What are Carpet Beetles?

Carpet Beetles 101

True so their name, these pests love to infest carpeting. This is due to the fact that they consume the materials that make up carpet as well as other organic-based fabrics such as wool, leather, silk, and even feathers. Occasionally this can lead to carpet beetle infestations being misidentified as potential clothes moth issues, but with just one look at these little guys, there’s no mistaking which pests are pestering you.

Appearance

Carpet beetles are very tiny pests measuring a mere 1/16^th – 1/8^th of an inch in length when full grown. They are oval shaped and typically have a mottled pattern on their shells that is a mix of black, brown, white, and sometimes even an orange/yellow tone.

The larvae of carpet beetles are somewhat similar in size to their adult forms but resemble caterpillars in shape. They tend to be fairly colorful and even have dense hair like certain species of caterpillars.

Diet

The larval/adolescent stage of carpet beetles are the culprits behind the destruction of the fabrics in our homes. Females lay their eggs on or nearby these materials. Their egg clusters, which can range in size from about 50-100 individuals, then feed on this source after hatching, which provides them with the nutrients to mature into adulthood. Occasionally, these pests will also consume other sources of nourishment such as pet food, cereals, grains, seeds, and other plant -based materials… which can sometimes lead to infestations in these areas as well.

As adults, their diets change significantly. Instead of targeting fabrics and other grain-like substances, full-grown carpet beetles feed on the pollen or nectar of flowers and are no longer a risk to the materials in your home.

Habitats

Similar to bed bugs, these tiny pests like to hide in small, dark areas where they are not likely to be found. Sometimes, this even includes occupying beds which can get them mistaken for the aforementioned bloodsucking pests. They can also be found in closets, under rugs, around curtains, in carpet,  under furniture, etc.

Outdoors, carpet beetles are most commonly found in and around flowers due to their taste for the pollen/nectar.

Signs of an Infestation

Evidence of a carpet beetle infestation can be pretty easy to spot and includes:

• Small holes in your clothing
• Edges of rugs and carpet appearing jagged or porous
• Tiny egg-like structures in or around fabrics (or even in stored food including pet kibble)
• **A key feature of these infestations is that synthetic materials (ie. polyester, rayon, etc.) will be surpassed and left undamaged by the bugs as they require plant or animal-based materials. The exception to this is if the item is blended with natural materials or heavily soiled with foods or other consumable substances.

Taking Care of an Infestation

As with most pests, prevention is ideal when dealing with carpet beetles. You can easily take some steps to avoid any issues by simply, cleaning/vacuuming frequently, cleaning in and around your pet’s bed, ensuring that your home is sealed as best as possible against pests, and cleaning clothing before storing it away for seasonal or any other storage purposes (this kills any eggs that could potentially be on the clothing).

When prevention isn’t enough, you can always call your local exterminators at Green Pest Services. We take pride in removing infestations and keeping your home secure against destructive pests.

Citations

Choe, D.-H. (2020) Carpet Beetles, The University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program . Available at: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7436.html (Accessed: April 27, 2021).

Ebeling, W. (2020) Chapter 8- Pests of Fabrics and Paper, University of California Riverside Department of Entomology. Available at: https://entomology.ucr.edu/ebelingchapter8 (Accessed: April 27, 2021).

Hill, S. and Mitola, M. (2017) Common Carpet Beetle – Anthrenus scrophulariae (Linnaeus), University of Florida Department of Entomology and Nematology. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Available at: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/fabric/common_carpet_beetle.htm (Accessed: April 27, 2021).

Klass, C. (2013) Beetles Infesting Woolens, Cornell University Department of Entomology. Available at: https://idl.entomology.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/Carpet-beetles.pdf (Accessed: April 27, 2021).

Potter, M. (no date) Carpet Beetles, Entomology at the University of Kentucky. Available at: https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef601 (Accessed: April 27, 2021).