Carpet Beetles
Brief Overview of Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles are a destructive pest that has the ability to damage clothing, carpets, and stored fabrics inside your home. There are many species found living across the United States, some of the more common species include the varied carpet beetle, the common carpet beetle, and the furniture carpet beetle. Carpet beetles can be found living in many different places including homes, warehouses, and museums. In fact, they have been known to cause considerable damage to taxidermy mounts that are stored in museums.
What Do Carpet Beetles Look Like?
Carpet beetle larvae grow to be about ΒΌ of an inch in length, and can either be carrot-like or oval in shape. They are brown or tan in color and are striped white/tan. The larvae have bristly hairs covering their backs. Adult carpet beetles look very different from the larvae but very similar in appearance to a lady bug; the larvae have rounded, dome shape and a mottled color pattern that can sometimes make them appear spotted.
Where Am I Likely to See Carpet Beetles?
Carpet beetle adults are typically found outside feeding on plant nectar and pollen, while foraging for food they often find their way inside of homes through cracks and crevices found in exterior walls and the foundation, through gaps found around windows and doors, or through spaces found around utility-line entrances. Once inside the adults may feed on or lay their eggs in stored pantry products like cereals, flour, rice products, and other dry goods. In fact, carpet beetle larvae are often introduced into homes through packages of dry goods purchased from the store that are already infested with their eggs or larvae.
Are Carpet Beetles Dangerous?
While not dangerous, they can certainly cause damage and be a major source of irritation. They feed on and create holes in personal items like clothing, blankets, and furniture that are made from animal products (wool, feathers, and fur). Also, the larvae, attracted by the oils found in human hair, will crawl across people as they sleep in order to feed on their hair. Some people may develop a skin reaction from coming into contact with the bristle-covered larvae. This itchy rash that is left behind can understandably cause many people to confuse a carpet beetle infestation with a bed bug infestation. Adult carpet beetles are not dangerous to people but do contaminate food sources, which is both gross and can cost money to replace.
How Do I Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?
The most effective way to get rid of pantry pests like carpet beetles from your property is to contact a professional pest control expert at the first sign of their presence on your North Texas property. The professionals found at Adams Exterminating Company have the experience needed to completely eliminate a carpet beetle infestation through our affordable, effective, modern residential pest control services. Contact us today for more information about our home pest control services in your area and/or obtain a free quote!
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