What Are Carpet Beetles?

Carpet beetles are a pest we want to avoid having inside of our Dallas homes. The feeding and breeding habits of carpet beetles cause them to damage our belongings, such as carpets, clothing, upholstery, and stored products.

Adult carpet beetles, depending on the species, come in a wide variety of colors and mottled patterns, including red, black, yellow, and white. The body of a carpet beetle looks similar to a ladybug, with front wings providing a hard, protective cover over the hind wings. Carpet beetle larvae are slimy, worm-like, and covered in bristle-like hairs.

Carpet Beetle Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are carpet beetles dangerous?

Carpet beetles are more of a damaging pest, as opposed to a dangerous pest. Female carpet beetles lay eggs on an appropriate food source like wool, carpets, blankets, upholstered furniture, clothing, furs, shed hair, and dead insects. When the larvae hatch, they begin to feed on the food source provided.

Carpet beetle larvae cause the most damage inside our homes, and adding insult to injury the larval stage of development may last up to a year! The long "life" of carpet beetle larvae enables them to damage food and personal belongings in a home.

Also, carpet beetle larvae like to feed on the oils in our hair. As they travel across our bodies, the bristle-covered larvae cause an itchy skin rash to develop on some people. The rash caused by carpet beetles is often confused for bed bug bites.

Correctly identifying a pest problem is vital to ensuring the proper treatment is administered to eliminate the infestation and prevent a re-infestation.

Why do I have a carpet beetle problem?

There are several ways that carpet beetles can become a problem in your home:

• Adult carpet beetles feed on plant nectar and pollen. When potted plants that have been outside are brought inside, adult carpet beetles may move inside with them.
• Adult carpet beetles get into homes through cracks and openings found around doors and windows after our outdoor lights attract these pests.
• Carpet beetle larvae can be accidentally introduced into homes on items made from natural fibers or dry goods infested with the larvae or eggs.

Where will I find carpet beetles?

Inside, carpet beetles find their way into many places, including kitchen cupboards, pantries, carpets, and clothes storage areas as they search for food and suitable areas to lay their eggs. Adult carpet beetles are also found on potted plants or flowers inside our homes feeding on plant nectar and pollen.

How do I get rid of carpet beetles?

Trust the local pest control experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite to rid your home of carpet beetles. Carpet beetles can hide in dark, hard-to-reach areas of a home. Our professionals know where to find these pests and how to eliminate them!

We provide top-quality pest control services using the latest and most effective products to eliminate carpet beetles and other pests from Dallas area commercial or residential properties. Give us a call today to learn more about our carpet beetle control solutions!

How can I prevent carpet beetles in the future?

Prevent problems with carpet beetles by partnering with All-Safe Pest & Termite and implementing the following prevention tips:

• Place weatherstripping around windows or doors and place screens in windows and doors to keep carpet beetles from easily finding their way into our homes.
• Inspect flowers or other plants that were outside for carpet beetles before bringing them inside.
• Vacuum carpets and upholstery to pick up stray carpet beetles.
• Store blankets, clothing, and other fabric items in airtight plastic containers.
• Remove dry goods from their original containers and place them inside glass or plastic containers with airtight lids before putting them away in the pantry.