Despite their name, carpet beetles don’t just infest carpet. They can also set up shop in upholstered furniture, clothing, comforters, pillows, and more. Carpet beetles enter your building through open spaces like doors and windows. They can also be brought in through cut plants and flowers.
Carpet beetles aren’t just living in your rugs, comforters, and clothes. They’re eating the fabric and laying eggs. When these pests infest your animal-based fabrics, they can cause serious, irreversible damage. Learn how to rid your property of these pesky pests and how to stop them from entering in the first place.
What are carpet beetles?
Carpet beetles are pests that infest carpet and other animal-based fabric such as wool, fur, felt, silk, feathers, and skins. The bugs actually cause damage during the larval stage. You’ll find the larvae in carpets, clothing, and sometimes even dried food products. There are three main species of carpet beetles: the varied carpet beetle, the furniture carpet beetle, and the black carpet beetle.
What do carpet beetles look like?
Fully grown carpet beetles are small and black or dark brown in color. They are oval-shaped with six legs and two antennae. Their bodies are round and hard and they have wings beneath their shells. Carpet beetle larvae look like small, hairy worms with bands across their backs.
Where do carpet beetles come from?
Carpet beetles live and breed outdoors; their diet consists of pollen and nectar. If you have a carpet beetle infestation, there’s a good chance they hitched a ride on plants and flowers. If there are outdoor plants in your building, carpet beetles might be in your building, too. Carpet beetles are attracted to light. They’ll find a way to get inside toward light through cracks in windows and doors or openings around plumbing entrances, electrical ducts, vents, and even chimneys.
How do I know if I have a carpet beetle infestation?
Signs of a carpet beetle infestation include:
- Shed larval skin. Check underneath rugs and furniture, in folds of clothing or blankets, and in corners where lint, bugs, and pet hair collect. These beetles shed their skin as they grow, so if you have a carpet beetle problem, you’ll find their skin.
- Damaged wool, clothes, and blankets. Carpet beetle larvae naw through the surface of fabric and leave behind just the basal thread. Sometimes, they even eat entirely through it, leaving complete holes.
- Bald spots on fur or trophy heads. Beetle larvae feed on animal mounts and furs by clipping the hairs off at the base. This leaves behind bald spots.
- Beetles on walls and window sills. Adult carpet beetles mate outside. Sometimes you can spot them making their way toward the light or window, especially in spring. You may also see dead carpet beetles on window sills. Even though there are different types of carpet beetles, most of them are oval-shaped and black with yellow or orange patterns. They’re usually about 1-4 mm in length.
How do I get rid of carpet beetles?
There are plenty of ways to get rid of carpet beetles. It’s best to get these pesky little things out of your property’s nooks and crannies as soon as possible! If you have a carpet beetle infestation, here are some things you can try to get rid of them:
- Vacuum. From carpeted rooms to dog beds, be sure to vacuum all fabrics. Once you vacuum fabrics, spray with insecticide.
- Clean with vinegar. White vinegar and apple cider vinegar are great, natural ways to rid a building of pests. Wipe down surfaces with a half-vinegar, half-water solution. If you want a stronger repellent, add a few drops of mint oil.
- Freeze fabrics. Extreme temps can kill carpet beetles. To rid items of carpet beetles, wrap your fabrics in plastic bags and put them in the freezer for at least 48 hours.
If you’ve tried the tips above and you still can’t rid your space of a carpet beetle infestation, get in touch with Assured Environments! We can provide quality pest control to your home or business.