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Carpet Beetle

Danger/Damage

Carpet beetles can cause damage to products of animal origin. Carpet beetle larvae prefer dried protein and like to eat dead insects, hair, dander, woolen rugs, clothing, fur, feathers, upholstered furniture, wool blankets, leather, and dried meats products. Carpet beetles also like to eat plant material such as cereals, stored grain, and nuts. Larvae are responsible for all of the feeding damage.


Did you know?

Carpet beetles are oval and range in color from black to black with yellow/white scales. Carpet beetles can cause serious damage to furniture, fabrics, wool, fur, hair, or feathers as well as plant material such as cereals, stored grain, and nuts.


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Athens, Chillicothe, Columbus, Delaware, Dublin, Gahanna, Grove City, Hilliard, Lancaster, Marion, Marysville, Mt Vernon, Newark, Pataskala, Pickerington, Portsmouth, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Whitehall

Phone: (216) 433-7030
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Adult carpet beetles are easy to identify by their shape and colour. Adults are tiny oval-shaped beetles that are 2.8 mm to 5 mm long, and the colors range from dark brown to black with a pattern of yellow and white scales on the head and wings.

The larvae of carpet beetles have visible hairs along their body and may vary from pale to dark in color depending on the species.


Carpet beetles can cause damage. Products such as fabrics exhibit various and irregular holes in material from larval feeding. Furs and brushes may have tips of hairs damaged, leaving uneven areas.


The female black carpet beetle lays her eggs near or on a food source. If a food source is not found, the female will lay her eggs in a dark undisturbed location where the larvae can feed on carpeting or clothing. It usually takes 177 to 370 days for a larva to emerge into an adult. Adults lives for 30 to 60 days.

The female varied carpet beetle does not always lay her eggs on larval food material. It usually takes 222 to 323 days for a larva to reach adulthood. Adult males live 13 days, and females live 14 to 44 days.


  1. There are several types of carpet beetles such as furniture carpet beetles, varied carpet beetles, and black carpet beetles.
  2. Carpet beetle larvae are responsible for the nipped treads and tiny holes we find in wool sweaters, coats, and pants.
  3. Human oils and sweat improve the taste of the fabrics that carpet beetles like to chew.

How do l recognize a carpet beetle?

Adult carpet beetles are easy to identify by their shape and color. The body is oval to almost circular (2.8mm to 5mm long), and the colors range from all black to black with a pattern of yellow and white scales on the head and wings. The larvae of carpet beetles have many visible hairs along their body and may vary from pale to dark in color depending on the species.

Where do you find carpet beetle?

Carpet beetles can cause damage. Products such as fabrics exhibit various and irregular holes in material from the larvae. Furs and brushes may have tips of hairs damaged, leaving uneven areas.

How do I eliminate carpet beetles?

Once you locate where the carpet beetles are breeding, vacuum the area thoroughly. Machine wash clothing, towels, bedding, cushion covers, and curtains.

If you continue to deal with carpet beetle infestations, it may be time to call in the experts at Abell Pest Control.


 
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