Adult carpet beetles are small and oval-shaped, about 1/16 to 1/8-inch. They can range in color from
yellow and orange to black with patterns of white. However, it is not the adult carpet beetles that
damage homes; it is the larvae. Larvae are usually light brown and are covered in thick hairs. On the
abdomen, they have three distinct golden hairs. Compared to adult carpet beetles, the larvae are larger,
about 0.98 inches.
Common Places to Find Carpet Beetles
Although carpet beetle larvae are visible, they are still relatively small and can hide in your
home's fibers. Carpet beetle larvae feed on materials such as wool, fur, silk, and leathers. A good
rule of thumb to remember is carpet beetle larvae look for animal-based materials to feed on;
they damage sweaters, blankets, coats, and other clothing items. This damage is often confused
with that of moths.
vLike moths, beetle carpet larvae will feed on things stored for long periods and that are not
regularly used. In the same sense, carpets that are frequently vacuumed and maintained are less
likely to become infested with carpet beetle larvae.
Suppose you do come across a rug with an infestation. You are then most likely going to find the
larvae on the outer edges and underneath the rug rather than on the exposed top surface. Larvae
can also be found living inside air ducts and under baseboards as they can also feed on lint and
hair.
Signs of A Carpet Beetle Larvae Infestation
The obvious and most straightforward identifiable sign of a carpet beetle larvae infestation is
seeing the pest itself. However, because they are so small, you will want to look out for the
following signs:
- Chewed holes in natural fiber items
- Shed skins may be left behind
- Lose fibers or fallen fibers/ hairs from wall mounted décor
- Irritation, intense itching, and rash can also be a sign of an allergic reaction to carpet
beetle larvae hair
Carpet Beetle Prevention
Prevention against carpet beetles should take place both inside and outside your home. For the
interior of your home, you should vacuum and do laundry often. You should consider using
cedar or mothballs in cohesion with storing clothes and infrequently used fabrics. It is best to use
plastic containers and bags to store off-season clothes and linens. Carpet beetles don't like
sunlight. It is a good idea to air out drawers and closets and expose your belongings to natural
light.
It is usually recommended to try natural remedies first. Still, suppose you feel that you need a
more aggressive preventative. You can try spraying indoor safe insecticides in your home and an
outdoor insecticide around the perimeter of your home. Also, destroy or relocate any bird or
insect nests because carpet beetles will lay their eggs in other nests. It may be time to call the
experts at Triton Pest Control!
To keep adult carpet beetles from entering your home, you should repair screens with small holes
to take away possible entry points. Lastly, you should consider switching to synthetic materials
for rugs and carpets as carpet beetles won't usually feed on them.
Professional Carpet Beetle Prevention
Due to their size, full-grown carpet beetles and larvae can be difficult to remove from your
home. If you find that your home is infested with carpet beetles, the best way to combat the
infestation is with a Triton Pest Control professional. We are known as one the tope pest control providers in Buckeye with a reputation of top customer service, and 100% effective Pest Control treatments. We use a modern approach to pest control services and provide a service that can't be matched. We make pest control easy with online booking.
Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.
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