- Dust mite allergy (itchy skin, eczema flares, sneezing or a blocked nose, worse in bed and on waking).
- Carpet beetle larvae (itchy rash from their hairs).
- Fleas (bites round the ankles, usually with pets).
- Booklice, bird mites or scabies, each with its own clues.
We speak to people every week who are convinced they have bed bugs, have stripped the bed three times and found nothing. Very often the itch is real but the cause is something else entirely. Here is how to work out what it is.
Which sounds like you?
Tick everything that applies.
1. Dust mites (an allergy, not bites)
Dust mites are too small to see (about a quarter of a millimetre) and they do not bite. They live in every bed, feeding on the skin we shed. Their droppings are a powerful allergen. In people who are sensitive, that can mean itchy skin, eczema flares, sneezing, a blocked nose and broken sleep, all worse in bed and first thing in the morning. It is the most common reason someone thinks they have invisible bugs.
How to fix it: seal the mattress, pillows and duvet in barrier encasements so the allergen cannot reach you, wash bedding at 60°C weekly and keep bedroom humidity below 50%. Our free 6 step guide explains the full routine.
2. Carpet beetle larvae
Small, hairy, stripy larvae that live in carpet edges, wardrobes and under furniture. They do not bite, but their bristles cause an itchy, bumpy rash. See carpet beetle vs bed bug.
3. Fleas
Tiny, dark and jumpy. Bites cluster around ankles and lower legs. Usually linked to pets, or a previous owner's pets in a new home.
4. Booklice
Pale, 1 to 2mm, dart quickly, live where it is damp. They do not bite and are harmless, but they are often spotted on windowsills and bedding and cause panic.
5. Bird mites
Very small mites that can wander indoors from a nest in the eaves or loft, usually in spring and early summer after birds leave. They can bite. Removing the old nest is the fix.
6. Scabies
Caused by mites that burrow into the skin, with an intense itch that is worse at night, often between fingers and on wrists, and often affecting others in the household. It needs treatment from a pharmacist or GP.
Quick comparison
| Cause | Can you see it? | Bites? | Key clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed bugs | Yes, 5 to 7mm | Yes | Dark dots and skins in mattress seams |
| Dust mites | No | No | Itch plus sneezing, blocked nose or eczema |
| Carpet beetle larvae | Yes, hairy | No | Larvae near carpets, holes in wool |
| Fleas | Yes, jump | Yes | Ankle bites, pets |
| Booklice | Just | No | Damp spots, darting pale bugs |
| Bird mites | Barely | Yes | Nest nearby, spring |
| Scabies | No | Burrows | Finger and wrist itch, others itchy too |
Frequently asked questions
What are the tiny bugs in my bed that are not bed bugs?
Common ones are carpet beetle larvae, booklice, fleas and bird mites. If you cannot see anything at all but still itch, dust mite allergy is the most likely cause.
Why do I feel like something is crawling on me at night?
Dry skin, allergies and anxiety after a bed bug scare can all cause crawling sensations. Check for physical signs first. If there are none and the itching continues, speak to a pharmacist or GP.
Do mattress encasements help if it is not bed bugs?
For dust mite allergy, yes: barrier encasements on the mattress, pillows and duvet are one of the most effective steps. They also protect against bed bugs if they ever arrive.
Itchy in bed? Seal out the allergen
Our dust mite Protector Set seals the mattress, pillows and duvet. Trusted by 5,000+ UK families.
See the dust mite protector set Get the free 6 step guideWritten by Richard Williams, founder of iDustMite, lifelong allergy sufferer, former NHS worker, guest speaker at the Allergy UK Show in 2025 and 2026, and adviser on over 1,000 dust mite consultations. General information, not medical advice. Reviewed October 2026.
