The carpet beetles can enter your home through various methods: they may fly in from open windows, hitch a ride on clothing or cut flowers, or even pets. Carpet beetles, or Dermestids, can lay eggs inside your home and cause severe damage to rugs, curtains, and upholstery. Their larvae will also wreak havoc with clothing. Please do not give them a chance to cause any harm. Follow this multi-pronged approach to eliminate carpet beetles as soon as you see one.
Carpet Beetles: What You Need to Know
The carpet beetle is one of the most destructive insects. These creepy creatures are usually less than 1/4 of an inch long, black, or a mixture of tan and white. Check around windows and doorways if there is a suspicion of an infestation. Adult carpet beetles may be annoying, but they are not harmful. Only the larvae, which look like tiny, hairy worms, can cause damage to natural fibers.
Where They Live
Do not assume that just because they are called carpet moths, these pests only live in carpets. They prefer dark places and can be found in closets, cabinets, and dressers, especially where furs and wool clothing are stored. Also, they can be found in crevices on sofas, armchairs, and other upholstered furnishings. Carpet beetles are likely to hide in dust bunnies and corners under furniture, especially when pet fur or dander is present.
What They Eat
Carpet beetles prefer natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk clothing, blankets, and rugs. Sadly, the family pantry may also be a food source for these pests. Some carpet bugs feed on flour, cornmeal, pasta, and dry pet foods. Some carpet beetles eat potpourri and dried flowers, but they will also eat animal hides.
How they Reproduce
A carpet beetle’s life cycle can last from two months to many years. Adults can lay more than 100 eggs. They hatch in seven to 35 days. The larvae of carpet beetles can survive without food for up to a month. However, this is when they are at their most destructive.
Identification of an Infestation
The eggs of carpet beetles are so small that they are challenging to detect, and most people don’t realize an infestation until damage is done to clothing or other fabrics. It can be seen as small holes or bare patches in rugs, clothing, or furniture. Carpets can show signs of damage by having a shorter nap or irregular open spaces. The larger holes are where the carpet beetles have eaten in mass and have fused the areas that have been eaten.
Carpet Beetle Extermination: How To Kill Carpet Beetle and Carpet Beetle Larvae
Once you identify their presence, it is usually possible to eliminate carpet beetles without hiring an exterminator. Here are six methods to eliminate destructive larvae and permanently remove carpet beetles.
Insecticide
Use an insecticide containing at least one of these ingredients to stop an active larvae invasion. (View an example on Amazon). To ensure the product will not stain, test it in a small area first.
