Carpet Beetles
Carpet Beetles Carpet beetles may be small but can be very destructive. These oval, hard-shelled insects are 1/16-1/8’’(about the size of a piece of rice). They are black, brown, or tan in color and some have marmorated spotting. They will go anywhere food is present and lay their eggs. Their main food source are items that contain animal products. These products include wool, skin, fur, hair, and feathers. Carpet beetles will lay anywhere from 40-90 eggs per breeding cycle. The larvae feast off natural or organic materials, damaging the item. Common items that contain natural materials include carpets, rugs, tapestries, furniture, and clothing. The larva is about a 1/4 -1/2 ’’ long and shaped like a carrot. As they continue to morphosis they will develop spiky looking hairs on them before becoming an adult.

Larvae from Carpet Beetles
Woolly Bear
  • What can I do to prevent a carpet beetle infestation?
    The best way to prevent a carpet beetle infestation is to thoroughly look over any old carpets, tapestries, furniture, box springs and mattresses, or clothing before bringing it into your home. Sanitize and thoroughly wash any of these items as they may have eggs and larvae present. Leather or wool jackets should be dry cleaned to kill off any infestation.

    If you have already brought these damaging insects into your home, then the best solution would be to get rid of the source they are coming from. Once the infested object is removed the problem should be resolved.

Carpet Damage from Carpet Beetles
Damaged Sweater from Carpet Beetles

Critter Ridders does not offer a treatment for carpet beetles.

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