Carpet Beetle

What are common carpet beetles?

Common carpet beetles are small, oval-shaped insects that can damage carpets, clothing, upholstery, blankets, rugs, and other household items. Adults may have black scales or a mottled pattern made up of brown, black, red, yellow, white, or orange markings.

The larvae are usually the most damaging stage. They are small, brown, caterpillar-like, and covered in bristly hairs. Carpet beetle larvae feed on materials that contain natural fibers or animal-based proteins, such as wool, fur, felt, silk, feathers, leather, skins, and some stored dry goods.

Adult carpet beetles do not feed on fabrics. Once they mature, they usually feed on plant pollen and nectar outdoors.

Where will I find common carpet beetles?

Outside, adult common carpet beetles are often found in flower gardens, bird nests, and small animal nests. They may also be brought indoors on flowers, plants, or other items that were kept outside.

Inside, common carpet beetles may infest rodent nests, wasp nests, dead insects behind walls, pantries, closets, basements, and other storage areas. Their larvae are often found near carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, stored clothing, blankets, piles of fabric, baseboards, and areas where pet hair, lint, or natural fibers have collected.

Homeowners may notice adult carpet beetles near windowsills in the spring as they try to move outside.

Why do I have a common carpet beetle problem?

Common carpet beetles become a problem when they find suitable food sources and places to lay their eggs. Adults may enter through cracks, loose screens, gaps around windows and doors, or on flowers and plants brought inside.

Larvae can also be introduced on infested clothing, rugs, furniture, blankets, natural fiber items, or dry goods. Once inside, female beetles may lay eggs near carpets, fabrics, stored clothing, pantry products, upholstery, or other materials the larvae can feed on.

Because larvae can feed on many different items throughout a home, infestations can spread and become difficult to control without finding the source.

Are common carpet beetles dangerous?

Common carpet beetles are not considered dangerous to people, but they are damaging pests. They do not feed on blood like bed bugs, but their larvae can chew through fabrics, carpets, rugs, clothing, upholstered furniture, feathers, leather, museum specimens, and stored dry goods.

Synthetic fabrics are usually less attractive to carpet beetles, but they may still be damaged if they are blended with natural fibers or stained with food, sweat, or other organic material.

How can I tell if I have common carpet beetles?

You may see adult beetles gathered near windowsills, especially in spring. More often, homeowners notice the damage first. Signs can include holes in clothing, thinning areas in carpets, damage to rugs or upholstery, shed larval skins, or small hairy larvae in closets, storage areas, pantries, or along baseboards.

Carpet beetles are sometimes confused with bed bugs because both are small and oval-shaped. However, carpet beetles do not bite or feed on human blood. Their damage is usually found on fabrics, natural fibers, and stored materials.

How can I help prevent common carpet beetles?

To help prevent common carpet beetles, seal cracks in exterior walls, repair loose or damaged screens, and close gaps around windows and doors. Inspect flowers, plants, rugs, furniture, and other items before bringing them indoors.

Store dry goods in glass or plastic containers with airtight lids. Vacuum carpets, rugs, upholstery, closets, baseboards, and storage areas regularly to remove lint, pet hair, dead insects, and other materials larvae may feed on.

Before storing clothing, blankets, or fabric items, wash or dry clean them first. Store these items in airtight plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes. If you find infested items, seal them in bags before throwing them away to help prevent the beetles from spreading.

Similar Pests: Beetles