Carpet beetles invade businesses and homes throughout the United States and the world. If you have experienced problems with carpet beetles, you may wonder where they came from and how to deal with them. PF Harris has the answers and products you need.
Adult carpet beetles are dome-shaped bugs that can be white, brown, yellow, and black in color. They grow to approximately â…› – ¼ inches long. The adult bugs enter homes in a variety of ways. If doors or windows are left open, they may fly directly inside. The eggs may also be brought in on infested items like couches, clothing, carpets, and plants.
Variegated Carpet Beetle by David Short from Windsor, UK / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Once inside, it is actually the larvae that do the most damage. Carpet beetle larvae are slightly larger than the adults. They can grow up to approximately one inch long and are hairy grubs. They tend to have dark, barbed hair that may cause allergic reactions in some humans. Carpet beetle larvae feed on things composed of natural fibers like wool, leather, silk, feathers, linen, and more.Â
You can control and prevent carpet beetles by doing the following things:
- Seal the exterior of your home using caulk or expandable spray foam
- Ensure that all doors and windows close snuggly and have intact screens
- Remove bird nests on your house or in your chimney because carpet beetles like to live in them
- Check all used furniture, clothing, carpets, etc. before bringing them into your home
- Vacuum carpets frequently, including under furniture
- Know the signs of carpet beetles and treat them as soon as possibleÂ
Signs of carpet beetles may include holes in carpets and other items, droppings, cocoons, cast skins, and adult bugs on window sills where they are attracted to light. If you notice signs of carpet beetles in your home, try Harris Crawling Insect Killer. Simply dust it along the baseboards, along the edges of the carpet, on shelves, or in closets where signs of insects have been seen.
For help with carpet beetles and other pests, visit pfharris.com for all your home pest control needs.
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