Do I Have a Carpet Beetle Infestation?

Are you worried about carpet beetles? These beetles may be cute, but they are destructive. They can eat all types of fabrics. However, their damage can go unnoticed for a long time. They tend to eat things from under the surface. That means that you might not notice the damage until it is very bad. Learning the signs of a carpet beetle infestation can help you stop the problem before it gets too severe.

Look for Beetles

The first thing you can do is look for signs of the carpet beetles, themselves. These beetles are small, about the size of a ladybug. They are in a similar shape as well. However, their coloring is different. They are usually a combination of white, black, and brown.

Once you know what to look for, you need to know when to look for them. They are attracted to light. So, check around windows and lights when the sun is up, or the lights are on.

You may also look for beetle larvae. The larvae are actually larger than the adult beetles. Around 2.5 cm in length, the larvae are dark brown to black, hairy, with golden hair on their abdomen. Many people do not see larvae but notice their shed skin or the damage from their eating.

Look for Damage

Have you noticed damage in natural fibers in your home? If you are spotting holes with an unknown origin, it is probably insect damage. Many people think of moths, but carpet beetles could be your culprit.

Beetles Come in Groups

If you see a single carpet beetle, you should assume you have an infestation. These are pests that travel in groups. So, if you notice one treat for an entire infestation.

What Carpet Beetles Eat

While they are called carpet beetles, these beetles actually love all types of natural fibers. They can eat carpets, silk, wool, cotton, feathers, and leather. They will also eat other insects. Since your home is full of these fibers, it provides an excellent breeding ground for carpet beetles. So, you want to get rid of them before they can become a full infestation.

Schedule a Consultation

If you think you may have carpet beetles, the best thing is to get a professional pest control consultation. Contact Flick. We can have one of our specialists come out to inspect your home. They can verify whether you have carpet beetles. If so, they can craft an extermination program that is designed to target your specific problem.

What carpet beetles eat?

While they are called carpet beetles, these beetles actually love all types of natural fibers. They can eat carpets, silk, wool, cotton, feathers, and leather. They will also eat other insects. Since your home is full of these fibers, it provides an excellent breeding ground for carpet beetles. So, you want to get rid of them before they can become a full infestation.