. Additionally, it can be used in vacuum cleaner bags to aid with bed worm extermination.
Plant oils
Thymol and peppermint are examples of plant-based essential oils that can be used to cure contaminated cloth. A word of caution, though: Before applying an essential oil, test it on a discreet, small section of fabric. Some oils have the potential to harm or discolor surfaces.
Conclusion
While many people mistake bed worms for bed bugs, they are not the same. Like carpet beetles and textile moths, the larvae feed upon the animal fabric and are known as bed worms. These tiny worm-like larvae come in various colors, including white, milky, orange, brown, black, or red. While they cannot bite people, their skin bristles can irritate the skin and eyes, causing allergic responses. All the larvae can be killed by washing the bed linens in hot water or cleaning them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it a tough job to get rid of bed worms?
Yes, it is tough to some extent because they are not gone easily.
- Do bed worms have any type?
Yes, they are different types. But there is not much difference between them.